Mr. Speaker, today, the government and parliament welcome a political leader with an extraordinary record.
Reaction to the President of the Palestinian Authority, Yasser Arafat, by either adversary, supporter or international public opinion is never one of indifference.
For the past 30 years, under his guidance, the Palestinian people have fought heroically against oppression and repression.
It was under his guidance that the Oslo agreement was signed enabling the Palestinian people to enjoy a form of recognition and political autonomy and providing for the establishment of the Palestinian Authority in some of the land occupied by the Israelis since 1967.
The Palestinian people have a long road ahead of them toward a global, just and sustainable peace that will provide them with security, a complete state, the return of refugees, and normal economic, social and cultural conditions.
I hope this visit will provide an opportunity for officials in our country to assure the Palestinian Authority of our support in its people's struggle to recover its rights and territory.