Dear Friends of Palestinian Sport,

The headquarters of the Palestinian Olympic Committee (POC) were bombed on February 11, 2002. The POC continues to operate in makeshift offices on the premises of its bombed facility, albeit without the necessary phone, fax, and computer equipment. Thankfully, no one was killed in the raid. Rennovation of the headquarters is already underway.

I would like to take this moment to testify that the POC headquarters are an entirely non-millitary target. Nor does the POC share its facility with any civil defense, police, intelligence, navy, or other security related offices of the Palestinian National Authority.

The POC focusses exclusively on sport and the representation of Palestinian national teams in international sport venues and competitions. I have visited the POC headquarters on all of my trips to Palestine. This bombing raid is absolutely a case of the Israeli millitary targeting civillian infrastructure.

The POC has sent communications to the appropriate individuals and institutions in the international sport community regarding this matter.

The POC needs your help to ensure continued access for Palestinian youth to international sport and cultural exchange! Anyone interested in contributing to the rebuilding and refurbishing of the POC headquarters is encouraged to write the Palestine Sports Project at info@palestinesports.org

Sincerely,

Ghassan C. Haddad
President
Palestinian Rowing Federation
Palestine Sports Project
www.palestinesports.org