Abbas for Two State Plan

In Berlin, Abbas expresses support for Roadmap and end of violence

February 23, 2007

Bethlehem - Ma'an - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has told German Chancellor Angela Merkel that he supports the two-state solution laid out in the Roadmap and the renouncing of violence.

In a press conference in Berlin on Friday, Abbas also confirmed that the Mecca deal is vitally important for preserving Palestinian blood and enhancing Palestinian national unity. He also said that he supports her call for the need to stop the projectiles being launched from the Gaza Strip into Israel and for the release of the captured Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit.

Abbas added, however: "Also, there are 10,000 Palestinian prisoners in the Israeli jails. It can't be possible to call for the release of Shalit and ignore them."

He also mentioned that there will be a meeting between the Quartet, which comprises of the EU, UN, US and Russia, and the Arab countries in order to "find solutions to the peace process issues".

As for negotiations with Israel, he said: "our position is clear; it is [based on] the international law. We don’t want more than the Roadmap, which is to have two states and ending the Israeli occupation of the lands of 1967 and the issue of the refugees ". He said that these issues will be on the negotiation table.

Abbas added that he is very interested to continue negotiations with Israel. He also said that he wants to "give hope to the people of the region, especially the Palestinian people who have been suffering from sanctions for nine months. This hope should be for a final solution built on the two-state solution and the denouncing of violence and terror."

The German chancellor said that it is necessary to have two states living together in peace and stability. She urged the Palestinian government to be committed to the Quartet's conditions in order to achieve its goals.

Israel and the Quartet have stipulated that any new Palestinian government, including the proposed coalition government agreed as part of President Abbas and Prime Minister Haniyeh's Mecca deal, must abide by their three conditions – recognize the state of Israel's right to exist, renounce violence and adopt the previously signed peace agreements between Israel and the Palestinian Authority – before any change in relations can be considered.

She considered it important to release the captured Israeli soldier, Cpl Shalit, and end the threats of projectiles. Merkel also praised the efforts of Abbas for reaching peace and announced her full support for him.

With regard to the Israeli settlements, she said: "the Quartet has expressed its wish to have two states and all obstacles should be removed. There will be rules to end these obstacles."

As for whether Israel will be forced to recognize the Roadmap, she said, "the obstacles are coming from Hamas as the Roadmap's principles are not being recognized by Hamas." She added that Hamas should make the first step "in order to end this problem."