Israeli prime minister outlines conditions for recognizing PalestineJune 15, 2009 - 15:31 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a major policy speech, accepted the creation of a Palestinian state but only if it was demilitarized. Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas's spokesman said his comments challenged Palestinian, Arab and US positions. But the US said, Mr. Netanyahu's stance was an "important step forward". In a landmark speech, Mr. Netanyahu said the Palestinians must accept Israel as a Jewish state. He said, a Palestinian state must have no army, no control of its air space and no way of smuggling in weapons, and cooperating with Iran or "Khezbollah". Mr. Netanyahu suggested to start negotiations with Palestinians immediately and without any pre-conditions. "We want to leave in peace with you, as with kind neighbors," Israeli prime minister said. His speech provoked anger among Palestinian officials BBC reports. Palestinian leader's spokesman Nabil Abu Rdainah said: "Netanyahu's remarks have sabotaged all initiatives, paralyzed all efforts being made and challenges the Palestinian, Arab and American positions," Reuters news agency reported. Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said the speech "closed the door to permanent status negotiations". "He declared Jerusalem the capital of Israel, said refugees would not be negotiated and that settlements would remain." Mr. Erekat added: "The peace process has been moving at the speed of a tortoise. Tonight, Netanyahu has flipped it over on its back." But the White House called the policy outline an "important step forward", as did French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner. A White House statement said Mr Obama "believes this solution can and must ensure both Israel's security and the fulfillment of the Palestinians' legitimate aspirations for a viable state, and he welcomes Prime Minister Netanyahu's endorsement of that goal". Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Concept to complete Yerevan Cascade discussed at city hall A conceptual proposal to complete the Cascade complex in downtown Yerevan has been presented by Jean-Michel Wilmotte. Pashinyan visits flood-hit region Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Saturday, June 8 visited the disaster area in the Lori province. €3.5 mln EU grant to support justice reforms in Armenia The European Union has paid €3.5 mln grant to Armenia within a €11mln program on Support to Justice Reforms. Yerevan reacts to Baku’s proposal to see Minsk Group abolition Alen Simonyan has declared that Armenia is taking steps aimed at concluding a peace treaty with Azerbaijan. |