Arafat reaffirms commitment to UN resolution 242
The Palestinian President Mr Yasser Arafat has reiterated that the only solution to the Middle East crisis was the implementation of UN Security Council resolution 242.
President Arafat was speaking outside Government Buildings this evening following a 45 minute meeting with the Taoiseach.
UN Security Council Resolution 242, passed after Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem in June 1967, called on Israel to withdraw from territories occupied in the conflict.
President Arafat added that this did not preclude the existence of Israel which, he said he hoped could live side by side with Palestine and denied that the Security resolutions 238, 242 and 425 were open to interpretation.
"They [the resolutions] are not open to interpretation; they are what they are and must be implemented," he said.
However, President Arafat also repeated his commitment to finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
"[Resolving the Middle East conflict] is not a question of resolutions but of getting back to the negotiating table. . .
" I reiterate my continuing commitment to peacemaking and to the continuing search for peace.
Neither the Taoiseach nor President Arafat revealed details of what was discussed during their meeting, but Mr Ahern said he would be discussing details of it with both the Europe Council meeting at the weekend, as well as with the UN Security Council
President Arafat added that he believed Ireland had a particularly important role in this respect not only because of Ireland's present leadership of the Security Council, but also because of what he described as our 'historical and important traditions together.
He also repeated his condemnation of the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Centre.
"I would like to draw your attention to the fact that mot only did I condemn the attacks, but so did all the countries at a [recent, international] conference of Islamic countries .
"This was a very important step for Islamic countries as we pointed out [to our peoples] that a war on terrorism was not a war against Islam or Muslims."
Earlier today, a spokesman for the Taoiseach said Mr Ahern felt that the current situation in Afghanistan could not be resolved unless the Palestinian situation was dealt with.
"Over the last twelve months there has been a breakdown in talks in the Middle East," the spokesman said. He said that the Taoiseach wanted to see the situation move forward, and a balanced agreement to be reached.
It also emerged that the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Brian Cowen and Mr Arafat have been in regular contact since the September 11 attacks.
President Arafat is also expected to meet with the Irish President later this evening.