World leaders call for Israeli withdrawal by Robert Wielaard, AP 4:44pm Wed Apr 10 '02 The United Nations, the United States,the European Union and Russia issued a joint statement today urging Israel to withdraw from Palestian territories and for both sides to call an immediate cease–fire and prevent the conflict from spreading. print article World leaders call for Israeli withdrawal By Robert Wielaard, AP 10 April 2002 The United Nations, the United States,the European Union and Russia issued a joint statement today urging Israel to withdraw from Palestian territories and for both sides to call an immediate cease–fire and prevent the conflict from spreading. "We call for an immediate, meaningful ceasefire and an immediate Israeli withdrawal from Palestinian cities, including Ramalllah, specifically including Chairman Arafat's headquarters," UN Secretary General Kofi Annan told a news conference in Madrid. "We call on Israel to fully comply with international humanitarian principles and to allow full and unimpeded access to humanitarian organziations and services," he said. But the demand was immediately rebuffed by the Israelis. A security Cabinet decided that the campaign would continue according to plan, said a senior government official. Mr Annan was speaking after a four–way meeting with US Secretary of State Colin Powell, Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, EU foreign and security chief Javier Solana and Josep Pique, Spain's foreign minister whose country holds the EU presidency. Mr Powell, touring North Africa, the Middle East and Europe at a time of the worst Israeli–Palestinian fighting in decades, said in Cairo yesterday that he planned to see Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon this week. He also offered U.S. observers to monitor a truce he hoped to broker. The participants of the talks are the sort of broad–based international alliance the EU wants to drive peace efforts, arguing Washington has lost its clout as peace broker. In the background of the Madrid meeting, Germany was drafting an ambitious blueprint for peace designed to lead to peaceful coexistence not only of Israel and the Palestinians but also with its other neighbors. The plan will be formally presented to a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg next Monday. It foresees a ceasefire and withdrawal of Israeli troops, followed by an early declaration of a Palestinian state, an end to Jewish settlements in Palestinian areas, phased talks on such tricky issues such as Israel's borders and the status of Jerusalem, the German government said. It provides for international peacekeepers patrolling a buffer zone between Israel and the Palestinian areas. The plan combines elements of US and Saudi proposals but notably "departs from the principle of small steps and looks much more toward the final status," Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's office said. As Israel keeps up its military offensive, the EU fears for a previously scheduled 22–23 April meeting of EU foreign ministers and their opposite numbers from Israel and its Arab neighbours in Spain. Several Arab nations have said they plan to boycott the annual EU–Mediterranean event in protest at Israel's offensive. The meeting is part of a long–term EU effort to provide billions of dollars in aid to Israel and its neighbuors to underpin the peace process, that now is in tatters. Germany's attempt to write a peace plan was unusual for a country not readily seen as peace maker by Israel. It showed Germany was no longer fixated on the search for an immediate end to the violence but "putting forward ideas addressing the long–term political solution," said an EU diplomat. add your comments

What Europe and Kufi Anan are not saying to P by Abu Abudlsamee'a 7:48pm Wed Apr 10 '02 print comment Europe has not encourged the Palistinians to resist violence of occupation by non-violent means.No Palistinians have been trianed in the last years by European UNIVERSITIES to lead a peacful revolution.The result is that uninteionly and undirectly the Europeans are saying do nothing or give up your arms.The child who sleep near the doorway needs to hear that someday he will be able like the Israeli child to have his toys in his room or atleast a decent sleep,if he resist peacfuly.Nonviolence is not only convient for the vast majority but also practical.A peacful movement has been uprooted and unfortuntly the Europeans remained silent.I do not understand it.Nonviolence as Martin King stated is active,not passive.It is not for Cowards as many belive.It builds rather than destroy and why the Europeans who are helping the Palistinians have not sponsored it yet.Israelis should recieve nonviolence with encouragement simply a nonviolent approach is inherently not to conquer and dominat.None of the European nonviolent programs exist for the Palistinians.6,000,000whys.When wards for Palistinian support come from the European people Palistinians get vey happy.But when European leaders talk and talk and talk with no action they disappiont the people.European leaders must be honest with them selves.They have done nothing.The European leaders should criticize both parties constuctively.They have not done so for most times.The Europeans urged for the protection of Mr Yasser Arafat but done nothing in assisting for a peacful leadership.European leaders can influence some the press that talk to Palistinians.They have done nothing.They can have Arab and Hebrew press and talk to both Israeli and Palistinians.They have done nothing and the BBC some programs in Arabic are inciting just like some Arab press.Interpersonal communiction is lacking.No contacts with Palistinian leaders.Evey day the press report about several contacts between Araft and European leaders.None with regular leaders.The Euriopeans are not talking on the distruction of Palistinian society and institutions in a language scientific.Thier statements are political narrow focues and serve little toward peace if not opposite.If the Europeans cannot do the right thing who will do it?Again the porpose here is not to defeat the so called Israeli propaganda lead today by geneous and experienced people like Mr Netanyahu but to be constuctive critisism.This is in line with European civilization and not imosible mission.And by Europeans I mean official leaders. add your comments

Yiu are supied by Tony 9:14pm Thu Apr 11 '02 print comment this is stupied add your comments

The true by zoek 9:36pm Thu Apr 11 '02 print comment Israel has invaded Palestina because they want to steal the territories and increase his land. Palestina won't never belong to Israel, an independent Palestinian state is coming Bad luck jews... add your comments