NYT: Europe Reacts Coolly to Bush's Call to Freeze Charities' Assets

[Nambe]

PARIS, Aug. 23 — Europe has reacted tepidly to President Bush's call to freeze the assets of four European charities said by the administration to be sending cash to Palestinian militants. That sets the stage for another trans- Atlantic rift over Middle East policy.

Rudolf Gollia, a spokesman for Austria's Interior Ministry, said the country's counterterrorism agency had already investigated one of the groups, the Palestinian Association in Austria, and had found no evidence of wrongdoing. "Under Austrian law there were no grounds for punitive action," Mr. Gollia told the Austria Press Agency late on Friday after Mr. Bush had spoken.

Both French and European Union officials said any decision on freezing assets would probably be made jointly by European foreign ministers over the next few weeks and would require a thorough review of the charities' activities.

"The European ministers and experts will look at the question and there will be a 15-country debate," a French diplomat said here today, adding that only then would there be a decision. The ministers are scheduled to meet in Italy on the first weekend in September. ---

Ride Don’t Drive It’s Global Cool

[Raenelle]

1. Just more proof of how smart Whistle Ass was in dissing Old Europe

I know it's good news that his poll numbers are falling, but how in God can 53% still approve of the job he is doing. Everything, every act, every plan, every plot, every justification, has been a catastrophe. My only question is whether Whistle Ass is so stupid he actually believes the crap he says, or whether he is as cynical as his advisers.

[Paschall]

2. For what it's worth...

...the Paris-based Committee for Welfare and Relief for Palestine benefits from subsidies from at least one major French municipality. They sponsor vacation trips to France for Palestinian orphans. Like all non-profits with foreign nationals on their board of directors, their activities and budget are subject to extremely strict oversight by the French government (the police and tax authorities), with measures that I'm sure would shock many Americans.

[jamesinca]

3. I wonder in the back of my mind if it is not just another way

another way to get money, collect interest on it some how, or just never return it and keep it outright. I realy am suspicious of anything that he does.