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WORLD> Europe
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Abbas arrives in Prague for visit
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-02-23 09:14 PRAGUE -- The Gaza Strip will not be reconstructed without the emergence of a united Palestinian government, Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas told journalists upon arrival in Prague for a visit on Sunday. Abbas is scheduled to meet on Monday with his Czech counterpart Vaclav Klaus and senior officials of the Czech Republic, who holds the EU presidency and discussion with them the issues of bilateral relations, the relationship between Palestine and the European Union and the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. Abbas said he did not want to set any conditions. However, he said there were two elements that must be respected -- the need to form a government, be it a national unity government, a consensual government or a care-taker cabinet. The government must also recognize international regulations and earlier commitments, he said, adding that such a government would be able to be responsible for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. He also said the government that should arise from the forthcoming talks between hostile Palestinian factions should clearly voice the commitment to call parliamentary and presidential elections. Abbas said he wanted to outline Palestinian reconciliation in Prague. He said the Palestinian government carefully distinguished between the election rhetoric and future steps of the new Israeli government. He said any government in Israel should honor international commitments and freeze the construction of new settlements. He said he would like to hear a united European attitude toward these issues. |
