Is the EU Softening Its Position Re Hamas?

By Victor Comras

Hamas� victory in the Palestinian elections has posed a serious dilemma for our EU partners. In their first pronouncements after the January 25th Palestinian elections EU leaders took common position with the United States. They warned that continued assistance and maintenance of positive relations with the EU would be predicated on Hamas renouncing violence and recognizing Israel�s right to exist. Hamas intransigence, they said, would put at risk some 500 million Euro that the EU had previously pledged to the Palestinian Authority.

Since then the EU has appeared to backtrack. With no assurances from the Hamas government that it would renounce terrorism, EU Foreign Ministers, on February 27th, and again on March 20th, agreed to go ahead with the first tranche of their pledged assistance -- a grant of some 120 million Euro -- to the new Palestinian Authority. EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner indicated no preconditions, but stated that " How we are able to help the Palestinians in the future will depend to a large extent on the decisions taken by their newly elected government; whether its members support non violence, recognise Israel and stand by existing agreements.� The package includes some 64 million euros channeled through UN agencies to the poorest in the Palestinian territories, 20 million euros to pay the salaries of Palestinian Authority officials, and 40 million euros for electricity and other energy expenses. The first checks were handed over to the Palestinians and the UN yesterday (March 21, 2006). Whether to proceed with further payments will be a central issue at the 2 day EU Summit meeting beginning tomorrow. .

The EU decision to move ahead now followed warnings from James Wolfensohn, the former World Bank chairman and now special envoy, that the Palestine Authority faces immediate collapse due to lack of funding. It also masks some serious differences between European leaders as to the right posture to take in dealing with Hamas. The British, German and Austrian governments want to make it clear that further payments will be conditioned on Hamas� moderating its anti-Israel activities. But other leaders, such as French President Jacques Chirac, are suggesting that the EU should not take any step that would penalize the Palestinian people. We must find a way to pursue European aid to the Palestinian people ... without it being sent where it shouldn't be.� We should not sanction the Palestinian people economically {even if} �this result {a renunciation of terrorism} is not clear or immediate."

While there is no indication that Hamas is willing to change its spots, Hamas leaders are looking for ways to ensure that EU assistance will continue. Salah Bardawil, a Hamas spokesperson, has indicated that unofficial contacts with EU countries have already been established �through third parties� Presumably these include Russia, where Hamas leaders recently held talks at Putin�s invitation.

One thing is for sure. The pressure on Hamas must be maintained. It must be made clear to Palestinian leaders that running their government and taking care of their citizens is their primary responsibility. Its up to them to act responsibly, and put the welfare of their people first. It's not up to the EU, US, UN or others to bail them out if they choose violence and terrorism over these real responsibilities.

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