Moussa meets Annan, Austrian Chancellor criticizes int'l silence towards Israeli aggression

A session of talks was held in Vienna on Wednesday between Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa and United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

Moussa discussed with Annan the deteriorating conditions in the occupied territories, and the two officials expressed concern over the current situation and stressed the importance of moving quickly to deal seriously with the problem.

Moussa underlined the importance of the United Nations role in the issue and criticized what he called the "dubious international silence" towards the continuation of Israeli violence against the Palestinians and deliberate violation of the international law and principles of human rights by occupation troops.

The Arab League Chief also criticized Israelis's targeting of the Palestinian infrastructure and the policies of blockade on the Palestinians and President Yasser Arafat.

Moussa-Annan talks also dealt with the Iraqi file, with the UN Chief listening to details of the message Moussa conveyed to him from Iraqi President Saddam Hussein on relations between Iraq and the international organisation.

The talks touched on conditions in Afghanistan, the issue of terrorism and dialogue among civilizations.

Moussa held talks during his visit to Vienna with the Austrian Chancellor and Foreign Minister on issues of mutual concern between the Arab League and the European Union, in addition to conditions in the Middle East in the light of the recent statement issued by the European Union, which condemned the Israeli policy against the Palestinians, including the destruction of the Palestinian infrastructure.

The Austrian Foreign Minister had expressed the European Union's dismay over the current Israeli policies.