Mahmoud Abbas' PhD Dissertation: Was this Neo-Nazi U or Jihadi U? Aid "Carefully Administered"

Take off your rose-coloured glasses May 28, 05, National Post

Re: Pettigrew Refuses To Condemn Hamas, May 27.

Pierre Pettigrew's gushing remarks about Mahmoud Abbas, coupled with his refusal to condemn the participation by Hamas in upcoming elections, demonstrates the rose-coloured glasses being worn by Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Mr. Pettigrew proceeds to blithely claim that money sent by Canada does not end up in the hands of terrorists, stating that "Our partners are very solid. They know the ground." I must therefore presume that the publishing of school textbooks that deny Israel's right to exist and promote anti-semitism is considered perfectly acceptable to the Minister. After all, Canada has sent millions of dollars to the UN's Palestinian refugee agency, whose vehicles have been used to transport terrorists and weapons on their way to slaughter Israelis, as well as purchasing and distributing the aforementioned books.

The coup de grace, however, is Mr. Pettigrew's claim that Mr. Abbas "was not ever editing history, and into grievances." Mr. Pettigrew should be reminded that Abbas's doctoral thesis was the denial of the existence of the Holocaust. If this is not "editing history," I do not know what is.
Steven Chaimberg, Montreal.

Our Canadian government and Mahmoud Abbas -- Sometimes, a letter writer is just so good on a topic of importance that his views must be shared. I was shocked at that last paragraph; how is it possible? Such boundless ignorance being passed off as scholarship! Tell me the dissertation was unacceptable -- that it did not earn a doctorate . . .




It will be "carefully administered"

Pettigrew refuses to condemn Hamas -- 'Wait and see' how terrorists do in election May 27, 05, Mike Blanchfield, with files from Sheldon Alberts. CanWest

[. . . . ] "Hamas is a terrorist group," Mr. Bush said. "It's on a terrorist list for a reason."

On the eve of Mr. Abbas's visit to Ottawa, Mr. Pettigrew was less critical of the role of Hamas in the upcoming elections. "They've done well in a few municipal elections. I am told these are not necessarily typical of the whole situation. So let's wait and see how things develop," he said.

Prime Minister Paul Martin is expected to announce a modest aid package, to coincide with Mr. Abbas's arrival today, that will bolster Canadian aid to "good governance" initiatives aimed at strengthening the Palestinian Authority and the economic well-being of Palestinians. [. . . . ]

Senior federal officials added Canada would not offer direct aid, but would continue to funnel its contributions through the non-governmental agencies in the region to ensure it continues to be "carefully administered." [. . . . ]

snicker, snicker . . .

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