two speeches by PM Olmert don't indicate ceasefire includes halt to rocket production Date: Sun, Nov 26 2006 3:33 pm #1 Address by PM Olmert- Inauguration of the New Elnajah High School, Rahat www.pmo.gov.il/PMOEng/Communication/PMSpeaks/speechraht261106.htm
The intention was to achieve full cessation of all forms of violent activity, including the smuggling of weapons through tunnels, the dispatching of suicide terrorists, and, of course, the firing of Qassam rockets I am very pleased to come to Rahat on the morning of a day which may symbolize a new beginning, not only for the residents of Rahat, but perhaps on a larger and more significant scale. Last night I received a call from the Chairman of the Palestinian Authority. While we maintain continuous contact, I was expecting this particular call - and he knew that I was expecting it - to let me know of a decision by all Palestinian organizations to reach a cease-fire, which was supposed to come into effect at six o'clock this morning. The intention was to achieve full cessation of all forms of violent activity, including the smuggling of weapons through tunnels, the dispatching of suicide terrorists, and, of course, the firing of Qassam rockets. I was very pleased to receive this notification, and congratulated the PA Chairman. We both agreed that the two parties would act to make certain that this cease-fire would in fact find practical expression from this morning at six.
I took into account the fact that a cease-fire is not something which is fully implemented immediately, without any violations. I nevertheless asked the Minister of Defense to instruct the IDF to withdraw. And indeed, this morning the IDF forces pulled out of the Gaza Strip. While there are still Palestinian violations of the cease-fire, I have instructed our security forces to refrain from responding, to show restraint and give this cease-fire a chance to go into full, practical and comprehensive effect, in accordance with the commitment made yesterday by PA Chairman Abu-Mazen. This morning, the Hamas organization already announced that it had no dialogue with us and that this morning's shooting was a violation of the Palestinian obligation. However, contrary to the situation which existed in the past, they admitted that there was in fact an obligation and a need to uphold this obligation. I am in contact with the Palestinian Authority to make sure that this obligation is fulfilled, and we will show patience and restraint in order to give it a chance.
The State of Israel is very strong. It has enough power to fight terrorism and enough power to show restraint and give the cease-fire a chance to be fully implemented, in accordance with Abu-Mazen's commitment to me. We will show the necessary patience and restraint in the next few days. Needless to say, the cease-fire, or the cessation of initiated activity, does not provide a response to all outstanding issues between us and the Palestinian Authority. We expect the immediate release of Gilad Shalit.
His release was not part of the internal arrangement between the Palestinian organizations which resulted in the cease-fire, but I believe that this understanding regarding a cease-fire could contribute to the speedy release of Gilad Shalit. In recent days and nights, we have been working tirelessly to bring about his release, and I hope that the PA will uphold the condition set forth by Abu-Mazen to the other organizations and ensure his speedy release. We very much hope that the cease-fire, if it comes into effect, would be expanded to Judea and Samaria as well. Abu-Mazen advised me that the organizations were beginning discussions today regarding the expansion of the cease-fire to Judea and Samaria as well. At the moment, it still does not apply there and I hope that they will show responsibility and good will on this issue as well. All these things would ultimately lead to one thing: the commencement of serious, genuine, open and direct negotiations between us and the PA, between Abu-Mazen and myself, in order for us to be able to proceed towards a comprehensive agreement between us and the Palestinians. In recent weeks, my bureau and that of Abu-Mazen maintain continuous contact. There is dialogue, there are understandings, but all these need to create the conditions for the opening of negotiations and I truly hope that it will happen soon. I see a great opportunity in this responsibility which the Chairman of the Palestinian Authority took upon himself - and particularly the full and unequivocal implementation of this commitment - and I promise you that the Government of Israel and the State of Israel will not miss this opportunity, but rather contribute to and strengthen this opportunity, in order to be able to move forward.
Address by PM Olmert- Ceremony for the Inauguration of the New Building of the Air Force Technological College, Beer-Sheva www.pmo.gov.il/PMOEng/Communication/PMSpeaks/speechair261106.htm
stop all shooting, smuggling of weapons through tunnels and firing of Qassam rockets Finally, some short remarks regarding issues on the agenda. You heard the strong statements made by our Minister of Defense. Gentlemen, I have no doubt that a decision by all Palestinian organizations to stop the fire in the south is a very significant one. For many weeks we have tried, very carefully and in coordination with the Palestinian authorities, to assist in the creation of a process which could lead to this decision, and I am pleased at the announcement made by the Chairman of the Palestinian Authority, who said to me, unequivocally, that it was a full obligation by all Palestinian organizations.
I answered Abu-Mazen, after I consulted with the Ministers and members of the Security Cabinet, that an agreement to stop fighting and stop shooting is Gaza was not the end of the story, and that we would continue to fight for the immediate release of Gilad Shalit. We will fight for the cessation of terrorism also in Judea and Samaria, but if they are willing to stop all shooting, smuggling of weapons through tunnels and firing of Qassam rockets, we will view this as a vital step and I believe that it could be part of some continuous process which will soon lead to negotiations between us and the Palestinian Authority.
This was the understanding between the Chairman of the Palestinian Authority and myself as part of a quiet process of dialogue which we have maintained for a few weeks. I will tell you a secret. When I advised my fellow ministers last night of this proposal, we knew that there was a chance that this cease-fire would not be immediately implemented exactly in accordance with the commitment. Experience, particularly in this part of the world, has taught us that not everything finds immediate expression in a comprehensive, complete and orderly manner.
The State of Israel is an extremely powerful State and is capable of fighting any terrorist organization - and all of them put together - when the need arises and when they fight us. It is so powerful that it can also afford to show restraint in order to give the cease-fire a serious chance. The cease-fire is not the ultimate goal, but merely a phase in a process which we hope would create the dynamic which will lead to negotiations and dialogue and maybe, ultimately, also an agreement between us and the Palestinians.
This is the ultimate commitment of this Government. It is what motivates and sustains it and it is what gives us the strength to go forward. It is therefore my hope that the combination of these circumstances - the Ben-Gurion anniversary, this addition to the build-up of power of Israel's technological education system, and the beginning, maybe, of a sustainable cease-fire - are all signs of hope that while there may be some difficult days ahead, there are also days which offer a real chance.
Thank you very much. IMRA - Independent Media Review and Analysis Website: http://www.imra.org.il/
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