From left to right: Mr A. Philippou (Cyprus), Mr R. Ahaouandjinou (Benin), Mr A. Qurie "Abou Ala", Mr Y. Tavernier (France, President of the Committe) and Mrs O.A. Starfelt (Norway)

Israeli and Palestinian representatives accept to meet under the auspices of the IPU

A fter receiving a preliminary report on the mission of the Committee on Middle East Questions of the Inter-Parliamentary (IPU) to Jordan, Israel and the territories controlled by the Palestinian Authority, the President of the IPU Council, Dr. Najma Heptulla, recalled the invitation made by the IPU to the Speaker of the Knesset, Mr. Avraham Burg, and the Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), Mr. Ahmed Qurie "Abu Ala" to meet at their earliest convenience, under the auspices of the IPU.

"The IPU stands ready to pursue its actions in order to continue to facilitate this resumption of the dialogue between political representatives with a view to an improvement of the living conditions of the Palestinian people and of the security of Israel", stressed Dr. Heptulla, who welcomed the fact that the Speakers of the Knesset and the PLC have accepted to meet under the auspices of the IPU. "Other direct contacts between MPs from both sides should also take place. The Committee demands that measures be taken to enable the PLC to meet and carry out its mandate", insisted the President of the IPU Council.

During its mission, the IPU Committee met with prominent Israeli and Palestinian representatives. The Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council, Mr. Ahmed Qurie "Abu Ala" said that "the IPU which represents the people is the institution that can preserve and protect international legitimacy and the UN resolutions. The IPU proves that it can support peace and the people who are still suffering from the Israeli occupation...We ask the IPU to help to put an end to this occupation. I am ready to meet Mr. Avraham Burg, the Speaker of the Knesset. He is a good friend. I send him my best wishes and I hope he will have good luck in his election. I have no problem to meet him at any time".

The Speaker of the Israeli Knesset, Mr. Avrahm Burg, also declared that he was ready to meet "Abu Ala", out of the region. He said that the meeting should take place "with a specific agenda".

The IPU Committee also met with the Israeli Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Shimon Peres, who stressed that the IPU action "is today the most important way" and that "a clear position from the political world can change the situation".

The President of the Palestinian authority, Mr. Yasser Arafat stated : "We have to work hard for international pressure and international interference, so that we can be able to find a quick solution and to protect the peace of the brave which I have signed with my partner Rabin and to implement the UN resolutions, as well as the Mitchell report and the Jordanian and Egyptian initiative. No doubt the IPU and the parliaments can play an important role. They can be a strong balance".

The delegation of the IPU Committee on Middle East Questions, headed by the French MP, Mr. Yves Tavernier, was composed of Mr. M. Raymond Ahaouandjinou (Benin), Mr. Andreas Philippou (Cyprus, Rapporteur) and Mrs. Oddbjorg Ausdal Starrfelt (Norway). During its mission, from 1 to 6 June, the IPU Committee called on the Israelis and the Palestinians to immediately implement all the recommendations of the Mitchell Report and notably those related to the cessation of all violence against civilian populations. As called for in the Mitchell Report, the Committee insisted on a freeze on all settlements in the occupied territories. It also demands that measures be taken to enable the PLC to meet and carry out its mandate.