The Treasurer Peter Costello has completed his visit to the West Bank to meet with key officials, but not Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.
| "Who? Arafat? Ummm... Can't make it. Have to wash my hair that night..." |
Travelling in a bullet-proof vehicle emblazoned with a kangaroo, Mr Costello met Palestinian Prime Minister-designate Ahmed Qurei, Foreign Minister Nabil Shaath and Finance Minister Salem Fayed. The Palestinian Authority said Mr Costello's decision not meet with Mr Arafat was regrettable.
| "Yeah. Youse guys don't know whatcher missin'..." |
He says his discussions were dominated by the security situation. "It's been a useful visit for me to talk about some of the issues that are important here, to see the situation, to visit some of the Australian aid projects." While ministers raised with him problems faced by Palestinians as a result of Israel's security measures, the Treasurer said terrorism had to be tackled. "We have a situation where suicide bombers can indiscriminately target civilians, where people are under threat. Obviously this strikes at the heart of a country and its security," he said.
| "What's the point of building stuff if people are coming right behind you to blow it up?" |
"The reality is that until the violence can stop, and until confidence can be built, it's hard to think how the peace process will move forward." Ahmed Qurei said he would welcome Australia's participation in a peace-keeping force in the Middle East.
| "Yesss! Send us peacekeepers! We need more targets!" |
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