FOLLOWING WEST BANK KILLINGS, SECRETARY-GENERAL AGAIN STRESSES THAT POLITICAL
SETTLEMENT IS ONLY VIABLE SOLUTION TO MIDEAST CONFLICT
The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:
The Secretary-General deplores the violence that killed at least seven Palestinian civilians, including three teenage children, and wounded a dozen more yesterday and today in the West Bank town of Tulkarem.� Six of the deaths came during an Israeli military raid last night which killed a suspected militant.� The Secretary-General once again urges the Government of Israel to desist from the use of excessive force in civilian areas.
The Secretary-General calls on the parties to refrain from acts of violence, provocation and retaliation.� He remains convinced that the use of force, irrespective of its target, will not yield victory for either side of this terrible conflict.� Violence only deepens anger, bitterness and distrust, while making more distant the prospects for peace between Israelis and Palestinians.� In accordance with their obligations under international law, both sides must adopt every possible measure to protect civilian life.
The Secretary-General again emphasizes that a political settlement remains the only viable solution to the conflict.
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