SECRETARY-GENERAL PLEASED BY OPENING OF GAZA-EGYPT BORDER CROSSING, HOPES COOPERATION WILL MARK OTHER DISENGAGEMENT ISSUES

SECRETARY-GENERAL PLEASED BY OPENING OF GAZA-EGYPT BORDER CROSSING,

HOPES COOPERATION WILL MARK OTHER DISENGAGEMENT ISSUES

The following statement was issued on 25 November by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General noted with satisfaction today's official opening of the Gaza-Egypt border crossing in Rafah.  He extends his congratulations to the Palestinian people, and wishes the Palestinian Authority well on taking up this historic responsibility.

The Secretary-General appreciates the important decision made by the Government of Israel to open the crossing.  He pays tribute to the tireless efforts exerted by the Quartet Special Envoy, James Wolfensohn, that have rendered the agreement possible.  He also expresses his gratitude to United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and to the European Union for its third party role in the implementation of the agreement.

The Secretary-General hopes that the same spirit of cooperation will be brought to the implementation of the other access and movement issues agreed upon as part of the disengagement process.

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For information media • not an official record