On Chirac - Arafat meeting in Paris
Palestine-France, Politics, 3/23/1999

French President Jacques Chirac has expressed his concern over the deadlocked Middle East peace process and his hope that all sides concerned will reiterate their commitment to fulfilling obligations and honoring what had been agreed upon.

The spokeswoman for the French Presidential Palace, Catherine Colona, the meeting held earlier between President Chirac and Arafat lasted for one and a quarter hours, all dedicated to the Middle East peace process, which is stalemated.

She added that the current situation was evaluated and the two sides expressed joint anxiety over this situation.

The spokeswoman said the Middle East peace process is once again at a stalemate as all signed agreements have not been implemented. She continued that Chirac expressed his hope that all sides concerned will reassure adherence to their obligations and honoring of commitments, "especially applicable to the Wye River agreement."

Colona said discussions between Chirac and Arafat availed reviewing the whole situation which may arise in May 4 (the date of announcing the Palestinian state), adding, "You all know the implications of this very date."

The French spokeswoman said both Chirac and Arafat had thought fully, in detail and in general, about the best means to help this side and the other (Israel and the Palestinians) to surpass this turning point and give the Middle East peace process a push forward.

She asserted that France's sole objective is to serve the question of peace, adding that the decision to declare the Palestinian State is a decision relating to sovereignty and that France's position in this respect is that "France is ready to recognize the Palestinian state at the proper time," as it is in the interest of peace and security to establish an independent and democratic Palestinian state.

Arafat, for his part, said the meeting with Chirac was in-depth, important and positive. Arafat continued, that this very important meeting came at a time when the Middle East peace process is passing unnatural conditions, as there is a decision by the Israeli government to freeze the peace process.

Arafat told journalists following his meeting with Chirac: "The agreements I signed with my partner Rabin or those recently signed with Netanyahu at Wye River are all frozen, a matter which has adverse impact on the peace process as a whole."

On the decision to announce the Palestinian state on May 4, Arafat said, "It is not my decision. It is rather the decision of all those who signed the Oslo agreement and the agreement speaks of itself."

Arafat said, "The Oslo agreement was signed at the White House under the supervision of Clinton. It was signed by Russia, the US, Norway, Egypt, and Jordan, in the presence of the Japanese foreign minister and the representative of the UN secretary general," adding, "On this ground this decision (of establishing the Palestinian state) is not a Palestinian - Israeli decision, rather an international decision."

He said, "We await Europe to take a backing and supportive stand for the Middle East peace process."

On the guarantees he seeks from the European states in order to establish the Palestinian state, Arafat said, "We call for precise and honest implementation of what had been signed and we agreed upon."

Later Arafat met with French Premier Lionel Jospin.

Previous Stories:
  Arafat attends European summit in Berlin   (3/20/1999)
  Jordanian, Egyptian, Palestinian foreign ministers meet today   (3/20/1999)
  Arafat is expected to visit Damascus, Beirut paper says   (3/20/1999)

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

Search