HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING
BY FRED ECKHARD
SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS
UN HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK
Wednesday, September 10, 2003
ANNAN DISCUSSES IRAQ BOMBING WITH UN STAFF IN GENEVA
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ANNAN CONDEMNS BOMBINGS NEAR TEL AVIV AND IN JERUSALEM
- Today in Geneva, the Secretary-General was asked about the two suicide bombings that took place on Tuesday near Tel Aviv and in Jerusalem, and he responded by sending his deepest sympathies to the families who have lost loved ones.
- He said, “I have always maintained that the way to settle the dispute is through dialogue and I hope the parties will exercise restraint, because the cycle of violence, retaliation and vengeance is not going to resolve the issue.”
- On Tuesday evening, in a statement, the Secretary-General condemned the two terror attacks, in which at least twelve people were killed and many others injured.
- The Secretary-General called on Palestinian militant groups to halt these despicable and indiscriminate actions, which not only spread death and misery, but also harm the legitimate national aspirations of the Palestinian people. He reiterated his insistence that both sides should fulfill their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians.
- The Secretary-General reiterated his passionate conviction that peace and security in the region can only be achieved through political dialogue. This will require statesmanship as well as maximum restraint on all sides.
UN MIDDLE EAST ENVOY ALARMED BY ISRAELI ATTACK IN GAZA
- The UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Terje Roed-Larsen, deplored Israel’s bombing of a Hamas leader’s house earlier today in a densely populated Gaza neighborhood, which killed three and injured at least 30. This comes after an Israeli operation on Tuesday in Hebron, in which a 12 year-old boy was killed.
- Roed-Larsen reiterated that the Government of Israel has an obligation under international humanitarian law to protect civilians and refrain from the use of disproportionate force.
- In an effort to stop the violence, Roed-Larsen met with his Quartet counterparts Tuesday and today; together with them, he is in close consultation with both parties.
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Office of the Spokesman for the Secretary-General
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Document Type: Note
Document Sources: Secretary-General
Subject: Incidents
Publication Date: 10/09/2003
Document Sources: Secretary-General
Subject: Incidents
Publication Date: 10/09/2003