Rawlings Calls For Comprehensive Peace In Mid-East

ACCRA, Ghana (PANA) - Ghana's president, Jerry Rawlings, has called on Israelis and Palestinians to make the necessary compromises to achieve peace in the Middle East, saying this is the best opportunity to bring to an end years of conflict.

A few years ago, he said, the two sides had an opportunity to achieve peace but this was lost following the assassination in November 1995 of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, who was doggedly pursuing the peace process.

"A unique opportunity has presented itself again and it should not be lost," he told Naomi Chazan, deputy speaker of the Knesset (Israeli Parliament), Thursday.

Chazan briefed Rawlings about current Middle East negotiations and Israeli proposals to withdraw from some of the occupied territories, including south Lebanon.

Rawlings called for compromises from both sides and said he believes there are many Israelis and Arabs who are desirous to co-exist peacefully.

He, however, warned that there are interested parties who would want peace to be achieved "on their terms" and these might not be in the interest of both parties.

"Listening to you, it is clear your country is committed to peace but it will not be easy. Ghana is ready to make its contribution towards the achievement of peace," Rawlings told the deputy speaker.

Chazan, who lectured at the University of Ghana in Accra 30 years ago, said "our relations with Africa started in Accra when we opened a consulate in 1956 because we correctly anticipated Ghana would achieve independence."

She said Israel has reached the "moment of truth" in its negotiations with the Palestinians when it must take some hard decisions to achieve a lasting peace in the Middle East "or we condemn our children to perpetual conflict."

These decisions include Isreal's withdrawal from south Lebanon in July and the possibility of giving up the Golan Heights it captured from Syria during the Six-Day War in June 1967.

"We also have to reach an agreement with the Palestinians for a state," Chazan added.