The Palestinian Minister for
Refugee issues, Mr. Atef Ibrahim Adwan, met representatives of the
Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Oslo on 13 May. The
Head of the Ministry’s Section for Middle Eastern Affairs, Deputy
Director General Kåre Eltervåg, presented the following Norwegian
message to the Minister:
• Norway respects the outcome
of the democratic elections in the Palestinian territory.
• But we want to reiterate that
the newly elected Palestinian Government must take steps to comply
with the demands put forward by the Quartet (UN, USA, EU and
Russia) to renounce violence, recognise the state of Israel and
accept previously concluded agreements.
• These demands are all based
on principles shared by the members of the international community.
The demands reflect basic norms in relations between states and
democratic governments.
• Norway has made it clear that
a continuation of the development cooperation with the new
Palestinian Government is contingent on these conditions being
fulfilled.
• The international community
has clearly stated that the door is open for cooperation and direct
economic support to the Palestinian government if it complies with
the three demands.
• We realise that it takes time
to change attitudes. But, the Palestinian government must take
clear steps in the right direction.
• So far Hamas has not lived up
to our expectations. The use of terror can under no circumstances
be defended or excused. In this connection we reject the
Palestinian Government’s statements after the terrorist attack in
Tel Aviv 17 April.
• We also expect Israel to
respect previously concluded agreements, key UN resolutions and
demands from the international community. Israel must stop annexing
Palestinian land, cease illegal settlement activities and stop work
on the separation wall, which is in violation of international law.
These demands have also been put forward by the Quartet.
