SECRETARY-GENERAL URGES INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO PRESS MIDEAST PARTIES TO END VIOLENCE

SECRETARY-GENERAL URGES INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO PRESS

MIDEAST PARTIES TO END VIOLENCE

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

The Secretary-General is very disturbed at the trend of developments in the Middle East, and most recently the Israeli reoccupation of six Palestinian-controlled towns in the West Bank.  Such actions are in contravention of agreements signed during the Oslo peace process, and significantly increase tensions in a volatile situation.

The Secretary-General strongly deplores the killing of four Palestinian civilians, including three children, in Jenin on 21 June, as well as the apparent extrajudicial killing of six Palestinians in Gaza earlier today.  He reiterates his call on both sides to comply fully with the obligations under international humanitarian law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention.

The Secretary-General emphasizes the urgent need for the international community to press the parties to end the violence and to return to the path of political negotiations.  There remains no alternative to the resumption of a viable political process between Israelis and Palestinians.

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