Amman's summit supports the Palestinians, halts cooperation with Israel
Regional, Politics, 3/29/2001

The Arab leaders on Wednesday ended their two day summit in Amman by voicing strong support for the Palestinian people, calling on the UN Security Council to shoulder responsibility by providing the necessary protection to the Palestinians. The Arab leaders also condemned the US Veto at the UN Security Council that blocked the formation of an international observer force in the occupied territories.

The final communique released by the summit also called on all Arab states to continue suspension of multilateral talks with Israel and halt all regional cooperation with it.

The Arab leaders "salute the Palestinian people on their heroic uprising against the Israeli aggression."

They voiced their backing for the Palestinian people in their "heroic struggle" and support for the Palestinian Intifada and the right in resisting the occupation "until their national and just rights are attained," especially the right to return back home and to establish their own independent state with Jerusalem as a capital.

The Arab leaders also denounced Israel's continues aggressions against the Palestinian people and Israel's violations of human rights, especially the collective punishment and continued attacks on vital institutions and which constitute war crimes against humanity and racist practices.

The leaders call in the UN Security Council to shoulder the responsibility of providing the necessary international protection for the Palestinian people and to try Israel war criminals who committed massacres and crimes against Arabs in the occupied territories.

The Arab leaders express their dismay at the US veto at the Security Council that blocked the formation of an international observer force in the occupied territories. They declare their total rejection of the American justifications which do not conform with the role of the United States as a cosponsor of the peace process and a permanent member at the Security Council.

The Arab leaders hail the Higher Council for al-Aqsa Fund and the Jerusalem Intifada Fund for its quick response to the support the budget of the Palestinian Authority by paying USD 15 million as a soft loan that was approved out of the total USD 60 million in line with a proposal submitted by Saudi Arabia.

In view of the difficult financial and economic situation the Palestinian people undergo, the Arab leaders delegate the higher council of the two funds to respond to the Palestinian Authority's request to pay an additional amount of ( USD 180 million) to support the Palestinian Authority's budget for the next sixth months.

The Arab leaders also welcomed the gesture made by Iraq to allocate one billion EURO from its oil export sales to secure humanitarian and basic needs for the Palestinian people and to help the families of the " martyrs " of the Intifada.

The Arab leaders warn Israel against the repercussions of departing from the foundations and principles of the peace process laid down in Madrid in 1991 and warned against the outcome of ignoring it or presenting alternatives that do not conform to the basis of international legitimacy.

The Arab leaders ask Arab states to continue the suspension of multilateral talks and halt all regional economic co-operation and activities with Israel and to firmly confirm Israel's endeavors to penetrate in the Arab world under any cover and to stop establishing any relations with israel.

The Arab leaders also demanded the reactivation of the Arab boycott against Israel through the regular convening of boycott conferences called by the main boycott office to prevent dealings with israel.

They call for setting "a clear Arab strategy to uncover Israeli schemes which do not seek peace and threaten security."

The Arab leaders also pledge their backing for Lebanon and Syria and rejected Israeli threats which have escalated recently against the two countries. They commended the Lebanese resistance against Israeli occupation and call for the release of all Lebanese detainees and prisoners in Israeli prisons.

The Arab leaders also affirm that achieving peace and security in the region require Israel to sign the Non- Proliferation Treaty and to put all Israeli nuclear installations under international inspection. They confirm the importance of ridding the region of nuclear and mass destruction weapons.

The Arab leaders renew their backing and solidarity with Libya in demanding that the Security council immediately and completely lift the sanctions imposed on Libya after Libya fulfilled all the commitments stipulated in the Security Council. The Arab leaders support Libya in its demand to obtain compensations for human and material losses in incurred because of the sanctions.

The leaders agree that the next annual summit would be held in Lebanon in 2002.

The leaders agree to select Egyptian foreign minister Amr Moussa as the secretary general of the Arab League.

Previous Stories:
  Morocco calls Arab world to keep pace with scientific, technological progress   (3/28/2001)
  Morocco renews commitment to cement Arab ranks, establish fair peace in Middle East   (3/28/2001)
  The second Arab summit is in Beirut   (3/28/2001)

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