US bars business dealings with Hamas govt

Jerusalem, Apr 15: The Bush administration has barred Americans from having most business dealings with the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority, warning violators could face sanctions, according to a U S Treasury Department document.

''Transactions with the Palestinian Authority by U S persons are prohibited, unless licensed,'' the document said, giving private citizens and organisations 30 days to terminate ongoing contracts and programmes with the Authority.

The Bush administration made an exception for the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and U N aid agencies, authorising them to engage in ''activities and transactions'' with the Palestinian Authority, the document said.

Reuters