UN-Truth

The UN News Centre [the UN uses British English spellings] is reporting that the recently-appointed Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Michael Williams, made a farewell report to the UN Security Council:

“…Mr. Williams, who is about to step down from his post, also warned in his address about the political, economic and institutional consequences of the internal Palestinian divide, especially the deteriorating conditions inside the Gaza Strip. He also voiced concern about continuing Israeli-Palestinian violence over the past month, ongoing Israeli settlement activity and the political deadlock that still plagues neighbouring Lebanon … Williams said that to meet the growing expectations, the current talks need to “shift gear” to achieve more concrete agreements on disputed issues and how to then implement those agreements.”
See the UN Department of Public Information’s report here.

In the daily UNHQ/NY Noon Briefing, spokesperson Michele Montas told journalists that: “On the situation in Gaza, Williams said that while Hamas has brought some order to the streets of Gaza, its actions are taking place outside the framework of the rule of law and the institutions of Palestinian authority. This has generated concerns about respect for human rights and the future development of the Strip.”
See the spokesperson’s comments here.

And, the UN’s press release on the UNSC meeting — addressed by 30 Member States — reports that:  “UNITED NATIONS MIDDLE EAST ENVOY TELLS SECURITY COUNCIL RECENT TALKS, RENEWED DIPLOMACY, PROMPT GUARDED OPTIMISM ABOUT PEACE PROSPECTS — Says New Effort Must Be Carefully Monitored, Supported”

The press release says: “With substantive talks under way between Israeli and Palestinian leaders on security and political matters, and international momentum building to reignite the peace process, United Nations Middle East envoy Michael Williams today told the Security Council that he was ‘guardedly optimistic’ about prospects for peace in the long-troubled region.  But Mr. Williams, the Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and Personal Representative of the Secretary-General, acknowledged that he was conscious of the challenges ahead, and called on both Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas to turn their attention to tackling core issues, such as a final status agreement.  In the meantime, broader diplomatic efforts should be stepped up to keep the renewed peace process from faltering ahead of an international conference set to be held in Washington this November …”

Filed under: Gaza, Israel, Journalism and Journalists, Middle East Peace Process, Palestine & Palestinians, Quartet, UN Security Council