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Thursday, April 22, 2004

PM: World community should act fast on Middle-East conflict

Update from The Star News Desk

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has called on the international community not to stand by and watch in silence the fast deteriorating development in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

He said it was important for the world to remember that the conflict was not about religion but state terrorism.

“It is about Israeli aggression and occupation of Palestinian land by force.

“It is about the legitimate and courageous struggle of the Palestinian people for their right to decide and be masters of their own destiny, to ride the yoke of Israeli occupation and to live freely in their own sovereign and independent state,” he said when opening the special meeting on the Middle East under the auspices of the Organisation of Islamic Conference at the Putrajaya Convention Centre here on Thursday.


The PM speaks at the OIC meeting - APpic

The one-day meeting, to discuss the situation in Palestine and Iraq, is convened amid escalating violence in the region.

Abdullah who is the current OIC chairman said only a comprehensive, just and durable solution could pave the way towards attaining peace and stability in the Middle East.

He also criticised the United States for supporting Israel's unilateral disengagement plan, saying that the “Letter of Guarantee” provided by President Bush's administration to Israel was clearly in violation of the norms of international fair play.

“It puts at risk all confidence that has been built thus far among the parties to the conflict.

“The Israeli plan contradicts the provisions stipulated in the roadmap for peace in the Middle East,” he added.

OIC to issue declaration on Palestine - From Thursday's print edition

Arab allies hit back at US - From Thursday's print edition

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