Canada should recognize the PLO as “the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people,” the Canadian Arab Federation (CAF) has suggested to a parliamentary committee on Canada’s international relations.
Canada should recognize the PLO because “the overwhelming majority of Palestinians, inside and outside Israeli occupied territories, do so recognize it,” and because the United Nations and 120 individual nations accord it official status, Sami Hadawi and Rashad Saleh told the Special Joint Committee on Canada’s International Relations.
Set up by External Affairs Minister Joe Clark, the committee, composed of Members of Parliament and Senators, is holding public hearings across the country on Canada’s foreign relations. Its report to Parliament is due May 31.
Canada does not currently recognize the PLO. Its policy is not to do so until the PLO renounces the use of terrorism and recognizes Israel’s right to exist. However, Canada does permit its lower level diplomats around the world to have dealings with representatives of the PLO.
Because Canada was a leader in bringing an end to the 1956 Suez crisis, it should “take up the challenge” of recognizing the PLO under Yasir Arafat, Hadawi told the committee.
Other recommendations the CAF made at the special committee includes calling on Canada to: follow “an independent policy” in the Middle East, free from international and especially U.S. influence; divest itself of the influences “of party politics and internal pressure groups” in its Mideast policy; respect “the will of the majority” at the United Nations; recognize all UN resolutions relating to “the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination” and all UN resolutions dealing with repatriation of refugees and financial compensation for damages sustained and property seized in 1948; and to use its position in the area to increase trade with Arab countries.
Hadawi told the lawmakers that “if Canada would recognize the PLO and find out exactly what it wants, that would start the ball rolling. I feel certain Canada would support the PLO.”
Toronto MP Reg Stackhouse wanted to know what message the PLO would give Canada if talks between the two ever opened. Hadawi said the main message would be “to get Israel out of the occupied territories.”
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