SECRETARY-GENERAL HOPES COMMITMENT BY PRESIDENT ARAFAT WILL LEAD TO CESSATION OF VIOLENCE

SECRETARY-GENERAL HOPES COMMITMENT BY PRESIDENT ARAFAT

WILL LEAD TO CESSATION OF VIOLENCE

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

The Secretary-General was pleased to hear of the commitment given to his Special Envoy tonight by President Arafat.  He hopes that this will lead to a cessation of violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, observed by both sides. He also hopes that the planned meeting between President Arafat and Foreign Minister Peres will take place as soon as possible, and will enable both parties to engage in well prepared and substantive talks, leading to the resumption of the peace process.  The need for a negotiated political settlement, based on United Nations Security Council resolutions 242 and 338 and the principle of land for peace, has never been greater.

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