Daily Press Briefing – US Peace Plan (Excerpts)

The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today’s noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General.

/…

Question:  Thank you, Farhan.  On US’s new Middle East plan, the Secretary‑General’s message was everything has to be within international law.  And, you know, the… [Jared] Kushner and the Administration are saying, we will move ahead with this, with or without the approval of the Palestinian Authority… of the Palestinians.  With that, the Secretary‑General’s message about international law, does that mean, first of all… does that mean the United Nations at any stage and at any attempt of the US Administration to implement this plan will not engage and help the US to implement it?

Deputy Spokesman:  No, that’s not what we’ve said, but what we’ve said is…

Question:  So, you will help the US in implementing the new plan.

Deputy Spokesman:  No.  What we said is that any way forward needs to be based on the relevant resolutions of the Security Council and the General Assembly, and we’ve reiterated our support for a two‑State solution.  So, within that context, the United Nations and the Secretary‑General will continue to engage with all parties.

Question:  Do you think this new plan is based on the two‑State solution?  Is that the interpretation of the United Nations?

Deputy Spokesman:  I think that different Member States have already made clear their own respective views about that.  But regarding where the United Nations stands, it’s very clear what the resolutions say, and we’ll have to see whether… as this proceeds, whether this process works in line with the resolutions or not.

/…