Palestinian President Meets Austrian FM, Says Ready to Control Borders

Text of report in English by privately-owned Palestinian Ramattan News Agency website

["Abbas Renews Reject to Palestinian Rockets, Is Ready to Control Crossings" - Ramattan headline]

During his meeting with the Austrian Foreign minister, on Wednesday [6 February], President Mahmud Abbas stressed his position refusing launching rockets at Israel, and expressed readiness to control Gaza border crossings. In a press conference following his meeting with the Austrian Foreign minister in the presidential compound in Ramallah, Abbas said that Hamas’ rockets is valueless and must stop. In the same context, Abbas called on the Israeli side not to punish the Palestinian people in a collective way in Gaza, “Israel shouldn’t increase restrictions on Gaza Strip, and must allow entering essential goods,” Abbas said. Abbas said that he’s ready to control Gaza border crossings, and he is waiting for the Israeli approval. “Hamas should keep away from Gaza crossings,” he added “Austria should play a roll in peace process in the middle east.”

Originally published by Ramattan News Agency website, Gaza, in English 1404 6 Feb 08.

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