Secretary-General's press encounter upon arrival at UNHQ (unofficial transcript)
New York, 14 October 2003

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Q: Mr. Secretary-General, the Security Council is later going to be talking about Israel's barrier, and the Americans have indicated they will oppose a resolution that is on the table. This is a recurring theme here that the Americans keep opposing, vetoing resolutions. What is your view on how this is going? Every time the Security Council [inaudible].

SG: I think it is important that the Council discusses the crucial and critical situation in the Middle East. And I would also hope that as the Council organizes itself to discuss these issues, they would also try to be even-handed. We have two parties involved, and if we are going to play a role and have an impact, we should be seen as being even-handed and really urging the parties forward to settle their differences and get back to the negotiating table. And we should be able to call it as we see it, regardless of which side is at fault.

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