Preparing The EU For A Reality Check???

Czech PM in Israel supports peace efforts,fight against terrorism

Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek backed Israel's fight against terrorism at a meeting with his Israeli counterpart Ehud Olmert in Jerusalem, and spoke in support of the Czech Republic's stronger involvement in the Middle East peace process.

Topolánek also expressed sympathy to Olmert over the gunfire in a Jewish school [Yeshivat Merkaz HaRav, ed.] in Jerusalem last Thursday that claimed the lives of eight.

"It is necessary to fight against terrorism but also secure peace that people wish for", Topolánek said.

He emphasised the readiness of the Czech Republic, a country with good relations with both Israel and its Arabic neighbours, and a country that will preside over the EU in the first half of 2009, to help a peace arrangement in the Middle East.

Topolánek said he would welcome the EU's much more closer cooperation on the Middle East peace process, according to a press release issued by the Czech Government Office.

The EU is not much active for the time being, "we must correct this," Topolánek said.

He said the enemy is not Palestinians, but terrorists intimidating both Israelis and Palestinians. Not even at the helm of the EU [during the Czech presidency] would he seek a change in the approach to the Palestinian radical movement Hamas, he said.

"We don't view it as an organisation to conduct negotiations with," Topolánek said.

Olmert said the Israelis continue fighting because their enemies keep fighting against them. After the terror is gone, Israel will have no reason to fight, Olmert added.

He said he is determined to continue fighting against Palestinian terrorism until the danger threatening Israeli citizens is over.

Topolánek said "Israel actually reacts to attacks. The fact that its reactions often meet with a stronger response in the world than the attacks of terrorists is rather a question for the world community [to answer] as I naturally agree with Israel's role as a defender," he said.

That comment most certainly caused diapers to be filled in Brussels & NYC.

Most people wish peace, safety and prosperity. It is up to the Czech Republic and the EU to help the peace process as accelerators of changes to the better, Topolánek added.

Another area the Czech-Israeli talks in Jerusalem focused on was bilateral scientific and technological cooperation.

Topolánek and Olmert signed an agreement on cooperation in running the Czech-Israeli fund in support of science and research.

"We simply haven't managed it due to time shortage," Topolánek said in reaction to a remark that European officials usually visit not only Israel but also Palestine.

:-)

At the weekend, nevertheless, Topolanek visited Jordan, which plays the role of a stabiliser in the region.

"I'll undoubtedly also visit other countries of this region, including the Palestinian self-rule," he pledged today.

At the close of his visit to Israel, Topolánek saw the Yad Vashem memorial to the Holocaust victims.

While departing for Prague, Topolánek wanted to invite a young Palestinian who studies in Prague to join him aboard the government plane. However, the plan fell through as the student had got stuck in the Gaza strip blocked by Israeli soldiers.

Via ČeskéNoviny.cz

It remains to be seen if the current Israeli government understands what Topolánek said.

Or, Condi Rice.