PARIS CORRESPONDENT NELSON ASCHER EMAILS:

Hello.

This is very important:

Though a minimum of 157 signatures was needed, by now more than 160 Euro Parliament representatives have signed the request demanding an investigation into how the Palestinians have been using the money given them by the European Union. Great for the very day the “gang of 8” published its pro-US letter. Maybe things are begining to change this side of the ocean — and, by the way, this is also, and quite officially, the “hole in the head” Chris Patten was in need of.

Another diplomatic success. Heh.