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Maen Areikat, Ambassador to the United States, Palestinian Liberation Organization reads the letter sent by President Abbas on the occasion of the ATFP Fifth Annual Gala.
TRANSCRIPT:
Dr. Ziad Asali,
President, American Task Force on Palestine
Dear Dr. Asali, ladies and gentlemen:
I extend my best wishes to your members and guests at your Fifth Annual Gala, and to all participants in this important event for the American Task Force on Palestine. I wish you success in achieving your goals as American citizens of Palestinian origin as you seek to effectively influence your society and country. This will have a positive impact on the Palestinian cause and the peace process given the importance of the United States.
It brings me pleasure and pride that members of our Palestinian community have achieved such astounding successes in such various fields.
The theme of your gathering - "Building Palestine, the Indispensible State for Peace" - has become an imperative that enjoys the widest international acceptance and support. I want to stress that the path to peace must be achieved through ending the occupation that occurred in 1967 and the establishment of the state of Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its capital, living side by side with the state of Israel.
The role of the United States in achieving the peace we seek in our region is central and indispensable. American policies regarding the conflict have gone through an important evolution which we highly value. During the administrations of Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, and now with the Administration of President Barack Obama, the United States has come to acknowledge our right to self-determination, and the need for establishing our independent state and ending the occupation that occurred in 1967. The United States also opposes all forms of Israeli settlement activity in our land. In addition, the United States contributes economically and financially in supporting the institutions of the Palestinian National Authority.
You, as American citizens in this great country whose people believe in freedom and democracy, are playing a role that we highly appreciate in advocating the justice of our people's cause. Our people yearn for freedom, peace, and to live in a free, democratic, independent state like the rest of the peoples of this world.
May God bless you and guide you on your path,
Ramallah, October 13, 2010
Mahmoud Abbas
President of the State of Palestine
Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization
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