Israelis and Palestinians should not let extremists ‘hijack’ peace process, Annan says
Calling on Israel and the Palestinians not to “allow extremists to hijack the process and dictate agendas,” United Nations Secretary-General today urged both sides to “recognize that they are partners in this endeavour and can only succeed or fail together” in the search for peace in the Middle East.
In a message to the UN International Meeting in Support of Middle East Peace in Kyiv, Ukraine, delivered by Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Danilo Turk, Mr. Annan warned against all unilateral acts – from terrorist attacks and arbitrary assassination to house demolitions and settlement activities.
Noting the appointment of a Palestinian Prime Minister and publication of the Road Map peace plan by the diplomatic Quartet – comprised of the UN, United States, Russian Federation and European Union, he said – “Today, we find ourselves at a historic juncture in the quest for peace between Israelis and Palestinians.”
The Road Map calls for a series of parallel steps by both sides over the next three years towards a realizing the vision of two states, Israel and Palestine, living side-by-side in peace and security.
“The responsibility to bring this process to a successful conclusion rests primarily with the parties themselves,” Mr. Annan declared. “Terrorist attacks against civilians, arbitrary assassinations, arrests and detentions, house demolitions, stifling closures and blockades, settlement activities – all unilateral measures of one kind or another should come to an end. There should be no new victims added to the more than 3,000 already dead and the thousands of wounded. Children, women and all innocent civilians should at long last be able to live in peace and security.”
Warning against complacency at the recent positive developments, the Secretary-General cautioned: “Violence has not subsided yet and major efforts will be necessary to ensure that terrorist attacks and military incursions do not take place and undermine the prospects of implementation of the Quartet's Road Map.”
The two-day Kyiv meeting was convened by the UN Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People on the theme “Promoting a comprehensive dialogue on the political, security and economic factors critical for resolving the current crisis and resuming the peace process.”
Experts are set to assess the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, discuss the Road Map, and exchange views on modalities for a peaceful settlement of the conflict. Those invited to attend include high-level officials from host government Ukraine and the Palestinian Authority, internationally renowned experts including Israelis and Palestinians, representatives of UN Member States and observers, parliamentarians, representatives of the UN system and other intergovernmental organizations, the academic community and representatives of non-governmental organizations.