Indonesia supports declaration of Palestinian state<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Foreign Minister Alwi Shihab said on Tuesday
\nthat Jakarta would support the Palestinian leadership in its plan
\nto unilaterally declare independence next month, but stressed
\nthat peace talks with Israel must continue.<\/p>\n
He also said, without elaborating, that Indonesia was prepared
\nto play a role in the talks.<\/p>\n
\"Indonesia will support Palestinian independence if it is
\ndeclared on Sept. 13,\" Alwi told reporters after meeting with
\nPresident Abdurrahman Wahid at the Merdeka Palace.<\/p>\n
\"However, we appeal to both Palestinian and Israeli leaders to
\nreturn to the negotiating table,\" Alwi said.<\/p>\n
At a summit at Camp David last month, Israel and the
\nPalestinians were unable to resolve difficult sticking points
\nthat would enable the peace agreement to be finalized and end
\ntheir 52-year-old conflict.<\/p>\n
The U.S.-sponsored talks collapsed over the future status of
\nJerusalem, which both sides claim as their capital.<\/p>\n
U.S. negotiators are expected to resume talks with the two
\nsides later this month in a bid to determine if they are ready
\nfor another round of formal talks.<\/p>\n
Alwi also announced Indonesia's readiness to take an active
\npart in the Middle East peace talks.<\/p>\n
\"Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim nation and therefore
\nit is necessary that we play a role,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He added that he planned to travel to the Middle East later
\nthis month with a message from Gus Dur, as the President is
\npopularly called, that Indonesia was prepared to play such a
\nrole.<\/p>\n
Alwi said he would meet Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat,
\nEgyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Jordan's King Abdullah II and
\nSyrian President Bashar Al-Assad during his visit. (byg)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesia-supports-declaration-of-palestinian-state-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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