Palestinian PM: Plan to declare statehood by 2011 remains on track
In interview with Channel 2, Salam Fayyad urged people not to give up hope for peace and not be discouraged because of failed attempts in the past.
By The Associated Press and Haaretz Service Tags: Israel news Palestinians West Bank Salam Fayyad Middle East peacePalestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad said Saturday that his plan to establish a Palestinian state by August 2011 remains on course.
In an interview with Channel 2, Fayyad denied that the Palestinians aim to seek unilateral recognition or any other alternative to a two-state solution.
Fayyad is credited with an economic upturn in the West Bank and improving law and order after a decade of violence. He has earned praise for taking steps to build a Palestinian state from the ground up and by renouncing violence against Israel.
In a rare address to the Israeli public, he urged people not to give up hope for peace.
He said in the interview broadcast Saturday that "we should not be discouraged because we have failed so many times before."
On Saturday, Bolivia joined Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay in announcing its recognition of an independent Palestinian state based on 1967 borders.
The Foreign Ministry called the announcements "regrettable" and said that Israel viewed this decision with severity, and it would not help change the situation between Israel and the Palestinians.
On Thursday, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously approved a resolution opposing the unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state.
The resolution calls on the U.S. administration to "deny recognition to any unilaterally declared Palestinian state and veto any resolution by the United Nations Security Council to establish or recognize a Palestinian state outside of an agreement negotiated by the two parties."
It also urges Palestinian leaders to "cease all efforts at circumventing the negotiation process, including efforts to gain recognition of a Palestinian state from other nations, within the United Nations, and in other international forums prior to achievement of a final agreement between Israel and the Palestinians… and calls upon foreign governments not to extend such recognition."
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Palestinian PM Salam Fayyad speaking to the media in Ramallah, August 30, 2010. |
| Photo by: AP |
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Arafat too planned to declare statehood so why can't Salam Fayyad also have that chance . The only difference is that the world know that it is a bluff. However if it should happen they will all land up living in Jordan
Remarkable achievements that will continue to be made. But also he is now in the role of the good guy knowing full well a unilateral declaration will be the means by which the Palestinians get their state. And that is how the game is played.
forget it, no recognition means no state no Schalit means no state, no negotiations means no state still begging for money, no independent incomes means no nothing., means no state
He's not dreaming - he's doing
We already know that Israel is a peace faker and the Palestinians are real peace seekers. It also seems that there are supporters for real peace in South America. What will be interesting is to sort the North American and European peace seekers out from the peace fakers. Which way will they jump after all the posturing of the past.
...I do not see any clouds. Is it a secret how you are going to achieve that!! If it is not unilateral, then there is an agreement. Get in touch with reality, sir.