Israel's Participation in the Stockholm Conference on Genocide
(Communicated by the Foreign Ministry Spokesman)
Jerusalem, January 21, 2004

Israel has decided to lower the level of its representation at the
Conference on the Prevention of Genocide scheduled to take place in
Stockholm next week. Israel will be represented by low-ranking officials
only.

Israel regrets that the conditions are not favorable to representation on a
more senior level.

Swedish Foreign Minister Laila Freivolds called Foreign Minister Silvan
Shalom this morning. During the conversation, the Swedish minister expressed
regret over the incident and reiterated the Swedish government's
condemnation of all terrorism, especially suicide terror. She noted the good
relations between the two states and the two peoples.

Mr. Shalom made clear to the Swedish foreign minister the deep shock felt by
the Israeli people at the inclusion of such a repulsive exhibit at an
exhibition connected to a conference on the subject of the prevention of
genocide. He called on Sweden to act vigorously to promote relations and
understanding between the two states, especially in light of the damage
caused by the exhibit to public opinion in both countries.

Considering the importance of the Conference for the Prevention of Genocide,
the fourth and final part in a series of conferences initiated by the
Swedish prime minister, and the seriousness with which Israel views the fact
that the offensive exhibit is still being displayed, it was decided that
Israel will be represented at the conference by low-ranking officials, and
not on the level that was originally planned.