From: Ismail Zayid

To: manlej@parl.gc.ca

Sent: Friday, February 16, 2001 10:03 PM

Subject: Palestinian Refugees.

 

Canada Palestine Association,
P.O.Box, 1085
Halifax,NS, B3J 2X1

The Hon. Mr. John Manley, MP

Minister of Foreign Affairs

Ottawa.

Feb.16, 2001

Dear Mr. Manley:

Thank you for your e-mail message of Feb. 13, 2001.

I think there seems to be some misunderstanding of the principles of international legitimacy and the Right of Return for Palestinian refugees. UN Resolution # 194 and The Universal Declaration of Human Rights stipulate clearly that the right of return for refugees is an individual right that is not subject to negotiation between the occupying power and any authority, including the Palestinian authority or Mr. Arafat.

Furthermore, it is inexplicable how Israel is allowed to remain above international law, as a result of the unquestioning support it receives from the US and its uncritical allies. Israel stands today in illegal occupation of The West Bank,i ncluding East Jerusalem, and Gaza , for over 33 years, in complete defiance of Security Council Resolutions. Its expropriation of Palestinian land and the creation of illegal Jewish settlements , let alone the continuing violation of the human rights of Palestinians under occupation, are in defiance of Security Counvil resolutions and The Fourth Geneva Convention. The implementation of Security Council resolutions does not require negotiation or bargaining. When Iraq illegally occupied Kuwait, no one, including the US and Canada, said let the two parties negotiate or if Saddam Hussein offered to withdraw from 95% of Kuwait, that would be considered 'generous concessions'.

Finally, sir, we call on our government to stand by its claim to uphold the UN Charter and international law, which must be considered applicable even to Israel.

Yours sincerely

Ismail Zayid, MD,

President, Canada Palestine Association.