24 - 30 January 2002
Issue No.570
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Al-Ahram Weekly Online 24 - 30 January 2002 Issue No.570 |
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On the ground
How can the PA obey President Arafat's orders to enforce a cease-fire when Israel is assiduously destroying the Palestinian security infrastructure and assassinating Palestinian leaders?
Until the occupation of Palestinian territory -- including Jerusalem -- ends in conformity with Resolution 242, the Palestinians remain hostages. The international community, acting upon the orders of the Security Council, must immediately provide a protection force. In the meantime, the following measures must be taken:
1- End the state of siege imposed by Israel;
2- Lift closures and restrictions on movement of individuals and goods in occupied Palestine territory;
3- Ensure the contiguity of the Palestinian areas under the administration of the PA;
4- Reopen the borders with neighbouring Arab states, i.e. Jordan and Egypt;
5- End the destruction of homes and uprooting of trees;
6- Withdraw Israeli troops and equipment to the lines of 28 September 1999, preparatory to withdrawal to the 1967 lines.
To bring calm, action is necessary: the withdrawal of Israeli troops and the end of Israel's occupation of Palestinian land and control of Palestine's future.
The US and the EU must assume an effective role and force Israel to fulfil its obligations. The peace process will succeed or fail according to measures taken on the ground -- on independent Palestinian soil.
*This week's Soapbox speaker is Palestinian minister of foreign affairs and head of the PLO's Political Department.
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