UNGA condemn of the wall of separation; Washington criticizes
Palestine-USA, Politics, 7/22/2004

The White House said on Wednesday evening that the UN General Assembly (UNGA) decision which was adopted unanimously to condemn the wall of separation erected by the Israel is not the appropriate way to achieve peace in the Middle East.

The spokesman for the White House told journalists that the decision of the UN was not the appropriate way to maintain a progress, noting that the best solution is to pursue the roadmap in order to reach a political solution.

He said: " we have always stated that Israel has the right to defend itself but when it is taking steps to achieve that it should take into account the crisis of the Palestinian people and to act in a way not to cause them sufferings."

For its part, the Israeli foreign ministry summoned three European ambassadors yesterday and notified them that "European states voting at the UN in the interest of a decision condemning the wall encourages terrorism." A spokesman for the Israeli foreign ministry said that the " director general for the foreign affairs Yuhan Biran conveyed to the ambassadors of Holland, Britain and the European Union, Israel's regret after the European states voted for a resolution proposed by the Palestinians. A matter which only encourages terrorism."

France showed its satisfaction for the GA resolution and its foreign ministry in Paris said " we are pleased for the adoption of this resolution which reflects the effectiveness of the negotiation operation among the Europeans." Germany considered the resolution as balanced, while it was described by the Russian foreign ministry as constructive and balanced, altogether. The Swedish FM expressed her country's welcome " of the UNGA decision at a greater majority over the wall of separation."

The UN secretary general Kofi Annan called for commitment to the decision of the international court, stressing that Israel bears a "moral" responsibility over what it is doing. He added in a press conference at the headquarters of the UN that Tel Aviv has to abide by the decision of the court and to give it due interest, though it is not obligatory.

Previous Stories:
  ADC Welcomes ICJ Ruling on Israeli Wall   (7/10/2004)
  Burns: Israeli Gaza pull out pushes peace forward   (6/28/2004)
  American justifications on Bush statements concerning the Palestinians; One Palestinian was killed   (4/17/2004)

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