SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES PALESTINIAN CEASEFIRE ORDER; ISRAELI DECISION TO HALT OFFENSIVE MILITARY OPERATIONS

SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES PALESTINIAN CEASEFIRE ORDER; ISRAELI

DECISION TO HALT OFFENSIVE MILITARY OPERATIONS

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

The Secretary-General very much welcomes the important statement made earlier today by President Yasser Arafat ordering his security services to implement a ceasefire and Israel’s subsequent decision to halt offensive military operations.  The Secretary-General hopes that these constructive steps will pave the way for the resumption of security cooperation between the two sides and that it will contribute to an early and productive meeting between Foreign Minister Shimon Peres and President Arafat.  In the Secretary-General’s view, the highest priority must be given to ending the current cycle of violence and resuming the peace process.

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