PNA PM Mahmoud Abbas met with Arial Sharon
PNA PM Mahmoud Abbas met with Arial Sharon
In a three hours meeting with Ariel Sharon, the Palestinian Prime Minister Mr. Mahmoud Abbas has clearly presented the Palestinian position against the current political situation. This position is:
· The Palestinian National Authority has officially declared its agreement on the Road-Map for peace presented by the group of Quartet and therefore, the Israeli side is required to do the same in order to move forward in the process with reciprocal commitment in all matters.
· It is of great necessity and importance to end the siege imposed on the premises of the President of the Palestinian people Yasser Arafat immediately, and release the detainees. This is important to create the climate that help to return to the political track between the two sides.
· We demand from Israel to lift the siege and all other acts of closure imposed against the entire Palestinian territory, of which the Palestinian people is severely suffering. We also demand Israel to end all colonial settlement activities and other acts of military aggression as well as the establishment of the separation wall in the Occupied West Bank.
· The Palestinian side is ready and have the ability to fulfill every commitment set in the Road-Map, therefore Israel should agree to fulfill its own commitments as well.
· The Palestinian National Authority shall not agree to any partial or any trial track. The move must be within a comprehensive global framework.
Talks between Mr. Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) and Sharon was useful and in depth. Mr. Sharon, as being aware of the Palestinian position and the Palestinian demands, asked to meet with Mr. Abu Mazen after Sharon’s forthcoming visit to the United States. Mr. Abu Mazen agreed to continue contacts after Sharon’s visit to the US.
While it is ready to take any step that could help achieving peace in the region, the Palestinian National Authority asks the United States to exert every possible effort to put the Road-Map on implementation, as it is originally an American plan re-enforced by the support of the Russian Federation, the European Union and the United Nations.