Spring urges Israelis to talks to Arafat

THE ISRAELI government must now demonstrate its commitment to implementing the Middle East peace agreements, the Tanaiste, Mr…

THE ISRAELI government must now demonstrate its commitment to implementing the Middle East peace agreements, the Tanaiste, Mr Spring, said yesterday. He urged talks as soon as possible between the Israelis and the Palestinian President, Mr Yasser Arafat.

There was "widespread concern, not just in the European Union", he told a press conference at the UN headquarters in New York, over Israel's commitment to delivering on the basis of the accords that had been agreed by the previous Israeli government.

He described a meeting on Wednesday with the Israeli Foreign Minister, Mr David Levy, as an opportunity "to convey our deepest concerns at the lack of momentum" in peace process and in the delivery and development of the Oslo and Madrid accords.

"We emphasised very strongly and affirmatively the concern in the European Union that it is necessary for Israel to show a renewed commitment to the process," Mr Spring said.

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He added that decisions such as the one to open the controversial tunnel in Jerusalem "should be avoided in a situation that is particularly tense and fragile".

Mr Spring, who has been representing the EU at the UN General Assembly this week as president of the Council of Ministers, acknowledged that there were foreign policy differences between the 15 member states.

However, he said, the present Inter Governmental Conference of the EU was considering changes to allow for the development of a common foreign and security policy.

"I think one of the developments you will see taking place - and I say this in anticipation of the conclusions of the Inter Governmental Conference is that there will be a far higher and more sophisticated level of planing and analysis within the European Union."

He acknowledged the serious differences between the EU and US over a number of issues, saying that those who owed money to the UN (the major debtor is the US) should pay it. "It is encouraging to hear promises made this week," he said in response to the speech earlier this week by President Clinton. "But we want to see the money paid."

Asked if the President, Mrs Robinson, would make a good Secretary General of the UN, he said: "I'm sure she would take on any task or position and do excellently in it. We're very proud of her as President of Ireland. She's been a very successful president."

Meanwhile, the Irish Presidency of the EU has expressed "grave concern" at the killings in Israel, saying they are a serious setback to the Middle East Peace Process. A statement yesterday said the EU "views with disquiet" the current fragility of the peace process and the evident crisis of confidence among Palestinian and Arab states.

Urging all sides "to exercise the utmost restraint", the EU called on the parties involved to re engage in the peace process and to move on to the next stage of negotiations.