Adams appeal for Middle East peace

Date: 22nd Feb '02

Name: article from RM Irish news round up

Adams appeal for Middle East peace


The Israelis and Palestinians should call ceasefires and begin
fresh peace talks to stop further bloodshed, Sinn Fein president
Gerry Adams said today.

Following the storming of the Gaza City by Israeli tanks, the
West Belfast MP urged the international community to "establish a
new and powerful political initiative" to end the conflict.

After talks in west Belfast with the Palestinian ambassador to
Ireland Ali Halimeh, the Sinn Fein leader urged the US
Government, European Union and all Islamic and Arab nations to
recognise the legitimacy of both states.

Mr Adams argued: "The peoples of Palestine and of Israel have the
right to peaceful coexistence based on their respective right to
self-determination.

"Such a clear expression of endorsement of both states would
create a better atmosphere in which the Palestinians the Israeli
government could negotiate and implement a durable peace
agreement.

"Israel and the Palestinian Authority should establish a
bilateral ceasefire as a first step towards creating the
conditions for substantive negotiations and a peace settlement."

In the latest incident, five people were killed when Israeli
tanks stormed Gaza City, blowing up a Palestinian TV station.

Mosque loudspeakers called on Palestinians to confront the
invaders. Witnesses said heavy shooting rang out across the city.

Mr Adams said Israel's attacks on the Palestinian Authority and
the re-entry of Israeli tanks into the city were only inflaming
the situation.

"It is clear that there can be no military or security solution
to this problem," he said.

"Conflict resolution requires dialogue. Shutting down dialogue
will not resolve the current difficulties.

"It will only exacerbate the situation and create a political
vacuum in which uncertainty, fear and conflict will grow."

The Sinn Fein president also called on the Irish Government to
use its status on the United Nations Security Council to push for
a "new, powerful international initiative now".

The international community's failure to act in the face of
"daily atrocities is unacceptable," Mr Adams said.

Mr Ali Halimeh also met members of the Belfast Assembly during a
visit to Stormont.

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