Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 99-05-24

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] Palestinian Trade Deputy Minister

1310:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Palestinian Trade Deputy Minister

Nicosia, May 24 (CNA) -- The desire for direct trade between the Palestinian Territories and Cyprus was expressed by Palestinian Trade Deputy Minister, Suleiman Abu Karsh, during a recent visit to the island, which he described as the start of efforts for developing bilateral trade and economic relations.

In an interview with CNA the Palestinian official expressed the hope that newly elected Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Barak will implement the Wye Plantation agreements and that he will work for improving relations with Syria and Lebanon.

Abu Karsh also referred to the dangers of having a single super power dominating world politics and said Europe should look to the Middle East and the Mediterranean.

Asked about the economic situation of the territories under the Palestinian National Authority, Abu Karsh admitted that "it is difficult" and added, "at the time being we are not like any other free people".

Noting the limitations set as a result of closures imposed from time to time by the Israeli authorities on Gaza and the West Bank, Abu Karsh said it is a great obstacle to the development of Palestinian trade and economy.

"There has been investment by Palestinians living abroad and there is the desire and determination to re-build but Israel puts obstacles by closing the borders," he told CNA.

He added "we do not have free trade, we do not have our own borders, our free port. We are always under the control of the Israeli authorities. They control the borders and can close them whenever they wish."

Abu Karsh pointed out, however that there is foreign investment into the Palestinian territories and that there are agreements with countries like the US, Canada, EFTA, the European Union and some Arab countries, allowing Palestinians to export open quota duty free.

Stressing on the great importance of a port and an airport in Gaza, Abu Karsh said that flights into Gaza have already started even though they are still rather limited.

There are flights to Jordan, Egypt, Jedda, Morocco, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar and by this summer Tarom airlines will be flying to Gaza via Larnaca, the Palestinian Deputy Minister said, and expressed the hope for an agreement between the Palestinian carrier and Cyprus Airways.

Asked to evaluate his meetings here, the Palestinian official described them as "fruitful", pointing out that this is only the beginning of visits between Cypriot and Palestinian officials in a bid to strengthen economic and trade relations.

"There are many opportunities for investors in Palestine. We have the possibility to reach markets which you cannot reach and vice versa," he said, expressing the wish for "active direct trade, not through a mediator but directly to the Palestinian or Cypriot agents".

"I am optimistic that this was a good start," he told CNA, and added that Commerce, Industry and Tourism Minister, Nicos Rolandis has been invited to visit the Palestinian Territories.

Asked about his expectations from the new Israeli Prime Minister, Abu Karsh said, "whatever new government would emerge in Israel would be better than that of Benjamin Netanyahu" and expressed the hope Barak would "implement what was agreed at the Wye Plantation and other agreements which Mr. Netanyahu put in the deep freeze".

Abu Karsh described Netanyahu's time in office as "the death of the peace process" and pointed out that "if the Palestinians were not so wise and patient things would have gone to hell".

"The whole world should raise their hat to Mr. Arafat for being so wise and brave and avoiding a catastrophe," he added.

The Palestinian official said that Barak should start immediately talks about the most crucial issues of Jerusalem, refugees and water as well as with improving relations with Syria and Lebanon.

"There can be no peace without Syria," he remarked. Asked about the thorny issue of Jerusalem, Abu Karsh stressed the city's importance for all religions, while commenting on a statement by Barak that he would keep Israeli control all over Jerusalem, he replied:

"Rabin used to say the PLO are terrorists and we will not shake hands with them. In the end he saw that PLO was the only partner he could talk to and he shook hand with Arafat.

As for Jerusalem he (Barak) may say that but in the end the whole peace depends on Jerusalem. No one can sign an agreement without Jerusalem."

Invited to comment on world developments, bearing in mind the Balkan crisis, Abu Karsh, said he saw dangers in having a single super power, pointing out that "Palestinians suffered a lot from having only one major power".

"We suffered a lot after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the Gulf war and Palestinians continue to pay the toll," he remarked.

Commenting on Europe's current and future role in the world, Abu Karsh expressed the view that "Europe should look to the East. Europe's future is with the Middle East and the Mediterranean," he remarked.

CNA MCH/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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