Brussels / Helsinki, 05/06/2001 (Agence Europe) - The suicide attack that on Friday left some twenty dead in Tel Aviv has been condemned by all European institutions.
The Swedish Presidency made a statement in which it "condemns the terrorist attack in Tel Aviv in the firmest terms", "again calls on the Palestinian Authority to do everything in its power to prevent terrorist attacks and take those responsible to court" and calls on Israel "not to tqke measures that would lead to a further escalation in the cycle of violence" (the full text may be found on the site: http: //eu2001.se/eu2001/main/default.asp?12195546).
Condemning the attack, the EU's High Representative for Cfsp, Javier Solana also called on the Palestinian Authority to "strive to make sure that security cooperation will produce results on the ground and to both Israelis and Palestinians not to yield to pressure of the enemies of peace". "In this momment of pain and sorrow, I would like to remind that the implementation of the report of the Sham el-Sheikc Fact Finding Committee is currently the only way to overcome this circle of violence".
As for European Commission President Romano Prodi, he launched an appeal to President Arafat, asking him to "prevent such unacceptable and unjustified actions of violence and bring those responsible to justice", and on the Israeli Government "to refrain from retaliation and to keep on the way of peace". Mr. Prodi said in a statement published on Saturday: "Europe and the Commission are determined to do all that is possible to encourage constructive dialogue for peace, but it is unacceptable that, in this delicate phase of the peace process, place can be left to those who wish to pursue the path of war. The EU intends continuing to back peace initiatives together with the United States. I intend personally speaking of this problem with President Bush in Gothenburg", said Prodi. Monday, the President of the Commission reiterated: "This is an agonizing problem (…) I recently saw Arafat and should have seen Shron the day after tomorrow. He told me that he could not come to Brussels, as he cannot travel".
Nicole Fontaine, EP President, condemned this "monstrous attack", stating that "it is the absolute duty of the Palestinian Authority to provide its full cooperation and use its own means to neutralize the irresponsible action of those who manipulate these young kamakazes, and to impose an end to the suicide attacks with which the resumption o the dialogue for peace will remain impossible".
German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer, for his pat, decided to extend his visit in the region to meet the different parties and try to contribute to a solution.
In Helsinki on Thursday (where he was to prepare the Gothenburg Summit), the High Representative for Cfsp, Javier Solana told the press that "We need to have security on the ground if we want to move to the next step, which is the political initiative (…) in a couple of days, in two or three days, if we see that the situation continues (to be calm), I think the international community should take an initiative to the parties so that we move into the next phase". According to him, "a solid coalition of countries" back the Mitchell Commission recommendations.