Beirut summit final drafting of the Arab peace initiative
Regional, Politics, 3/28/2002

Beirut summit appoints seven member committee to chalk out final drafting of the Arab peace initiative

Summit Chairman President Emile Lahoud welcomed Arab leaders and expressed his thanks and appreciation for Jordanian king Abdullah II, who handed him the summit presidency .

He thanked UAE President Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nuhayyan for granting Lebanon priority in hosting the summit as a token of upholding its role in fighting the Israeli occupation.

In his address to the summit, Lahoud said the summit is held amidst very difficult circumstances at a time the Israeli criminal wheel is still grinding and matters are deteriorating from bad to worse.

It is held at a time Israel is committing more crimes, usurping more Palestinian lands and causing more pains and suffering for the Palestinian people, he added.

At the outset of the session, Jordanian premier Abul Ragheb addressed the conferees as Jordan chaired the 13th Arab summit.

In the address read out on behalf of king Abdullah II of Jordan, Abul Ragheb dealt with efforts exerted by Jordan last year and said that the Jordanian drive aimed at putting an end to policies of killing, destruction and blockades pursued against the Palestinian people.

He added that the Jordanian drive urged the international community to compel Israel to implement the signed agreement and to return to the negotiating table in order to reach a just settlement based on the international legitimacy resolutions.

He also dealt with efforts exerted by Jordan to reach a settlement to the Iraq Kuwait case in accordance with the Arab League charter that preserves Security and safety of each country.

On the September 11 events, he said that the Arab states condemns and rejects all forms of terrorism adding that the Islamic creed is innocent of all these accusations made to defame the picture of Muslims.

He said that the Arab states rejects any attempt to use the September 11 events as an excuse to strike any Arab state.

Referring to Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's absence, he called for supporting the palestinians in face of the Israeli arrogance.

The Jordanian premier handed the presidency of the summit formerly held by Jordan to Lebanese President Lahoud wishing him good luck in his mission.

Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa pledged in his address to the summit to put al at the disposal of the Arab leaders.

Moussa cited the challenges and difficulties the Arab nation faces, noting that there is a dangerous setback in the Palestinian cause where the political and military institution which puts itself above the law imposed a siege of hostility around the Palestinian people and prevented Palestinian President Yasser Arafat from attending the summit.

He warned of the perils that might be incurred if the current international situation has been used to strike any Arab State.

The other Arab issues are still pending and no progress has been achieved, said Moussa, recalling the situation in Sudan, Somalia and the Comoros.

Moussa said he filed a report entitled joint Arab action' to the leaders.

although Arabs chose peace as a strategic option, the Palestinian cause has undergone a serious setback although it occupied a major part in the Arab political conscience.

The Israeli military foundation is deeming amidst these international circumstances that it has become above the law and out of reach of the un Security Council hands.

Israel besieged the Palestinian people and barred Arafat attendance to the summit fearing no reactions said Moussa, adding that the Palestinian people are still showing a patriotic, brave and historical resistance against the Israeli military occupation.

Regional stability will be in jeopardy if probabilities of launching military strikes against certain Arab countries came true, added Moussa.

Concerning the Iraq Kuwait case, contacts have be conducted between al chief and the UN Secretary-General in a positive and constructive atmosphere, said Moussa, voicing hope that these contacts would help lift sanctions off Iraq, complete implementation of the UN Security Council resolutions a guarantee sovereignty of Kuwait.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said ''we should not lose hope that the Arab -Israeli struggle could be resolved," urging Palestinian President Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to reemphasize fair peace as a strategic choice.

Addressing the summit, Annan voiced hope the world would see a new stage of international security to be attained via UN resolutions, especially the latest one which endorses two states a Palestinian along with an Israeli one, to live within secure borders.

The Arab nation is not the only one that believes in the Palestinian people's right for a state that lives in peace and security, said Moussa.

He demanded an end for the Israeli occupation, improvement of the Palestinian people's living conditions and halt of the use of arms in densely-populated areas.

He dubbed the Saudi initiative, championed by Crown Prince Abdullah Ben Abdel Aziz, as a possible basis for peace.

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, current President of the European Union, talked also at the summit opening session, voicing appreciation for being invited and wishing the summit success.

Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC,) Chief Abdul Wahid Beloqziz condemned the Israeli prevention of Palestinian president Arafat's attendance, praising the Palestinian people's courage and unfaltering determination. he doubled the Israeli assassinations and killings of palestinians as tantamount to war crimes whose Israeli perpetrators should be tried.

Organization of African Unity (OAU) Secretary-General Amara Essy announced the OAU's support for the summit, for the Palestinian people's quest for an independent state and for Arafat who was denied access to the summit. essy stressed Africa's backing of the Arab world to improve the humanitarian conditions in the region.

President of the Francophone Organization Boutros Ghali said the establishment of the Palestinian State is a legitimate right according to relevant international resolutions.

After that, Lahoud announced end of the opening session and hammered for the first working session.

Previous Stories:
  King Mohammed calls Arab states to back Saudi peace initiative   (3/27/2002)
  Draft resolutions relating to Lebanon, Palestine and the Golan   (3/27/2002)
  Aznar, Solana will attend the Arab summit   (3/27/2002)

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