SECRETARY-GENERAL, IN MEETING WITH PRIME MINISTER OF ISRAEL, CONVEYS HIS SERIOUS
CONCERN AT SITUATION IN OCCUPIED TERRITORIES
Calls Issue of Palestinian Deportees Stumbling-Block in Peace Process
The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Shall:
The Secretary-General and the Prime Minister of Israel, Yitzhak Rabin, met alone for 30 minutes. Subsequently, they were joined by their respective delegations.
The Secretary-General conveyed to Mr. Rabin his serious concern at the situation in the occupied territories. In this connection, the Secretary-General referred to resolution 681 (1990), which deals with the protection of civilians in the occupied territories, and the importance of its implementation. The Secretary-General underlined the urgency to intensify the pursuit of a just, lasting and comprehensive settlement of the Middle East conflict.
The Secretary-General also referred to resolution 799 (1992) and conveyed to Mr. Rabin that the unresolved issue of the Palestinian deportees may continue to be a stumbling-block in the reintegration of the Palestinians in the peace process. They both agreed that the peace talks should be resumed as soon as possible. The Secretary-General informed Mr. Rabin that, for its part, the United Nations is actively preparing for the Multilateral working Groups as and when they resumed.
Mr. Rabin recommended to the Secretary-General that the budget of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the occupied territories be increased, which would greatly benefit the Palestinian population in those areas.
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Document Type: Press Release, Secretary-General press release, Statement
Document Sources: Secretary-General, United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Country: Israel
Subject: Assistance, Expulsions and deportations, Palestine question, Peace process, Peace proposals and efforts, Situation in the OPT including Jerusalem
Publication Date: 18/03/1993