SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES PRESIDENT BUSH’S REAFFIRMATION THAT MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS OUTCOME SHOULD BE PALESTINIAN STATE, ISRAELI SECURITY

                                                            SG/SM/8285

                                                            24 June 2002

SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES PRESIDENT BUSH’S REAFFIRMATION THAT MIDDLE EAST

PEACE PROCESS OUTCOME SHOULD BE PALESTINIAN STATE, ISRAELI SECURITY

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

The Secretary-General welcomes President Bush’s reaffirmation today that the outcome of the Middle East peace process should be the establishment of a viable and credible State of Palestine, based on Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973), and security for Israel.  He urges Israelis and Palestinians to muster the courage and political will to make it possible within three years to replace the Israeli occupation of 1967by a negotiated settlement with two States living side by side in peace and security.

The Secretary-General continues to believe that there is no military solution to the conflict.  With the situation on the ground eroding by the day, he reiterates the urgent need for the international community to work swiftly with the parties to restart a political process that will lead to the realization of such an outcome.  The Secretary-General looks forward to continuing consultations with the United Nations’ partners in the Quartet (European Union, Russian Federation and United States) and with the parties and key regional actors to determine the next steps towards achieving this.

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