EU monitors say Egypt to keep Hamas funds out of Gaza

By Staff
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JERUSALEM, Dec 21 (Reuters) European monitors overseeing the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt today said that Egypt made a commitment to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to keep Hamas officials from using the border to bring in funds.

But top Abbas aide Saeb Erekat said later that Egypt may not stop officials from Hamas, which took control of the Palestinian government in March, from entering in the future. ''Egypt is a country with laws of its own,'' he said.

Diplomats estimate that Hamas, whose government is restricted by US and EU sanctions, has managed to bring about 80 million dollars through Rafah this year. Hamas says the funds are used to keep the government it heads functioning. Israel says they are being used to finance militants.

This month, Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, a senior Hamas leader, tried to cross Rafah with 35 million dollars in cash raised during a 2-1/2 week tour of the region, including Iran. He was forced to leave the funds in an Egyptian bank.

Maria Telleria, spokeswoman for the European monitors, said Erekat yesterday told Rafah's coordination committee, which includes the Europeans, Israelis and Egyptians, that ''a commitment'' was made by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to Abbas to stop the money on the Egyptian side of the border.

''If they (Hamas officials) are carrying money, it will be deposited in an Egyptian bank'' and not be allowed through Rafah, Telleria said. ''It is a commitment, not an agreement, to try to solve the problem of the money in the future.'' A commitment to block Hamas from crossing Rafah with funds is likely to please Israel, the United States and the European Union, which regard Hamas as a terrorist organisation. They have tried to push its government towards collapse via sanctions and the severing of direct aid.

Hamas may be able to find others not directly affiliated with its movement to bring in cash on its behalf.

For regular travellers entering Gaza through Rafah, sums over 80,000 shekels must be declared.

REUTERS SY KP2330

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