|
UN condemns Israeli settlement building as Cook angers Israelis
Regional, International, 3/18/1998
Even as the Israeli government cut short a meeting between British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Cook's visit to a controversial settlement construction site, the UN General Assembly reiterated its condemnation of Israel for failing to honor UN resolutions.
The resolutions included a condemnation of construction of the Jebel Abu Ghneim (or Har Homa) settlement in East Jerusalem, where Cook's visit ignited Israeli anger yesterday. The UN also called for a halt to other Israeli settlement activities, as well as reiterating the provisions of earlier condemnations.
The French Foreign Ministry in its daily press briefing yesterday supported Cook's right to visit the settlement site as a representative of the EU presidency as "taking the opportunity to reaffirm the European Union's position regarding Israel's illegal colonization of Palestinian territories."
In the statement, issued before Cook's visit, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the visit "is to reaffirm positions that are well-known to the European Union concerning Israeli colonization on Palestinian territories, a colonization that we consider illegal since it is against international law, including East Jerusalem where we do not recognize Israeli sovereignty."
US State Department spokesman James Rubin stopped short of supporting the visit to Jebel Abu Ghneim in his comments yesterday, but said that Secretary of State Madeleine Albright is "supportive of his [Cook's] efforts to try to bring home to the leaders in the region the importance of moving forward in the peace process."
Previous Stories:
A snow storm hits Israeli government after Cook's political storm
(3/18/1998)
Diplomatic showdown between Israel and the UK
(3/17/1998)
Moussa calls for peace effort
(3/17/1998)
Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.
|
Advertise on ArabicNews.com. MyFlowers.com sold more than $2700 of flowers in one month advertising on ArabicNews.com! Make your company, and products a success. Special rate for new and small business. Inquire!Advertising Info
|
