6. GERMANY
by Martin Kobler, Head of the German Representative Office, Jericho

There is no typical German position on the Arab-Israeli conflict but the general German attitude is derived from certain parameters:

1. Since the Venice Declaration (1980), Germany has adopted the general EU position as set out in the declaration.

2. Germany's position on the Middle East is not separable from its relationship to Israel, in turn historically determined by the holocaust and the subsequent policy of Wiedergutmachung.

With the 10 point-plan of 23 September 1993, German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel reoriented the German position towards the Arab-Israeli conflict. Among the 10 points were the following:

1. Upgrading of the relationship with the PLO. Chairman Arafat's visit to Germany in December 1993 took place following an official invitation and consisted of official talks. The PLO Representative Office in Bonn was renamed the "Directorate General".

2. Germany is ready for a dialogue with critics of the peace process. Germany has always opted for peace in the Middle East but is aware that the process has opponents who need to be convinced. Therefore, Germany has adopted a policy of strengthening the peace process through dialogue with opposing countries (such as Iran, Libya, Syria, etc.) in order to constructively back the ongoing efforts of those who search for peace.

3. Germany attends all donor conferences, underlining its economic commitment to the peace process in addition to her political commitment.

4. Germany is ready to put pressure on Arab countries in order to encourage them to back the peace process both economically and politically.

5. Germany took over the stewardship of trade within the framework of the Regional Economic Development Working Group (REDWG)

6. Germany is conducting an intensive dialogue with Syria.

With respect to the ongoing peace process, Germany's involvement includes the following:

- Economically, Germany backs mechanisms such as the Casablanca Summit as a tool to enhance peaceful relations in the region.

- On the multilateral track, Germany has joined as third partner in the Jordanian-Israeli Yarmouk water project, although this has led to criticism among the Palestinians who were not included in the project.

- Regarding security issues, Germany can contribute through its experience of confidence-building measures after World War II.

- Germany is fully committed to the EU Aid Programme.

- Germany has recently announced that from 1996 on, Israel will no longer be considered a developing country. Consequently, German financial aid (140 million DM annually) which used to go to Israel only will be re-directed into regional development projects in such fields as water, transport, and infrastructure development.