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UN'S BAN
KI-MOON: DONORS MUST REVIVE PALESTINIAN ECONOMY TO FORGE PEACE WITH ISRAEL:
18/12/2007 (MaximsNews Network)
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UNITED NATIONS - / MaximsNews Network /
- 18 December 2007 --
Yesterday, Ban Ki-moon appealed to
international donors to reduce the gap between the hopes raised by last
month’s re-launching of peace efforts and the dire situation in the
Palestinian territory in an effort to settle the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
“I
repeat my call on donors to invest now, to invest generously, and to remain
steadfast in their financial commitment over the next 36 months,” Ban told
a Donors’ Meeting in Paris to Support the Palestinian Authority, and pledged
that the UN would do its share following last month’s Middle East peace
conference in Annapolis, United States.
“As
with Annapolis, so here in Paris, success depends not on what we say today, but
on what we do tomorrow. Our support on the ground, no less than our political
engagement, is vital to create an independent, viable State of Palestine, living
side by side in peace and security with Israel,” said Ban.
The
Secretary-General called on both Israel and the Palestinians to take the
necessary measures to enable Palestinian economic growth, urging Israel to ease
closures that cripple the economy in the territory and the Palestinian Authority
to continue to enhance security. “Increased freedom of movement in a context
of improved security is vital to build a platform for peace,” he stressed.
Ban also
remarked that over the past seven years, the social and economic situation in
the occupied Palestinian territory had declined dramatically, with poverty and
unemployment increasing at an alarming rate.
“I
have made no secret of my concern for the 1.4 million people of Gaza who today
are living under the most abhorrent conditions. With few exceptions, all manner
of legitimate trade with Gaza has come to a standstill, with devastating effects
on the economy and on family livelihoods. Access to essential services and
utilities, like health, water and energy, is becoming more uncertain each
day,” said the Secretary-General.
“Palestinian
society has become more deeply divided, while the security of many Israelis has
been directly threatened. We have the opportunity today to take the initial
steps that can reverse these troubling trends. And indeed, today I am convinced
we have better grounds for optimism than at any time in the recent past.”
Israeli
and Palestinian leaders have re-started bilateral discussions, showing
“courage and resolve in maintaining this dialogue in the face of extraordinary
difficulties on the ground,” and they have now set out to try to negotiate a
peace treaty in 2008, he noted.
At the
same time Palestinian Prime Minister Fayyad has prepared a programme for the
next three years with investment and reform priorities, ambitious but achievable
targets, and the steps that Palestinians, Israelis and the international
community should take together to create the basis for a functioning state and
economy.
“Indeed,
we must move quickly now, because the process can succeed only if we overcome
the gap between our diplomatic efforts and the situation on the ground,” Mr.
Ban said, addressing both morning and afternoon sessions of the conference.
“The
international community must do its utmost to support the Palestinian Authority
as it strives to tackle the immense challenges ahead. In these tasks, the entire
United Nations system is ready to cooperate closely with the Palestinian
Authority, and will continue to support the Palestinian people in their efforts
to move forward.”
While in
Paris, the Secretary-General also attended a meeting of principals of the
so-called diplomatic Quartet – the UN, European Union, Russia and the United
States – in which the group expressed concern over the announcement of new
housing tenders by Israel for Har Homa/Jabal abu Ghneim in the area of Jerusalem
occupied by Israel since 1967.
Also in
the meeting were Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, US Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice, top European officials and former British Prime Minister and
current Quartet representative Tony Blair, condemned the continued rocket fire
from Gaza into Israel while calling for an immediate cessation of these attacks.
The
Quartet issued a statement that advocates the so-called Roadmap two-state
solution endorsed at Annapolis with Israel and Palestine living side by side in
peace, called on all sides to refrain from steps that undermine confidence, and
underscored the importance of avoiding any actions that could prejudice the
outcome of permanent status negotiations.
“The
Quartet called on both parties to make progress on their Phase One Roadmap
obligations, including an Israeli freeze on settlements, removal of unauthorized
outposts, and opening of East Jerusalem institutions, and Palestinian steps to
end violence, terrorism, and incitement,” the statement added.
The
Quartet supported the importance of Palestinian economic growth and stated
strong support for Mr. Fayyad’s programme and at the same time urged the
gennerous support from the international community at the donors’ conference.
Labels: United
Nations, U.N.,
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