SECRETARY-GENERAL’S PERSONAL ENVOY VISITS SEOUL, BEIJING; REAFFIRMS SUPPORT FOR NEGOTIATING PROCESS ON KOREAN PENINSULA

SECRETARY-GENERAL’S PERSONAL ENVOY VISITS SEOUL, BEIJING; REAFFIRMS

SUPPORT FOR NEGOTIATING PROCESS ON KOREAN PENINSULA

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

The Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General, Maurice F. Strong, had a round of high-level discussions last week in Seoul on issues related to the Korean Peninsula.  There was a sense of cautious optimism, in the context of the six-party meetings in Beijing, on the prospects for a peaceful resolution of the current impasse.  Mr. Strong also visited Beijing this week, where he welcomed the holding of the six-party talks and commended China’s important role in convening this useful forum.  In both Seoul and Beijing, Mr. Strong reaffirmed the active support of the Secretary-General for continuation of the negotiating process towards a comprehensive settlement.  The Secretary-General will continue to consult closely with the parties involved on this critical issue.

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