Annan appeals to Arab leaders not to give up search for peace
Palestine-Israel, Politics, 3/14/2002

United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, on Tuesday appealed to the leaders of the Arab world "not to give up on the search for peace."

He urged the Arab leaders "to unite in support of this vision, showing the world and the parties that there is an alternative to war."

Decrying the spiralling violence in the Middle East as "horrifying" carnage, Annan used a speech before the Security Council to directly appeal to the people of Israel and Palestine to stop deadly attacks against each other and to the leaders of the two sides to take urgent steps towards a political settlement through negotiations.

"To the leaders on both sides - Prime Minister Sharon and Chairman Arafat in particular - I say you can lead your peoples away from disaster," the Secretary-General told the Council during a meeting convened at his request.

"You have accepted the Tenet Understandings and the Mitchell recommendations as the basis for negotiations. Today, more than ever, you must recognize that security and political settlement are indivisible. One cannot exist without the other. Many of your friends stand ready to support you if you seize this opportunity," Annan said.

The Secretary-General voiced strong backing for the proposal put forward by Crown Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, calling it "a clear and compelling vision for peace in the Middle East based on the bedrock of Security Council resolutions 242 and 338."

"I call on Mr. Arafat and Sharon immediately to take the necessary political, security and economic steps on the ground which can help realize this vision," Annan said, adding that the Security Council must lend its "full authority and influence to the vital cause of peace."

In giving the Council his assessment of the situation on the ground, the Secretary-General said he was profoundly disturbed by the increasing use of heavy weaponry by Israel in civilian areas.

He also noted that large-scale military operations in pursuit of Palestinian militants had taken place throughout civilian areas and refugee camps in the West Bank and Gaza, causing large-scale loss of life, just as international agencies reported growing disregard on the part of the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) for the safety of medical personnel.

Directing his comments towards the Palestinians, he said, "You have the inalienable right to a viable state within secure, internationally recognized borders." However, he called the deliberate and indiscriminate targeting of civilians "morally repugnant."

Addressing the Israelis, he said: "you have the right to live in peace and security within secure internationally recognized borders. But you must end the illegal occupation."

He called on Israel to stop the bombing of civilian areas, the assassinations, the unnecessary use of lethal force, the demolitions and "the daily humiliation of ordinary Palestinians."

Previous Stories:
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  Israel reoccupied Palestinian areas, 10 Palestinians killed, scores wounded   (3/13/2002)
  Arafat: Israeli escalation proceeds according to plan   (3/12/2002)

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