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Prime Minister Ariel Sharon met this morning (Wednesday), 16.3.05, with Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who arrived in Israel for the dedication of the new Yad Vashem museum
Prime Minister Sharon congratulated his Danish counterpart on the latter’s victory in last month’s elections.
Prime Minister Sharon noted Israel’s desire to enhance its relations with Denmark in all areas. The Prime Minister said that he is interested in research and development cooperation and said that the arrival of a Danish technological-economic delegation to Israel would be very important.
Prime Minister Sharon expressed his appreciation of Danish Prime Minister Rasmussen’s policy regarding the war on terrorism and for Denmark’s efforts to include Hamas and Hezbollah on the European Union’s list of terrorist
organizations: “Global terrorist organizations are making efforts to acquire non-conventional weapons. Terrorism constitutes the greatest danger to the free world.”
Prime Minister Sharon noted the importance of the EU’s decision to include Hamas on its list of terrorist organizations. However, it is also important that EU member states move to actively implement the freezing of funds that are transferred to the organization and to deal with the infrastructures that raise money for it in Europe. It is important that the individual member states ratify this in domestic legislation.
It is important that the European Union acts decisively to include the Hezbollah on its list of terrorist organizations and that it should not distinguish between the military and diplomatic branches of Hezbollah, which presents the main danger to Abu Mazen’s regime. Hezbollah encourages terrorist activities and threatens the ceasefire Abu Mazen is attempting to arrange with the Palestinian rejectionist organizations, as was seen in the recent terrorist attack in Tel Aviv.
A cease-fire can only be a temporary solution. While Israel will halt all of its military actions and will respond with quiet in exchange for quiet from the Palestinian side, the cease-fire is temporary and does not mean the renunciation of the terrorism option; therefore, we will not agree to it.
It is important that it be made clear to the Palestinians that they must honor their commitments, especially regarding a genuine war on terrorism and the dismantling of terrorist infrastructures. Without genuine counter-terrorist action by the Palestinians, it would not be possible to advance anything in the diplomatic process.
Prime Minister noted that terrorism is continuing, adding that there were five terrorist acts against Israel overnight: “We cannot accept this situation. While we are interested in moving forward, they must stop terrorism. On this issue, we will not compromise, and Abu Mazen’s job is to take the necessary steps to prevent it.”
Prime Minister Sharon said that he is determined to implement the Disengagement Plan. While the Disengagement Plan is not part of the Roadmap, it can pave the way to dealing with the Roadmap. The Roadmap will be implemented in accordance with its detailed stages, with no shortcuts. There will be no dealing with permanent settlement issues without the full and complete implementation of the first stage of the Roadmap.
Danish Prime Minister Rasmussen said that Denmark had a clear position against terrorism and added that he completely agrees with Prime Minister Sharon that there can be no compromise with terrorism. He noted that Denmark was a member of the UN Security Council and chairs the Counter-Terrorism Committee .
Regarding Hezbollah, Danish Prime Minister Rasmussen said that he would act to move this issue forward within the context of EU policy.
Danish Prime Minister Rasmussen said that Denmark supports the Disengagement Plan and that it is an important step forward. He said that promoting such a plan required courage and added that Denmark highly esteems Prime Minister Sharon’s position and steps.
Danish Prime Minister Rasmussen said that Denmark supports the Roadmap’s two-state solution. However, it was important that the Palestinian Authority do its utmost to fight terrorism, dismantle the terrorist organizations and implement security, economic and civil reforms. It was important that Europe assist the Palestinians in implementing these reforms.
Prime Minister Sharon noted the first word taught in school is the word
shalom: “Unfortunately, the propaganda against Israel in the kindergartens and schools in the Arab world is horrific and does not advance the chances for peace. In several Arab countries, including those with which we have peaceful relations, it is impossible to find Israel on maps. The Arab world still does not recognize the Jewish People’s right to the Land of Israel as its homeland.”
The two men also discussed agricultural issues and the enhancement of agricultural cooperation.
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