Mideast situation – UNESCO Director-General statement – Press release

UNESCO HAILS KOFI ANNAN’S SUCCESSFUL MISSION TO BAGHDAD

Paris, February 24 {98-36} – UNESCO Director-General Federico Mayor today welcomed the successful outcome of United Nations’ Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s mission to Baghdad.

Mr Mayor declared: “UNESCO hails the successful mission of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, to Baghdad. We rejoice to see the force of reason prevail over the reason of force. It is our wish that the agreement signed be respected so that peace may triumph and the sufferings of the Iraqi people come to an end. It is also our ardent wish that dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians be resumed for a viable and lasting peace. For UNESCO, there is no alternative to the culture of peace and non-violence which is the Organisation’s raison d’être.”

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