Clinton addresses Palestinian National Council as charter is amended
Palestine-Israel-USA, Politics, 12/14/1998

The Palestinian National Council today reaffirmed the cancellation of articles in the Palestinian National Charter that refer to the destruction of Israel by a show of hands that took place in Gaza in the presence of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and US President Bill Clinton.

The issue of the Charter was one of the sticking points in the implementation of peace agreements, as Israel had not been satisfied by earlier Palestinian statements that the charter items in question had been made null and void in 1996.

Clinton told the PNC members that they had "done a good thing" in their vote today, which would reach the Israeli people.

He noted that there has been "mistrust, misunderstanding and quite a few missed steps" in the peace process and said that he believes there will be more difficulties ahead, calling on both sides to "break the cycle of violence."

Clinton said that the Palestinian decision today "issued a challenge" to the Israeli government to move ahead with the peace process. Netanyahu has maintained that the Palestinians have not done enough. Israeli Defense Minister Yitzhak Mordechai's media advisor said that Mordechai welcomed the vote, stating that it represented the implementation of a Palestinian responsibility within the Wye River accord. However, Mordechai called for further Palestinian compliance, especially in the area of security.

The vote clears the way for a possible three-way summit between Arafat, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Clinton.

Clinton in his speech before the Palestinian National Council described this day as "historic" and thanked the Palestinians for their decision to annul the charter provisions. He implored both sides to reach out to each other saying that it will be both sides who will determine "what kind of peace" they will have in the future. He added there has been "enough of this gnashing of the teeth... and let us join hands and move together."

Clinton acknowledged the difficulties that remain, but stressed that much has been achieved so far and that both sides are heading down the "right road." He said addressing the Palestinians that "you have gained more in five years of peace than in 45 years of war" enumerating the recent troop withdrawal and Gaza airport as examples. Clinton asked that "both (sides) share a history of repression" and that it is time for reconciliation. He added that each side must acknowledge the other's legitimate rights and that "neither side has a monopoly on pain or virtue," adding peace must mean the legitimate recognition for the rights of Palestinians and security of Israel.

Clinton will be heading tomorrow to Bethlehem for a tree lighting ceremony.

Previous Stories:
  A view from Gaza   (12/14/1998)
  Palestinian official insists on declaring state on May 4, 1999   (12/14/1998)
  Deep differences characterize 1st day of Clinton's visit   (12/12/1998)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search