STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE MIDDLE EAST QUARTET

• The Middle East
  
  Quartet (United Nations, Russian Federation, United States, and
  European Union) issued a
  
  statement today, which says:
   

• “The representatives of the
  Quartet reaffirm their strong support for direct negotiations between
  the Israelis and the Palestinians to resolve all final status issues. 
  The Quartet reaffirms its full commitment to its previous statements,
  including in Trieste on 26 June 2009, in New York on 24 September 2009,
  and its statement in Moscow on 19 March 2010 which provides that direct,
  bilateral negotiations that resolve all final status issues should 
  "lead to a settlement, negotiated between the parties, that ends the
  occupation which began in 1967 and results in the emergence of an
  independent, democratic, and viable Palestinian state living side by
  side in peace and security with Israel and its other neighbors." 
   

• “The Quartet expresses its
  determination to support the parties throughout the negotiations, which
  can be completed within one year, and the implementation of an
  agreement.  The Quartet again calls on both sides to observe calm and
  restraint, and to refrain from provocative actions and inflammatory
  rhetoric.  Welcoming the result of the Arab Peace Initiative Committee
  in Cairo on July 29, the Quartet notes that success will require
  sustained regional and international support for the negotiations and
  the parallel process of Palestinian state-building and the pursuit of a
  just, lasting and comprehensive regional peace as envisaged in the
  Madrid terms of reference, Security Council resolutions and the Arab
  Peace Initiative.  The Quartet Principals intend to meet with their
  colleagues from the Arab League in September in New York to review the
  situation.  Accordingly, the Quartet calls on the Israelis and the
  Palestinians to join in launching direct negotiations on September 2 in
  Washington, D.C. to resolve all final status issues and fulfill the
  aspirations of both parties.”
   

• US
  Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and US Presidential Envoy
  George Mitchell also extended an oral invitation to the Parties to join
  in launching direct negotiations on 2 September in Washington. We are
  now awaiting the reaction of the Parties, which we hope will be
  positive.
   

• Asked about how the statement was written,
  the Spokesperson said that it was agreed to by the four members of the
  Quartet: the European Union, the Russian Federation, the United Nations
  and the United States. He said that the statement speaks for itself.
   

• Asked about reports that
  the parties have accepted the proposal for direct negotiations, Haq said
  that the Secretary-General was expected to have something further to say
  once acceptance by the parties was confirmed.

SECRETARY-GENERAL THANKS DONORS FOR
AID PLEDGES, APPEALS FOR CONTINUED ATTENTION TO PAKISTAN

• In a
  
  statement, the Secretary-General said that, on Thursday and today,
  countries from around the world joined in solidarity and support for the
  people of Pakistan.
   

• He adds, “I
  want to thank governments for pledging more than $200 million to boost
  relief efforts.  The generosity of countries and individuals will make a
  real difference in the daily lives of millions of people.
   

• “We must
  keep it up.  This is not just Pakistan’s hour of need – Pakistan is
  facing weeks, months and years of need.  Now is our chance to turn the
  tide towards hope and a better day for all of the people of Pakistan.”

GENERAL ASSEMBLY CALLS FOR INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE TO
PAKISTAN

• Late Thursday, the
  
  General Assembly adopted a resolution calling for international
  assistance in support of the Pakistani Government’s efforts to address
  the crisis.  The resolution urged the international community to extend
  full support and assistance to Pakistan’s Government in its efforts to
  cope with the impacts of the worst rains and floods to hit the country
  in decades and to meet medium- and long-term needs.
   

• UN agencies have increased their
  operations and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
  has reinforced its coordination and assessment teams.  The number of
  people needing aid as of today includes 7 million child victims. This
  morning,
  
  UNICEF’s Executive Director, Anthony Lake, issued a statement,
  declaring that the humanitarian tragedy in Pakistan has reached tragic
  proportions.
   

• Also, the
  
  World Food Programme says it has now reached 1.2 million people with
  a one-month ration of food.  WFP says it is facing a constantly shifting
  picture.  Roads are passable one day and impassable the next. 
  Helicopters could take off one day and then be grounded the next.
   

• Asked about the Secretary-General’s assertion
  on Thursday that the Pakistan floods had affected more people than the
  Indian Ocean tsunami, the Haiti earthquake and the South Asia earthquake
  combined, the Spokesperson said that the number of people estimated to
  be affected by the floods was between 15 million and 20 million – more
  than the combined total of the other three humanitarian emergencies. He
  added that each of the situations had different needs, beyond the issue
  of total numbers of people affected.
   

• Asked about access to
  different parts of Pakistan, Haq said that the main problems in
  obtaining access relate to those caused by the floods, including
  difficulty in using roads or in flying helicopters to certain areas. He
  noted standard UN policy to ensure that security conditions are in place
  for humanitarian deliveries.

EFFECTIVE RULE OF LAW REMAINS PROBLEMATIC IN LIBERIA

• The Secretary-General says in
  his latest
  
  report on Liberia that the country continues to make significant
  progress in consolidating its peace and security. There remain
  potentially destabilizing factors, however. These include persistent
  political and social divides, limited progress on national
  reconciliation, and the widespread perception that impunity is
  prevalent.
   

• The Secretary-General also notes
  that more must be done to boost the state’s ability to ensure safety and
  security and administer justice. While he is encouraged by donors’
  indications of financial support for the 2011 elections, the
  Secretary-General says that more clarity is required to ensure the
  legitimacy of the vote.

SECRETARY-GENERAL RELEASES REPORT ON POSSIBLE OPTIONS
TO COMBAT PIRACY OFF SOMALIA

• Following up on a request by
  
  Security Council, the Secretary-General today released a
  
  report on how to further the aim of prosecuting persons arrested for
  piracy and armed robbery at sea off the Somali coast.
   

• The report presents seven options, including setting
  up special domestic chambers, possibly with international components, a
  regional tribunal or an international tribunal. It also provides
  corresponding imprisonment arrangements for each option.
   

• The Security Council will now consider these options
  and decide on the way forward.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

SECRETARY-GENERAL HOPES CAMBODIA AND THAILAND
WILL RESOLVE BORDER DISPUTE THROUGH DIALOGUE:
In response to a question, the Spokesperson said that the Secretary-General
hopes that Cambodia and Thailand will resolve the dispute along their border
amicably through dialogue. He stands ready to help the parties.

SECURITY COUNCIL TO DISCUSS
LEBANON, NORTH KOREA SANCTIONS: Next week, the
Security Council is scheduled to hold consultations on the UN Interim Force
in Lebanon (UNIFIL)
and its

1718 Committee on Tuesday and then on Wednesday, it is scheduled to hold
an open debate on Somalia piracy.