ID :
63255
Sat, 05/30/2009 - 09:29
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/63255
The shortlink copeid
PALESTINIANS & AMERICANS WANT PEACE IN MIDDLE EAST
KUALA LUMPUR, May 29 (Bernama) -- Palestinians and Americans shared a common interest in efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, Chief Palestinian Negotiator Dr Saeb Erakat said.
Commenting on Thursday's meeting between US President Barack Obama and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, he said that Palestinians are encouraged by the commitment shown by the US President and his administration to Middle East peace.
Resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is central to regional stability
and peace, he said in a statement made available to Bernama by the Palestinian
embassy, here Friday.
Dr Erakat said that the establishment of a viable Palestinian state, living
side by side in peace and security with Israel, and a just resolution to the
Palestinian refugee issue in accordance with a UN Resolution, would create a
more secure and stable Middle East.
According to Dr Erakat this was not only important to the region, but was
also in America's own national interests pointing out that Palestinians and
Americans shared a common interest and the same vision for peace based on the
two-state solution.
Dr Erakat stressed that Israel needed to abide by its obligations under
existing agreements, saying that the Middle East peace process would not survive
another round of failed negotiations, and that failure would only lead to
stagnation and further conflict.
"The peace process lives on borrowed time. Israel's failure to implement its
obligations under existing agreements has eroded its credibility, while Israel's
continued settlement activities are undermining the very viability of the
two-state solution," he explained.
He pointed out that Palestinians have made great progress in fulfilling
their obligations under existing agreements and thus expected Israel to do the
same.
"Implementing a comprehensive settlement freeze, including all 'natural
growth', and lifting all restrictions on Palestinian movement, are not
Palestinian preconditions, but Israeli obligations.
"They must be met if we are to salvage the peace process, restore its
credibility and make genuine progress. Israel is not being asked to do anything
it has not already agreed to do under existing agreements."
He said that Israel must also immediately end its siege on Gaza, and the
collective punishment of its people, stressing that "Palestinians in Gaza cannot
be allowed to suffer any more."
"Peace is attainable. The Arab Peace Initiative provides a clear way
forward. Fifty-seven Arab and Islamic states have extended a hand in peace to
Israel. But this hand will not remain extended forever," he said.
Meanwhile, reports said that Obama has called on Israelis and the
Palestinians to move swiftly towards peace talks.
Speaking to reporters at the White House after talks with Abbas, he said
that the absence of peace between Israelis and Palestinians was clogging up
other critical issues in the Middle East, the New York Times reported.
"Time is of the essence. We can't continue with the drift and the increased
fears on both sides, the sense of hopelessness that we've seen for too many
years now. We need to get this thing back on track," he was quoted as saying.
Obama also reiterated his call for a halt to Israeli settlements in the West
Bank.
-- BERNAMA
Commenting on Thursday's meeting between US President Barack Obama and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, he said that Palestinians are encouraged by the commitment shown by the US President and his administration to Middle East peace.
Resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is central to regional stability
and peace, he said in a statement made available to Bernama by the Palestinian
embassy, here Friday.
Dr Erakat said that the establishment of a viable Palestinian state, living
side by side in peace and security with Israel, and a just resolution to the
Palestinian refugee issue in accordance with a UN Resolution, would create a
more secure and stable Middle East.
According to Dr Erakat this was not only important to the region, but was
also in America's own national interests pointing out that Palestinians and
Americans shared a common interest and the same vision for peace based on the
two-state solution.
Dr Erakat stressed that Israel needed to abide by its obligations under
existing agreements, saying that the Middle East peace process would not survive
another round of failed negotiations, and that failure would only lead to
stagnation and further conflict.
"The peace process lives on borrowed time. Israel's failure to implement its
obligations under existing agreements has eroded its credibility, while Israel's
continued settlement activities are undermining the very viability of the
two-state solution," he explained.
He pointed out that Palestinians have made great progress in fulfilling
their obligations under existing agreements and thus expected Israel to do the
same.
"Implementing a comprehensive settlement freeze, including all 'natural
growth', and lifting all restrictions on Palestinian movement, are not
Palestinian preconditions, but Israeli obligations.
"They must be met if we are to salvage the peace process, restore its
credibility and make genuine progress. Israel is not being asked to do anything
it has not already agreed to do under existing agreements."
He said that Israel must also immediately end its siege on Gaza, and the
collective punishment of its people, stressing that "Palestinians in Gaza cannot
be allowed to suffer any more."
"Peace is attainable. The Arab Peace Initiative provides a clear way
forward. Fifty-seven Arab and Islamic states have extended a hand in peace to
Israel. But this hand will not remain extended forever," he said.
Meanwhile, reports said that Obama has called on Israelis and the
Palestinians to move swiftly towards peace talks.
Speaking to reporters at the White House after talks with Abbas, he said
that the absence of peace between Israelis and Palestinians was clogging up
other critical issues in the Middle East, the New York Times reported.
"Time is of the essence. We can't continue with the drift and the increased
fears on both sides, the sense of hopelessness that we've seen for too many
years now. We need to get this thing back on track," he was quoted as saying.
Obama also reiterated his call for a halt to Israeli settlements in the West
Bank.
-- BERNAMA
