02-10-07: Palestinian National Initiative Secretary General, Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi MP, met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow today to discuss the current situation in Palestine and the dangers posed by Israeli actions in the Palestinian territories.
He stressed that the success of the upcoming November peace meeting rests on the application of three key pre-conditions: (1) freezing settlement activity; (2) the removal of the Apartheid Wall; and (3) the retreat of Israel from the Gaza Strip, which is has declared an "enemy entity".
Barghouthi explained the importance of solving the Palestinian issue within the framework of an international conference and on the basis of international law and United Nations resolutions.
This meeting also focused on the importance of resorting Palestinian national unity as an effective basis for the Palestinian people to regain their rights.
The two men also discussed the seriousness of Israel‘s quest to separate the West Bank from the Gaza Strip; and the consolidation of an Apartheid system in the West Bank through the Wall, settlements, and military checkpoints.
For his part, Lavrov stressed that the solution of the Palestinian issue must be comprehensive, just, and that it must address final status issues.
Lavrov reiterated Russia‘s support for a comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue and the importance of restoring national unity.
He said that Russia‘s participation in the November peace meeting was aimed at resolving all issues and seeking an end to the occupation, stressing the need for the participation of all parties in the meeting.
The parties stressed the importance of the Russian role in maintaining stability in the region and in international relations.
Barghouthi pointed out that the Russian Foreign Minister had informed him that Russia had sent 60 tons of food and medical aid to the Gaza Strip.
The meeting was also attended by the Russian Foreign Ministry‘s Middle East Attaché and the Palestinian Ambassador to Moscow, Bakr Abdel-Moneim.