G-8 calls for dispatching international observers to Palestinian territories

The G-8 foreign Ministers yesterday called for dispatching international observers to the Palestinian territories in case of the Palestinians and Israelis consent.

"We believe that in these circumstances, third-party monitoring, accepted by both parties, would serve their interests in implementing Mitchell report," the ministers said in a separate statement from their final communique.

"In light of the alarming developments in the Middle East we reaffirm that the Mitchell report is the only way forward," the statement said.

It referred to the truce-to-peace-making plan, outlined by an international panel led by former US Senator George Mitchell and accepted by Israel and the Palestinians.

In the Gaza Strip, Palestinian President Yasser Arafat urged the G-8 leaders to intervene to stop the violence.

"The situation in the Middle East is in danger of triggering a wide regional explosion and not only between the Palestinians and the Israelis," Arafat's spokesman quoted him as saying.

Diplomats described the move by the foreign ministers gathered for the summit that begins today as a strong sign to both Israelis and Palestinians to end the mounting violence.

They said that the United States, which has said it would not support international monitors unless both sides agreed to it, was in full agreement with the G-8 proposal.

'The standoff between the Israelis and Palestinians was a dangerous blend of hate and fear that can lead to new catastrophes," French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine told a news conference after two days of talks.

The main task of the ministers was to pave the way for weekend talks between their leaders in Genoa.

Italian Foreign Minister Renato Ruggiero said the "cooling off period must begin as soon as possible." The ministers agreed on the need for international weapons inspectors to return to Iraq and called for the UN Security Council "to build a new approach to Iraq."

The United States and Britain have been urging the Security Council to adopt "smarter" sanctions on Iraq allowing the unrestricted import of civilian goods but maintaining strict control on military-related items.

Russia threatened to veto the proposal earlier this month but its Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov said he would cooperate to try and find a solution.

Ivanov in a press conference, said the G-8 foreign ministers have a common vision towards situation in the Middle East, noting that Moscow would work with their partners to halt violence in the occupied territories.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said that his country would not accept the G-8 Foreign Minister's decision on deploying international observers in the Palestinian territories.

Sharon said he has not received so far any statement issued by the foreign ministers of the G-8 and Russia on dispatching international observers to the Palestinian lands.

Israel radio quoted Sharon as saying that a resolution in this respect would not be a compulsory one. 'The deployment of international forces requires the approval of the Palestinian and Israeli sides,' he added.

During his meeting Thursday with activists from the Likud Party, Sharon said Israel will not accept any resolution to be imposed on it.

"The Israeli government's policy towards the Palestinians is not that of exercising self-restraint, but rather the mini cabinet crystallizes the policy that includes an answer to any attack and to guarantee security on the streets," he emphasized.

He went on to say that Israel would be obliged to defend itself if the Palestinian authority failed to detain whom he called saboteurs.