Palestine says Romney comments ‘undermining peace hopes’September 20, 2012 - 15:37 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A senior Palestinian official says Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is undermining hopes for peace and democracy in the Middle East. According to The Associated Press, Saeb Erekat, a top aide to President Mahmoud Abbas, rejected Romney's recent video remark to donors that the Palestinians have "no interest whatsoever" in peace. Speaking at a news conference Thursday, Sept 20, Erekat said "no one stands to gain more from peace than the Palestinians, and no one stands to lose from the absence of peace like the Palestinians." He said those who tolerated Israel's continued occupation of Palestinian territories are "working against democracy and peace." Erekat also urged world leaders to "create hope and opportunities, not despair." Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Government reveals details from Pashinyan’s meeting in border village Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with a group of residents of a border village in Armenia’s northern Tavush province Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. |