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ISSUE N°5, MARCH 2002
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C O N T E N T S
OF THE ISSUE

white cube Dossier: IPU supports the Israeli-Palestinian dialogue
white cube Editorial: The issues of the 107th Conference in Marrakech
white cube Activities: The IPU at the World Economic Forum
white cube Event: IPU and ILO launch a handbook for parliamentarians
white cube Gender Issues: : Providing a legal framework for equality between men and women
white cube Historical Focus: Foundation of the IPU Secretariat
white cube Headquarters: Members of the IPU Executive Committee visit new HQ
white cube IPU Field work Rwanda seminar: "Parliament, guardian of human rights"
white cube Parliamentary Developments

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The World of Parliaments
 Dossier

IPU supports the Israeli-Palestinian dialogue

Meeting in Paris
From left to right: Mr. Yves Tavernier (MP, France), Chairman of the IPU Comitee on Middle East Questions, Mr. Avraham Burg, President of the Knesset, Mr. Ahmed Qorei "Abou Ala", Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council and Mr. Raymond Forni, President of the French National Assembly.

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) shares the view of the Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shimon Peres, who says that there is a "ray of hope" for the negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians. Since the beginning of the year, there has been a growing number of meetings between leaders of both sides. After a first contact in Sweden between Shimon Peres and the Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), Ahmed Qorei "Abu Ala", a meeting was held in Paris between the PLC Speaker and the Speaker of the Knesset, Avraham Burg, on 23 January, under the aegis of the President of the French National Assembly, Raymond Forni.

This first step towards dialogue, saluted by the IPU, proves that the worst can still be avoided despite the violence which threatens at any moment to trigger all-out war between the two sides. A letter from the Secretary General of the IPU, Anders B. Johnsson, was delivered by the Chairman of the Committee on Middle East Questions, Yves Tavernier, MP (France), to the Speaker of the Knesset and the Speaker of the PLC, inviting them to continue their talks in Marrakech.

"I'll be there," assured Avraham Burg. Given the explosive situation on the ground, Ahmed Qorei "Abu Ala" replied "We shall see", intimating that a Palestinian delegation would be attending the 107th Inter-Parliamentary Conference. For, he said, "MPs are very important. They are elected by the people, both sides. Therefore they represent the wishes of people for peace. We have to try to create a kind of coalition to really support the peace process rather than let it collapse". Asked whether he and Burg would be able to convince their government's Speakers to resume the peace negotiations, the Speaker of the PLC was categorical. "From our side, we are convinced. We are ready. Now the ball is in Mr. Sharon's court".

The Speaker of the Knesset shares this view. "We have to resume the public talks between the two peoples, as we do here, as we should do in Ramallah very soon, and we have to do our best to bring both of our Speakers and both of our government's back to the table. I will do my best," insisted Avraham Burg.

The determination shown by Mr. Burg and Mr. Qorei indicates that MPs have become key players in the initiative to bring an end to the political stalemate in the Middle East. On 10 December last year some of their Israeli and Palestinian colleagues met at the Qalandia security check point, opening the way for a resumption of the Israeli-Palestinian dialogue.

The support of MPs around the world for this rapprochement is crucial. The Inter-Parliamentary Union, and the President of the French National Assembly are convinced of that. When asked what MPs could do specifically to help promote peace in the Middle East, Mr. Forni replied unequivocally, "Join hands. That's what we have done". That is precisely what the IPU Committee on Middle East Questions intends to do in Marrakech.


Interview with Mr. Yves Tavernier, Chairman of the Committee on Middle East Questions.

"Israeli and Palestinian MPs have to talk and try, as much as possible, to influence their parliaments and through them, their Speakers"

Q: You delivered a letter from the Secretary General of the IPU to the Speaker of the Knesset and the Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council inviting them to continue the dialogue in Marrakech. What are you expecting?
Y.T.
This invitation is the logical continuation of meetings we had with the Speaker of the Knesset and the Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council last June when we went there to meet with both sides and get a first-hand view of the situation. One of the conclusions of our mission was to invite the Speakers of both legislative bodies to meet, for we felt that parliamentary diplomacy was needed at a time when there was a complete stalemate between both sides. The reality of last June is, unfortunately, even more vivid today. The situation has been worsening daily and the state of war which prevails cannot give rise to any political prospects. We are all pleased that the French National Assembly made it possible to have a first official meeting of representatives of both parliaments. This is totally in line with IPU's thinking and we hope that the direct dialogue which will be initiated during the debate organised by "Le Monde diplomatique" will pave the way for the beginning of an open political solution. In order for talks to resume, there has to be mutual respect.

Q: What are you asking of Mr. Burg and Mr. Qorei?
Y.T.
That they talk and try, as much as possible, to influence their parliaments and through them, their Speakers. Mr. Burg, the Speaker of the Knesset, belongs to the ruling majority in Israel. He is a member of the Labour Party, the main group within the Sharon-led majority. Of course, there are differences within this majority and one can expect the Speaker of the Knesset to do everything in his power to ensure that political options are developed. I think it is very positive that the two men have decided to meet on an official basis given the current climate. I would imagine that Mr. Qorei is here because the Israeli authorities so agreed. Amidst all the darkness that prevails in the Middle East, the faintest glimmer of light is significant. One has to hold on to it because the solution can come only from the Israelis and the Palestinians. I wish to add that the role played by the Americans is important. It was important when there was talk of peace during President Clinton's initiatives and it is today even in the absence of such vision. The Americans have to realise that the situation in the Middle East, like the events of 11 September, requires the solidarity of the international community. Europe also has a role to play in this matter. From the political standpoint, Europe is a giant with feet of clay. It provides considerable financing and, on the global scene, it is a very great power. Yet on the issue of the Middle East, Europe is limited by contradictions and has various sensibilities to consider which are, to a great extent, the result of History and the Shoah. Hence the reason why many States feel a sense of guilt and that prevents them from taking initiatives.

Q: Given the situation on the ground, can MPs genuinely help to restore peace?
Y.T.
Our role is to help the process to succeed. With the Americans, of course. At the 106th Conference in Ouagadougou, the Inter-Parliamentary Union succeeded in voting in a unanimous resolution which was something remarkable given the circumstances and climate prevailing in the region. It is on this basis that we are continuing our work and have issued invitations to the Speaker of the Knesset and the Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council. Might I add that the Marrakech Conference can be very symbolic because Morocco is playing a very particular role. It is one of the first Muslim Arab countries to offer its solidarity with the Palestinians but also one of the first countries to recognise the State of Israel and maintain a very open policy. In Morocco, different communities have always co-existed and continue to do so up to the present day.

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