Azerbaijan, Baku, Nov. 17 / Trend U.Sadikhova /
The Palestinian Authority can declare itself an independent state unilaterally only after receiving the international community's support - especially the Western world's, said adviser to the head of the Palestinian National Authority Nabil Shaath.
"We cannot announce the establishment of an [independent] state," he told Trend . "We have not yet received widespread international support. This is an informal plan and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) has made no additional steps."
The Palestinian leadership must now seek support from Western European countries, the U.S. and Japan, which did not recognize a Palestinian state in 1988, Shaath said.
Last week Fatah and PLO members appealed to the U.N. Security Council to recognize an independent Palestinian state. The issue was heatedly debated during the Israeli-Palestinian talks.
Chief Palestinian Negotiator Saeb Erakat stressed the Palestinian people's disappointment with the futility of the 18-year peace negotiations. He said the administration will appeal to the U.N. Security Council for recognition as an independent state unilaterally on the international level.
Yesterday Erekat at a meeting with European diplomats in Ramallah asked the EU to support the Palestinian Autonomy's bid to become an independent state in the event of its announcement, the Israeli Web site newsru.co.il reported, citing a local radio station.
According to Shaath, the Palestinian Authority will only be successful in unilaterally declaring its independence if it receives recognition from the international community.
Regarding the EU's position, it is "difficult to predict Europe's future position, while the national administration will not take any action" to recognize an independent state.
"Europe is not a single part of the international arena," Shaath said. "So far, European countries have differences over Goldstone's report [on the outcome of the war in the Gaza Strip]. And then, the conflict with Israel will not end after the declaration of state independence. The announcement of an independent state aims to enlist international support to weaken the Israeli position, especially those countries that did not recognize the state in 1988. However, if there is no international support, it means it is impossible to declare a state."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has already made an official response, warning that the country will make retaliatory steps against any unilateral Palestinian actions. He ruled out the recognition of an independent Palestinian state unilaterally, saying the step would lead to the denouncement of the Oslo peace process.
"The only way to peace is through negotiations, cooperation and agreement between the two sides," Netanyahu was quoted as saying by RIA Novosti. "This applies to both security and economy, as well as the political processes. Negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority have no alternative. Any unilateral steps to violate the existing system of agreements could trigger Israel's unilateral action."
Member of the Netanyahu's government, National Infrastructure Minister Uzi Landau sharpened the threat by calling on annexing the sections of the West Bank inhabited by Jewish settlements in the case of Palestinian's declaration of independence.
However, the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas also opposed a unilaterally declared independent state, the Haaretz newspaper reported.
According to Hamas Spokesman Salah al-Bardawil, a unilateral declaration of independence will be meaningless.
Shaath expressed regret over the "disturbing" the position of Hamas, while adding that the biggest problem the Palestinian Authority faces is Hamas controlling the Gaza Strip since 2007.
"This will not lead to the disintegration of autonomy, because the Palestinian leadership has faced problems in the West Bank. But the question of unification with the Sector Gaza remains one of the most important for the PNA," he added.
On Nov.15, 1988, former PLO leader Yasser Arafat proclaimed an independent Palestine state at a forum in Algiers. The proposal for an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders has been recognized by Russia, China, India, and all the Arab and Islamic countries.
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