The Hindu : Ceasefire crucial, says E.U.

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 17, 2002

International

International

Ceasefire crucial, says E.U.

By Batuk Gathani

BRUSSELS APRIL 16 . European Governments are not impressed by the Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon's "timetable" to pull out of occupied Palestinian land. At a meeting in Luxembourg to deliberate the ongoing crises in West Asia, including the merits of a new German peace plan, E.U. Foreign Ministers extended full support to the U.S. Secretary of State, Colin Powell's efforts to structure a ceasefire. They have further agreed that this cannot happen while Israeli troops continue to occupy Palestinian land and persecute the civilian population. Previously proposed economic sanctions against Israel are not likely to be imposed, however, as this move has been bitterly opposed by Britain, Germany and Holland.

After much pressure from the E.U., Russia, the United Nations and even the U.S. President, George W. Bush, Mr. Sharon agreed last night to withdraw Israeli troops from Nablus and Jenin within a week. In an interview with CNN, Mr. Sharon claimed that the troops were on their way out — although this statement may bear little weight in many minds without speedy subsequent action.

In European capitals, it is argued that Mr. Sharon's announcement of "an impending withdrawal" could make it easier for Mr. Powell to convince the Palestinian Authority president, Yasser Arafat, to accept the proposed ceasefire agreement.

The 15 Foreign Ministers may not fully endorse the German plan put forward by the Foreign Minister, Joschka Fischer.

Under the plan, Palestinians will be offered an independent state and Israel will be given an assurance that terrorist acts against it will end.

The Europeans maintain that before any future plans are revealed, attention must be focussed on structuring a viable ceasefire.

Germany still insists that any ceasefire effort should be backed by a general peace plan for the entire region.

The European perception is that Israel's refusal to withdraw from Palestinian areas has been a major obstacle that has blocked even Mr. Powell from obtaining a ceasefire agreement during nine days of intense negotiations.

It is believed that only if Mr. Sharon keeps his word and makes credible gestures to pull out of occupied areas, can progress towards a peace plan in the region be made.

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