Livni: PA development not at Israel's expense
Foreign minister to tell donors' conference in Paris 'We are ready to assist in the strengthening and development of the Palestinian Authority, but not at the expense of Israel's security'
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni is expected to tell the international donors' conference in Paris Monday that "we would like to support and bolster the Palestinian Authority, but not at the expense of Israel's security".
France has invited dozens of countries and organizations to the conference, which is aimed at offering financial and other aid to the Palestinian Authority after peace talks with Israel were officially launched this week.
Livni is expected to land in France on Sunday. During her visit, which will conclude Tuesday, the FM will meet with senior Palestinian officials, including President Mahmoud Abbas, Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and Ahmed Qureia, as well as with her American counterpart, Condoleezza Rice.
Conference organizers hope to raise between $3-5-5 billion dollars for the Authority. The US has already announced that it would contribute $500 million in aid.
Livni participated in the previous conference, which was held in New York last September, despite the fact that Israel is not a member of the donors' forum.
'Terror will continue'
The Israeli foreign minister is also expected to tell the delegates at the conference that "the goal is to implement the third phase of the Road Map (US-brokered peace plan) and create two-states for two peoples.
"On the Palestinian side, unfortunately, we expect further of terror attacks. Israel is being criticized for continuing to build settlements, in Har Homa for example, but it must be understood that as far as Israeli law is concerned this is legal practice. (The construction) is based on decisions that were made by previous governments," Livni is expected to say.
"However, when we do finally implement the Road Map, Israel plans to make good on its commitments and not build beyond the existing settlements. Israel will also live up to its commitments regarding the illegal outposts. When we reach the implementation stage, we will put everything into practice while making certain that Israel's security is maintained.
"We are ready to assist in the strengthening and development of the Palestinian Authority, but not at the expense of Israel's security," the FM will tell the conference.
The Arab League, including a delegate from Syria, is also expected to be represented at the conference. Tony Blair, the Quartet's Mideast envoy, will also participate.
