SECRETARY-GENERAL CALLS OFF SPECIAL ENVOY'S MISSION TO ISR"L, OCCUPIED TERRITORIES, CITING RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED BY GOVERNMENT
Press Release
SG/SM/6260
SECRETARY-GENERAL CALLS OFF SPECIAL ENVOY'S MISSION TO ISRAEL, OCCUPIED TERRITORIES, CITING RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED BY GOVERNMENT
19970616 The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary- General Kofi Annan:In connection with the resolution adopted by the Emergency Special Session of the General Assembly, the Secretary-General proposed to dispatch as his Special Envoy, Kieran Prendergast, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs to Israel and the occupied territories. Letters were exchanged between the Secretary-General and the Government of Israel and a number of consultations were held between the Charge d'affaires of Israel and the Under- Secretary-General for Political Affairs to discuss the scope of the proposed mission. The restrictions imposed on the scope of the mission by the Government of Israel were not acceptable to the United Nations. Regrettably, it now appears that the mission will not be taking place, since the Secretary- General needs to report to the General Assembly by 25 June.
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