BRUSSELS, Feb. 24 (UPI) -- The European Union may send payments directly to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas instead of through Hamas, which won elections recently.
The plan emerged after EU Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solana's talks with the United States, Russia and the United Nations, who are trying to promote peace between Israelis and Palestinians, reports The New York Times.
The direct payment plan would be seen as supporting the moderate Abbas, while keeping the pressure on the anti-Israeli Hamas, says the report.
"We have to find a way to finance him and his structures because of his responsibilities as president of the Palestinian Authority and as the primary interlocutor with the international community," Solana said.
A senior State Department official was quoted as saying the United States has not seen Solana's proposal but indicated a common approach is needed to persuade Hamas to change its position.
