The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) has opened an external investigation in relation to allegations of the misuse of funds donated by the European Union (EU) in the context of budgetary support to the Palestinian Authority (PA).
The move follows the evaluation of information received by OLAF in recent months from a number of different sources. According to an OLAF press release, no further comment will be made on the investigation until it has been completed.
The EU is the largest donor to the PA, contributing close to $11 million a month to public sector worker salaries. Several members of the European parliament have suggested that EU money has been misused by corrupt officials of the PA or used to fund attacks on Israeli civilians. Israeli officials have disclosed documents seized by army forces indicating that known terrorists are listed on the PA’s payroll.
OLAF protects the interests of the EU, fights fraud, corruption and any other irregular activity, including misconduct within the European institutions. It achieves this by conducting, in full independence, internal and external investigations. It also organizes close and regular co-operation between the competent authorities of the member states in order to co-ordinate their activities. — (menareport.com)
© 2003 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
