Australia not to send cabinet member to Arafat's funeral: PM

Australian Prime Minister John Howard said Wednesday that neither he nor any of his ministers will attend Yasser Arafat's funeral should the ailing Palestinian leader die.

"There would be appropriate representation but it certainly would not be at ministerial level," he told reporters .

"There has to be a recognition on the part of the Palestinians that constant suicide bombing attacks on Israel are not conducive to a lasting settlement and there must be, of course, an acceptance by the Israelis that a two-state solution is the only solution," Howard said.

"We have been a staunch friend and ally and supporter of Israeland continue to be so, but we also believe that the Palestinians have a right to a homeland and I hope that out of all of this ultimately some day, some way, we can achieve a more peaceful outcome," he said.

The Prime Minister added that "It is inappropriate for me to betalking about the impact of a new Palestinian leadership."

Source: Xinhua