MIDDLE EAST: The Government has agreed to accept one of the 13 Palestinian militants Israel allowed to go into exile after the siege of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.
Ireland was one of six EU member states to agree yesterday to accept the men, who were flown to Cyprus last week.
The fighters, who are described by Israel as dangerous terrorists, are expected to leave Cyprus at the end of this week, after detailed arrangements are agreed by EU ambassadors.
The Government's decision followed diplomatic pressure over the weekend from Spain, which holds the EU Presidency.
The decision was announced in Brussels after a meeting of EU foreign ministers. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, did not attend the meeting.
"The council welcomes the offer by member states to provide a temporary stay on humanitarian grounds within the EU to a number of Palestinians until recently held up in the Church of the Nativity."
"We understand that this offer was made in the context of the extreme circumstances surrounding this issue and as a way out of a crisis that could have widespread ramifications if it had continued," the ministers said in a statement.
Last night, the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern said: "We are joining with several other countries in assisting them in making sure that these prisoners, who have been under duress from the Israelis for such a long period of time, are going to get safe passage."
Apart from Ireland, Belgium, Italy, Greece, Spain and Portugal have agreed to accept the militants but the Commission President, Mr Romano Prodi, said the precise details still had to be worked out.
Among the questions to be resolved is the asylum rules that would apply to the men once inside the EU and if they would they be allowed to travel freely inside the EU under the Schengen agreement.
Spain's Foreign Minister, Mr Josep Pique, made clear that there was no question of detaining any of the militants once they arrive in the EU.
"As far as we know, there is no outstanding case against any of these men anywhere in the EU. There are no charges to justify their detention. They just have to respect the laws of their host country," he said. The Palestinian leader, Mr Yasser Arafat, has told Mr Pique that the men have been instructed to respect the laws of their host countries.
Cyprus has said that it wants the men to leave by tomorrow but diplomats suggested yesterday that it may be a few days before final arrangements are made.
