Following is the statement by Tunisian Foreign Minister Habib Ben Yahia concerning postponing of the Arab summit:
"During the preparatory meetings of the Tunis Summit, the Arab Ministers of Foreign Affairs have examined the draft agenda of the Summit and the draft documents to be submitted to it among which in particular the “Document of the Pact, Entente and Solidarity”.
The discussion of the documents has demonstrated the existence of differences of views regarding certain amendments and proposals presented by the Tunisian side concerning a number of issues it considers substantial and of great importance as to the process of development, modernization and reform in our Arab countries, and as such a means to consolidate the steps towards democratic progress, protection of human rights, consolidation of the status of women, the role of civil society, etc…
Tunisia strongly regrets the postponement of this summit on which Arab and international opinion has pinned great hopes considering the delicate situation through which the Arab Nation is going and the deadlock of the Palestinian issue after the recent tragic developments.
Tunisian reiterates its attachment to continued consultation with its Arab brothers so as to narrow the differences between points of views regarding those issues of substance and prepare the ground for the success of the Summit as part of its sustained effort to promote joint Arab action and advance the crucial causes of the Arab Nation."
© 2004 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
