Annan: Israel ready to leave Lebanon, Syria is central
Regional-Syria, Politics, 3/23/1998

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Sunday said that, "No comprehensive peace can be achieved in the Middle East without Syria."

In a press conference, Annan added that he has not brought with him any initiative to the Middle East. "I came to hear and listen and when I go back to New York we will consider what to do. The main subjects I have discussed with the leaders of the countries I have visited are the peace process, the UN resolution 425 [on Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon] and Iraq," he said.

On the peace process Annan said: "Syria has made it clear to me that it has the convention that any peace if it is to be durable it must be just and comprehensive. They also conveyed to me that they are very concerned about the current stalemate in the peace process, including the Syrian track. On Lebanon, they stressed deep skepticism about the recent interviews in the Israeli press."

"For my part," Annan said, "I underlined my own belief that there can be no comprehensive peace in the region without Syria, and the settlement will have to be based on the relevant Security Council resolutions, in particular 242, 338. And as regard the UN resolution 425, its implementation will clearly require the understanding and cooperation of all parties concerned."

Replying to questions about the possibility of activating the role of the UN in the Middle East, as it did with Iraq, Annan made it clear that his "intervention in the Iraqi crisis as a Secretary General of the UN came in response to the parties concerned."

Annan was also asked why he has stipulated a US role in the ME rather than talking about UN role or a European role, he replied: "Let me say that all the resolutions we are taking about whether 242, 338 and 425 are UN resolutions and they form the base for fair peace agreements in the region. We are also the only organization which has troops on the ground in the Golan and in south Lebanon. We are actively engaged in the region. If I referred to the US, it is because the US is the mediator which all parties accept. And wherever I have discussions I see that all parties agree to see the US as a mediator and we support this."

On his talks with President Assad and President Elias Hrawi of Lebanon, the prospects of the UN resolution 425 implementation, and whether he trusts Israeli intentions in this respect, Annan said, "I have a responsibility to see the implementation of the UN resolutions occur, and I think that everybody is interested in seeing peace in the region, therefore we have to do what we can do." He added that he received indications from Israel that it is ready to implement 425, which calls for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon.

"This is a new development. I am going to Israel, and I will have the opportunity to have talk with the Israelis and see what they have in mind, and how they see ways of implementation of that resolution."

On what has been said about a possible UN initiative and why Annan says that he brings no plans, the UN Chief said, "I have to make a certain correction: I said I have no initiatives, not no ideas and there is difference between the two, and secondly the sort of reflection that I have made will enable me to make suggestions to all those who are concerned, but the question should be handled delicately and with some restrictions. But it is not possible to tell the press before the parties concerned."

Annan was asked how he views Israel's call for security guarantees before it will leave south Lebanon and said he needs to know more about Israel's intentions before "jumping into any kind of conclusion."

Previous Stories:
  UN chief: talks with Lebanese FM fruitful   (3/21/1998)
  Annan, Meguid discuss Israel-Lebanon and regional problems   (3/20/1998)
  Butler heads to Iraq, after US says no to dialogue with Baghdad   (3/19/1998)

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