Middle East peace process – SecGen press conference (excerpts)

Following is a transcript of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s press conference held in New York today, 14 January:

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Question: Any word about the peace process in the Middle East, about Palestine and the Israelis?  Not even a word about this, but the direct negotiations have collapsed and the United Nations is standing on the side, waiting for the United States.  Are you going to be more active on this?

Secretary-General:  Yes, of course.  I’ve been working very hard, pushing very hard again, trying first of all to reactivate this peace process.  It’s quite regrettable and frustrating that the peace process has not been reactivated.  I will be having an opportunity of meeting leaders at the level of the Quartet principals early next month, and also I have been discussing this matter with Arab leaders.  And I hope we also will be able to meet with those Arab leaders together.  But we are in the process of finalizing all these detailed matters.  Thank you.