Appeal to all Heads of States and Governments of the European Union Member countries and other European States

Taking into the most serious consideration the ongoing war in Lebanon as well as the military oppression of the Palestinian people, particularly in the Gaza strip,

Considering the shocking news on the growing humanitarian catastrophe the ongoing battles in South Lebanon and the air rides on civilian targets in almost all parts of Lebanon create for the people of that country,

Realizing the results of the political talks a delegation of the Party of the European Left had with politicians and official representatives of various political parties and Non-Governmental organizations in Lebanon,

Completely stunned by the weak and irresponsible position the EU and European governments have taken in the UN Security Council on the necessity to build up the most serious pressure for forcing all conflict parties to agree on an immediate and lasting ceasefire, which should open the way to political solutions for the complex and mutually linked conflicts in the Middle East region,

Taking into account the report of the EU representatives in Lebanon on the current situation in the country,

Realizing that the conflict between Israel and Palestine is the core of the whole Middle East crisis that affects all other political, economic, social, religious and cultural conflicts in the region and the international relations as a whole,

The Executive Board of the Party of the European Left urges the European Council, the European Parliament and the European Commission as well as all EU- Member Countries’ Heads of State and government to assume within the next few days a different role for Europe in the Middle East.

It is Europe which should focus on the following political actions:

– an immediate cease-fire based on a minimal agreement that guarantees the inviolability of the borders, the release of the kidnapped Israelian soldiers and of all other prisoners in Israel, Palestine and Lebanon, an end of the blockade against Lebanon allowing to bring in humanitarian aid and to let the refugees return to their homes;
– the realization of a broad programme of humanitarian aid to all suffering civilians under UN auspices;
– the creation of a United Nations controlled buffer zone between Israel and Lebanon and the deployment of UN-mandated international peace forces as part of a political conflict solution process accepted by all conflict parties;
– the immediate stop of any arms transports to the region by all states;
– an international conference that has to put the peace process in Palestine back on track by underlining the recognition of the necessity of two independent states of Israel and Palestine on an economically and politically sustainable basis and peaceful coexistence, living without fear of attacks from other sides;
– active steps of the international community recognising the Sheeba Farms as a legitimate part of Lebanon, which is a decisive issue for bringing about a national dialogue in Lebanon and coming to positive conclusions on security and defence issues;
– a new start of the national dialogue among the Lebanese, which must recognize that the task of disarming Hezbollah can and should not be carried out by an external military force.

Athens, Barcelona, Berlin, Brussels, Bucharest, Budapest, Geneva, Lisbon, Luxemburg, Madrid, Paris, Prague, Rome, Tallinn, Vienna - August 1, 2006

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