ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER OUTLINES CONDITIONS FOR RECOGNIZING PALESTINE

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
15.06.2009 14:31 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a
major policy speech, accepted the creation of a Palestinian state
but only if it was demilitarized.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas’s spokesman said his comments
challenged Palestinian, Arab and US positions. But the US said,
Mr. Netanyahu’s stance was an "important step forward".

In a landmark speech, Mr. Netanyahu said the Palestinians must accept
Israel as a Jewish state. He said, a Palestinian state must have no
army, no control of its air space and no way of smuggling in weapons,
and cooperating with Iran or "Khezbollah".

Mr. Netanyahu suggested to start negotiations with Palestinians
immediately and without any pre-conditions. "We want to leave in peace
with you, as with kind neighbors," Israeli prime minister said. His
speech provoked anger among Palestinian officials BBC reports.

Palestinian leader’s spokesman Nabil Abu Rdainah said: "Netanyahu’s
remarks have sabotaged all initiatives, paralyzed all efforts being
made and challenges the Palestinian, Arab and American positions,"
Reuters news agency reported. Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said
the speech "closed the door to permanent status negotiations".

"He declared Jerusalem the capital of Israel, said refugees would not
be negotiated and that settlements would remain." Mr. Erekat added:
"The peace process has been moving at the speed of a tortoise. Tonight,
Netanyahu has flipped it over on its back."

But the White House called the policy outline an "important step
forward", as did French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner. A White
House statement said Mr Obama "believes this solution can and must
ensure both Israel’s security and the fulfillment of the Palestinians’
legitimate aspirations for a viable state, and he welcomes Prime
Minister Netanyahu’s endorsement of that goal".