France Supports Initiative by Arafat, PeresFrench President Jacques Chirac Thursday expressed France's support for the initiative to stop violence in Palestinian territories, which was made by Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres.Catherine Colonna, spokeswoman of the Elysee presidential palace, said that Chirac hailed "the move of peace" made by Arafat and Peres toward a de-escalation of tension and a resumption of dialogue. Chirac said he hoped that the agreement to stop violence would be implemented concretely in the field. "France and the European Union support all the initiatives of this kind," said the spokeswoman. During a meeting in Gaza Wednesday night, Arafat and Peres agreed that all acts of violence should end immediately in the Palestinian territories after seven Palestinians were killed on Thursday in clashes with Israeli soldiers and Jewish settlers. |
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