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Statement on Recent Suicide Bombings
in Israel
The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aziz Pahad,
has condemned the latest suicide bomb attacks in the
market at Netanya and near Afula in northern Israel
and strongly regrets the loss of innocent Israeli lives.
Pahad welcomed the immediate condemnation of these
attacks by the Palestinian National Authority and reiterated
the South African Government's call to the international
community to assist the PNA in rebuilding the institutional
infrastructure which was devastated by Israel in the
course of their aggression against Palestine without
which President Arafat is unable to combat terror activities
effectively.
Deputy Minister Pahad welcoming President Arafat's
commitment to undertake, circumstances permitting, reforms
in the institutions of the Palestinian National Authority,
pledged South Africa's full support for the arduous
task of restoring full functionality to the governing
structures in the Palestinian Territories. Pahad stressed
that the reforms could only yield the desired results
in the context of political, economic and social stabilisation
within the areas under the control of the PNA.
To this end, "it is vital that that Israel commits
itself to a clear and identifiable programme of action
aimed at complete withdrawal from the Palestinian Territories,
bringing to an end the violent and destructive incursions
into Palestinian-controlled areas and putting an irrevocable
stop to settlement activities," Pahad said. He
stressed that without Israeli withdrawal and ending
the Israeli settlement project, reform and rebuilding
of Palestinian institutions cannot be viable or sustainable.
Issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
21 May 2002
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