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Statement on the Meeting Between Israel
and Palestinian Prime Ministers
The South African Government is encouraged to learn
about the meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Ariel
Sharon and Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas
on Thursday 29 May 2003 in Jerusalem. The South African
Government is of the view that the meeting between the
two Prime Ministers is an important development that
signifies the apparent desire by both sides to break
out of the cycle of violence that has plagued the Middle
East since September 2000.
The South African Government further believes that
the meeting between the Israeli and Palestinian Prime
Ministers is a salutary attempt to break out of the
political stalemate that has paralysed any movement
to resuscitate the Middle East Peace Process.
The South African Government in particular is encouraged
by the announcement of the Israeli Prime Minister to
undertake concrete steps and measures to ease the humanitarian
situation in the Palestinian Territories, including
lifting the closure of the West Bank and Gaza, increasing
the number of work permits issued to Palestinians, as
well as, increasing the amount of revenue transferred
monthly to the Palestinian National Authority.
South Africa calls on the Israeli Government to, in
addition, lift the restriction on the movement of the
Palestinian National Authority President Yasser Arafat.
If implemented these measures will go a long way to
creating the necessary political environment for the
much-delayed resumption of peace talks between Israel
and Palestine. The South African Government reiterates
its unequivocal support for the measures carried out
by the Palestinian Prime Minister and the Palestinian
National Authority to combat acts of violence. South
Africa calls upon all Palestinian political formations
to support the call by Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas,
for a cease-fire.
The South African Government further welcomes the planned
meeting between President Bush of the United States,
President Hosni Mubarak of the Egypt, King Abdullah
of Jordan, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel and
Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas of Palestine in Jordan
next week. It is the hope of the South African Government
that this meeting will provide the much-needed impetus
for the implementation of the Quartet Road Map.
For more information contact Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853
Issued by Department of Foreign Affairs
P/Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
30 May 2003
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