Brussels, 04/04/2002 (Agence Europe) - The Socialist Group of the European Parliament presided by Enrique Baron has, as already reported (see yesterday's EUROPE, p.6), called for the suspension of the EU/Israel Association Agreement, "in accordance with Article 2 of the agreements". In a stance on the Middle East crisis approved on Wednesday, the Socialist members also strongly condemn the anti-Jewish attacks in Europe. They call, moreover, for the Israeli Labour Party to leave the government, "which has given up the path of peace for one of war", and considers their position within this government "incompatible with its affiliation to the Socialist International". The European group, moreover, expresses its full support for the Israelis and Palestinians working for peace at every possible level, and especially expresses sympathy and support for the Israeli-Palestinian coalition Time for Peace, and for the Israeli reservists who refuse to serve in the Occupied Territories.
The Socialist Group also calls upon the Spanish EU Council Presidency to invite the United States and Russia and the UN Secretary General to discuss the current situation in order to decide upon "sending an international mission to the region to help bring about a cease-fire" (a request also made by Elmar Brok, Chair of the EP Committee on Foreign Affairs: see yesterday's EUROPE, p.6). Finally, the EP Socialists hope the extraordinary Council in Luxembourg will "give a clear mandate" to the High Representative Javier Solana.
French Socialist François Zimeray says "Arafat must be judged"
François Zimeray, from France, raised a discordant voice among the Socialist Group. He says in a press release that inspections carried out on 1 and 2 April at the headquarters of Yasser Arafat "confirmed the personal involvement of the Palestinian leader in the suicide bombing campaign". According to the French parliamentarian, Israeli investigators reviewed the personal accounts of Yasser Arafat in Ramallah, which, among others, reportedly contained "an ordinary request of confirmation by Arafat of daily expenses relating to the equipment of kamikazes in explosives and munitions".