Press encounter upon arrival at UNHQ

SG: I am quite hopeful and I have already stated that publicly. Senator [George] Mitchell will release the report today and speak about it and I think all of us, the European Union, and I suspect the Bush Administration, would also strongly support the report. I think there are elements in it which should allow the parties to step back and take steps for a ceasefire, confidence-building measures, and eventually, return to the table. And I hope this opportunity will not be wasted and that they will seize it as a moment to step back from the precipice and try and end the violence in the region. It's a real tragedy.

Q: There have been a lot of calls for the United States to get more involved. What would you like to see the United States do? What do you think would be effective?

SG: I think it is obviously up to the United States to decide what it can do, how to do it and when to do it. What I can say is that there's been lots of movements behind the scenes, lots of discussions and lots of efforts. And I hope sooner or later, sooner rather than later, we are going to see some results after all these efforts.

Q: Are you concerned about the fact that Arab nations have called for cut off of all ties with Israel?

SG: It's not going to make a settlement easier, but I'm encouraged that [Egyptian] President [Hosni] Mubarak has indicated he would stay engaged. As one of the two countries that has made peace with Israel, his engagement, his commitment in the peace process is important. And I trust King Abdullah [of Jordan] would also stay involved, because the group that met in Sharm-el-Sheikh, that is the European Union, the US, myself and Egypt and Jordan, have stayed in touch throughout this crisis trying to find a way of pushing the process forward. And we need the engagement of [Egyptian] President [Hosni] Mubarak.

Q: You yourself have been actively engaged for the past few days ....

SG: I have been very busy on the phone with Washington, with leaders in the region, and with my own people on the ground, and with [European Union Foreign Policy Chief Javier] Solana, who is in the region. And so we would continue that effort. *****