LOC23:36
20:36 GMT
By Abdelwaheb El-Gueyed
VIENNA, May 18 (KUNA) -- Palestine's permanent envoy to the United Nations
and Ambassador to Austria Zohair Al-Wazir condemned Friday attempts to link
between terrorism and Islam.
"The Palestinian people are a stark reminder of life under occupation and
state terrorism as the Israeli occupation forces have been practicing state
terrorism against them, their sanctities and lands over long decades,"
Al-Wazir told KUNA on the sidelines of the first anti-terrorism forum here.
"The Palestinian people are against all forms of terrorism, he said,
asserting the need to uproot all causes of terrorism including oppression and
state terrorism.
"Among the roots of terrorism are the adoption of double standards in
dealing with political issues, occupation, and infringement on human rights.
"The Palestinian delegation to the forum renewed commitment to the
resolution of the Arab League foreign ministers' meeting of March on
opposition to all forms of terrorism and all attempts to link this global
phenomenon to Islam.
"Islam advocates tolerance, moderation and coexistence," he pointed out.
He voiced concern over rising terrorism waves in the Middle East and other
hot spots of the world .
Palestine is for launching a global anti-terrorism center to coordinate the
efforts of world countries and regional organizations in this field, Al-Wazir
said, asserting support for the initiative of Tunisian President Zine
Al-Abidine Ben Ali for holding an international conference on anti-terrorism.
Government officials and experts from around the world met in the Austrian
capital, Vienna, Thursday to discuss means of fighting terrorism, in the first
anti-terrorism forum.
Head of the crime prevention and anti-narcotics office of the UN Jean-Paul
Laborde told KUNA the two-day forum would discuss issues related to the
international strategy against terrorism and enhancement of security measures
at local, regional and international levels. (end)
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