French FM: Israel should release terrorists (detainees) understands
Palestinian right of return

De Villepin Tells Palestinians, Israelis to Seize Opportunity for Peace
France Concerned Over Palestinians’ Plight
http://www.palestine-pmc.com/details.asp?cat=1&id=808
27/05/2003

Palestine Media Center- (PMC)[Official arm of the PA]

France’s Foreign Minister, who wrapped up a visit to the Middle East Monday,
urged both Israelis and Palestinians to “seize this opportunity” and return
to negotiations, in reference to the internationally - adopted “roadmap” to
peace, which envisions an end to the ongoing conflict with the creation of a
Palestinian state in 2005.

“Each party must fulfill its part of the deal. It is crucial that we seize
this opportunity,” Dominique De Villepin said after meeting with Palestinian
President Yasser Arafat at his battered headquarters in the West Bank city
of Ramallah, despite American and Israeli attempts to sideline the veteran
leader.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon refused to meet with de Villepin because
of his meeting with Arafat. The French foreign Minister met instead with his
Israeli counterpart Silvan Shalom.

While the Palestinians have unconditionally endorsed the peace blueprint,
Israel has accepted it only of late after submitting a list of 14
“conditions” to the United States.

De Villepin called on both sides of the conflict to implement the new peace
initiative known as the “roadmap”, which was put together by the “Quartet”
of US, EU, UN and Russian mediators.

He urged Palestinians to “continue with fighting terrorism and implement
ongoing reforms” and Israelis to “make the necessary gestures to turn a new
page and look to the future.”

The French FM specifically referred to a freeze on settlement building, a
return to normalcy for the Palestinian people and the release of Palestinian
detainees.

Following a meeting with Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas (Abu
Mazen), the French diplomat stressed that “the answer [to this conflict] can
only be political. There should be a return to negotiations that should
eventually lead to a viable, democratic Palestinian state.”

In a press conference with his Palestinian counterpart, Nabil Sha’ath, de
Villepin also pledged French support to the Palestinian people and
leadership.

“I know that the duties are difficult and demanding, but the Palestinian
leadership can rely on France and Europe … to bring justice to the
Palestinian people and security to the Israeli people.”

De Villepin further highlighted the need for the “Quartet” to work together
in unity to ensure the “roadmap” is successful into bringing peace to the
region, plagued by more than 30 months of bloodshed.

“The ‘roadmap’ is the fruit of the “Quartet’s” efforts and we should work
together in stages, which require taking responsibilities, commitment,
patience, courage, perseverance and unity.”

France Concerned Over Palestinians’ Plight

The French foreign minister also voiced his country’s concern over the
deteriorating humanitarian situation plaguing the occupied Palestinian
territory.

“We have seen the tragic consequences of the Israeli re-occupation of the
Palestinian territory as well as the deteriorating circumstances of the
lives of the Palestinian people, all of which have raised France’s
concerns.” He said, prior to a visit to al-Am’ari refugee camp near
Ramallah.

De Villepin’s visit to this refugee camp, where he met with a refugee family
and listened to their ordeal and their dreams to return to their home in
what is now Israel, was seen by Palestinians as a symbolic gesture
reflecting French understanding of the Palestinian refugees plight.