Situation in the OPT – Press briefing by Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman- Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry press release/Non-UN document

Unofficial translation from Russian

Mikhail Kamynin, the Spokesman of Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Answers a Question from Russian News Agencies Regarding the exacerbation of the confrontation in the Palestinian Territories

922-13-06-2007

Question: The situation has become sharply exacerbated in the Palestinian territories, particularly the Gaza Strip, recently as a result of armed clashes between Fatah and Hamas supporters, according to incoming reports. There are several dozen killed, as well as civilian casualties. Fatah ministers have reportedly suspended their participation in the government of national unity of the Palestinian National Authority. How will you comment upon these events?

Answer: Moscow is extremely alarmed by this growth of tension in the Gaza Strip and the Palestinian territories as a whole. Nothing can justify the killings of people and the suffering of the civilian population. Further escalation of the inter-Palestinian confrontation risks leading to total chaos, new victims and the spread of conflict in the region.

We call on the authorities and leadership of the Palestinian Authority, regardless of their party affiliations, to do everything necessary for a rapid halt to fighting, bloodshed and internecine strife. The immediate task is to restore order and control in the Palestinian territories and observe the basically important inter-Palestinian accords reached in Mecca this past spring, opening the way to the establishment of an independent and viable Palestinian state through negotiation. We firmly believe that achieving these aims meets the supreme national interests of the Palestinian people and all its political forces. Moscow in contacts with the Palestinians, regional parties and our partners in the Middle East Quartet of international mediators will do everything possible to overcome this acute crisis in the Palestinian territories and restore advance towards peace in the region.

June 13, 2007