Canadian aid to Palestinians to continue despite Hamas role in government

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird says the Canadian government will continue to work with thePalestinian Authority, despite expressing earlier concernabout the new Palestinian unity governments connection to Hamas, which is listed as a terrorist organization under Canadian law.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas swore ina national unity governmentearlier this monthwith his Islamic militant Hamas rivals, drawingIsraeli threats of retaliation.

At the time,Baird said Canada would only deal with a Palestinian government that renounced terrorism and recognized Israel's right to exist.

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In an interview with CBC News Network's Power & Politicson Monday, Baird was asked whether Canada would continue to provide Palestinians with $66 million in aid.

While Baird did not answer the question directly, he said "there are noHamasministersorHamasofficials in the governmentand we've got to acknowledge that fact.

"So we're going to continue to obviously work with President Abbas and his government, but we're going to continue to watch the situation very closely," Baird said.

After the interview, a spokesman for Baird toldPower & Politicsthat Canada would in fact continue to provide Palestinians with $66 million in aid, but clarified that Canada does not directly fund the Palestinian Authority.

Prime Minister Stephen Harpermade the announcementin Januaryduring his visit to the West Bank city ofRamallah, where he met with Abbas.

According to the government, the money is intended to help advance the peace process, promote security and deliver humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza.