EU President expresses strong views, asks Israel to exit Lebanon
Regional, International, 3/19/1998

British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook said on Wednesday that he wanted progress in the Middle East on all tracks. He expressed EU concern over the current stalemate that confronts the peace process.

In a joint press conference with Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa upon his departure to Beirut concluding a short visit to Syria, Cook said "I had two meetings with Mr. al-Sharaa' and with President al-Assad. In these two meetings we reviewed the state of the peace process." He went on: "I was accompanied by Mr. Moratinos, the special representative and ambassador of the European Union to the Middle East. I have come here not just as a British foreign secretary but as the President of the European Union. I would like to express concern of the EU regarding the peace process, and express anxiety to advance the peace process in the area and reach a comprehensive peace on all the Syrian, Lebanese and Palestinian tracks."

Cook added that if there is to be a stable and secure peace then there will be a comprehensive peace on all tracks. "That is why I am here today and why I go from here to Beirut. We particularly discussed in our meetings how progress could be achieved towards implementing [UN] resolution 425 and ensuring a withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon. We all recognized that we are still in some ways far from making progress with respect of peace. We are resolved and we must continue to try."

"I also briefed the foreign minister on the British presidency's plans for a conference to focus on the humanitarian needs of the people of Iraq. We are anxious to make sure that there is a program for providing food and medicine to tackle their sufferings. There are differences between us and the Iraqi President and we hope these differences be resolved by diplomatic means," Cook said.

Cook said: "We would like to see talks resume from the point where they stopped at," adding that the Lebanese track is very difficult and cannot be separated from the Syrian track.

Cook remarked on the settlement issue and Jerusalem saying: "Jerusalem is a matter for the final stage of talks and it was not a question which I raised during my visit to Israel. I expressed my deep concern on behalf of the EU countries regarding the expansion of the settlements. I said that the expansion of settlement led to the loss of momentum, especially when the Israelis began to build Abu Ghneim settlement."

On the European role and on what can Europe do to help revive peace talks, Cook said, "We expect that the Americans will announce a new initiative very soon and we would like to see all parties including Israel understand that the American proposals should be accepted by all parties, there are governments standing behind those proposals to guarantee their success."

In Beirut, the last stop on his Middle East tour, Cook said he wanted to see an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon as part of a broader Arab - Israeli peace settlement.

Cook arrived on the eve of the 20th Anniversary of the UN Security Council resolution 425, which called for Israeli forces to leave Lebanon. "It is very appropriate that I should be visiting Lebanon today because tomorrow is the 20th anniversary of 425," Cook said. "We would like to see 425 implemented."

Israel invaded Lebanon in 1978 and since 1982 its occupation forces have faced relentless local Lebanese resistance.

Cook said, "We would also like to see it [UN resolution 425] implemented in the context of a comprehensive settlement which would enable progress in the peace process for all the tracks, not just one track."

President Assad who reviewed the peace process' various stages and the situation it has reached with Cook said Syria is ready to resume peace talks from the point they broke off.

President Assad underlined the importance of a tangible European role in the interest of comprehensive peace.

Previous Stories:
  UN condemns Israeli settlement building as Cook angers Israelis   (3/18/1998)
  A snow storm hits Israeli government after Cook's political storm   (3/18/1998)
  Diplomatic showdown between Israel and the UK   (3/17/1998)

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