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Newsletter : 1fax0706.txt
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>JN July 6, 2001, Vol. 9, No. 113
Chirac Warns Sharon Against Weakening Arafat
By VOA News
French President Jacques Chirac has warned Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon not to weaken the position of Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat saying it would be counter-productive to the peace process.
The two leaders met in Paris Thursday. Chirac disagreed with Sharon, who said isolating Arafat was the only way to fight terrorism. Sharon's trip is aimed at getting Europe to put pressure on Arafat to halt violence against Israelis.
Germany Urges Israel to be More Flexible on Settlements
By Jonathan Braude (VOA-Berlin) & IsraelNationalNews.com
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder that Israel is ready to make "painful concessions" and implement all the plans but this would only follow a total cessation of violence and all attacks.
Schroeder has urged Israel to be more flexible on Jewish settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The German leader met with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon Thursday.
The meeting in Berlin between Schroeder and Sharon was the diplomatic highlight of the Israeli prime minister's first visit to Europe since coming to office.
Sharon was quick to show his appreciation for what he called Germany's even-handed position on the Middle East. He especially thanked German Foreign Minister Joshka Fischer for his shuttle diplomacy between Israel and the Palestinians last month in the wake of the bombing of an Israeli discotheque in which 21 young people died.
But although Sharon thanked the German government for its support, Schroeder delivered a carefully worded but unmistakable message in return.
After thanking Sharon for acknowledging Germany's even-handed position, Schroeder said that was why his country not only gave special recognition to Israel's security needs, but also advised Israel "in all friendship" to show more flexibility in the matter of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Afterwards the two men traveled to a railway station in the Grunewald forest to lay a wreath in memory of the 50,000 Berlin Jews who were loaded onto trains for World War II Nazi extermination camps.
Syrian Foreign Minister Warns of Mideast War
By Laurie Kassman (VOA-London)
Syria's foreign minister was in London to open a two-day business conference aimed at promoting British investment in Syria. But he warned that Israel is leading the Middle East to the brink of war.
Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara'a said the Arab states are not interested in a conflict with Israel. But he accuses Israel of leading the region to war. "What Israel is doing, what it has already done, is a step forward to reach the brink of war, which nobody likes.
"But if we are to face that, we will defend ourselves with all the means that we have. And, we hope the Israelis will be wiser than to bring the region to the brink of war."
Shara'a says he discussed the recent developments with Britain's new foreign secretary, Jack Straw. He told a London news conference the situation in the Middle East is "explosive." He said regional peace is still a long way off. "It's a long way to go. But we are patient," he said. "We are determined not to give up, not to capitulate, no matter how Israel is strong. And time is on our side."
Mideast Violence Impacts Jerusalem Tourism
By Art Chimes (VOA-Jerusalem)
Violence in Israel and the Palestinian territories has been a constant feature of news programs around the world news since the outbreak of the Al-Aqsa uprising in September. Concerned for their security, many potential visitors are staying home. In an area where tourism is a key sector of the economy, the impact is dramatic. And nowhere more than in Jerusalem.
A reporter returning to Jerusalem after a year notices one thing immediately: there are simply fewer vehicles on the road. Traffic now moves passably well in a city legendary for its gridlock. It is still plenty busy, but there are fewer tour buses on the road, and many local visitors are choosing not to come downtown. Either that or they do their business and get out.
Jerusalem actually has not been hit particularly hard by the violence of the intifada, but as the place most dependent on tourism, it is where the absence of tourists hurts the most.
Israeli officials emphasize the high level of security in
Jerusalem, and insist it is safe. In an unusual move, the
Government Press Office sponsored a news conference featuring a
onetime U.S. presidential candidate and television preacher, the
Reverend Pat Robertson, who urged Christians to visit the Holy
Land.
"I am here with my wife and I think that is, in itself, a statement
to the American Christian community that it is safe in Israel to
come and to visit the holy sites and to travel in this nation," he
said.
"Granted, there have been some acts which have been highly publicized, but in the broader scheme of things it's probably no more dangerous to be in Jerusalem than it is to be in New York City."
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