SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS BOMBINGS IN JERUSALEM, HAIFA AS TERRORISM; CALLS ON PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY TO BRING THOSE RESPONSIBLE TO JUSTICE

SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS BOMBINGS IN JERUSALEM, HAIFA AS TERRORISM;

CALLS ON PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY TO BRING THOSE RESPONSIBLE TO JUSTICE

The following statement was issued by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Sunday, 2 December:

The Secretary-General is shocked and horrified by the bombings in Jerusalem and Haifa that have taken such a heavy toll of human life in the past few hours.  No cause and no motive can ever justify the deliberate murder of innocent civilians.  The Secretary General unequivocally condemns these acts as terrorism.  They undermine those who are working on all sides for peace and justice.

The Secretary-General calls on the Palestinian Authority to take immediate and decisive action to arrest and bring to justice those responsible for these and earlier acts of terrorism.

The Secretary-General sends his heartfelt condolences to the families of all those who were killed or injured in the bomb attacks, and to the Government of Israel.

Even at this very difficult time, the Secretary-General cannot overemphasize the importance of persevering with the search for a peaceful settlement based on Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973) and the principle of land for peace.

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