lennart
12-06-03, 22:19
Annan tells Haaretz: Armed peace force should be sent to territories
By Akiva Eldar, Haaretz Correspondent
Background: Kofi Annan's climb to the top
NEW YORK - United Nations Secretary-General Kofi
Annan, in a joint interview with Haaretz and
Channel Two News, said that the
Israelis and Palestinians are
apparently unable to reach an
agreement on their own, and
that in the present
circumstances he supports
sending an "armed peace force
as a buffer zone between the
Israelis and the
Palestinians."
"The way things were going we are going to need
a force that will help calm the situation and
allow to continue with the negotiation," Annan
said.
Annan said that he would give Sharon the
"benefit of the doubt" regarding his commitment
to end the occupation. "I expect that he will
deliver and he will engage in the peace
process," Annan said.
Annan added that he had recently spoken to U.S.
President George Bush, who promised that
despite the difficulties, he is still committed
to the road map and its implementation.
The secretary-general said he understood
Israel's responsibility to protect its
citizens, but called on the Israeli government
to break the cycle of violence of
assassinations that lead to further terror
attacks.
He also proposed that Israel ease restrictions
in the Palestinian population in the
territories and renew negotiations despite the
violence.
The full interview will be published Friday in
Haaretz
By Akiva Eldar, Haaretz Correspondent
Background: Kofi Annan's climb to the top
NEW YORK - United Nations Secretary-General Kofi
Annan, in a joint interview with Haaretz and
Channel Two News, said that the
Israelis and Palestinians are
apparently unable to reach an
agreement on their own, and
that in the present
circumstances he supports
sending an "armed peace force
as a buffer zone between the
Israelis and the
Palestinians."
"The way things were going we are going to need
a force that will help calm the situation and
allow to continue with the negotiation," Annan
said.
Annan said that he would give Sharon the
"benefit of the doubt" regarding his commitment
to end the occupation. "I expect that he will
deliver and he will engage in the peace
process," Annan said.
Annan added that he had recently spoken to U.S.
President George Bush, who promised that
despite the difficulties, he is still committed
to the road map and its implementation.
The secretary-general said he understood
Israel's responsibility to protect its
citizens, but called on the Israeli government
to break the cycle of violence of
assassinations that lead to further terror
attacks.
He also proposed that Israel ease restrictions
in the Palestinian population in the
territories and renew negotiations despite the
violence.
The full interview will be published Friday in
Haaretz