Indian State Minister: "Any Attempts to Remove President Arafat would Negate
Efforts Towards Reconciliation"
www.ipc.gov.ps/ipc_e/ipc_e-1/e_News/news2004/2004_09/103.html

RAMALLAH, Palestine, September 18, 2004 (IPC+ Agencies)-- [Official PA
website] Indian Minister of State for External Affairs, Shri E. Ahamed, met
on Friday with President Yasser Arafat at his office in the West Bank city
of Ramallah.

"India has historically been unwavering in its support for the Palestinian
cause. We remain convinced that the Palestinian people will succeed in
realizing their national aspirations. It is our view that restrictions on
the freedom of movement of President Arafat would not help the cause of
peace," an excerpt of minister Ahamed's statement read.

The statement, which was published yesterday by the Indian Ministry for
External Affairs, confirmed that India had always recognized President
Arafat as an elected leader of the Palestinian people.

"Any effort contemplated to remove him from the scene would be indefensible
in international law, would serve no constructive purpose, would negate all
efforts towards reconciliation and would prove to be politically
counterproductive, apart from having a definite negative impact on the
Middle East peace process," the statement explained.

The Indian official held fruitful discussions with the Foreign Minister, Dr.
Nabil Sha'th, on issues relating to the Middle East peace process as well as
on other bilateral, regional and multilateral issues.

President Yasser Arafat welcomed, in a joint press briefing, his guest,
praising the historical Indian-Palestinian ties at the official and popular
levels.

The President blamed Israel for the current peace process deadlock,
wondering about the 14 reservations Israel has produced against the
internationally-sponsored Road Map peace blueprint amidst unconditional
Palestinian acceptance of the plan.

According to the New Delhi-based Kerala newspaper's website, the Indian
State Minister would hand over a fleet of 12 all-terrain vehicles and a
consignment of medicines worth Rs. 10 million (approx. $220,000) as
humanitarian aid for the beleaguered Palestinian population that has been
facing a systematic assault by the Israeli occupation forces.

Some commentators believe that the Indian-Israeli multifaceted ties had
undermined New Delhi's commitment to the Palestinian cause, particularly the
Indian government's reluctance to condemn the ongoing Israeli aggression
against the Palestinian people under the previous National Democratic
Alliance (NDA).

Nevertheless, the new Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA)
government that came to power in May 2004, had condemned the latest Israeli
large-scale demolition of Palestinian homes in the Rafah refugee camp in
Gaza Strip as well as the excessive use by Israeli troops of lethal force
against the Palestinian population in cities, villages and refugee camps.

A number of Israeli officials such as the Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and
his Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz reportedly renewed threats to assassinate
or expel President Yasser Arafat, the elected leader of the Palestinian
people.