Gaza - Farrakhan addresses press conference

(15 Dec 1997) T/I: 10:11:50


The controversial US Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan has crossed back into Jordan without calling back through Israel following Sunday's (14/12) surprise visit to the Palestinian territories on what he dubbed a peace mission.
On the way through to the West Bank Farrakhan passed through Israel to Gaza City for a meeting with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Both men hailed the talks as a valuable oportunity - Farrakhan later urging the US administration to take a tougher line with Israel.

SHOWS:

GAZA CITY, GAZA 14/12
Pan exterior PLA office in Gaza;
VS photo-opportunity of meeting between Louis Farrakhan and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat;
Farrakhan and Arafat walk outside for presser;
SOT Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat: "The opportunity to meet our brother in our land, in the holy land, and we spoke in detail of the difficulties we are facing and have to push forward the peace process and to protect it. We are very glad to have this opportunity";
SOT Louis Farrakhan: "I think the US has a great role to play because the US has great leverage with the govt and people of Israel. After all billions of dollars of US taxpayers money comes to Israel every year, this should give president Clinton enough leverage to insist that certain things be done to put the peace process back on track. However if Mr Clinton fails to do his part, then of course this could escalate into other cycles of violence we do not wish to see";
SOT Louis Farrakhan: "There is enough blame in this process for a lot of people to share. But I'm sure if we give our word, it should be our bond, and when we break our word there should be a reminder we have broken it and some encouragement to fulfil it. So those who broke their word are the problem, those who signed and will not encourage us to keep our word are also a part of the problem";
SOT Louis Farrakhan: "Peple who are oppressed have a right to struggle, however the unity of the moslem world backing president Arafat would make it unecessary for any individual or group to engage in any behaviour that takes the lives of innocent people for political purposes";
Farrakhan leaves;
Arafat returns to office.

2.23

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