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Israeli Official Discusses Mideast Situation With Igor Ivanov

Posted on: Tuesday, 27 September 2005, 21:00 CDT

MOSCOW. Sept 27 (Interfax) - Secretary of the Israeli National Security Council Giora Eiland held negotiations with his Russian counterpart Igor Ivanov during his visit to Moscow.

"What we discussed at the meeting is the situation in the Middle East, including the developments in the Gaza Strip, issues concerning the prevention of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and a number of other international issues and regional problems," Eiland told Russian journalists on Tuesday.

Describing the current situation in Gaza following a series of missile attacks on Israel by Palestinian radicals, Eiland urged the Palestinian leadership "to take tangible measures to stop the attacks" and warned that, if proper measures are not taken, Israel will resume retaliatory measures against the militants in Gaza.

Asked whether Israel is worried about the possible escalation of the firing from Gaza and whether this could prompt the return of Israeli troops into that area, which they recently left following civilians after nearly 30 years of presence there, Eiland said that he hopes the Israelis "would not have reasons" to return to Gaza.

The existing Palestinian leadership has enough resources, including military ones, to suppress the firing upon Israeli territory, but "apparently it does not have enough political will to do this," Eiland said.

Eiland expressed regret that the Palestinian leadership does not control Gaza in reality and that there are fighters from HAMAS, Islamic Jihad, and other radical organizations in the area.

Touching on prospects of dialogue with the Palestinians following Israel's withdrawal from its settlements in Gaza, Eiland said that, from Israel's viewpoint, "it is possible to continue the dialogue, but only if Palestinian armed radical units are disbanded."

"This is Israel's position, while the Palestinians assume the following: first the parties need to agree upon a final political settlement in the Middle East under international guarantees, and only then can these agreements be implemented," he said.

Israel, however, believes that "it is necessary to disarm the radicals first and only then enter into dialogue rather than vice versa," Eiland said.

The Israeli Security Council chief also pointed out the external factors influencing the developments in the Palestinian territory, as Palestinian radicals, including HAMAS and Islamic Jihad, "are financed from outside of the Palestinian Authority, including from Saudi Arabia and Iran. The weapons for the militants also come from abroad."

At the same time, up to 60% of Israelis and Palestinians are prepared for mutual concessions to resolve the conflict in the region, he said.

Source: Daily News Bulletin; Moscow - English

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