In progress at UNHQ

SG/SM/6608

SECRETARY-GENERAL DEPLORES DECISION OF GOVERNMENT OF ISR"L TO EXPAND BOUNDARIES OF JERUSALEM; URGES ISR"L TO RESCIND DECISION

22 June 1998


Press Release
SG/SM/6608


SECRETARY-GENERAL DEPLORES DECISION OF GOVERNMENT OF ISRAEL TO EXPAND BOUNDARIES OF JERUSALEM; URGES ISRAEL TO RESCIND DECISION

19980622 The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary- General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General deplores the decision of the Government of Israel to expand the boundaries of Jerusalem. He regrets that Israel has taken this unilateral action which infringes upon numerous General Assembly and Security Council resolutions regarding the status of Jerusalem. The Secretary-General wishes to remind the Government of Israel that the international community has not recognized the earlier imposition by Israel of its laws, jurisdiction and administration on the City of Jerusalem.

The Secretary-General urges Israel to rescind this unfortunate decision and to make every effort to restart the peace process. Permanent status negotiations would, among other things, address Jerusalem according to the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements of 13 September 1993.

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For information media. Not an official record.