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.




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