08 21 05 Israel Portrays Unilateral Plan as Painful Concession

Al-Kidwa: Israel Portrays Unilateral Plan as Painful Concession


GAZA, Palestine, August 21, 2005 (IPC + Agencies) - - Dr. Nasser Al-Kidwa, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, drew attention that Israel is trying to portray its unilateral plan of disengagement as a painful relinquishment that is in no way should be repeated.
Al-Kidwa was quoted as saying during a press briefing, "Israel portrays the withdrawal from Gaza and four settlements in the West Bank as a gargantuan achievement and a painful concession that is too hard to be repeated in the West Bank."

He expected also, that Israel is attempting to create a sort of long term negotiation concerning the outstanding issues; and currently concerning Gaza terminals and entry points, referring that the withdrawal from Gaza settlement is a rout to the Israeli project of settlement.

FM Al-Kidwa, stressed that this unilateral evacuation puts to end the part which is connected with settlements in Gaza Strip, yet does not end the legal status of Israel as an occupying force; citing the international law which lays down that the status of occupation does not end once the occupying force proclaims that its practical control is over, if this force has the ability to re-take hegemony over the occupied country.

This as well, does not absolve Israel from the obligations, which are resulting from this evacuation, to the land and the inhabitants, in the purpose of not oppressing the Palestinian rights, not least, their right of self-determination and setting up their independent state, The foreign minister added.

Mr. Al-Kidwa referred that the proposal of the "Palestinian state of temporary borders" which the road map includes as a choice, is rejected utterly by the Palestinians, and what is demanded is to resume final status negotiations and to implement the road map.

As for, the challenges which the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian people will face after the evacuation of the Israeli settlers from Gaza Strip and northern West Bank, Al-Kidwa predicted a massive international concentration on Gaza Strip so as to open the way for the reconstruction process, which entails huge Palestinian preparations and colossal international support.

Answering a question on the purpose which lies behind reforming the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and putting in order the job of the diplomatic corps during this stage, FM Al-Kidwa made clear that, the aim of this reform is activate the diplomatic machinery and to create a ministry that is able to deal with the new political situation which will come about after the Israeli withdrawal.

"The emerging situation, particularly the intensified international support, implies," he said, "a diplomatic and political discourse to deal with the demands of this stage," referring that the ministry is carrying out a program of re-formulation, banking on sound foundations that will help the ministry fulfilling its duties.