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A Palestinian National Authority (PNA)official on Sunday called upon British Prime Minister Tony Blair to denounce Israel's ban on a Palestinian delegation to attend the London-brokered conference slated for Jan. 13-14.
Palestinian Minister of Local Government Saeb Erekat said in a statement, "We urge Mr. Blair to stand in front of the world and speak frankly about what the government in Israel is doing to destroy all efforts to save the peace process."
"Preventing the Palestinian delegation to head to London and the current Israeli military escalation against the Palestinians are the evidence," said Erekat.
He said the Palestinian Central Council is due to approve a state constitution, but Israel is blocking all Palestinian efforts to reform and hold parliamentary and presidential elections.
"I wander why the United States, Europe, Russia and the United Nations were not able to compel (Ariel) Sharon to let the Palestinian delegation leave for London," said Erekat.
"How those countries would oblige this (Sharon) to stop settlements, end his aggressive war against the Palestinians and return to the negotiation table," Erekat added.
The Israeli government decided not to let the Palestinian delegation head to London in the aftermath of a twin suicide bombing attack which killed 23 people in Tel Aviv last Sunday.
The PNA announced Saturday it will take part in the talks over phone.
(Xinhua News Agency January 13, 2003)
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