The UN resolution asking Israel to dismantle its “wall” on the West Bank monopolises the attention of the main international dailies. Many devote analysis to the consequences of this veto on relations between USA and the European Union. “The Europeans are no longer neutral”. According to the front-page article in the Herald Tribune (22/7), signed by Warren Hoge, this is the Israeli message to our continent. “ Israel says Hoge has expressed doubts about the trustworthiness of the European Union in the peace process in the Middle East, after the EU backed the resolution of the General Assembly, sponsored by the Arabs, that asks Israel to abandon and dismantle its wall of separation”. The resolution of 20 July, unanimously approved by all 25 countries of the European Union, “took place says Le Monde of 22/7 at the end of intensive negotiations between the Arab League and the European Union, which produced a text that also spells out the conditions for the resumption of the peace process (….). The Americans had criticised the resolution right from the start, arguing that it did not take sufficiently into account the right, recognized by the UNO, for countries to self-defence, when they are attacked, an allusion to the terrorist attacks of which both Israel and the USA have been victims in the recent past”. The “method” of Arafat, “increasingly challenged” by the Palestinians, is analysed, in turn, by La Croix (20/7). “Faced by the virulent opposition of his base writes Francois D’Alancon Yasser Arafat is trying to find a way out (…). Numerous cadres are demanding internal elections and greater transparency, denouncing the authoritarian methods and nepotism of Yasser Arafat, as well as his inability to change”. According to Elio Maraone ( Avvenire, 22/7), “ the Wall is in various respects iniquitous, its utility is transient. However, it cannot be forgotten that it originated from the trauma of suicide attacks, which have been drastically reduced since its erection. This too, as also the need to urge the Palestinian Authority to respect the peacemaking obligations imposed on it by the ‘road map’ approved by the Security Council, ought to be taken into account by the European Union, if it wants its unified vote not to be ephemeral, but form the premise for an incisive commitment: not least to encourage the USA, currently dragging its feet”. “Israel ignores the UN resolution against the wall voted by 150 countries” is the headline carried by the Spanish La Razon (22/7). The Madrid daily warns of the “continuing chaos in the Palestinian territories” citing the attempted assassination in Ramallah of an opponent of Arafat. “The government of Israel is convinced of the need to continue the construction of its security wall on the West Bank despite the UN resolution”, writes the paper’s correspondent in Ramallah, Carmen Postigo. The identity of Europe recurs in the comments of the German press. On the eventuality of a referendum on the European Constitution in all member states the Frankfurter Rundschau (21/07) comments: “ Can the eurosceptics’ fear of Europe be removed by a vote throughout Europe? That would be difficult […] Calling the people to the ballot box is however appropriate: after all it is the Europe of citizens. It may involve risks, but these are less than the prospect of continuing to see Europe as an incomprehensible pastime for some elite, that does not concern the ordinary citizen and that serves no purpose but to release frustration and malaise“. The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (22/07) publishes a comment signed LJ on the decision of the Royal Mail in the UK not to issue Christmas stamps with a Christian content for 2004, opting instead for non-confessional winter images such as snowflakes and fir trees. “ In Western community values, each day we become a little freer. And more respectful. And more recognized. And, therefore, Europe can no longer be a Christian club. Otherwise, who would not see his own anti-Christian feelings violated by seeing crucifixes in public places or by having to hear the constant pealing of church bells? What Muslim, Hindu, Rastafarian, or adept of voodoo, or ever a mere atheist, has not suffered each year at the arrival of the Nativity of Jesus? Could we not choose more neutral symbols and images, seeing that it’s not possible to abolish Christmas altogether?” wonders the commentator with irony. The Spanish press has also devoted comment to the 9/11 inquiry in the USA. “Avoidable errors preceded September 11”, says the Spanish daily La Vanguardia ( 22/7) following the inquiry that reports that “Iran had much closer links with Al Qaeda than Iraq“. The independent commission “has ascertained errors in coordination that could have foiled the plot”. Eusebio Val writes from Washington that “at least ten opportunities to prevent the attacks” were lost .———————————————————————————————————– Sir Europa (English) N.ro assoluto : 1316 N.ro relativo : 56 Data pubblicazione : 23/07/2004
