BRITISH CONSULATE PROVIDES 12 PCS TO UPGRADE “WAFA” NEWS AGENCY IN RAMALLAH (01/08/07)
During a celebration in the agency’s headquarters in Ramallah, the British Consulate General in Jerusalem delivered 12 PCs to upgrade Wafa news Agency. The ceremony took place with participation of the British Political Consul Chris Merrit, Projects Officer Michael Sansour and Press & Public Diplomacy Officer Fadi Ali.
Nimer Khlouf the General Director of Wafa gave welcoming remarks on behalf of the agency and expressed hope that this would be the beginning of fruitful cooperation between the two sides. “I hope this donation would help develop the Palestinian media in a way that would enable Palestinians in the homeland and in other countries to know what is happening in the Palestinian territories and to follow the progress in our national cause. This contribution came at a very critical time after Wafa agency has lost 70% of its work capacity, both staff and equipments, after the incidents in Gaza. The agency is currently operating its West Bank offices and urgently needs more equipment to function properly,” he said.
Khalouf explained that the agency belongs to the Palestinian people as it was not a private company and that the donation, which the Consulate had kindly provided, has reached the Palestinian people who need it badly at this critical time. He added that the project is worth of 6 thousand sterling pounds, the equivalent of $ 12 thousand and that the first phase included providing 12 PCs and the second phase will include providing voice recorders.
On his part, Chris Merrit, the Political Consul in the British Consulate General in Jerusalem said: “On behalf of the British Consulate General in Jerusalem, I am delighted to meet you today and to get to know the staff at the Wafa news agency. Wafa news agency plays an important role in setting clear rules for the Palestinian media. We highly appreciate and value your efforts, activities and media services that you provide in the Palestinian territories and we hope that you would continue to develop your journalists and enhance your media work”
Merrit reiterated that the British Consulate thinks it was essential to build professional capacities and media skills of Palestinian journalists and agencies. He said: “The Consulate finds it important to build professional capacities and media skills of Palestinian journalists and agencies, especially those dealing with incidents in an objective manner that reflects the whole truth and leaves a positive impact on the Palestinian society.
Country: United Kingdom
Subject: Assistance, Public information, Situation in the OPT including Jerusalem
Publication Date: 01/08/2007