United Nations, Sept 16: Strongly condemning Israel's decision to expel Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, India has warned that such a move would worsen the situation, could prove politically counterproductive and lead to increased wave of anger and resultant violence in West Asia.
"His expulsion and removal from the scene would be indefensible in international law. It represents an affront to the Palestinian people as well as the international community at large and must attract severest condemnation," Indian ambassador to UN Vijay Nambiar told the Security Council yesterday.

Not only would it not serve any constructive purpose, the move would negate all efforts towards reconciliation and have negative impact on the peace process, he stressed.

Participating in a debate on the situation in the Middle East and the Israeli decision, Nambiar also "strongly" condemned all acts of terrorism and violence and asserted that there can be no justification whatsoever for attacks against unarmed civilians, women and children.


"Only a complete cessation of violence can provide conducive environment for a continuation of dialogue," he said.


Nambiar also urged both Palestinians and Israelis to fulfill their obligations under the "quartet roadmap" and strongly emphasized that every effort should be made to implement it so that a durable peace and the dream of two states - Palestine and Israel - living within secured and recognised border could be achieved.
Bureau Report