SECRETARY-GENERAL REITERATES FULL CONFIDENCE IN MIDDLE EAST SPECIAL

COORDINATOR FOLLOWING PUBLIC CRITICISM BY ISRAELI GOVERNMENT

The following statement by Secretary-General Kofi Annan was issued Sunday, 21 April by his Spokesman:

I am disturbed by the recent public criticism of my Special Coordinator, Terje Rød-Larsen, by representatives of the Government of Israel.  Mr. Roed-Larsen, in his many years of working to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, has always conducted himself with objectivity, professionalism and compassion.  In the course of his efforts, Mr. Roed-Larsen has developed useful and constructive relations with representatives of both parties.

I applaud the work done by Mr. Rød-Larsen and all UN personnel in the region, particularly in the recent difficult weeks, and I wish to reiterate my full confidence in Mr. Rød-Larsen.

* *** *


Document symbol: SG/SM/8205
Document Type: French text, Press Release, Secretary-General press release, Statement
Document Sources: Secretary-General, United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI), United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO)
Country: Israel
Subject: Envoy, Palestine question, Peace process, Peace proposals and efforts
Publication Date: 21/04/2002