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EU Initiative calling for an International Conference on Palestine Pretoria
- The South African Government welcomes the Middle East Peace Initiative announced
on the 16th of November 2006 by France, Italy and Spain. South Africa agrees
with the view expressed by the European Union that the current Israeli-Palestinian
violence has reached intolerable levels and that the Palestinian people is currently
facing the worst humanitarian crisis in its history. The South African government
is concerned that the Middle East Peace Process, as set out in the Quartet Road
Map, seemed to have stalled and therefore considers any effort to re-energise
the Process as a positive development. The South African government believes that
the EU could potentially take the lead in this regard. The South African
position on MEPP is informed by the following principles: - The inalienable
right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and independence, which
entails a principled position against the military occupation of the Palestinian
people and their land.
- The belief that there can be no military solution
to the conflict and that peaceful negotiation is the only means of ensuring lasting
peace, security and stability.
- A commitment to multilateralism in order
to secure a sustainable solution and rules based international order.
Against
this background the South African government would like to express its support
for the initiative by EU Secretary-General Javier Solana calling for an International
Conference on the question of Palestine. Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082
990 4853
Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
23
November 2006 | 
