German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has rejected calls for boycott measures against Israel because of its military offensive against the Palestinians. Germany will not resolve or support such steps "out of historical responsibility", the chancellor affirmed in a government statement on the Middle East conflict on Thursday.
Schroeder explicitly stressed the right of existence of the state of Israel in recognized borders. That continues to be "the inalienable basis of German foreign policy" and has been the consensus of the democratic parties in Germany until now.
Earlier this month, the European Parliament called for a suspension of a European Union agreement giving Israel preferential trade terms. The 15-nation bloc is Israel's main trade partner.
Separately, the Berlin government has delayed shipments of engine parts and gear boxes for Israeli Merkava tanks, which are used in raids on Palestinian cities, but has avoided calling the postponement an embargo.
Schroeder explicitly hailed Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer's paper of ideas on defusing the Middle East conflict. The parties to the conflict are no longer able to find a solution alone.
Thus, the German government advocates an international conference in which, in addition to the parties to the conflict, the United States, the EU, the United Nations and Russia participate.
"Nobody has a magic formula for the solution of this conflict, which has gone on for such a long time," the chancellor was quoted as saying by the DDP news agency.
According to Schroeder, Germany's participation in a possible international Middle East peace fore is "not on the agenda today".
The German leader also called on Israel to lift its confinement of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat. He urged Arafat and other Arab leaders to condemn terrorism.
Speaking after Schroeder, Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer said sanctions would thwart efforts to promote peace.
"The only impact of EU sanctions would be to finally upset relations between Israel and the EU," Fischer said. "In order to create peace one must remain able to talk to both sides."
Council of Europe
Meanwhile, the Council of Europe recommended Thursday that European Union suspend its economic agreement with Israel, following "an urgent debate on the situation in the Middle East."
The Council also decided to call on the EU to impose an arms embargo against Israel, due to allegations of human rights abuses in the territories.
The plenary session of the council's Parliamentary Assembly opened in Strasbourg on Monday and is due to conclude on Friday.
A French representative has proposed the Council of Europe commission prepare a special report on Israel's action in the territories, with a focus on human rights. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
