(25 Mar 1998) Eng/Ger/Nat
The man who's hoping to be the next German chancellor met Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat on Tuesday to discuss the stalled Middle East peace process.
Gerhard Schroeder - presidential candidate for the Social Democrats - told his host he believed the Oslo peace accords should be carried out to the letter.
Schroeder - one of Germany's most popular politicians - is in the Middle East as president of the upper house of parliament.
After meeting Israeli leaders earlier in the day, Gerhard Schroeder arrived in Gaza City for talks with Palestinian President Yasser Arafat.
The 53-year-old is the pragmatic state governor of Lower Saxony and hopes to oust German Chancellor Helmut Kohl in the September elections.
German voters will be closely watching his visit to Israel, the Palestinian areas and Lebanon to see how he handles himself on his first foreign assignment.
During his meeting with Arafat, Schroeder said Europe had a role to play in the peace process - particularly in the economic development of the region.
Arafat welcomed Europe's mediation and said that all he wanted was for the Oslo peace treaty to become reality.
SOUNDBITE:(English)
"I'm not asking for the moon. I'm asking what had been signed at the White House under the supervision of President Clinton to be implemented accurately and honestly. Nothing more, nothing less."
SUPER CAPTION: Yasser Arafat, Palestinian President
As to Palestinian aspirations for an independent state in the West Bank and Gaza, Schroeder called for the full implementation of the Oslo accords.
SOUNDBITE: (German)
"Without question - the Oslo treaty must be implemented to the letter - in the interest of the government, of the Palestinian people and of the Israelis."
SUPER CAPTION: Gerhard Schroeder
The Oslo accords do not determine the final status of the disputed lands, saying it must be decided in future negotiations.
Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
