"Arafat has a big influence. Expelling him means jeopardizing the whole peace process," Syed Hamid said

By Kazi Mahmood, IOL Southeast Asia Correspondent

KUALA LUMPUR, September 14 (IslamOnline.net) - The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) is planning a special meeting on the fate of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat at the U.N. Security Council Monday, September 15, after Israel's adamancy to comply with warning from world countries not to expel the veteran leader.

Malaysia's Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said on Saturday, September 13, that the meeting, coordinated by Malaysia's Permanent Representative to the U.N. Rastam Mohamed Isa, was made possible after a decision by NAM troika, Malaysia, South Africa and Cuba, reported Bernama news agency Sunday, September 14.

The top diplomat was hopeful the Israeli government would listen to the views of the international community and the wound of reason, asserting it would be making a big mistake by expelling Arafat.

"I think we (NAM members) agree with the various statements of various leaders from the European Union, some leaders from the United States, even people like Shimon Perez (ex-Israeli foreign minister) who have said that it is not a correct move (to expel Arafat).

"It could jeopardize the whole peace process, it does not contribute to the achievement of the roadmap to peace.

"Arafat has a big influence. Expelling him means jeopardizing the whole peace process," the foreign minister was quoted as saying.

Malaysia is expected to give full support to the leadership of Arafat and to urge the NAM to back the Palestinian leader.

The foreign minister said that apart from members of the U.N. Security Council, the permanent representatives of NAM member states in the world body would also participate in the meeting.

The Israelis decision has drawn fire from around the world that Arafat’s expulsion would threaten the Middle East peace process, as Palestinians vowed to defend their elected leader to death.

While A senior Bush administration official stressed it "is unhelpful and it is not the solution," Chine said it "further escalate tensions between Israel and Palestine and will not help the Middle East peace process, " while France dismissed the decision as "a grave error".

Palestine A Priority

For his part, Malaysian Premier Mahathir Mohamad said Saturday the U.N. should give top priority to resolving the Palestinian issue, asserting the root cause of the issue was territorial dispute and not religion.

"Their (Palestinians) land has been taken. They have been chased from their homes and the Israelis occupied their settlements," he told a media conference.

Therefore, said the premier, the causes must be removed and "it is very simple (to resolve the issue)."

Mahathir argued that the U.N. could do nothing much in settling the issue unless the major powers honor their commitment to the peacemaking drive.

He, however, insisted that the U.N. should do all it could now to solve the Palestinian cause as soon as possible.

Charging that the U.N. was the most undemocratic organization, the Malaysian leader stressed "these undemocratic people have no moral right to tell others to become democratic."

Malaysia is to play a major role in the Organization Of Islamic Conference (OIC) once it takes over as Chairman of the organization in this October.

Capitalizing on its on its current rotating presidency of the NAM, the country is trying to push for peace deals in Palestine and to unite non-aligned countries to face the unexpected challenges of the so-called war against terrorism.

On a non-related matter, Syed Hamid hailed the U.N. Security Council decision to lift the sanction against Libya.

"It is high time for the 15-year-old sanction, which had prevented Libya from developing its economy, to be lifted to open new opportunities for free trade between the North African nation and the rest of the world," he said.

"Anything that will assist and promote free flow of trade between countries are good.

"I think the sanction against Libya has been on for a long time. Now it finally has the opportunity to build up its economy and it will be able to participate and Malaysia would also be able to participate in the economic development of Libya. Of course we are very interested to take an active part," added the foreign minister.