BRUSSELS, March 29, 2007, (WAFA)- President of the European United Left/Nordic Green Left (GUE/NGL), Francis Wurtz told High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana, that the EU should resume direct aid for Palestine and immediately recognise the new government of National Unity in the European Parliament today.

"The occupation of Palestine is totally unbearable for the people living under it - the spectre of civil war hanging over daily life. It is obvious that the recent commitments of the Palestinian government of National Unity are not being matched on the Israeli side. Direct EU assistance must be restored and this administration recognised," Wurtz said, according to GUE/NGL Group reported on Thursday.

He drew the plenary session's attention to the presence of Palestinian Minister of Culture Bassam Al-Salhi in the Parliament "an eminent representative of democratic forces" and highlighted the cross-party appeal of MEPs in favour of the recognition of the new Palestinian government that was presented to the minister at a GUE/NGL reception yesterday.

Meanwhile, concentrating his intervention on the issue of the possible deployment of a US missile defence system in the Czech Republic and Poland, Jiří Maštálka (GUE/NGL, Czech Rep.) highlighted the massive public opposition to the project in his country and demanded a clear EU position on the matter.

"Saying that this is a bilateral issue is akin to dodging the question. The EU must be able to say difficult things and take a strong stance on such important issues" he warned Solana.

Also backing this position on the issue of the proposed missile defence system, Greek GUE/NGL MEP Dimitrios Papadimoulis stressed the importance of the EU taking a clear position.

"The Council can't continue to pretend to be blind. It must act rapidly and in accordance with public opinion against the 'Bush shield'. Our group will be seeking a European Parliament resolution on this," the GUE/NGL concluded.

S.A.S. (13:48 P) (11:48 GMT)