Archives
Outcry erupts as Canada starts to move away from Palestinian refugee agency Published January 20, 2010  1 Comment |
View story
Email 
Comments
To the EditorStory Comments (1)
 By Mesmer Loco |
This article neglects to mention where UNRWAâs funds are being diverted to. A Toronto Star article on Jan 15, âCanada redirects funding for UN relief agencyâ (http://www.thestar.com/living/article/750917--canada-redirects-funding-for-un-relief-agency), writes that, while 15 million is being pulled from UNRWA, 20 million is being put into Palestinian police forces, courthouses and prisons. The article is backed by The Jerusalem Postâs Jan 13 article, âCanada elects to fund PA justice systemâ (http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1263147877187&pagename=JPArticle%2FShowFull) Vic Toews, president of Canadaâs Treasury Board, stated, "Canada has pledged $20m. towards training prosecutors, judges and police and building up the Palestinian judicial sector by building courthouses in Ramallah, Hebron and Tulkarm. But more important than building the courthouses is training the people... A fair and effective system of criminal justice with an efficient and independent Prosecutions Office and Attorney-General's Office is integral to the process, and to securing long-term peace and stability in the Middle East." By âtraining the peopleâ Toews is referring to the training of the Palestinian Authorities police force by Canadian officers, under the authority of US Lt.-Gen. Keith Dayton (Toews said, "Canada has the largest contingency under Gen. Dayton. We have 18 officers, and the United States only has 10.") Curious to know how Mr. Benoît, and Ms. Oda rationalize $20 million on training prosecutors, judges and police as âFood Aidâ. This only a couple of months after Oda cut KAIROSâ funding because it wasnât meeting âFood Aidâ objectives. |
Embassy Twitter Updates