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US and EU diverge on Palestinians EU talks on Palestinian embargo
(about 5 hours later)
The US has insisted the freeze on aid to the Palestinians will remain, despite European suggestions that it may be time to reconsider the policy. European Union foreign ministers are due to meet to discuss the aid embargo on the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority.
France said the formation of Palestinian national unity government should prompt a rethink of the embargo, imposed after Hamas won elections. France has said the formation of a Palestinian national unity government should prompt a rethink of the embargo, imposed after Hamas won elections.
This contrasts with the reaction in Washington, which has insisted the aid freeze should remain in place.
Talks between political factions on the make up of a national unity government are continuing.
A Palestinian government of national unity... should lead to a re-examination of the policies of the international community toward the Palestinian government in terms of aid and contacts Philippe Douste-BlazyFrench foreign minister
Hamas and the Fatah faction led by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas struck a deal on Monday on the programme of a national unity government.
The UN and aid agencies have warned that the aid embargo has left the Palestinian economy close to collapse, and in Gaza, contributed to a severe humanitarian crisis.
The embargo was imposed after the Islamist militant organisation Hamas, which refuses to recognise Israel and renounce violence, won January's elections.
Growing rift
Correspondents say these are signs of a growing rift between the US and the Europe Union over the issue.Correspondents say these are signs of a growing rift between the US and the Europe Union over the issue.
EU foreign ministers are meeting on Friday to discuss the freeze. Speaking after talks on Thursday in Ramallah with Mr Abbas, French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said a "Palestinian government of national unity... should lead to a re-examination of the policies of the international community toward the Palestinian government in terms of aid and contacts".
The UN and aid agencies warn it has left the Palestinian economy close to collapse.
It was imposed after the Islamist militant organisation Hamas, which refuses to recognise Israel, won January's elections.
Hopes for government
But last Monday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announced that he had reached a deal with Hamas on forming a new government of national unity.
The proposed coalition would bring the radical Islamists of Hamas and the more moderate Fatah faction of Mr Abbas together.
France's Douste-Blazy struck a different tone to the US
Speaking after talks in Ramallah with Mr Abbas, French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said a "Palestinian government of national unity... should lead to a re-examination of the policies of the international community toward the Palestinian government in terms of aid and contacts".
He said such a move could be used to push forward the peace process.He said such a move could be used to push forward the peace process.
The European foreign ministers meeting in Brussels is expected to examine the case for lifting the embargo. France's Douste-Blazy struck a different tone to the US
But in Washington, state department spokesman Sean McCormack insisted nothing had changed.But in Washington, state department spokesman Sean McCormack insisted nothing had changed.
He said it was "not at all clear that the Palestinians have come to an agreement on a unity government" and said if they wanted the boycott to be lifted, they should "meet the conditions that are laid out for them".He said it was "not at all clear that the Palestinians have come to an agreement on a unity government" and said if they wanted the boycott to be lifted, they should "meet the conditions that are laid out for them".
Those conditions - set out by so-called Mid-East Quartet of the US, EU, UN and Russia - are recognition of Israel, renunciation of violence and recognition of previous peace accords with the Israelis.Those conditions - set out by so-called Mid-East Quartet of the US, EU, UN and Russia - are recognition of Israel, renunciation of violence and recognition of previous peace accords with the Israelis.
'Tough decisions''Tough decisions'
Mr McCormack said "the Palestinian people... need to understand why they are in the situation in which they find themselves now.Mr McCormack said "the Palestinian people... need to understand why they are in the situation in which they find themselves now.
"They are in that situation because of the Hamas government, its failure to make the tough decisions to provide for the Palestinian people and to be able to govern effectively.""They are in that situation because of the Hamas government, its failure to make the tough decisions to provide for the Palestinian people and to be able to govern effectively."
The BBC's Jonathan Beale at the state department says clear divisions are now emerging between the US and Europe on this issue.The BBC's Jonathan Beale at the state department says clear divisions are now emerging between the US and Europe on this issue.
He says the US shares Israeli objections to having Hamas represented at all in the Palestinian government.He says the US shares Israeli objections to having Hamas represented at all in the Palestinian government.
Friday's meeting in Brussels will be followed next week by a meeting of members of the Quartet, where differences are likely to come to a head, our correspondent says.Friday's meeting in Brussels will be followed next week by a meeting of members of the Quartet, where differences are likely to come to a head, our correspondent says.