[CTRL] Danish FM Slaps Israel. (fwd)

[Yardbird]

http://www.jpost.com/Editions/2001/10/19/News/News.36549.html

Danish FM: Ze'evi murder same as targeted killings
By Herb Keinon
JERUSALEM (October 19) - Danish Foreign Minister Mogens Lykketoft infuriated Israeli diplomatic officials following tourism minister Rehavam Ze'evi's assassination, when he said on a Danish television program Wednesday night that there is no difference between the assassination and Israel's targeted killing of terrorists.

"Political murder in that area is not anything new," Lykketoft said.

According to Lykketoft, "all these types of murder, including what is called Israel's extrajudicial killing of Palestinian leaders," constitute a real danger and harm any chances of reaching a diplomatic solution.

Lykketoft also said that he does not hold Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat responsible in any way for the assassination, adding that it is a mistake "to give the last terrorist veto rights over diplomatic negotiations."

One senior government official in Jerusalem labeled Lykketoft an anti-Semite, and said that he is "the most anti-Israel foreign minister in Europe."

This was not the first time that Lykketoft has enraged Israel with anti-Israel comments, yet it is the first time that officials have "taken off the gloves" in this manner in reaction to his comments.

Victor Harel, the Foreign Ministry's deputy director-general for Europe, said the ministry was "shocked" by Lykketoft's comments.

"We received dozens of condolence messages from Europe, and were touched by them," Harel said. "At the same time, we were shocked by declarations made by Lykketoft, in particular the comparison he made between Ze'evi's assassination and the targeted killing of terrorists."

"We fail to understand how he can compare terrorists planning or on their way to commit terrorist acts, with a prominent political figure who has acted always in a democratic way."

Harel said the comments were "completely unacceptable," and that the ministry has instructed Israeli Ambassador Carmi Gillon to convey Israel's "strong views" on the matter.




=================================================================
http://al-awda.org
To sign Al-Awda's petition to terminate US aid to Israel go to:
http://al-awda.org/terminate_aid_petition.htm
To sign a letter asking Intel Corporation to disinvest from Israel go to:
http://al-awda.org/campaign/intel_letter.htm
=================================================================
Al-Awda, The Palestine Right to Return Coalition is the largest network of grassroots activists dedicated to Palestinian human rights. Al-Awda develops, coordinates, supports and guides as needed global and local grassroots initiatives for action related to Palestinian refugee rights.  Unless indicated otherwise, all statements posted represent the views of their authors and not necessarily those of Al-Awda or this list's management who may be reached anytime at [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe, send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To find out how to join an Al-Awda action committees in your area, please visit our website at http://al-awda.org.
=================================================================

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.