PRESS STATEMENT ON ISRAELI DISENGAGEMENT BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

PRESS STATEMENT ON ISRAELI DISENGAGEMENT BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

Following is the text of today’s press statement by the President of the Security Council, Kenzo Oshima ( Japan):

The members of the Security Council welcome the beginning of the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and parts of the northern West Bank and they commend the ongoing implementation of this process.

The members of the Security Council appreciate the coordination between the Israeli Government and the Palestinian Authority before and during the disengagement.  They commend the assistance of James Wolfensohn, the Quartet Special Envoy for Gaza Disengagement, in ensuring the smooth and successful implementation of the process and an orderly assumption of responsibilities by the Palestinian Authority.  They call for further cooperation between both sides in the forthcoming period.

The members of the Security Council underline the importance of full and complete disengagement in a manner consistent with the Road Map.

The members of the Security Council believe that successful disengagement can be the first step toward a resumption of the peace process.  They reiterate their call upon both parties, in close cooperation with the Quartet, to ensure continued progress in the full implementation of the Road Map and relevant Security Council resolutions towards the creation of an independent, viable, democratic and sovereign State of Palestine living side by side with Israel in peace and security.

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For information media • not an official record