SecGen’s interview with IDF radio/Arafat – Media reference/Non-UN document

… When asked if Israel should negotiate with him [Arafat] after elections, Annan said:

"This is the way democracy works. I know the Israeli position that he has not done enough to stop the terror or to control the terror. And therefore Israel can't deal with him. But you also know the position of the vast majority of the international community is that until there is a new leader, since he is the only elected leader, we have to deal with him. At the same time, tremendous pressure has been put on him to take every necessary measure to stop the attacks. I myself had occasion to condemn suicide bombing and the use of terror attacks as well as demand that Israel should be careful in its own response not to harm civilians, and to ensure, as an occupying power, that the civilian populations are protected in accordance with the law." …

As reported by Ian Williams – Middle East International – 10 January 2003