Annan calls for increased aid to organization that assists Palestinian refugees
Palestine-UN, Economics, 11/16/2005

Increased aid to Palestinian refugees would contribute to stability and hope in the Middle East even as a final, just and practical solution to the problem is sought with renewed vigour after recent positive developments, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said today.

Recent developments in the region, particularly the Israeli disengagement from the Gaza Strip, gave rise to new hope that the peace process could be put back on track," Annan told the hosts and donors of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the main organization for humanitarian aid to those refugees, at their meeting in Amman Jordan.

That had not yet happened, he noted, saying that all interested parties must try to ensure that this period of hope does not end, as others had, in bitter disappointment.

"As we do that, the work of UNRWA and what it represents to the four generations of Palestine refugees is indispensable," he said in the message, delivered by Karen Koning AbuZayd, Commissioner-General of UNRWA.

Paying tribute to both the resourcefulness of the refugees and the generosity of the donors, he said that "UNRWA's programmes in education, health care, microfinance and other aspects of human development have ensured that the basic humanitarian and human development needs of the refugees are addressed, and have given them hope that their plight is not forgotten."

Marking the fact that the meeting was taking place in Jordan, Annan reiterated his sympathy for the family of those killed and wounded in the suicide bombings of three Amman hotels one week ago.

"Such acts can never be condoned, but must incite us all to confront terrorism and work for peaceful solutions to conflict, in the Near East and throughout the world," he said.

Later today, after a meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Annan reiterated his call for international support, in the context of the agreement on Gaza access that was signed with Israel yesterday.

"As you know, the Quartet and the United Nations have been working very closely with President Abbas to assist in this process," he said. "And I think it is important that the international community maintain its assistance and interest in this problem."

Praising Abbas, Annan reported that the President affirmed that reforms of the Authority will go forward and elections will proceed as planned, with assistance from the UN.

"So, I want to congratulate you on yesterday's agreement," he said, addressing Abbas. "Agreement is fine, but the most important is implementation. So I hope both sides will implement it faithfully and expeditiously."

Previous Stories:
  UN panel on Palestinian Rights marks 30th anniversary but sees failure of peace efforts   (11/11/2005)
  UN prescription for reviving Palestinian economy   (8/25/2005)
  UN rights experts call on Israel to remove barrier on occupied Palestinian territory   (8/4/2005)

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