Speech by European Commissioner Chris Patten on the Middle East

Speech by European Commissioner Chris Patten on the Middle East

The Rt Hon Chris Patten
Commissioner for External Relations
SPEECH/01/43
Contribution to a debate on the situation in the Middle East
European Parliament
Brussels, 31st January 2001

I am grateful for this opportunity to report to the House on the situation in the Middle East.
Matters are once again - in a state of flux. As you know, the Palestinians and the Israelis have just concluded in Taba, Egypt their latest round of negotiations on the four key issues:
territorial boundaries, security, Jerusalem and refugees.
We understand that there was some limited progress on territory and security. Given the circumstances and time constraints, both parties have announced that it was impossible to reach an understanding on all issues. There will not be any further talks before the Israeli elections on 6 February. We must, in any case, continue to support efforts to find a peaceful solution for the conflict. This includes preserving the acquis from previous peace talks, including Taba.

Israel is now going into an election: I am sufficiently experienced in these matters to know that it would not be wise for me to speculate on the post election scenario before the people of Israel have made their democratic will clear.But, like Hon Members, we are all seriously concerned about the loss of life on both sides. There has already been a high number of victims caused by an excessive use of force and we are deeply worried about the extra-judicial killings perpetrated by Israeli security forces; not only does this undermine the prospects of achieving a negotiated settlement, it is also unacceptable for a democratic nation to resort to such means, in grave violation of human rights and the rule of law.
But let me be equally clear: we are also deeply concerned by the killing of Israeli civilians by Palestinians, and by the recent executions of Palestinians; this too is unacceptable, especially so given the PA's earlier commitment to a moratorium on the death penalty.

We remain concerned too at the humanitarian situation in the West Bank and Gaza. The remaining closure by Israel is having devastating effects on the Palestinian economy, and therefore on political stability. It is even affecting the import of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian territories: for example, the Palestinian Authority has notified the Commission's Representative in Jerusalem that the official inauguration (originally foreseen for mid-January) of the Gaza Hospital has had to be postponed - until further notice; the situation has deteriorated further and staff and patients are prevented now from reaching the hospital. Likewise, equipment and supplies such as oxygen, medicines and fuel cannot not reach the hospital, and further building work has had to be suspended. In its preliminary implementation report following the December emergency appeal, UNRWA also raises concern about serious difficulties in the delivery of food, construction material, medical items and other essential supplies. The security of staff engaged in humanitarian assistance has been severely compromised.

I regret that the situation has continued to deteriorate. We have, however, continued to make our position absolutely crystal clear. We have demanded that the remaining closures on the Palestinian economy should be lifted. We have asked for Israel to end immediately the withholding of revenue payments due to the Palestinian Authority.

And we have reacted promptly to the crisis by addressing both the humanitarian situation and the precarious budgetary situation of the PA. In December the Commission provided Eur 15 m in emergency aid, Eur 14.5 m alone to UNRWA in response to its emergency appeal. In addition, we disbursed a Eur 27.5 m Special Cash Facility in the belief that it was in the interest of both sides not to undermine the Palestinian Authority's ability to pay salaries. In the same spirit, the Commission set up the new Cash Facility of Eur 90 m. I have disbursed a first tranche of Eur 30 million to the PA last week.

But we need to look at the likely situation for the rest of this year. As our resources are limited we need to examine carefully how to proceed further. If we continue drawing monthly payments from the Special Cash Facility, in order to meet the current administrative needs of the Palestinian Authority, including payment of civil servants' salaries, education, health and other public services, funds will run out soon. The PA is now facing an ongoing fall in revenue and a rising deficit. They will need to adjust their policies. Instead of just bailing out month to month we need to look at how to help over the longer term.

Indeed, the EU and the wider international community have an interest in preserving the economic and institutional framework of the Palestinian Authority, which we have helped to create and fund. If the Palestinian Authority collapsed. It would be a severe blow to prospects for peace in the region, Israeli security would be threatened and our efforts to promote co- operation and stability in the Middle East will be undermined. That is why both the Palestinian Authority and the international community at large must look beyond the immediate crisis and considering how to deal with a steadily widening gap in Palestinian finances.

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