Former Israeli prime minister Shimon Peres said in Berlin Thursday he did not think there was a danger of the Middle East violence escalating into war.
"I do not believe there is a danger of war in the Middle East," Peres, who is on a tour of Europe to explain the Israeli position, told reporters in Berlin.
Israel had no choice but to continue negotiations with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, he said, despite confusion about whether Arafat actually had control over Palestinians demonstrating violently against Israeli troops and settlers.
"I must admit we can't nominate the head of Palestine. It's their choice. On occasion Arafat was a reasonable partner but there were other times when he made mistakes," Peres said.
"We aren't going to fire him as a partner. It's not our job," he said.
Peres said he felt German Chancellor, Gerhard Schroeder, could play a role in peace efforts.
"A clear message must be delivered that you can't fire and negotiate at the same time. It can't work. Germany is a central player in Europe and Europe has an important say in the whole story," Peres said.
Peres was in Berlin for meetings with Schroeder, as well as Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer and President Johannes Rau.
Currently minister for regional cooperation, Peres is traveling as an envoy of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak.
Peres was Wednesday in Paris where he met French President Jacques Chirac and Prime Minister Lionel Jospin.
He was in the Vatican and Italy on Tuesday – BERLIN (AFP)
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