MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
I am pleased to announce Australia will make a
significant new commitment aimed at strengthening peace in the Middle
East.
The Australian Government has warmly welcomed the Wye
River Memorandum signed on 23 October and applauds the commitment that both
Israel and the Palestinians have demonstrated to building a just, secure, and
comprehensive peace in the Middle East. We recognise the tremendous support
President Clinton has provided to achieve this outcome.
The international community has a role to play in
supporting the rejuvenated process toward a permanent peace in this troubled
region.
At the invitation of President Clinton, the Australian Government
is attending the Conference to support Middle East Peace and Development
on 30 November. Austrralia will be represented by H.E. the Hon Andrew
Peacock, A.C. , Australia's Ambassador to the United States of America.
Australia will provide $16 million over the next
three years for development activities designed to strengthen the peace process.
Of this pledge, just over $8 million will be allocated to the work of the United
Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) which remains the primary agency for the
delivery of international assistance in the region to Palestinians. UNRWA
provides education, health and employment services to an estimated 3.4 million
Palestinian refugees.
Some $4.5 million will be provided to fund the
activities of Australian non-government organisations (NGOs) in the fields of
employment generation and health services. This will build on the support
provided to six Australian NGOs that have been undertaking humanitarian
activities in the region over the last three years.
Nearly $3.5 million will be spent on assisting the
agricultural and legal sectors. The agricultural program will transfer
Australian skills and technology to help overcome major constraints facing
agricultural development in the West Bank and Gaza. The anticipated legal
assistance will strengthen legal infrastructure and help protect human
rights.
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