A BRITISH TRIBUTE FOR ARAFAT

British Foreign Minister Lays Wreath at Arafat's Grave
British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw laid a wreath at Arafat's grave during a West Bank visit on Thursday. Straw's gesture reflected the fact that the EU maintained contacts with Arafat in his last years rather than shun him as Washington did, accusing him of inciting violence. A senior British official said earlier the Palestinians had made the right noises about stopping violence but had yet to show how they would implement their pledges. Straw's trip was cast by sceptics as a bid by Prime Minister Tony Blair to show he was giving priority to pursuing Middle East peace. (Reuters)

See also: Yasser Arafat`s life-work must be continued

See also: Israel Fumes at Straw's Floral Tribute to Arafat - Herb Keinon (Jerusalem Post)

See also: Straw: Hamas-Linked Charity is Legal - Herb Keinon
The Palestinian Relief and Development Fund (Interpal) - a British-based charitable organization that Israel and the U.S. maintain is a front organization for Hamas - is operating within the confines of British law, British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said Wednesday. (Jerusalem Post)