THE ruling party, yesterday, was emphatic in its condemnation of the extremist terrorist actions advanced under the umbrella of ISIS, which have affected the lives of thousands and resulted in the death of countless more, including the recent beheading of two American journalists.

“The PPP condemns the atrocities committed by ISIS in the name of Islam. Such actions have nothing in common with the great teachings of Islam which has as its main pillar the precepts of peace and brotherhood,” the party said.
However, in calling on the United States of America (U.S.A.) to use its “enormous influence” in the Region, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has warned that there is no “one-size that fits all models to democracy and governance” – a fact the world superpower must take into account.
“[Also] long established systems and traditions must be respected and taken into account in any attempt to arrive at a political solution. It is that ethno-centrist approach to problem solving, which is a tendency to regard that which is good for America as good for the rest of the world, that is partly responsible for the continuing conflict in a number of Arab countries, especially following the so-called Arab Spring which has now degenerated to political and social instability and chaos as is the case in Iraq, Egypt and Syria among other Muslim states,” the party said.
RETURN PALESTINIAN LANDS
The PPP also highlighted the state of Israel and Palestine and called on the U.S.A. to “put pressure” on Israel to return all lands seized to the Palestinian people and for that country to cease forthwith all acts of provocation.
“The PPP is of the firm conviction that any solution to the crisis in the Middle East must take into account the legitimate concerns of the Palestinian people, who for decades were denied a land which they could call their home,” the party said.
The ruling party added that it is “strongly opposed” to the establishment of new states through resort to force and terror and joins with progressive forces throughout the world to demand an immediate end to the prevailing “dastardly” acts.
The party said, “The PPP notes with some satisfaction the current truce between the two sides in the conflict and calls on the international community to intervene to ensure that there is no further escalation to the crisis which has already claimed hundreds of lives and destruction to millions of dollars in buildings and other infrastructure.”
To this end, the PPP restated its “full solidarity” with the Palestinian people and all democratic forces in the Arab world that are struggling for freedom and democracy.

(By Vanessa Narine)