Peace treaty welcomed, with some reservations

Press, 28 March 1979, Page 6

Peace treaty welcomed, with some reservations

PA Wellington The Minister of Foreign Affairs (Mr Taiboys) yesterday welcomed the signing of a peace treaty by Israel and Egypt, but warned “there is much still to be done requiring the cooperation and good will of all involved.” The treaty concluded in Washington yesterday was “a milestone on the road to peace and to the settlement of the Middle East dispute between all Arab states and Israel,” Mr Taiboys said. There were several serious limitations. The most important of these was the absence of a firm timetable for the implementation of Palestinian

autonomy in the occupied West Bank and Gaza, and for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from all occupied territories. "We believe, and have consistently maintained,” he said, “that the rights of the Palestinians, including the right to self-determination and the right to establish an independent Palestinian state if they so desire, are of the greatest importance to an over-all peace settlement,” Mr Taiboys said. “We have been encouraged by the will for peace and reconciliation shown both at Camp David and now in respect to this treaty, and we hope that in the months to come this spirit will enable!

I these issues to be resolved,” I he said. i In the meantime, Mr Tal- - boys said, the New Zealand Government extended its ! congratulations to those who ; had worked to achieve the i treaty, and wished them > well in their continued i efforts. i “It is our hope that the ! interests of all the parties to • the Middle East dispute can [ in the course of time be accommodated in an over-all [ peaceful settlement and that - the region will- become a - centre of progressive co- [ operation rather than one of > destructive hostility,” Mr ;l Taiboys said.