Minister of Foreign Affairs, Honourable Dr I S G Mudenge

PRESS STATEMENT ON THE DEMOLITION OF THE RAMALLAH COMPOUND, HEADQUARTERS OF THE P.L.O

The Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe is gravely concerned about the Israeli Government's actions of wanton destruction, detonation and demolition of the Ramallah Compound housing the headquarters of the Chairman of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation, Comrade Yasser Arafat. The actions are inhumane, terroristic and therefore strongly condemned. The Prime Minister of Israel, Mr Ariel Sharon, is called upon to immediately give orders to stop the senseless actions. The heavy handed military incursions are counterproductive and will surely destroy all the goodwill that is left to push the Middle East peace process forward. If the violence continues unabated, all the gains achieved in creating a Palestinian State that will ensure lasting security for Israel will be lost.

Zimbabwe calls on the United Nations Security Council to assume its charter given responsibility to bring the two sides together so that a just and permanent solution is achieved in this Middle East conflict. The problem is now a threat to international peace and security. We urge the United Nations Secretary General, Mr Kofi Annan, to initiate the necessary steps to bring the matter for discussion before the Security Council.

The United States Government is a special friend of Israel. Because of this, we appeal to President George W Bush to bring his immense influence to bear upon Mr Sharon to stop his personal vendetta to humiliate Chairman Arafat.

To the Palestinians, we say, this is the moment for unity and solidarity and this is the time to close ranks behind your elected leader, President Yasser Arafat. All fair minded people are fully behind your just cause at this hour of need.