E.U.: QATARI EMIR SAYS THAT THE MIDDLE EAST SHOULD BE A NUCLEAR FREE ZONE

EU: QATARI EMIR ADDRESSES EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

Strasbourg, 15 Nov. (AKI) - The Emir of Qatar has told the European Parliament in Strasbourg that a just solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict should be based on the implementation of all international resolutions by both sides, but added that the Western embargo of the Hamas government sent the wrong message. "The Palestinian government, constituted by the Hamas Movement in accordance with the free will of the Palestinian people in the previous months, should have been given the opportunity to work for the people who have elected it" he told Euro MPs.

Yet, instead of rewarding the Palestinian people for practising democracy, "something rarely witnessed in our region", they have been punished for it" by the international embargo. "Is this not a double standard: to demand free elections, and then object to the results?" he asked.

He argued that the geographical proximity of this region to Europe "makes it in the undoubted interest of Europe to support comprehensive reform in the countries of the Middle-East".

A lack of democracy and the failure to reach a just solution for the Palestinian cause "has produced various forms of violence, which some people consider as terrorism" without differentiating between one form or another.

"We are very keen to differentiate between the unjustified frightening of innocent" and "what is the legitimate right to resist occupation according to international laws and customs", he stressed.

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On this point, he said, "we repeat our call to make the Middle East a region free of nuclear weapons and to oblige Israel to sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty".

WOO HOOO, LET US WORK TOWARDS DISARMING ISRAEL ! ! !

Pertinent Links:

1) EU: QATARI EMIR ADDRESSES EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT