What is the Government of Indias current position on the Palestinian issue?
The Government of India understands our point of view, that is why they invited our Foreign Minister Nabeel Shaath to visit India before Sharon’s visit. The people of India and the people of Palestine have cordial relations. Governments come and go, but it is the relationship between the people of the two countries that matters to us. We are thankful to the present government who has given four acres of land to build our embassy in New Delhi. We hope the Government of India will take up our cause during Sharon’s visit. But Israel wants to have peace talks minus Yasser Arafat. Who are they to tell us who should be our leader and who should not be our leader? The people of Palestine have chosen Arafat as our leader and he continues to be our president. Sharon has virtually imprisoned him in his office. We are in touch with him through phone and letters. He is fine and in high spirits. If need be, we will elect him as our president again. Talks or no talks, Arafat is our president. He is
