SECRETARY-GENERAL URGES END TO ISRAELI OCCUPATION
OF ORIENT HOUSE, OTHER PROPERTIES
Following is the text of a statement issued yesterday (12 August) by the Office of the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:
Following the seizure by the Israeli authorities of the Orient House and other properties related to Palestinian institutions in East Jerusalem, the Secretary-General received a letter from the Chairman of the Palestinian Authority, Mr. Yasser Arafat, and has also been in touch with him on the telephone.
The Secretary-General considers this action to be an unwise step, which is leading to even greater friction and further violence.� He urges that the occupation of Orient House and the other properties be ended without delay.
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