Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2002-02-05-Speech-2-138"
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"en.20020205.8.2-138"2
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"Mr President, I have the feeling that, recently, in each debate in this Parliament on the Middle East, we basically go over the same ground. The only thing that changes is the state of the crisis, which, unfortunately, is increasingly worse in that region.
Since the last resolution we approved in the European Parliament, with the majority support of the parliamentary groups, there have evidently been more terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians. I think there have been five in the last ten days.
We have also, however, seen the siege by the Israeli army increasingly close in on the Palestinian population and its institutions. There has been very considerable material and personal damage which I consider to be completely unjustifiable.
Within the landscape of violence, which is very controversial both inside and outside the region and also here in the European Parliament, we should be able to agree on certain things. The first is that nothing can justify acts of terrorism, which reduce the chances of peace and produce nothing but pain and indignation. The second is that it seems clear that the Palestinian National Authority does not have the capacity to restrain this wave of violence. The third is that not everything is permissible in the fight against terrorism: when we have the Rule of Law, we must always act within the parameters of the law and with scrupulous respect for human rights. The fourth is that the parties in conflict must understand that no act of violence is going to improve their position. And the fifth is that we cannot stand on the sidelines; on the contrary, the European Union must maintain its political pressure and its permanent presence in the region.
I am happy to see the efforts the Council and the Commission are making, but I am even happier to hear that there is a glimmer of light on the horizon. I agree with the Council declaration, which says that our first priority must be to put an end to the suffering of both peoples. And it seems to me completely pointless for us to try to find somebody to blame. On the contrary, I believe that we must seek solutions and, for example, the European Parliament should promote and sponsor an international conference for peace in the Middle East, a second instalment of the one held in Madrid ten years ago, from which Mr Solana could no doubt recount many experiences.
Let us hope that amongst all of us we can contribute to peace, because I believe that that is the only truly important thing at the moment."@en1
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