Israel & PNA join in fight of BF

   JERUSALEM, Feb. 22 (Xinhuanet) -- Israel joined force with thePalestinians to fight a possible outbreak of bird flu and foot-and-mouth disease, the Jerusalem Post reported on Wednesday.

   Samples taken from suspected livestock and dead wild fowl havebeen delivered by Palestinian officials from Gaza for tests inIsrael, said the report.

   The outbreaks of either disease will not only jeopardizePalestinians in Gaza but also the public in Israel, said Uri Madar,who is the head of the agricultural division at the Erez DistrictCoordinating Office.

   "It is in Israel's interest to ensure that agriculturalstandards in Gaza are maintained," Madar told the Post as heprepared to transport the samples to Israel's veterinary servicelaboratories in Beit Dagan.

   If these diseases are confirmed, the situation could havefierce repercussions in terms of finance and health, Israelisecurity officials were quoted as saying.

   On Wednesday morning, Madar was notified that 12 to 13 deadwild fowl were found in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, not far fromborders between Gaza and Egypt, where bird flu cases were reportedfor the first time on Feb. 17.

   Earlier this week, Palestinian officials spotted possible signsof foot-and-mouth disease in a number of cows in Gaza.   Israeli officials insisted that samples be transferred toIsrael for further testing, Madar said.

   Despite the security situation, cooperation and coordinationwith the Palestinians on such issues has been good, said Madar.

   Security officials warned that once the Islamic ResistanceMovement (Hamas) establishes a new Palestinian government, thepossibility of maintaining such close coordination and contacts will be in doubt.

   "If Israel's policy is to refrain from speaking with Hamas,then once the new Palestinian government is installed and newministers take their posts, all contacts will be stopped," a security official said.

   Hamas, which won a landslide victory in January's Palestinianlegislative elections, is about to form a new cabinet within weeks.   Israel has said that it would not deal with a Hamas-led government unless the group recognizes Israel's right to exist,renounces violence and respects agreements signed in the past. Enditem