Jerusalem, 21 May 2000
PM Barak Comments in Cabinet Meeting
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)
Lebanon/Hizbullah
Events in Judea, Samaria and Gaza
Status of Abu-Dis, Azariya and Suwahara
Prime Minister Ehud Barak opened the weekly cabinet meeting today
(Sunday), May 21, 2000, by stating that the Hizbullah is trying to
intensify its activities in Lebanon in order to create the appearance
that its members have driven the IDF out of that country, even though
it is clear to all that the withdrawal of Israeli forces is the
result of the government's decision, which was taken at a time of
Israel's choosing and in accordance with its interests. The Prime
Minister believes that the recent kind of incidents in southern
Lebanon will continue through the coming weeks, so long as Israeli
soldiers are on Lebanese soil. The Hizbullah is currently considering
whether to continue operations following the withdrawal given that
the IDF's redeployment along the international border is in
accordance with United Nations resolutions and has its backing.
Prime Minister Barak stated that the Air Force's strikes on the tanks
belonging to the organization of Ahmed Jibril signaled to all
military forces in Lebanon Israel's future retaliatory ability
against whoever might attack it.
Israel is reaching understandings with the United Nations and the
international community regarding the implementation of United
Nations Security Council Resolution 425. UN Secretary-General Kofi
Annan recently reiterated to the Prime Minister that the UN intends
to fulfill its part to implement the resolution.
Regarding events in Judea, Samaria and the Gaza Strip, the Prime
Minister stated that the latest incidents of the use of live fire
against IDF soldiers by Palestinian policemen are extremely serious.
Israel will not accept the continuation of this situation and
strongly demands that the Palestinian Authority take steps to end
such incidents and prevent them from recurring.
Prime Minister Barak informed the ministers that Israel has made it
clear to the Palestinians that there will no change in the status of
Abu-Dis, Azariya and Suwahara until such time as the incidents cease
and the Palestinian Authority proves that it is in full control of
its people. He emphasized the seriousness with which he views this
morning's incident in Jericho, and outlined the actions taken in
response - the placing of roadblocks that interfere with people's
daily lives and the local economy - and added that he expects an
immediate response to the sharp messages that he sent, which demand
that the Palestinian Authority immediately and fundamentally change
its patterns of behavior.
Prime Minister Barak also stated that he has decided to postpone his
trip to the United States due to the situation in the territories and
Lebanon and will shortly decide when to reschedule his talks with US
President Bill Clinton. During these talks he will try to reach
understandings with the United States prior to entering into the
decisive negotiations on the framework agreement with the
Palestinians.
Prime Minister Barak also referred to the Internet: "Within 3 years,
every child and neighborhood in the country will have broadband
on-line connections and every child will grow up in control of the
links to tomorrow's world." The principles for this target are:
competition, modern system regulation and privatization, each one
dependent on the other.