SECRETARY-GENERAL CALLS FOR FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF SHARM EL SHEIKH UNDERSTANDINGS
AND END TO MIDDLE EAST VIOLENCE
Following is the text of a statement issued today by the Office of the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the escalation of Israeli-Palestinian violence:
The Secretary-General has been monitoring closely the steady escalation in Israeli-Palestinian violence.� He is increasingly concerned that it threatens to get out of control with unpredictable consequences.
The Secretary-General wishes to reiterate his strong conviction that the only way out of the current crisis is through the resumption of political negotiations.� In his view security measures alone will not halt the growing violence.
Having talked with several regional and international leaders over the past few days, the Secretary-General would like to see urgent steps taken to control the situation.� There should be parallel confidence-building measures and a resumption of security cooperation.
The Secretary-General insists on the need for a halt to all violence, and full implementation of the Sharm El Sheikh understandings.� Israel should end its six-month-old blockade on Palestinian areas, and transfer to the Palestinian Authority all outstanding revenues.� The Secretary-General believes that these steps could serve as a basis for getting the parties back to the table.
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