Kouchner: Dubai killing proves need to recognise Palestinian state

On Thursday, France demanded that Israel explain the use of the forged French passport in the assassination

  • By Habib Toumi, Bahrain Bureau Chief
  • Published: 16:06 February 20, 2010

Manama: France’s foreign minister on Saturday said that the assassination of Hamas leader Mahmoud Al Mabhouh indicates the need for an immediate recognition of a Palestinian state and for peace in the region.

“It shows the need for peace and a Palestinian state, immediately,” Bernard Kouchner told Le Journal Du Dimanche when asked in the interview about the significance of the killing of Al Mabhouh in Dubai last month.

We condemn all targeted killings and the use of forged documents. The [Mossad] agents did not usurp the identity of a French citizen, like they did with the Britons. They used a fake French passport and a fake name. Our condemnation is categorical,” the French minister said.

Six of the 11-member hit squad carried British passports; three others had Irish passports, while the other two possessed French and German documents.

On Thursday, France demanded that Israel explain the use of the forged French passport in the assassination.

"We are asking for explanations from Israel's embassy in France over the circumstances of the use of a fake French passport in the assassination of a Hamas member in Dubai," the Foreign Ministry said as the case seemed to have caused diplomatic friction between European countries and Israel.

But for Kouchner, the crisis should be “overcome” and pave the way for a political role of Europe, to “impose the path of peace and the creation of a Palestinian state”, stressing that it could be recognised internationally even before talks on its borders begin.

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“The issue right now is building a reality on the ground: France is training Palestinian policemen, companies are being created in the West Bank ... Afterwards, we can consider the timely announcement of a Palestinian state, and its immediate recognition by the international community, even before negotiations on its borders,” Kouchner, a doctor turned diplomat, said.

His comments came ahead of a dinner in Paris on Sunday with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas who will on Monday meet French President Nicolas Sarkozy.  
 

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