Lieberman: We don’t want to end up like Czechoslovakia
FM tells counterparts Kouchner, Moratinos Europe's pressure on Israel attempt to make up for failure to resolve conflicts in Somalia, Afghanistan, North Korea, Zimbabwe and Sudan. Adds: We'll protect our vital interests
"Before you teach us how to resolve conflicts here, I expect at the very least that you solve all the problems in Europe," Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman told his French and Spanish counterparts Bernard Kouchner and Miguel Moratinos Sunday night.
During their meeting in Jerusalem, Lieberman said, "In 1938 the European community decided to appease Hitler instead of supporting the loyal ally Czechoslovakia, and sacrificed it without gaining anything.
"We have no intention of becoming 2010's Czechoslovakia and will insist on Israel's vital interests," the FM added.
'Europe appeased Hitler.' From Left: Moratinos, Lieberman and Kouchner (Photo: Gil Yohanan)
Lieberman also told his counterparts that the West has failed in resolving conflicts and that he does not understand why Israel was being singled out. "It seems as though the international community is trying to make up for its failure to resolve conflicts in Somalia, Afghanistan, North Korea, Zimbabwe, Sudan and other places by trying to bring about an Israeli-Palestinian agreement within a year," he said.
"Instead of discussing the upcoming referendum in Sudan with the Arab League or discussing the explosive situation that is expected in Iraq in 2012, Israel is being pressured. This may lead to the collapse of the negotiations, just as it did in 2000 following the Camp David summit."
After the meeting, Lieberman addressed cabinet's approval of the loyalty oath bill. "No sane democratic country would agree to have parliament members who take part in a terrorist flotilla and incite against it," he said.
"The government and Knesset will take additional important steps to strengthen Israel's identity as a democratic state that is the nation state of the Jewish people."
Earlier Sunday, Kouchner and Moratinos told President Shimon Peres their countries want to help progress the peace process. Peres said, "Peace involves many difficulties. We must not give up. We must advance peace, since the alternative is so dangerous."
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