Cowen supports call by Mubarak for Summit meeting between Arafat and Sharon.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Brian Cowen T.D. has urged Prime Minister Sharon and President Arafat to accept the invitation issued by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to host talks between the two sides. The Minister added that some way had to be found to break the current murderous cycle of violence during which some sixty Palestinians and Israelis have been killed and hundreds injured in the past four days.
The Minister said that the cycle of violence and counter violence achieves nothing for either side. It does not increase the security of Israel and it does not bring the prospect of a viable, democratic Palestinian State any closer.
The use of force only promotes further attacks. Political measures must accompany security measures, immediately and in parallel. Otherwise there can be no lasting cease fire and no lasting solution.
That solution must be a political accord, reached through negotiations, this alone can bring an end to the conflict. In this context the Minister welcomed the growing support for the Saudi peace plan which offers Israel the prospect of normalisation of relations with its neighbours in exchange for withdrawal from all occupied lands. .
The Minister continues to monitor the situation closely through our mission in Ramallah, our Embassy in Tel -Aviv and our Permanent Representation in New York.
