Saudi Arabia has withheld its pledge for millions of dollars to Hamas in a move that threatens operations of the Islamic insurgency movement.
Palestinian sources said the Hamas leadership had been expecting payment of between $2 million and $5 million from Saudi Arabia in February 2004. They said the Saudis suspended payment amid U.S. pressure and the subsequent assassination of Hamas leader Ahmed Yassin.
"Hamas envoys have been literally begging the Saudis to honor their pledge," a Palestinian source close to Hamas said. "The Saudis are nervous about giving Hamas money after Yassin's death. They don't know who they're dealing with anymore."
Saudi Interior Minister Prince Nayef Bin Abdul Aziz has headed the kingdom's fund for the Palestinian war against Israel. Most of the money from the fund has gone to Hamas, the sources said.
http://www.menewsline.com/stories/2004/april/04_22_2.html