Posted on 01/03/2009 2:57:01 PM PST by ScaniaBoy
Brussels/Prague - The Czech EU presidency perceives in the context of the past days the operation by Israeli ground forces in the Palestinian Gaza Strip as a defensive, not offensive policy, Jiri Potuznik, Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek's spokesman for the presidency, told CTK today.
The Foreign Ministry then said in a statement sent to CTK that this was not a surprising step by Israel. "There were indications that Israel had been considering this step," Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg said in the statement.
He said, however, that not even the indisputable right of a state to defend itself allows actions which largely affect civilians.
Schwarzenberg also called for a cease-fire to be agreed on and for allowing humanitarian aid to reach people in Gaza.
Potuznik said briefly before the Czech ministry issued this official communique that the Czech Republic is waiting for a definitive confirmation of the information about Israeli ground forces operations in the Palestinian Gaza Strip and the results of the EU mission to the region. The mission starts on Sunday and it will be headed by Schwarzenberg.
Never before has any statement from the EU been so understanding of Israel's position as the statement by the PM's spokesman.
Note though that the Foreign Ministry (as all FM:s) always are less keen on the West defending itself.
Since Karel Schwartzenberg is going to visit Israel day after tomorrow one would hope that he gets informed that humanitarian aid is and has been for a long time getting trough via Israel. Strangely enough the border between Egypt and Gaza is closed.
No to be too hard on Schwartzenberg (and he is in all likelihood suffering from an all court press by all the other FM:s in the EU) he has been very supportive of Israel previously
As I wrote in another thread - the sound you are hearing is the gnashing of teeth in the German, French; British, Spanish, Austrian and Swedish foreign offices.
Leaders with a brain are so hard to find...
LOL.
Eastern Europe may well end up being the saviors of tired, old, worn out, useless, spineless, feckless Western Europe.
I imagine it won’t be long before the Germans, the French, the Brits, the Spaniards, the Austrians and the Swedes will be throwing their shoes at him.
The last half-year it has been France’s turn. First of January this was turned over to the Czechs.
Never before has any statement from the EU been so understanding of Israel’s position as the statement by the PM’s spokesman.
Sadly the foreign minister has just said that he wants a cease fire. I guess the gestapo of europe (France) has told him off.
Correct, Topolanek is a good man.
Support the Czech Republic. Buy CZ Firearms!
Amazingly, most of the statements I have read from world leaders, not the MSM, have been more supportive of Israel than I have seen in many many years. Israel has the green light to mow down hamas....the question is why?
I'm sure you are right. Given that he has to travel with the French and Swedish FMs to the Middle East I guess he had no choice. However, the PM trumps the FM. ;-)
So far on the diplomatic front:
01:08 UN chief calls for immediate end to IDF ground operation in Gaza (Reuters)
01:03 U.S. State Departments calls for Gaza cease-fire `as soon as possible` (Reuters)
01:02 U.S. tells Israel it must be `mindful of potential consequences to civilians` (Reuters)
00:58 U.S. says it is `deeply concerned about humanitarian situation` in Gaza (Reuters)
00:37 White House: Bush briefed on current situation in Gaza, IDF action (Reuters)
23:41 UN Security Council to hold a special meeting on the Mideast crisis (Reuters)
23:08 France condemns Israeli ground action in Gaza, Palestinian rocket fire (Reuters)
........
As usual hand wringing by Foggy Bottom and duplicity from Quai D'Orsay.
Have we heard anything from Klaus (EU presidency) about the Commander in Chief role?
yitbos
Amazingly, most of the statements I have read from world leaders, not the MSM, have been more supportive of Israel than I have seen in many many years. Israel has the green light to mow down hamas....the question is why?
Because the ME states, other than Syria and Iran, have not been bellicose toward Israel. They have been rather subdued. They are tired of the new Axis of Evil: Syria, Iran, Palestinian terrorists.
yitbos
That's why it is so counter-productive, both to Israel's and US's but also to their own interests for the European leaders to try and interfere in this conflict now. But they cannot help themselves.
No, I haven't heard anything from Vaclav Klaus, but I don't understand what you mean with the "Commander in Chief" comment.
Someone from a country that has actually been occupied from a foreign power actually knows what they are talking about.
I meant to post you:
Another thread on this subject:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2158267/posts
They've seen first hand what hatred of Jews creates, one word, Lidice.
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