11 February 2009

Statement on Egypt’s Call for International Donors’ Conference

United States supports Cairo conference to assist Palestinians

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
February 11, 2009

MEDIA NOTE

Cairo Conference

The United States strongly supports Egypt's call for an international donors' conference in Cairo on March 2 to facilitate Gaza recovery and strengthen the Palestinian economy. The U.S. plans to be represented at a high level and urges members of the international community to show similar support for the Egyptian initiative.

The United States sees the March 2 conference as an opportunity to address, along with other donors and international organizations, the immediate humanitarian suffering in Gaza and support the Palestinian Authority's plan for the reconstruction of Gaza as an integral part of a future Palestinian state. We welcome Egypt's leadership in consolidating a ceasefire in Gaza, and hope that conditions on the ground will allow the United States and other members of the international community to provide substantial levels of assistance to the people of Gaza.

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