Daily Star - Germany will host Palestinian refugees to reach peace - envoy - September 25, 2010

BEIRUT: Germany is ready to host a number of Palestinian refugees if this helps in reaching a just and comprehensive solution to the Middle East conflict, An-Nahar quoted a German official as saying in its Friday’s issue.

“It is only during the period of final-status negotiations that Germany can accommodate a number of them [refugees] if this helps [reach] a just and comprehensive solution,” said chairman of the foreign affairs committee in the German Parliament Robert Bollens.

Asked about the potential number of such refugees, Bollens said “it is too early to specify it now. It will depend on the facts that will be available.”

The German official was addressing a gathering of MPs, scholars and media figures, convened by the German Charge d’Affaire in Lebanon Michael Pierhoff, to discuss Germany’s position regarding Lebanon, Syria, the peace process and the Iranian nuclear program.

Bollens, who held talks with Syrian President Bashar Assad in Damascus before heading to Beirut, quoted Assad as saying that “the situation in Lebanon is very tense and worsening.”

Bollens said he did not touch on the Special Tribunal for Lebanon – probing the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri – with the Syrian President during talks.

He said his talks with the Syrian officials were “good,” as he praised Assad for the “important” ties he established with Iran and Turkey.

He said Assad was working on restoring Syria’s relations with the US.

Asked why Germany wouldn’t provide aid to the Lebanese Army, Bollens voiced Germany’s readiness to embark on such a move.

“But we want to know who dominates it [the Lebanese Army],” he said.

He denied that the UN Interim Force in Lebanon’s maritime division was being neglected, reiterating his country’s commitment to continue participating in the multi-national peace-keeping force.

Bollens voiced Germany’s keenness on good relations between Muslims, “contrary to other extremist groups.” – The Daily Star