EU welcomes decision to allow PA vote in e. J'lem

[gulfcoastliberal]

The European Union welcomed the decision by the Israeli Cabinet on Sunday allowing Palestinians to carry out parliamentary elections in Jerusalem later this month.

The EU "expects Israel to facilitate electoral operations, including movement of candidates and voting officials as well as of local and international observers," said Cristina Gallach, spokeswoman for EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana.

Solana also welcomed the decision by the Palestinian Authority to ensure security of the electoral operations and safety of voters, she said in a statement.

"Elections are an essential step in the building of a democratic Palestinian state, in the perspective of the two state solution. They are an important milestone in the implementation of Palestinian roadmap obligations," Gallach said.

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1136361085496&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

[Wordie]

1. The EU appears to have side-stepped the issue of Hamas' participation

Here is the full EU statement:

European Union



Brussels, 15 January 2006 S010/06

Javier SOLANA, EU High Representative for the CFSP, welcomes announcements by Israeli and Palestinian leaders on Palestinian Authorities elections

Javier SOLANA, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), welcomed the expected decision by the Israeli cabinet on Sunday to allow voting by Palestinians in East Jerusalem, in accordance with existing precedent. He said that the European Union expects Israel to facilitate electoral operations, including movement of candidates and voting officials, as well as of local and international observers.

He also welcomed the announcement by President Abbas to hold elections for the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) as scheduled on 25 January, as well as the declared intention of the Palestinian Authority to ensure security of the electoral operations and safety of the voters, candidates and local and international observers. He said that absence of intimidation and violence are basic requirements for free and fair elections.

Elections are an essential step in the building of a democratic Palestinian state, in the perspective of the two state solution. They are an important milestone in the implementation of Palestinian Roadmap obligations. The High Representative expressed strong support for and confidence in Palestinian democracy.

The European Union provides technical and financial assistance to Palestinian elections. With an additional 1.4 million Euro recently granted to the Central Elections Commission for the PLC elections, total EC contribution amounts now to 18.5 million.

The European Union remains committed to assist in building the institutions of a democratic and peaceful Palestinian state, in the context of a full implementation of the Roadmap.

The High Representative reiterated EU and Quartet positions that all factions, including Hamas, should renounce violence, recognise Israel's right to exist and disarm. Those who want to be part of the political process should not engage in armed activities, as there is a fundamental contradiction between such activities and building a democratic state.

This statement is attributable to Cristina Gallach, Spokesperson of HR Solana


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FOR FURTHER DETAILS:

Cristina Gallach - Spokesperson of the Secretary General, High Representative for CFSP
[phone] / 8239 / 5150 / 5151 [phone]

internet: ue.eu.int/solana e-mail: [e-mail]

http://www.nieuwsbank.nl/en/2006/01/15/l004.htm

[Wordie]

2. Israel Cabinet prevents the participation of Hamas. Pals object.

Israel Allows Al-Quds Vote, Palestinians Slam Hamas Ban

(Reuters)

OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, January 15, 2006 (IslamOnlie.net & News Agencies) – ...The Israeli government, however, said it would bar the distribution of ballot slips and campaign posters belonging to candidates of the resistance group Hamas in the occupied city.

Defiant Hamas

The Israeli ban drew immediate rebuke from the Palestinian Authority and the resistance group.

"Israel has no right to forbid any candidate from campaigning in east Jerusalem," chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat told AFP.

"We have asked the international observers to ensure that the campaign will take place on the same lines as in 1996 and 2005 which allowed for the candidates from every list to move freely. This includes Hamas," he added.

http://www.islam-online.net/English/News/2006-01/15/article02.shtml

Right after the Cabinet meeting, six Hamas members, were arrested in Jerusalem by occupation forces, according to Agence France-Presse. Three of the arrested were candidates, including the number two person on the Hamas list.