Palestinians Seek $5.6B in Talks

60 nations meet in Paris to bankroll the Palestinian Authority

By Peter Fearon, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 17, 2007 2:50 AM CST

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Palestinians Seek $5.6B in Talks — U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice greets Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, unseen, at the start of their meeting in Paris, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2007. The Palestinian government needs quick cash to stay afloat in coming months, Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad said in an interview Sunday,... (Associated Press)

Representatives of more than 60 nations meet in Paris today to discuss providing aid to the Palestinians. Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas, locked in a power struggle with Hamas in Gaza, is hoping to secure $5.6 billion in aid over the next three years. The US has promised $550 million. The talks are part of the process to forge an agreement on Palestinian statehood next year.

Though representatives intend to focus on financial support, envoys are also expected to discuss controversial issues such as Israel's plans to build houses in the occupied area. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice warned that the conference is likely to be contentious. "I don't care how much you talk to people before, there will be turbulence," she said. (More Palestinian Authority stories.)

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