European Union criticizes blockade on Arafat
Palestine-European Union, Politics, 2/26/2002

The European Union has addressed a strongly worded criticism to Israel for the blockade it has imposed on Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, asserting Arafat's right to move freely.

This came in a statement by Javier Solana, the EU foreign and security policy commissioner after his meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres.

Solana said it is not wise to put Arafat under blockade. In a related development, the BBC Monday said the Israeli decision to limit the movement of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat forbidding him from travelling is considered a clear indication that the Israeli government has decided to write off all the agreements signed with the Palestinian authority.

A report on the issue by the broadcast said the pullout of Israeli tanks stationed around Arafat's office in the West Bank City of Ramallah and making him free to move only inside the city has not changed anything.

Arafat's movement inside Ramallah was never a problem but his movement outside was part of a signed agreement with the Israeli government, the BBC added.

The Palestinian officials were enraged by the decision and considered it as a humiliation and therefore they cancelled a meeting with the Israeli government and American diplomats slated for Sunday night.

The BBC quoted chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat as saying the decision was unacceptable and shameful and a clear evidence that the Israeli government's sole political programme was destruction.

Previous Stories:
  European agreement on an independent performance towards ME developments   (2/19/2002)
  Inter- European differences towards Palestinian situation   (2/16/2002)
  European Parliament with majority of 430 votes invites Arafat for a speech   (2/8/2002)

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