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Moussa: 'Time to face Israel', ME peace 'a failure'
 The Arab League chief cautions that the so-called Middle East peace process may be "a complete failure", calling on Arab states to seek other alternatives. Surrender? Amr Moussa's warning came on the first day of the Arab League Summit in the Libyan town of Sirte. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, however, told the summit of Arab leaders that there would be no alternative to indirect "proximity" talks on a two-state solution. The two-day summit is being held amid Israeli plans to build new settlements in annexed Arab East Jerusalem al-Quds in defiance of international condemnations. "We have to study the possibility that the peace process will be a complete failure," Moussa declared to the summit. "It's time to face Israel. We have to have alternative plans because the situation has reached a turning-point," he said. The Palestinians pulled out of the 'peace' talks after Tel Aviv announced plans to build 1,600 more settlement units in East al-Quds, which was occupied by Israel in 1967 -- a move considered illegal under the international law. The 22-member Arab League plans to appeal to the International Court of Justice for an end to Israel's settlement expansion plan. The UN chief on Saturday urged Arab leaders in Libya to support indirect Israeli-Palestinian talks. "My message to you is that, whatever our concerns, there is no alternative to negotiations for a two-state solution," Ban claimed in an address at the opening session of the summit. "I urge you to support efforts to start proximity talks and direct negotiations. Our common goal should be to resolve all final status issues within 24 months," he added. Ban further reiterated that "settlement activity is illegal and must stop." His remarks come a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tel Aviv's policy on East al-Quds would not change. Observers point out that Ban's emphasis on continued talks with the Tel Aviv regime despite its defiance of the international community and even its own commitments is contradictory and a double standard. They add if the Israeli regime can defy the international community while the Palestinians are always demanded to make concessions, even on their basic rights, what sense does it make for the rest of the world to respect any UN decision? Posted by: Fred 2010-03-28 |
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