ACTIVITIES OF SECRETARY-GENERAL IN PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY, 22 JUNE

On his way to Damascus from Jerusalem, the Secretary-General travelled to Ramalah to meet with Yassir Arafat, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization and President of the Palestinian Authority. President Arafat presented the Secretary-General with a medal, the Bethlehem 2000 Award, normally given to visiting Heads of State. The Secretary-General briefed President Arafat on the latest developments on southern Lebanon and the two went on to discuss the state of the Middle East peace process.

At a press encounter after the meeting, Mr. Arafat said that the Palestinians just want full implementation of existing agreements. "Mr. Secretary-General", he concluded, "we need you, we need your good offices, we need your efforts to move the peace process forward". The Secretary-General responded that the United Nations would continue to support United States mediation efforts "in any way we can".

The Secretary-General and his party then returned to Amman, Jordan, by car, from where they flew to Damascus, Syria.