Livni: Terrorists, elections don't mix

Newly appointed foreign minister says PA elections should be part of democratization process; adds Israel's duty is to make it clear Palestinians must still disarm terror organizations

Reuters | Published: 01.18.06, 17:24

Newly appointed Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said Wednesday that "today I receive one of the most important portfolios in the Israeli government. I have already said in the past that it would have been right for Silvan Shalom to remain foreign minister until the elections, but since the decision was made we are here today."

Livni spoke during a farewell ceremony in honor of outgoing Foreign Minister Shalom at the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem. She thanked Shalom for his work and accomplishments during his three years in office.

In her talk before ministry's employees, Livni also rushed to blast the Palestinians.

"Palestinian Authority elections should have been part of a democratization process in the PA, but they are not," she said.

"There is no other democracy in the world that would allow terror organizations to take part in the elections. The Europeans would not allow it in Europe after they learned their lesson with the Nazis' rise to power in the 1930's, and neither would the Americans," she added.

Livni told the employees that "there was a window of opportunity after the disengagement and we had to tell the Palestinians that this is the meaning of democracy. You don’t go to the voting stations with weapons and you don’t establish a government with weapons."

"Simultaneously, the Palestinians claimed that they have to hold the elections in order to create legitimacy for disarming terror. Our duty is to make it clear to ourselves and to the international community that this process will not exempt the Palestinians from their commitment to disarm the terror organizations," she said.

"If we know how to use this wisely and the Palestinians meet their commitments, we will be able to bring a better future for the two peoples," Livni added.

As for her planned actions as foreign minister, Livni said that "theoretically I am receiving this portfolio for a transition period of a number of months, but we cannot afford to see it as a transition period or a period of rest. In the Middle East there is not one quiet moment. This period is a critical period in terms of the ability to reach an agreement with the Palestinians."

She added that "the Foreign Ministry is a key player in the defense of Israel. On the diplomatic front we hear the voices from Iran that cannot be tolerated. The Foreign Ministry should be the spearhead in Israel's struggle to de-legitimize the rise of anti-Semitism."

Shalom: EU may ask to meet Hamas officials

Shalom, who was widely praised by Livni, elaborated on his accomplishments during his three years in office.

"Three years ago, when I came here, I had a number of goals I wanted to promote: Improving relations with Europe, improving relations with the Arab world and integrating the Foreign ministry's employees into the working process. These three years were characterized by a huge improvement and ministry workers had a lot to do with it," he said.

Shalom also slammed the decision to allow Hamas to take part in the Palestinian elections.

"Hamas is participating in total opposition to the international agreement. This might lead to European countries asking to meet with Hamas representatives who will be elected to parliament as political representatives, and this could create political problems," he said.

Shalom also told the employees that "you are receiving an excellent minister today, who is also a personal friend of mine. This was a fascinating period for me, filled with accomplishments, and I already miss it."

Talking to reporters after the ceremony, Shalom referred to the Iranian threat.

"On the Iranian issue we are still not too late because Iran has yet to acquire the full capability to produce a nuclear bomb. This is the last minute and it can still be stopped," he said.

"During my three years in office I fought to refer the Iranian issue to the Security Council, and I am happy that a decision to refer Iran to the Security Council is being formulated at the end of my term. I hope the resolution will be approved and that sanctions will be imposed," Shalom added