MIDDLE EAST: International mediators, determined to overcome an Israeli travel ban, reached out by videolink to Palestinians yesterday to discuss reforms designed to promote peace and build a future Palestinian state.
The London conference produced strong messages to both sides, urging Israel not to undermine the reform process and telling the Palestinians they must do more to halt violence.
British Foreign Secretary Mr Jack Straw, the host, told reporters the main result had been to "increase the momentum towards reform of the Palestinian Authority and therefore to help improve the lives of ordinary Palestinians, and in doing so to make a contribution to the overall peace process". He said Palestinian delegates in Ramallah and Gaza, hooked up by videolink to London, promised to draw up a draft constitution this month to include creation of the post of prime minister and a bill of rights.
"There was clear recognition that without credible Palestinian performance on security, the reform agenda will founder," Mr Straw's statement said.
"The participants recognised that Israel must also take steps to ensure that the Palestinian reform process succeeds, and avoid actions that undermine hope in a political settlement to the conflict," it added.
Israel refused to let Palestinian officials travel to London from the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip following suicide bombings that killed 22 people in Tel Aviv last week. Mr Straw said the decision, which has ruffled Israeli-British ties, was counter-productive and regrettable.
The London gathering grouped mediators from the "quartet" of the United States, United Nations, European Union and Russia, along with officials from Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
The US has led calls for Palestinian reforms in efforts to end 27 months of violence and help pave the way for a settlement involving the creation of a Palestinian state.
Israeli Foreign Minister Mr Benjamin Netanyahu said yesterday the London conference would not help to halt Palestinian suicide bombings, which he blamed on President Yasser Arafat.
He told reporters in Israel that Mr Arafat could simply tell militant groups "to stop murdering innocent people. That he can do right away, he doesn't have to go to London for it."
Mr Michael Tarazi, a Palestinian delegate able to reach London because he holds a US passport, said the fact the conference had gone ahead showed that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon had no veto on international diplomacy. - (Reuters)