sofokleous10.gr

Prime Minister George Papandreou, in his capacity as Socialist International (SI) president, on Saturday sent two separate letters by the group, the first to heads of state and governments of the G-20 countries, and the other to a handful of top international political leaders regarding the explosive situation in the Middle East.

In his letter to G-20 leaders, Papandreou refers to the SI's resolution regarding the global economy and economic reforms.

The SI president cites a wide consensus in opinion by the 350 participants at the SI's recent council regarding a necessary exit strategy from the ongoing international financial crisis.

Moreover, he notes that although the G-20 represent some two-thirds of the world's population, nevertheless it is important that the voices of countries not represented on the G-20 be heard.

Among others, Papandreou refers to a tax on certain financial transactions, which he said will forever preclude the necessity for taxpayers to again bail-out banks, as well as accumulating capital for rolling back poverty in the world.

In his second letter, addressed to UN Chief Ban Ki-Moon, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Baroness Ashton of Upholland -- the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy -- and to Tony Blair, the Quartet's representative for the Middle East, Papandreou publicises the SI council's statement regarding the Middle East.

Papandreou lists both the Israeli and Palestinian delegates to the SI council meeting as contributing to the resolution, stressing that the organisation calls for a substantive commitment towards ending the cycle of violence and polarisation in the Mideast. Additionally, the SI calls for all sides to contribute to the establishment of an independent, democratic and sovereign Palestinian state that will live side-by-side in peace with a secure state of Israel. A one-year timetable is also set for this goal.