Arafat denounces Israeli barbarous aggression against Palestinian people
Palestine-Regional, Politics, 5/12/2001

President Yasser Arafat of Palestine has called the member countries of the Mediterranean forum to conduct action at all levels to put an end to the Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people, that he described as "barbarous."

"The Israeli occupation forces have mobilized all their war arsenal to launch land, sea and air attacks against the Palestinian national authority buildings and institutions, entailing heavy human and material losses in the refugee camps in Rafah," said President Arafat in a message to the 8th session of the Mediterranean forum, convened in the Moroccan northern city of Tangier this May 10-11.

The aggression perpetrated by Ariel Sharon and his government is threatening peace and security in the whole region, a fact requiring a direct and efficient Arab, Islamic, European and international intervention to stop the aggression and put an end to the Israeli war policy against the Palestinian people, their national authority, cities and camps and political and scientific institutions, stated Arafat's message.

The situation prevailing in the Middle East is among the main topics debated by the Mediterranean forum.

In an opening address before the forum plenary session this Friday, Moroccan minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa, said the Middle East conflict is a deep wound in the Mediterranean identity and a source of tension whose sole victim is the Palestinian people.

Israel which dreamt of secure, internationally recognized borders, is currently practicing an aggressive policy against the unarmed Palestinian people, which aspire to recover their national rights in line with international legality, Benaissa said, adding this international legality is not enforced by the protectors of Israel's security.

Pointing out as an instance the case of holy Al-Quds (Jerusalem), a place of worship that must be open to Muslims, Christians and Jews, Benaissa said the Security Council resolutions are always shelved whenever it is question of Israel.

He called the Mediterranean forum and Europe at large to give a new momentum to the peace process and to reactivate the decisions made by the European Union in Berlin and Biarritz, backing the creation of an independent, democratic Palestinian state within secured borders.

The forum, set up in 1994 by Algeria, Egypt, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Tunisia and Turkey, is an informal forum for consultation and dialogue between these Mediterranean countries.

Previous Stories:
  African first ladies back palestinian struggle   (5/10/2001)
  Ten Arab states call for end to Israeli aggressions against palestinians   (5/9/2001)
  US, in contact with Egypt, Jordan to resume peace negotiations   (5/7/2001)

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