Posted on 03/22/2004 7:35:00 AM PST by dennisw
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EU Nations Condemn Israel for Attack
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31 minutes ago
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By ROBERT WIELAARD, Associated Press Writer
BRUSSELS, Belgium - European governments condemned Israel's killing Monday of Hamas leader Sheik Ahmed Yassin, with several branding the airstrike a violation of international law and a blow to the stalled peace process.
The foreign ministers of the EU nations appealed to Israel and Palestinians to "refrain from acts of violence which will only lead to more deaths and will put a peaceful settlement (of their conflict) still further from reach."
Yassin, the founder of Hamas, and seven others died in a sunrise helicopter missile strike outside a Gaza City mosque. He was the most prominent Palestinian leader killed by Israel in more than three years of fighting.
Israeli officials said Yassin was responsible for scores of suicide attacks Hamas has unleashed since 2000. Palestinian militants vowed revenge attacks against Israel and the United States.
In a statement, the EU foreign ministers said Hamas was guilty of "atrocities ... which have resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Israelis" and that Israel has the right to protect itself against terrorist attacks.
"Israel is not, however, entitled to carry out extra-judicial killings," the EU statement added. It said Yassin's assassination "has inflamed the situation ... Violence is no substitute for the political negotiations which are necessary for a just and lasting settlement."
British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said Yassin's assassination would not make Israel any more secure.
Straw spoke of "Israel's paramount need to defend itself" against terrorists, but if it wants "the full support of the international community, it needs to do so within the boundaries set by international law."
EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana called it "very, very bad news for the peace process."
German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer said he was "deeply concerned about the possible consequences," such as an escalation of violence.
French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin said the killing "amplifies the cycle of violence."
De Villepin urged Palestinians and Israelis to recommit to the peace process that is jointly endorsed by the United States, Russia, the European Union (news - web sites) and the United Nations (news - web sites) and foresees a Palestinian state alongside Israel. Yassin's Hamas opposes that effort and is committed to destroying the Jewish state and replacing it with an Islamic one.
Danish Foreign Minister Per Stig Moeller said the EU has long opposed "extra-judicial killings."
He said that reviving the peace process will not be any "easier when you have killings like that going on in Gaza. Terror and violence is not the way ahead."
Norwegian Foreign Minister Jan Petersen urged both sides to curtail violence and implement the U.S.-backed "road map" plan for Mideast peace.
"This act will contribute to increased tensions in the area and will make it more difficult to implement the road map for peace and a possible Israeli withdrawal from Gaza," he said.
Because this particular terrorist terrorized Israelis and Americans -- the EU's #1 enemies. Iow, they liked him.
The peacefull solution that the Islamics and the Eurocrats seek is the death of all Jews, the peace of a graveyard. Killing Yassin will tend to push that farther from reach indeed.
Seriously, the last four years Israel has drawn steady fire from around the world while not doing it, and terrorist groups are blowing up city buses in the Capitol city. What can it hurt?!
He never looked better.
Hi...Gargantua and my Fellow FReepers:
In my Opinion...
This Very Well Written Comment Needs to be Repeated Until Everybody Sees It!
"Once we uncover the billions of dollars Saddam paid France to oppose the U.S. invasion of Iraq, we should seize the funds and split it with Israel to be used for wiping out all extremist Islam fanatics."
Then let the USA Uncover and FREEZE ALL of the Money the UN, Germany, Russia, any other Euro-Weasels, RED China, North Korea, Syria, Libya, Saudi Arabia, India, Mexico, Canada STOLE from the IRAQIS.
Investigating The UN and it's EVIL DOINGS is only the Tip of the ICEBERG...GUARANTEED!!!
"And you may be sure that your SINS will find you out"
(Numbers 32:23b, NIV)
"Do Not be deceived: GOD cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows" (Galatians 6:7, NIV).
Regarding Your Post # 31!
THANK YOU For Helping US to Always REMEMBER 9-11-2001.
LEAST WE EVER FORGET ALL WHO WERE MURDERED IN COLD BLOOD.
This is WHY WE ARE FIGHTING THE TERRORISTS WORLD WIDE.
NEVER FORGET 9-11-2001.
A VOTE for Ketchup Boy - prince of LIES KERRY and his Liberal Socialist DemonRats IS a VOTE for our DESTRUCTION, DEATH and SURRENDER OF US SOVEREIGNTY TO THE ISLAMA-NAZIS and The UN.
Finally learned the hard way, you just don't mess with the Big Guy's kids.
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please FR mail me. ~
There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had
spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass. (Joshua 21:45)
Letter To The President In Support Of Israel ~
'Final Solution,' Phase 2 ~
Warnings ~
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