Peace Talks Between Israel,Palestine Urged

Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji called on the international community Thursday to make more efforts in urging Israel to re-open the peace talks with the Palestinians as soon as possible.

"Only through peace talks can a just and lasting solution to the Middle East question be realized," Zhu said in a message to a New York conference marking the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People scheduled for Friday.

Zhu also expressed deep sympathy for the Palestinian people who suffered great losses in human life and property in the violent clashes between Israel and Palestinians since September of 2000.

The Chinese premier condemned Israel's use of force and economic blockade against Palestinians, adding that "the continued clashes have not only blocked the peace process in the Middle East, but also have negative impact on the stability and development in the world at large."

Noting that the Palestine issue is at the core of the Middle East question, Zhu said that the right way for a lasting peace in the Middle East is a political solution through peaceful talks on the basis of relevant UN resolutions and under the "land-for-peace" principle.

"We hold that only when legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people, including the right to an independent Palestinian state, are realized, can the peace and security of all countries in the Middle East be guaranteed," said the premier.

In the message, Zhu also pledged China's support for the Middle East peace process and its willingness to cooperate with other countries in this regard.

(Xinhua News Agency November 30, 2001)