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Statement in Reaction to the Decision
by the Israeli Security Cabinet to Expel President Yasser
Arafat
The South African Government joins the international
community in expressing its concern regarding the reported
decision by the Israeli Security Cabinet to expel President
Arafat from Palestine.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Afairs, Aziz Pahad said,
"What is even more worrying is the content of discussions
leading up to the decision to expel President Arafat.
Advocating removing or killing the democratically elected
President of a people, as suggested by Israeli Minister
of Defense, Shaul Mofaz is utterly unacceptable and
must be condemned in the strongest possible terms."
"Furthermore, the decision to continue and intensify
the practice of extra-judicial killings and the assassination
of suspected militants is in direct contravention of
International Law. We join the international community
in its condemnation of such practices", the Deputy
Minister added.
"In the face of repeated calls to the contrary,
the Israeli Cabinet has defiantly decided to accelerate
the construction of the separation wall," the Deputy
Minister commented.
"The Israelis and Palestinians cannot hope to
approach a solution for peace by vowing to kill each
other. We are heading for a serious crisis unless immediate
measures are taken to stabilize the situation",
Aziz Pahad said. "The South African Government
would support the deployment of an international presence
to this effect."
The South African Government calls on the Israeli Government
to act with restraint and expresses the hope that the
Israeli Government will reverse its decision to expel
President Arafat. At the same time, the South African
Government also calls on the Palestinian people not
to use violence a means to acquire peace. Violence as
a tactic or strategy will never deliver the peace so
dearly sought by the Israeli and Palestinian peoples.
For further information contact Ronnie Mamoepa on 082
990 4853.
Issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
13 September 2003
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