Extremists "undermine path to peace"

For peace to be established successfully in the Middle East, Israel could no longer be regarded as an alien and transplanted state in the midst of hostile Arab neighbours, President Guido de Marco said in New York yesterday.

Giving a lecture entitled "The Mediterranean - the art of the impossible?" at the Fairleigh Dickinson University of New Jersey, Prof. de Marco said:

"The government of Malta has always supported a peaceful solution to the conflict in the Middle East, through the full implementation of relevant Security Council Resolutions, through a clear roadmap to peace.

"Such an outcome necessitates the recognition of Israel by its Arab neighbours and its guarantee for safe and secure borders. Such an outcome needs to be buttressed by a general acceptance and assimilation of the State of Israel into the whole region in symbiosis and not in conflict with its Arab neighbours.

"For peace to be established successfully, Israel can no longer be regarded, still less should it regard itself, as an alien and transplanted State in the midst of hostile Arab neighbours.

"... Such an outcome also necessitates the respect of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, the end of Israeli military occupation and the creation of a viable Palestinian state. Inalienable rights are not particular to the Palestinians, but they belong to each and every one of us; by respecting these rights, we respect the values we all share and cherish.

"Extremists, from whichever part of the fence they appear, undermine the path to peace. Extreme and uncompromising views, policies and actions also undermine the same cause they are meant to support, endorse and boost. A terrorist suicide bomber attack in a restaurant in Tel Aviv derails a peace process as much as it harms the Palestinian cause. On the other hand, the sustained occupation of Palestinian territories and the choking of the economic development of Palestinian society increases resentment towards the Israelis as much as it will not guarantee security to Israel," he said.

Following the lecture Prof. de Marco was hosted to a dinner by Mr Michael Adams, president of the university.

Prof. de Marco`s engagements in New York yesterday also included a meeting of the UN Council of Presidents with United Nations Permanent Representatives, members of the Advisory Group, at the UN Headquarters.

The President also met the executive board of the International Association of Permanent Representatives to the UN, followed by a luncheon in his honour hosted by Ambassador Walter Balzan, Malta`s permanent representative to the UN.