Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2005-03-08-Speech-2-179"
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"en.20050308.21.2-179"2
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"Mr President, since our debate two weeks ago, there have been constant changes in the situation in Lebanon in reaction to the pressure – as everyone knows and has commented – brought to bear by a people who are almost entirely united, regardless of their origin or religion, and who are continuing to demand their freedom to live and their freedom of thought. After the resignation of the Karami government and the joint declarations by Presidents al-Assad and Lahoud on the withdrawal of Syrian troops, there were still tens of thousands of people demonstrating yesterday in Martyrs Square – now rechristened Freedom Square – to express their will and to keep up the full weight of pressure on political figures necessary if a genuine democratic process is to be set in train.
I said that this people was almost entirely united. I used the word ‘almost’ because one note of discord was struck by the leader of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, in his speech calling on his followers to demonstrate today, at this very moment, against the UN resolution, and to protest shamelessly against foreign interference and, I quote, ‘to continue resistance against Israel’. I found this latter part of his speech particularly disturbing because it expressed a desire, which I hope is a minority view, to oppose the very fragile resumption of peace negotiations between Israel and Palestine.
Some of us here will be going to Cairo on Friday to take part in the plenary session of the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly. We are aware of the absolute need on that occasion to bolster the position of the Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in his courageous desire to reject violence and, as a first step, to establish, in conjunction with Israel, a lasting ceasefire.
If it became apparent that Hezbollah were firmly resolved to oppose this process, it would then be for you, Mr President-in-Office of the Council, to take appropriate action and to go so far – and why not – as to include this movement in the list of terrorist organisations. I hope that the Council will not need to go that far, as I would like to continue to believe that the enormous desire for peace will win the day."@en1
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