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March 2, 2007 |
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FOREIGN MINISTERS OF MUSLIM COUNTRIES DISCUSS IN JEDDAH THE ISRAELI AGGRESSION AGAINST AL-AQSA MOSQUE. SAUDI ARABIA CONDEMNS THE ISRAELI AGGRESSION AND CALLS ON THE WORLD COMMUNITY TO FIRMLY INTERVENE TO STOP IT. THE QUARTET REAFFIRMS ITS STATEMENTS REGARDING ITS SUPPORT FOR A PALESTINIAN GOVERNMENT COMMITTED TO NON-VIOLENCE, RECOGNITION OF ISRAEL AND ACCEPTANCE OF PREVIOUS AGREEMENTS AND OBLIGATIONS. AMR MOUSSA: NO AMERICAN DEMANDS FOR AMENDMENTS IN THE ARAB PEACE INITIATIVE. Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal participated in the Arab-Spanish Political Conference held in Madrid. Speaking on the occasion Prince Saud highlighted the values of dialogue and openness among civilizations. He pointed that these were the values that prevailed during the era of Arab rule of Andalus. Prince Saud said he hoped that Spain would work to promote "positive interaction and productive openness between our peoples and cultures." Prince Saud cited the cultural and scientific achievements of the Arabs of the Andalus where scientists such as Ibn Hazm and Al-Zahrawi, philosopher Ibn Rushd and historiographer Ibn Khaldun prospered. Those who attended the event included Saudi Ambassador to Spain Prince Saud Ibn Naif, Prince Muhammad Ibn Faisal Ibn Turki, director of the general department of European Union at the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos also called for increased dialogue between the Arab world and the West to end the "negative perceptions" that separate the two sides. Speaking at the start of a conference in Madrid between Spanish diplomats and representatives from 19 Arab League countries, he said these perceptions lead to "Islamophobia and Anti-Westernism" in both regions. Among the topics discussed at the one-day conference were the stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace process and relations among Mediterranean nations. Taking part in the event were the foreign ministers from Syria, Yemen, Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates as well as Moroccan minister of state, Abbas El Fassi, and Nabil Shaath, representing the office of the Palestinian presidency. Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister of kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos signed a general cooperation agreement between the Kingdom and Spain. The agreement aims to enhance relations between the two friendly countries in economic, investment, commercial, health, educational, cultural, information, tourism, youth, sports, environmental, water and electricity fields. Earlier in the day, Prince Saud participated in the official ceremony of founding the higher commission sponsoring Arab House Institute. In Jeddah OIC Secretary General emphasized the need for team spirit to resolve and face the challenges of the Palestinian question at the inauguration of the expanded emergency meeting of foreign ministers of OIC member states. The proceedings of the Expanded Emergency Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Organization of the Islamic Conference opened on Thursday 4 Safar 1428H (22 February 2007). The Meeting, which was attended by 10 Foreign Ministers, a large number of Permanent Representatives to the OIC and Ambassadors who led Member States' delegations, was chaired by Mr Elmar Muharamoglu Mamedyarov, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan, in his capacity as the current chairman of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers. The Chairman opened the Meeting with a statement in which he reminded the participants of the objective behind the Meeting: to discuss the flagrant Israeli aggression against the Muslims' first Qibla prayer direction and the point of departure of Prophet Muhammad's night journey (PBUH) as well as the excavations in the surroundings of the Al Aqsa Mosque. The Meeting was thereafter addressed by Dato Seri Syed Muhammad Albar, Foreign Minister of Malaysia, who highlighted his country's role in defending the Palestinian causes and stressed the need to arrive at pragmatic positions. The Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, delivered an address which he began by mentioning how profoundly important the Palestinian question and the blessed Al Aqsa Mosque have been to the OIC since it was established. Describing the excavations being carried out by Israel at the Maghariba Gate and the surrounding of the Al Aqsa Mosque, the Secretary General stated that it was not only a flagrant violation of international law which prohibits the alteration of natural, demographic and civilizational hallmarks through occupation, but also a blatant aggression against the holy sites of Muslims and a human civilizational heritage. To stop and prevent the recurrence of this, he said, required collective Islamic and international action. Professor Ihsanoglu also expressed his utter astonishment at the silence of the international community about the Israeli aggression whereas it took decisive positions on aggressions against cultural heritage and religious symbols in other parts of the world. On behalf of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Professor Ihsanoglu directed an appeal to the entire world on the need for the City of Al Quds to return to its Palestinian owners, since it is an occupied territory, as well as the need to preserve its original identity as a human heritage and a city of convergence of divine religions and reverence by all believers. The Secretary General also said that the excavations were not an isolated event, but rather part of a systematic Israeli policy that has been ongoing for many years aimed at Judaizing the City of Al Quds and its sacred places. He pointed out that the greatest threat to the Islamic identity of Al Quds is the Israeli policy of fait accompli which is being pursued in an effort to Judaize the City and deploy all methods to force its Palestinian inhabitants to flee. In this regard, Professor Ihsanoglu called on OIC Member States on the need to provide huge material support to institutions in Al Quds' institutions such as hospitals, schools, social welfare institutions and to provide its inhabitants with opportunities to remain and be steadfast to enable them resist the machinations targeting the City and its history. At the end of his address, the Secretary General made a detailed presentation of his efforts as well as contacts with the current chair of the OIC, the United Nations, UNESCO, the Quartet and other parties so that they can pressurize Israel to stop its continued violation and aggression against the Palestinian territory and the Palestinian people. He also commended the praiseworthy initiative of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz which led to the restoration of harmony between the Palestinian factions and culminated in the signing of Makkah Agreement that ended the Palestinian conflict. The Secretary General concluded his address by emphasizing the need for continued coordination in taking Islamic positions at international fora and the "spirit of a single team" in supporting the Palestinian question and dealing with the challenges facing the Islamic Ummah, a big nation with time-honoured history and enormous potentials. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia stressed its permanent and full support for the issues of Palestine and Al-Quds, condemning demolition and excavation works carried out by Israeli occupation in Al-Aqsa Mosque and calling on the world community to firmly intervene to stop this aggression. Addressing the Expanded Extraordinary Meeting of the Executive Committee of Organization of Islamic conference at the level of foreign ministers, Dr. Nizar bin Obaid Madani, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs said that the Kingdom has paid great attention to and full care of the Palestinian cause and Al-Quds Al-Sharif issue, noting in this regard the recent patronization of the meeting of the national reconciliation among Palestinian brethren in Makkah by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz. He pointed out that this patronization affirms the King's attention and care of all matters relating to the Palestinian issue and its developments. Dr. Madani said that the Kingdom strongly condemned Israeli aggressive practices against the third Holy Mosque in Islam and Muslims' first Kiblah (formerly, Muslims direct to Al-Aqsa Mosque during prayers) and called on the world community to halt this aggression and firmly confront these practices aiming to tamper with the religious and civilization identity of Al-Quds Al-Sharif. He noted that the Kingdom demanded that all efforts be intensified, ranks be united, stances be coordinated and all pressures be practiced to revive the peace process and emphasized that just and comprehensive peace is the only way that enables the Palestinian people to set up their independent state with Al-Quds as its capital, to regain occupied Arab territories and to achieve security and stability in the region. Dr Madani said that we stress our full solidarity with our Palestinian brethren in their ordeal, bless their recent agreement in Makkah and demand commitment to the agreement to maintain their national unity and to be as a shield protecting their legitimate struggle to set up their independent state with Al-Quds as its capital. The Expanded Extraordinary Meeting of the Executive Committee held in Jeddah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on 22 February 2007, corresponding to 4 Safar 1428H, issued the following communiqué. Having considered the Secretary-General's report, Proceeding from the principles and goals of the Charter of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Referring to the Islamic resolutions which affirm that the cause of Al Quds Al Sharif constitutes the essence of the cause of Palestine, Muslims' first cause; Recalling the relevant resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council, particularly resolutions 465, 476 and 478; Affirming the United Nations Security Council resolution 681 which provided for the applicability of the provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention on the occupied Palestinian territories, including the occupied city of Al Quds: Acknowledging the urgent appeal made to the meeting by the Mufti of Al-Quds who affirmed the seriousness of the situation which threatens the Al-Aqsa Mosque. He also appealed to the Ummah to exert its utmost efforts to protect Al-Aqsa Mosque. The Mufti expressed his confidence that the meeting would examine various ways and means to face this serious challenge which is not only a flagrant violation but also a threat to Islamic civilization: 1. Expresses its grave concern over the escalating Israeli aggression against the holy sites in Al Quds Al Sharif, and particularly in the immediate vicinity of the Holy Aqsa Mosque. 2. Affirms its condemnation of the works and excavations carried out by Israel, "the occupying power", that threaten the Holy Al Aqsa Mosque and its surrounding area, which is considered an affront to Muslims' sentiments and of one of their most important sanctities; and demands that all these works and excavations be ceased immediately. 3. Affirms that Al Quds Al Sharif is an integral part of the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967 and, as such, is subject to the same provisions as all occupied Palestinian territories in accordance with the resolutions of the international legitimacy. 4. Affirms that the grave violations committed by the occupying power in Al Quds, including the construction of a synagogue in the vicinity of Al Aqsa Mosque and a Jewish museum, the project of a railroad line linking occupied Arab Jerusalem with the settlements, the persisting settlement activity inside Al Quds, isolation of the City with an Apartheid wall to judaize it, are aggressive and illegal practices that constitute a flagrant violation of the international law and the Fourth Geneva Convention; and demands the UN Security Council to intervene to take the necessary measures to protect Al Aqsa Mosque and compel Israel to implement the resolutions of the international legitimacy on Al Quds, including in particular resolutions 253, 267, 271, 465, 476, 478, 6725, 1073, and General Assembly resolution 223/51. 5. Welcomes and supports the Makkah Al Mukarramah Agreement of Palestinian national reconciliation, commends the sponsorship and praiseworthy efforts put in by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and requests the international community to support the agreement. It welcomes the efforts aimed at forming the Palestinian national unity government and undertakes to support it for its significance for steadfastness of the Palestinian people and supporting its resistance ability until just and comprehensive peace is achieved. 6. Confirms the need to abide by the resolution to break the unjust embargo imposed on the Palestinian people adopted by the Executive Committee in its Expanded Extraordinary Meeting held on 18 November 2006, and calls for urgent action with the international community to lift the embargo in the light of positive developments on the Palestinian scene. 7. Calls upon the Ummah to unify its efforts in order to defend its sanctities and resist all attempts aimed at weakening its causes and spreading sectarian and religious differences amongst and within the Islamic countries. 8. Calls on the Member States to provide financial and moral support to the population of Al Quds and its Palestinian institutions in support for their steadfastness and the preservation of the Islamic and Arab identity as well as the religious, historical and demographic character of Al Quds. 9. Calls also on the international community, the Quartet in particular, to put pressure on Israel to immediately end its aggression against Al Aqsa Mosque and cease all its measures that would lead to more tension and violence, constituting a threat to international peace and security at a time when serious efforts are needed to achieve comprehensive peace and stability in the Middle East. 10. Requests the General Secretariat to follow the implementation of the international decisions and resolutions adopted in this regard, especially the decision adopted by the 30th Session of the World Heritage Committee held in July 2006, in Lithuania which was approved by all UNESCO Member States, including Israel, that Israel should provide to the World Heritage Centre all relevant information concerning its plans for new buildings and reconstruction of the access leading to Holy Al-Aqsa Mosque. 11. Calls upon the Member States to provide advisory and technical support to the Endowment Department in Al-Quds, as required by Palestine. 12. Calls on the General Secretariat and the Member States to organize activities which include all segments of the society to highlight the cause of Al Quds Al Sharif and Palestine and expose the dangerous violations and illegal measures carried out by the Israeli occupation authorities, particularly the excavation works it is carrying out underneath and in the immediate vicinity of the Holy Al Aqsa Mosque. 13. Mandates the OIC Group in New York to follow up on its request to the UN Security Council to take the necessary measures to end the serious violations against the Holy Al Aqsa Mosque. 14. Requests the OIC Group in UNESCO to continue to urge this Organization to fulfill its responsibilities and take the necessary measures to preserve the human and civilizational heritage of Al Quds, including the formation of a committee to investigate the Israeli aggressions against the Holy Al Aqsa Mosque, and to prevent it from tampering with the historical and civilizational character as well as the Islamic and Arab identity of the Holy City. 15. Commends the continuous efforts, including regional and international contacts, made by His Majesty King Mohamed VI, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, to urge the international community to compel Israel to abide by all relevant UN resolutions. 16. Calls on the Member States and the civil society institutions to support Bayt Mal Al-Quds and Al-Quds Fund Waqf in order to allow them to energize their humanitarian action and preserve the sanctities in Al-Quds. 17. Appreciates the efforts exerted by the Chairman of the Tenth Islamic Summit Conference, the Chairman of the 33rd Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers and Member States to safeguard and protect the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque. 18. Appreciates also the efforts of the Secretary General, especially his contacts and visit to Palestine aiming to urge the Palestinian parties to preserve national unity through dialogue. Also supports his efforts to end aggression against the Holy Al-Aqsa Mosque. 19. Welcomes and supports the resolutions adopted by the Parliamentary Union of the Member States of the Organization of the Islamic Conference on Al Quds, which held its latest session in Kuala Lumpur on 15-16 February 2007. 20. Affirms the necessity of launching an international campaign to elucidate the dangers threatening Al Aqsa Mosque and the sanctuaries in Al Quds, and the serious implications on security and stability in the region and beyond, and demands that pressure be put on Israel to end its violations and aggression. 21. Endorses the recommendation of the Chairman of the Tenth Islamic Summit Conference that the Secretary General coordinates a concrete plan of action to take up the Al-Aqsa and the Al-Quds issues to the Security Council, UNESCO, International Court of Justice and the Human Rights Council. 22. Requests the Secretary-General, in coordination with the Chairs of the Islamic Summit Conference and the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers, and Palestine to take the necessary measures to implement the provisions of this Communiqué. On another development Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa said no amendments are to be introduced to the Arab peace initiative. In press statements, Moussa said there is no talk about such amendment, especially that the other side has nothing to offer. Answering a question on US demands on this score, Moussa said to the best of his knowledge no US demands were made in this respect. On the contrary, he pointed out, Washington was supportive of the initiative. Moussa asserted that the Palestinian government agreed upon at the Makkah meeting was a national unity government not a Hamas-led or Fatah-led one. A meeting that was held a few days ago grouping Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and US State Secretary Condoleezza Rice was an important step per se, added Moussa. Two other meetings will follow, he noted, pointing out that the first meeting has seen some difficulties. As for an Egyptian proposal for studying the stances of some countries, especially African states, that reduced their support for the Palestinian cause, Moussa said Egypt has already floated such a proposal and it would be placed on the agenda of the coming Arab foreign ministers meeting. On the other hand, Moussa chaired a meeting of the organization's permanent delegates to discuss the agenda of the Arab League Council's 127th session that would be held at the foreign ministerial level on March 3 under the chairmanship of Tunisia. AL Assistant Secretary General Ahmed bin Helli said the meeting is an organizational one that aims at preparing the agenda of the ministerial talks. According to him, the agenda includes some 20 items covering such key issues as the situation in the Palestinian territories, the Golan, Lebanon, Iraq and Sudan, in addition to new ones, such as interaction among civilizations and the re-evaluation of Arab relations with some African and Asian countries that have shown waning support for Arab causes. The agenda, he said, will cover as well a wide range of political, economic, social and security files besides the Arab stand towards weapons of mass destruction and the peaceful use of nuclear energy. In Cairo the Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Egypt will participate in a meeting of Foreign Ministers of key Muslim countries hosted by Pakistan to discuss and prepare for a Summit in Makkah to seek resolutions for Muslim problems and the Middle East crisis. Secretary General of the OIC and Foreign Ministers of Muslim countries" will meet in Islamabad on February 25. The decision follows a string of meetings of President General Pervez Musharraf with heads of key Muslim countries to discuss "a new initiative" to seek solutions for Muslim issues. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah has graciously consented to host the Summit in Makkah on the challenges facing the Muslim world. Meantime Members of the Quartet on the Middle East said they would hold their next meeting in an Arab country but did not say which nation nor when. German foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier told a news conference the venue of the meeting would be decided in the coming days. He added there were partners in the Arab world who back the peace process in the Middle East. Steinmeier was joined at the news conference with US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov, UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana and EU external relations commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldern. Rice said the Palestinians were keen on living in peace and security. She renewed support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state living side-by-side with Israel, but there should be a government of national unity that recognize the right of the Jewish state to exist. This government, Rice added, should also recognize the Israeli-Palestinian accords and the principles of the Quartet. Rice said there were complications towards formation of a government of national unity, and the Quartet wanted to wait and see the developments over this matter. Ban, meanwhile, voiced relief for the Makkah agreement between Hamas and Fatah and said the Quartet would continue regular meetings. Solana said it was important to solve problems derailing peace in the Middle East. Lavrov said a Palestinian government of national unity was needed and it should abide by demands of the Quartet. A statement issued by the four Quartet members said they wanted to support a national unity government. Rice informed her colleagues about the outcome of her meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, said the statement. German foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, rotating president of the Council of the EU, said the Quartet should actively contribute to pushing forward the peace process. "This is a tough mission and will remain so, but the Quartet is strongly determined to seize the available opportunities in a very realistic fashion," Steinmeier told reporters after a meeting of the Quartet. He said the meeting between Rice, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was a first step towards building mutual confidence. Steinmeier called on the international community to speak with one voice. The following statement by the Middle East Quartet ( United Nations, Russian Federation, United States, European Union ) was issued 21 February, following its meeting in Berlin: The Quartet principals -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, High Representative for European Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and European Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner -- met today in Berlin to discuss the situation in the Middle East. Secretary Rice reported on her recent 18 February meetings with Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas, the 19 February trilateral and United States efforts to facilitate discussions between the parties. The Quartet welcomed these efforts and expressed the hope that the result-oriented dialogue initiated between Israeli and Palestinian leaders will continue in the framework of a renewed political process, with the aim of defining more clearly the political horizon and launching meaningful negotiations. The Quartet reaffirmed its determination to promote such a process, in cooperation with the parties and other regional partners. The Quartet urged the parties to refrain from measures that prejudge issues to be resolved in negotiations. The Quartet reaffirmed its statements regarding its support for a Palestinian Government committed to non-violence, recognition of Israel and acceptance of previous agreements and obligations, including the Road Map, and encouraged progress in this direction. The Quartet discussed efforts under way for a Palestinian national unity Government, pursuant to the agreement reached in Makkah on 8 February. The Quartet expressed its appreciation for the role of King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia and the cessation of violence among Palestinians. The Quartet concluded with a discussion of possible further steps by the international community in the context of a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East. It welcomed preliminary ideas put forward by the European Commission to meet the needs to better coordinate and mobilize international assistance in support of the political process and to meet the needs of the Palestinian people. The Quartet reaffirmed its commitment to meet regularly and asked envoys to monitor developments and actions taken by the parties and to discuss the way ahead. It was agreed to schedule a meeting in the region soon. On the other hand Israel launched war games on the occupied Golan Heights last Wednesday in a bid to learn the lessons of last summer's conflict in neighboring south Lebanon, defense minister Amir Peretz said. "Conducting these exercises in this area does not at all mean that they are connected to a possible conflict," Peretz told public radio, referring to media reports of impending military confrontation with Syria, from which Israel seized the Golan in the 1967 Middle East war. "These exercises are the army's most important for five years and mainly intend to absorb lessons learnt from the war," he added, referring to last year's July-August conflict with Shiite militant group Hezbollah. Warplanes and a regiment of paratroopers were taking part in the maneuvres, as well as infantry, mechanized units, artillery, and sappers. |
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