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Newsletter : 9fax1020.txt
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>JN Oct. 20, 1999, Vol. 7, No. 194
Mandela: "Iran Not an Enemy of Israel"
By IsraelWire
Former South African president Nelson Mandela stated that following his visit to Iran, he is convinced the Iranian government is seeking peace with Israel and does not favor the current state of aggression. Mandela added that Syrian President Hafez al-Assad also favored peace with Israel. Responding to the former South African leader's statements, President Ezer Weizman said he personally has given over 20 signals for peace to Damascus, and the time has come for Assad to respond indicating his willingness to accept Israeli gestures to return to the negotiating table.
Mandala Calls for Peace Commission
By Ross Dunn (VOA-Jerusalem)
Former South African President Nelson Mandela has recommended that an international commission be established to oversee the transition to peace in the Middle East. Mandela was speaking after holding talks with Israel's Foreign Minister, David Levy.
Mandela calls for an international peace commission that has the confidence of all parties in the Middle East, including Israel. The former South African President says this commission would be established after both Israel and the Arab states accepted a land-for-peace formula.
Addressing a news conference, Mandela said that under the plan, Israel would have to withdraw from all occupied territories.
"If there is going to peace, there must be a complete withdrawal from all these areas by Israel, specifically from the Golan Heights, from south Lebanon and from the West Bank."
Once that is achieved, Mandela says all Arab nations must agree that Israel no longer poses a threat and would then have to grant full recognition to the existence of the Jewish state.
"I cannot conceive of Israel withdrawing from these territories if the Arab states do not make a categorical statement, in which they recognize the state of Israel within secure boundaries. It would be foolhardy for Israel to take that far-reaching step if there is no guarantee from the Arab states that they will recognize the existence of Israel within secure boundaries."
Mandela says that even after such recognition is granted, it will be necessary to have an international commission to ensure that all sides stand by to their commitments. "It will be necessary to have a commission, which has the confidence of both the Arab states and Israel, a commission which will ensure that whatever declarations by the leading players are carried out in practice."
Mandela says the task will not be easy, but his country has shown that it is possible to make peace after a long period of conflict, and that all nations in the Middle East should draw hope from South Africa's example.
Settlers Protest West Bank Outpost Removal
By Meredith Buel (VOA-Shvut Rachel, West Bank)
Militant Jewish settlers have blocked the removal of an unauthorized outpost in the administered territories. The protest is delaying the implementation of an agreement between the Jewish Settlers Council and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak.
The main organization representing Jewish settlers in the West Bank delayed the removal of the remote outpost in Shvut Rachel after young militant settlers blocked the arrival of a flatbed truck. The truck was to remove a metal shipping container the Israeli government says represents an illegal Jewish outpost in the occupied territories.
Removal of the container was the first attempt by the Jewish Settler's Council to implement a compromise with Barak. Their agreement calls for the dismantling of about a dozen outposts on the West Bank.
Israeli soldiers watched the demonstration, but did not attempt to remove the protestors. Daniella Weiss says she came to protest at Shvut Rachel because she is concerned many other outposts may soon be dismantled. "God forbid, touching one hill might cause a chain of withdrawals from other places. So this is why we have decided at least, and I am emphasizing at least, to protest."
Jewish settlers erected 42-outposts on isolated hilltops in the West Bank after last year's signing of the Wye River peace accord. The settlers say they want to hold as much land as possible in an effort to prevent it from being handed over to the Palestinians in future peace agreements.
Barak initially ordered 15-outposts dismantled, but after meeting with the settlers agreed to take down 12. In return, the Settler's Council promised there would be no resistance.
Palestinian leaders oppose the Israeli government's compromise with the Settler's Council -- saying all settlements in the occupied territories are illegal and a major obstacle to a permanent peace agreement in the Middle East.
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