EU Diplomatic Effort in Mideast Overshadowed By Violence

September 4, 2001

European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana is in the Middle East meeting with Palestinian and Israeli officials in hopes of arranging peace talks between the Israelis and Palestinians. But five Palestinian terrorist bombings in Jerusalem and an Israeli missile attack on a Palestinian police post have overshadowed Solana’s efforts to arrange a new round of Israeli-Palestinian truce talks. Dozens of Israelis booed Solana when he visited the site of one of Tuesday's Palestinian bomb blasts in Jerusalem.

The bombings, which injured 19 Israelis, were claimed by the Abu Ali Mustafa Brigade, named for the terrorist leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, who was by Israeli helicopter gunships last week.

Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres said he hoped to meet Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in Italy later this week. However, the much anticipated meeting has yet to be set.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is expected to host discussions Tuesday in Egypt with Arafat and envoys from Saudi Arabia and Italy on the possibility of an Israeli-Palestinian meeting.

In Jordan Monday, Arafat said he would welcome talks with Peres, but said the most important thing is what they would discuss. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is in Russia on a state visit.

More TruthNews