Annan calls for middle east force
Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/15/2002

In a brief press encounter with reporters in Geneva Sunday, Secretary-General Kofi Annan was asked about the situation in the Middle East, and he discussed his concern about the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian refugee camps, saying, "Once we get access to the camps, I think we are all going to have a lot of work to do."

Noting the "appalling" humanitarian and human rights situation, he said, "I think the proposition that a force should be sent in there to create a secure environment, as well as provide space for diplomatic and political negotiations, can no longer be deferred. It is urgent; it is imperative."

At a press event later in the day, also in Geneva, the Secretary-General was asked to elaborate on the concept of a force. He said he was talking about a force that would help create a secure environment to allow assistance to reach those in need, to enable an end to the killing and to provide space for political and diplomatic negotiations. He said he was not talking about a buffer zone.

Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Kieran Prendergast briefed on the situation in the Middle East, including the Secretary-General's comments on the need for an international force.

In response to questions about the details of such a force, the Spokesman said the Secretary-General was putting forth a concept for a multinational force, not a UN force. He feels that, given how far the situation has deteriorated, more than an observer force is needed. The multinational force would need a lead nation. Also, he said, he feels it must be strong enough that it will not be challenged; however, he added, no numbers have been mentioned.

The force's tasks would be to secure the environment so that negotiations can be conducted and the Palestinian Authority can rebuild its capacity to govern. The first priority, he added, was a cease-fire.

Asked why the Secretary-General was considering this proposal now, Eckhard said that he "sees the situation as going from bad to worse." He said that the Council should bear in mind the experience of Bosnia and Herzegovina, where the carnage was allowed to carry on for years before a meaningful international force was put in place.

The Spokesman added that it was not envisioned that a force would be deployed without the cooperation of both parties. In response to a further question, he said the Secretary-General had not discussed it with the Israeli or Palestinian leadership, or with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization .

Asked why the concept involved a multinational, and not UN, force, the Spokesman said a multinational force could be assembled and deployed quickly. A UN force would take too long, given the gravity of the situation.

The United Nations, the Secretary-General asserted, cannot afford to be neutral in the face of great moral challenges, as is happening today in the Middle East. He warned, "Wanton disregard for human rights and humanitarian law is something we cannot accept. We must let those responsible know that they face the verdict of history."

Asked about whether the Secretary-General was taking sides in the Middle East conflict, the Spokesman said that he was making the moral point that one could not remain neutral as people are killed on both side.

Previous Stories:
  UNESCO condemns Israeli aggression on holy sites   (4/13/2002)
  Israeli occupation forces are stealing the corpses of the Palestinians   (4/13/2002)
  Multinational force can stem Middle East carnage, open space for talks - Annan   (4/13/2002)

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