CPA TO EXPRESS DISMAY OVER ATTACK

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 13 (Bernama) -- Commonwealth Parliamentary Association
(CPA) chairman Mohd Shafie Apdal wants its secretary-general, Dr William F.
Shinja, to inform all relevant parties to condemn the Israeli violence in
Palestine.

In a letter dated Jan 5, Shafie, who is also the Malaysian Minister of
Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage urged the CPA to take a stand on the matter,
including passing a CPA resolution to express shock at the current conflict in
Gaza.

In the letter, copies of which were distributed to the media in Parliament,
Shafie said there was an unacceptable loss of innocent lives and injuries
involving many women and children, as a result of the Israeli attack.

"As an organisation committed to democracy and the peaceful resolution of
problems, the CPA should call upon the international community to act urgently
and in concerted manner to insist on both combatants (Israeli and Palestinians)
to an immediate cease-fire and on an unconditional end to all military
operations.

"Furthermore, we ask that every step be taken to support and facilitate the
desperately necessary relief work, including the delivery of humanitarian aid to
the people of Gaza," he said in the letter.

The CPA chairman also wanted the association to call on the United Nations,
United States, European Union and other major powers to unequivocally condemn
the use of violence in Gaza and use every diplomatic means to put pressure on
both parties to cease the mindless killings and seek a peaceful solution to the
crisis.

Shafie has also written to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, US
President-elect Barack Obama and United Nations envoy to the Middle East Tony
Blair on Jan 5.

In all the letters, also released to the media Monday, Shafie wanted the
three leaders to use their influence to seek an immediate cease-fire in Gaza.
-- BERNAMA