BOB CARR BLOG 5/12 on Israeli settlements

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Papua New Guinea visit – photos

DECEMBER 5, 2012

tags: foreign affairs, Mount Hagen, Papua New Guinea, Rimbink Pato

Foreign Minister Bob Carr addresses staff, patients and community at Mount Hagen Hospital, Papua New Guinea Highlands on December 4, 2012 (Photo: Michael Wightman)

Foreign Minister Bob Carr chats with patients at Mount Hagen Hospital, Papua New Guinea Highlands on December 4, 2012 (Photo: Michael Wightman)

Foreign Minister Bob Carr with PNG Foreign Minister Rimbink Pato at the Mount Hagen market in Papua New Guinea on December 4, 2012 (Photo: Michael Wightman)

Israeli Settlements

DECEMBER 5, 2012

tags: foreign affairs, Israeli settlements, Palestinian Authority, UN

Foreign Minister Bob Carr yesterday instructed the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to call in Israel’s Ambassador to Australia, HE Mr Yuval Rotem, to convey the Australian Government’s grave concern at reports of Israeli decisions to build 3,000 new housing units in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, to unfreeze planning in the area known as E1 and to withhold tax revenue from the Palestinian Authority.

“These actions enormously complicate the prospects for resuming negotiations between the two sides,” Senator Carr said.

Speaking from Papua New Guinea, Senator Carr said the Australian Government had made clear its call to all sides not to exploit or overreact to last week’s vote in the United Nations General Assembly granting non-member observer state status to the Palestinian Authority.

“I am extremely disappointed with these reported Israeli decisions.

“Australia has long opposed all settlement activity.

“Such activity threatens the viability of a two-state solution without which there will never be security in Israel.

“Israel’s reported decision to unfreeze planning of the area known as E1 is especially counter-productive.

“Australia has also conveyed these concerns to the Israeli authorities in Jerusalem.

“The Australian Government urges both sides to return urgently to the negotiation table in good faith,” Senator Carr said.

The meeting between DFAT officials and Ambassador Rotem took place at 2:00pm yesterday in Canberra.

Reducing sexual and domestic violence in Papua New Guinea

DECEMBER 2, 2012

tags: foreign affairs, foreign aid, Papua New Guinea, Peter O'Neill,violence against women

Foreign Minister Bob Carr today announced $370,000 for four Family and Sexual Violence (FSV) units in Papua New Guinea, offering support for women escaping domestic violence or looking to make complaints of sexual assault.