Peres emphasizes India's role in W Asia peace process

Jerusalem, Aug 20 (UNI) Israeli President Shimon Peres has said India could greatly contribute to West Asia peace process as it enjoys excellant relations with both the Arab world and Israel.

''India can built a necessary atmopshere for achieving lasting and durable peace in the region,'' Mr Peres told a delegation of Muslim clerics from India here last evening.

The Nobel Prize winner, who played a pivotal role in the Oslo accords between Israel and the Palestinians, hailed India for its strong secular and democratic credentials. ''India is the largest democracy in the world and it is an excellant example of harmony and amity among various communities,'' he said.

The delegation, led by Maulana Omer Ahmed Ilyasi also presented a shawl and a bust of Mahatama Gandhi, an apostle of peace, to the Israeli President.

Qari Hifzur Rehman Meerathi of Rabita Ulema Hind, Khwaja Afzal of Dargah Nizamuddin Aulia and Khawja Iftikar Ahmed of Interfaith Harmony Foundation were also present at the meeting.

Mr Peres lauded the Indian clerics for displaying courage to visit Israel. He said that he was aware of strong protests in India and elsewhere against the visit of Muslim clergy to Israel.

Later talking to Indian media, the president hoped to achieve breakthrough in the Palestine-Israeli logjam in the coming months.

Asked whether he can fix any time frame for establishment of seperate Palestine state, he said that an international peace conference will be held later this year for this purpose. The Conference will be attended by a number of Muslim countries besides the UN, the United States, EU, Britain and Russia.

''We plan a ''Declaration of Principles'' at the conclusion of the conference that will draw broad contours of the peace plan in the region, he said.

Earlier in the day, the delegation held a detailed meeting with Chief Rabbis of Israel Rabbi Shlom Masle and Rabbi Yana Metzger.

The Jewish leaders said religion should not be used for spreading hatred, but for promoting greater understanding among various faiths and sects. The religious leaders can play an important role in moderating the society, they noted.

The Rabbis admitted that there were several political and military problems between Jews and Muslims and these can be resolved through dialogue.

The All India Organisation of Imam and the Chief Rabbinate Council also signed a document to promote harmony among the two communities.

Khwaja Afzal asked the Jewish religious leaders not to adopt vindictive policies against Palestinians. The Jews had faced worst persecution from Germans, so they should be extra careful while dealing with the Palestinians, who are struggling for the last six decades for their own homeland.

The delegation also visited immigration and absorption centre of Israelis, where hundreds of Jews from various countries come to become citizens of Israel under the ''Land of Return'' law.

UNI