Solana criticizes Israel

The higher representative for the foreign policy in the European Union Javier Solana has criticized the decision taken by the mini Israeli cabinet for security and political affairs to continue the siege on the chairman of the Palestinian Authority Yasser Arafat in Ramullah city and not to permit him leaving the city.

In his meeting on Monday in Jerusalem with the Israeli foreign minister Shimon Peres, Solana called on the Israeli government to lift this siege and give Arafat the full freedom of transport and movement in the Palestinian territories. The Israeli radio reported.