Israel’s FM Shalom Meets Indian PM Vajpayee and President Kalam
(IFM) Indian
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee told Deputy Prime Minister
and Minister of Foreign Affairs Silvan Shalom during their meeting
last week that India welcomed Prime Minister Sharon’s decision
to dismantle settlements in Gaza.
In response
to a question by PM Vajpayee regarding how Israel is dealing with
the multiplicity of the Palestinian Security Services, FM Shalom
explained that the Palestinian factionalization is part of the
on-going attempt by the PA to avoid implementing commitments pursuant
to Phase I of the Roadmap, namely dismantling the infrastructure
of terrorism.
The Indian
PM welcomed Israel’s decision to reopen its Consulate in Mumbai,
originally opened in 1950, decades before India and Israel established
formal relations.
The Indian
PM asked FM Shalom to send greetings Prime Minister Sharon and
wish him a speedy and complete recovery. Shalom relayed to Vajpayee
an official invitation from PM Sharon to visit Israel.
During FM
Shalom’s meeting with Indian President Abdul Kalam, the Indian
President emphasized the need to stand firm against terrorism
and noted that after the September 11th attacks, the world understands
the need to actively fight against terror. He added that efforts
against terror must be complemented by understanding and patience
between world religions and efforts against poverty.
FM Shalom
said that fundamental, extremist Islamic leaders from within the
PA are taking advantage of poverty to recruit Palestinian youth
to carry out suicide attacks – a phenomenon that continues to
grow more severe.