Brussels, 17/12/2001 (Agence Europe) - CFSP High Representative, Javier Solana welcomed President Arafat's speech to the Palestinian people, "I welcome the speech of President Arafat today. It seems that there is a new window of opportunity. The parties should act now to consolidate this hope. That was our message at the European council in Laeken". The declaration delivered at the Summit indicates that Mr Solana must soon return to the USA to pursue the "appropriate contacts", contacts that will also be made with the United Nations, Russia and Arab countries that are the most involved in the matter. Yasser Arafat's speech again called for a total halt to all operations, especially the suicide attacks which they had always condemned. He also declared that those committing these acts would be held to account for them.