Cem, Papandreou And Peres Hold Joint News Conference

TEL AVIV (A.A) - 25.04.2002 - Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said on Thursday that his Greek counterpart George Papandreou and he had stated during their meetings with Israeli officials that they were expecting the decisions taken by the U.N. Security Council to be implemented as soon as possible, adding, ''we stated that we expect occupation of Palestinian cities to end.''
CEM: WE ARE EXPECTING THE DECISIONS TAKEN BY U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL TO BE IMPLEMENTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE''
Cem held a joint news conference with Papandreou and Israeli Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Shimon Peres.
Speaking at the news conference, Cem said that they had taken up the issue of organization of an international meeting or conference during theie meetings.
''The terminology may be different, of course. But we can create an unimposing atmosphere as a result of such a meeting. At least, we hope that atmosphere of dialogue would be created. Another issue we brought onto the agenda was formation of a peace mission. This will be a mission in which observers will participate. Of course I know that this is a very sensitive issue for Israel. However, we think that such an initiative should be structured in a way in which it has two functions and fulfils two missions,'' he said.
Cem stated that all peace observers have a mission and added that Turkey proposed to include monitoring terrorist organization's structures in this mission.
He indicated that noone expected miracles from these contacts but they want to see a good agreement. ''There are several ways out. But I see two big obstacles. These are the situations in Ramallah and Bethlehem. I think that Mr. Papandreou and I made certain progress towards a solution in Bethlehem, if not for Ramallah,'' he commented.
He said they had an all-inclusive discussion with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat about a possible solution for Bethlehem but the talks with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon about the same subject was less thorough.
Cem said, ''Greek and Turkish foreign affairs ministries officials came together with their counterparts at the Israeli Foreign Affairs Ministry. We have succeeded in encouraging the sides to take steps. We hope that these steps will solve at least one of the problems. Mr. Papandreou and I will continue to expend efforts. I believe that we can make some positive contributions to efforts aiming at settling peace in the region.''
When asked whether or not Papandreou and he would continue to launch similar initiatives, Cem said, ''our contacts with Israeli and Palistinian officials will continue. We can launch initiatives together or separately.''
PAPANDREOU: ''WE CAME HERE TO SEE YOU IN A COMMON FUTURE''
PERES: ''THERE IS LIGHT BUT NO TUNNEL''
Papandreou said that there had been people in the past who dedicated themselves to peace in the Middle East and one of those people was Shimon Peres, adding, ''we target to bring back this inspiration to some extent.''
Stressing that the U.N. Security Council's decisions should absolutely be implemented for removal of problems in the region, Papandreou said, ''we share your pain and grief when women, children, innocent people lose their lives. These incidents cannot be accepted and justified. We did not come here to accuse you. We ame here to say that your pain is our pain and we are not so far away from you.''
Noting that they were ready to continue this initiative and contacts if they would contribute to peace process, Papandreou said that the Church of Nativity had a special importance to Greece of which majority was Orthodox and that they had frequently taken up this issue during their meetings.
Papandreou stated that bringing a solution to the situation at the Nativity Church in Bethlehem would help to ease the tension in the region. He said that he and Cem had taken a number of positive steps and he expected a solution in the next few days. Despite reporters' persistent questions, Papandrou refrained from giving further details.
Responding to a question on Turkish-Greek relations, Papandreou said that besides the unresolved issues between the two countries, there were also those which have been agreed upon. He said that the two countries should try to stress the shared views rather than the differences of opinion. ''This should be a game in which everybody wins,'' he commented.
Israeli Foreign Minister Peres, who also spoke at the joint press conference, said that many people in the West Bank believed that they needed an agreement to get back to their normal lives but didn't know how to reach that agreement.
''We see the light but there's no tunnel leading to it that is visible to us,'' he said.
Peres also informed reporters about the trial of four Palestinians who were involved in the assasination of Israeli Tourism Minister Rehavam Zeevi.
Noting that a person who was charged with terrorist activities had the right to be tried in his country according to an agreement between Israel and Palestine, Peres said that trial of the suspects in Palestine would be illegal because the assassination was staged in Jerusalem.
Noting that the court had the characteristics of a ''show'' and punishments were not satisfactory, Peres told reporters that Israel did not have alternatives.
When asked whether or not Israel would accept the United Nations delegation aiming at investigating the incidents in Jenin, Peres said that they had not rejected anyone.
Describing efforts to show Israel as the accused party as ''shameful and scandalous'', Peres said that 3 thousand Palestinian were claimed to had been killed in Jenin. He said that in fact, 50 Palestinians including three civilians, lost their lives.
Peres said, ''I believe that it is impossible to solve the problems in the Middle East through military methods. Political and economic dimensions should absolutely be included in the solution process.''
After the press conference, Cem and Papandreou left the city for the airport.
Cem is expected to return to Turkey later in the day.