Summary: February 5, 2002: The Rt Hon Chris Patten, Commissioner for External Relations, on the situation in the Middle East. Statement at the Plenary Session of the European Parliament, Strasbourg.
Let me begin with the appeal by the General Affairs Council last week to Israelis and Palestinians - "the situation in the Middle East is at a critical moment. The current spiral of violence must immediately cease and the suffering of both peoples be brought to an end." The Council also argued that peace-building requires security and political measures to be implemented in parallel in a mutually reinforcing way. I think, our first statement reflects how the situation has deteriorated
from very bad to incomparably worse, and the second indicates the only way forward.
Javier Solana has just described why the diplomatic task is so difficult and why it is so necessary. The Parliament knows well his tireless efforts to help halt the sharp decline into increasing violence.
It is hardly possible, today, to speak of a 'peace process' in the Middle East. Killings provoke revenge killings. Violence, repression, and the senseless destruction of property including EU-funded projects cannot possibly increase security. Who could imagine that they would? On the contrary, and with miserable predictability, they create new resentments, new grievances, and new hatred. Frustration is mounting on both sides. There is a sense of hopelessness.
Last autumn President Bush referred to his vision of a settlement in the Middle East, which would include an independent Palestine, living peacefully side by side with Israel. Colin Powell, who repeated the need to achieve a viable Palestinian State, also called for an end to violence and an end to Israel's occupation. It is tragic that the Palestinian side was unwilling or perhaps unable to respond to such overtures with an immediate cessation of violence. By the same token it is tragic that
when there was, finally, a clear reduction in violence following President Arafat's speech on 16 December, this was not seized upon by the Israeli side to achieve a breakthrough.
Since then things have spiraled down. More senseless acts of terror, more heavy-handed incursions, more desperation, more fear, more recriminations. There was the saga of the intercepted arms shipment, the Karine-A on which we push for the rapid completion of the work of the investigative commission. The latest rounds of violence appear to suggest that, on both sides, the lead is being taken by those who want neither a cease-fire nor a resumption of negotiations. Innocent victims are paying a
terrible price.
Let us recall that the aim of the Middle East Peace Process is to find a negotiated solution leading to two viable, peaceful and prosperous States living side by side . Yet wherever else the present road may be leading, it cannot, surely, be the way to security for Israel within internationally-recognized borders, or to a viable, peaceful, democratic Palestinian state with functioning institutions.
The European Union cannot stand aside. There are many ideas being debated for breaking the deadlock and moving things forward. Some suggest launching at once a major international conference to restore momentum to the peace process. At some future point I have no doubt that a conference will be required to conclude and formalize a peace agreement. But, sadly, it is difficult to imagine that such an initiative could be successful in the near future. The pre-conditions for a successful conference
and for peace and progress are simply not there.
But somehow the process has to be got back on track. Somehow, hope must be restored, and the prospect of peace both for Israel and, alongside her, for a future, democratic Palestinian state. The Commission welcomes all attempts that might lead to a return to negotiations and encourages the Parties to continue developing new ideas.
The Middle East will be a central topic at the informal meeting of Foreign Affairs Ministers at the end of this week. We shall continue to pool our ideas about the best way forward. As stated by the Council last week: "Resolute and concerted action by the European Union, the United Nations, the United States, the Russian Federation and the Arab countries most concerned is essential and urgent to help re-open the way to political negotiation."
The Commission is working closely with the Presidency. We stand ready, of course, to deploy all Community instruments in support of whatever strategy may be agreed.
Let me now turn, finally, to the issue of the damaged/destroyed projects, some of which were funded by the EU. Much has been said in the press already. The Commission has compiled a list, as requested by the Presidency.
I want to emphasize that this is not a mere accounting exercise: simply an accountant's basis for a financial claim. We are pursuing this matter because the wanton destruction of Palestinian infrastructure and other facilities is so utterly counter-productive. It destabilizes the structures of authority. It breeds resentment and desperation. Indeed, the Israeli Government has repeatedly asked us to help the Palestinians in their economic, social and humanitarian development. The
destruction of our projects inevitably sets back that work. The list we have compiled of damage to Palestinian development projects is probably not precise and reflects only a fraction of the losses incurred by the Palestinian economy. We have limited our assessment to cases of clear physical damage to projects financed with European Union assistance, directly resulting from actions by the Israeli military. The damage assessment is limited to the replacement cost and does not cover indirect
losses incurred by delays or suspensions.
Nor does it include other costs incurred by Israel's actions. Yet we are still giving budgetary support to the Palestinian Authority in response to Israel's refusal to transfer taxes owed to them - support rigorously checked month by month on the spot by the IMF to confirm that it is only used for the purposes for which it was intended. And we continue to offer humanitarian assistance, notably for shelter repair. According to the UN and Israeli human rights organizations more than 600 homes
have been demolished since the beginning of the current crisis, mainly in refugee camps. Again, what on earth does this do to improve Israeli security?
Our list makes no reference to EU-funded projects which cannot function properly due to Israeli military actions: such as the European-funded Hospital in Gaza where access for patients is not just difficult, but at times not even possible.
We are encouraged by Shimon Peres' statement in the press a few days ago that he still sees the necessity of supporting the Palestinian economy. That is certainly our view, and it is the reason that we have chosen to make an issue of the destruction of our projects.
Sooner or later the leaders on both sides are going to have to show the same consistent courage and leadership that is displayed day in and day out by those brave groups in the Israeli and Palestinian community who still work for a sustainable peace. I'm thinking of those who came together at the Kalandia checkpoint last year. I'm thinking of people like those who belong to the Voice of Peace Movement. Their choice, their way ahead is the only way that will break the spiral of violence. A small
but important advance would be to stop destroying the fabric of the Palestinian community, to stop destroying any hope of a better life for Palestinians. Now that would be a real step forward in the search for greater security.
| Top |
European Union Member States
Alerts by email
Email this page
Print this page