Brussels, 23/09/2002 (Agence Europe) - EU High Representative for CFSP, Javier Solana, issued a statement: "I want to express my deepest concern about the latest developments in President Arafat's compound in Ramallah. I spoke to the Israeli leaders to convey my greatest concerns about the situation and particularly the siege of the Palestinian leadership. This will not contribute to the end of terrorism, nor to the efforts undertaken in order to consolidate a serious reform of the Palestinian Authority and to work forward a peaceful settlement of the conflict". As in the past (see Europe of 20 September, p.5) he deplored the "recent escalation of violence, which undermines the will expressed by the Quartet to advance in the way of peace. The Palestinian leaders have to do their outmost in order to combat terrorism and the Israel's legitimate security concerns will only be assured through cooperation and dialogue."
In another statement, the Danish Presidency of the Council condemns the 18 September suicide attacks that killed six Israelis. "Likewise our hearts go out to the Palestinian children and their parents who yesterday suffered a bomb attack in the schoolyard of Zeif Yatta Elementary School in Hebron…". "The EU deplores that civilians on both sides continue to suffer (from) violence: Horrors of terror for ordinary people in the streets of Israel, brutality of occupation for the ordinary people in the Palestinian territories. The EU recalls the recent statement by the Middle East Quartet from its meeting on 17 September in New York 'see Europe of 19 September, p.5), noting "the European Union on 10 September welcomed the promise by Fatah that it will prevent any attacks against Israeli civilians… We urge the Palestinians to work with the US and regional partners to reform Palestinian security services in order to fight terror that has to severely undermined the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people… The siege of the Palestinian Presidency compound is counter-productive: Restricting freedom of movement of the Palestinian leadership does not contribute to fighting terrors; to Israel's legitimate security concerns; or the necessary process of Palestinian reforms…"