Jerusalem (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Diplomatic efforts are in course in the Middle East to the Israeli-Palestinian tensions just days before the Riyadh summit taking place on the 28 and 29 March. The United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon, met with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in Jerusalem. At the same time, “parallel” meetings will take the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to Amman, where she sill meet King Abdallah.
Rice, who has already met with Ban Ki-Moon and Olmert in Israel, reminded of the conditions necessary for peace. “Stop the violence, the need to recognize the other side’s right to exist, and keep in mind the past agreements: the Road Map – she explained – contains a series of obligations that are to be respected.” During the press conference, Olmert, together with the UN Secretary General, confirmed: “The International Quartet of the Middle East (USA, EU, Russia and UN) remains the base for any progress in the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.” Ban, during his first visit in the Middle East, encouraged the Palestinian unity government to demonstrate a sincere “commitment to the peace process.”
We must verify that the new government combats violence,” said the Secretary of the UN to the press, “we wait for them to put an end to the rocket-launching of Gaza.” Israel, on the other hand, must “facilitate Palestinians’ lives.” From Ramallah, where yesterday they met the Palestinian National Authority President Abu Mazen, Ban asked Israel and the world to trust the ANP and not waste this “important moment” to revive the peace process. The UN Secretary confirmed: “We are all ready to work hard: Abu Mazen is ready to talk about peace; Arab nations are presenting their initiatives.”
This week in the centre of the Arab League in Riyadh, a peace plan will be proposed. The proposal was formulated in2002 by Saudi Arabia that for sees the total recognition of Israel and the peace in all Arab nations in exchange for the lands occupied in 1967 and the creation of the Palestinian state. Israel says it is not ready to discuss the plan unless the last clause is dropped.
