EU

     The European Union' s external relations commissioner, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, will push a new aid deal to the Palestinians during a four-day trip to the Middle East. Ferrero-Waldner said the EU plans to expand aid to a temporary mechanism which helps needy Palestinians. She said that the EU is also considering new channels to help some Palestinian institutions and the economy, media reported. These programs could get underway before the EU decides whether or not to provide direct aid to the new Palestinain govt, according to Ferrero-Waldner.(10,40)