At Doha Summit, Annan stresses OIC role in Middle East peace process
13 November -- The Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) has a role to play in ensuring that the Palestinian people are able to realize their dream of an independent State, Secretary-General Kofi Annan told the OIC Summit that is currently under way in Doha, Qatar.
Addressing the opening of the Summit on Sunday, the Secretary-General stressed that such a settlement "can only be secure when the entire Middle East peace process has reached a successful conclusion - when the Syrians, the Lebanese, the Israelis as well as the Palestinians at last enjoy a just and comprehensive peace."
Mr. Annan emphasized that the question facing the OIC, the two parties and the world "is how to respond to the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people to personal dignity and national independence, as well as to the legitimate claims of the Israelis for recognition and security, and how to help both sides achieve a peace that is just, a peace that brings real benefits and real rewards to every individual Palestinian and Israeli."
Turning to Afghanistan, the Secretary-General underscored that peace would not return to that country without the support of its neighbours. He appealed to all the neighbouring States - particularly Iran and Pakistan - to work more closely to achieve peace in Afghanistan. "After so many years of senseless fighting, this unhappy country truly deserves a lasting ceasefire and the establishment of a broad-based, representative government," he said.
Mr. Annan also issued an appeal to the leadership in Iraq to review its current position, pointing out that Baghdad could achieve more through cooperation with the international community, including its neighbours, than through confrontation.
While in Doha, the Secretary-General on Monday met bilaterally with a number of leaders, including the Prime Minister of Lebanon and the Presidents of Algeria and Mali, as well as the Foreign Ministers of Tunisia, Qatar and Oman.
During a meeting yesterday with Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat, the Secretary-General emphasized the urgency of breaking the cycle of violence that is gripping the region, according to a UN spokesperson, who said the discussions focused on prospects for resuming the peace talks in the waning days of the administration of United States President Bill Clinton.
The Secretary-General also met yesterday with King Abdullah of Jordan, Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid and Iranian President Mohammed Khatami.
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