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SLUG: 2-307475 Geneva Talks / Mideast (L-O)
DATE: NOTE NUMBER: |
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DATE=9/13/03 TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT TITLE=GENEVA TALKS / MIDEAST (L-O) NUMBER=2-307475 BYLINE=DALE GAVLAK DATELINE=GENEVA CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: All five permanent members of the U-N Security Council are urging Israel and the Palestinians to make good on their peace pledges. V-O-A's Dale Gavlak has details from Geneva. TEXT: U-N Secretary General Kofi Annan says foreign ministers from Britain, the United States, France, Russia, and China talked about what should be done in the Middle East and what he called the need to perhaps take bolder steps to address the cycle of violence. ///ANNAN ACT/// The members reaffirmed their commitment to the quartet's road map. The permanent members of the Security Council recognize that both sides have obligations under the quartets road map and must fulfill them and that it was essential to go ahead with the implementation. ///END ACT/// The so-called quartet - composed of the United States, the European Union, Russia and the United Nations - drew up the road map for peace in the Middle East which both Israel and the Palestinians have pledged to follow. But an Israeli Security Cabinet decision Thursday to exile Yasser Arafat has sent thousands of Palestinians to the streets in protest vowing to sacrifice their lives to protect him. The Israeli Security Cabinet blames Mr. Arafat for obstructing peace and says it took the decision after two suicide bombings killed 15 Israelis earlier in the week. But members of the quartet say expelling Mr. Arafat would not be helpful. On Friday, U-N Secretary General Kofi Annan strongly urged Israel to reconsider the Security Cabinets decision saying it would be dangerous and counterproductive. Mr. Annan says the quartet representatives will soon meet in New York to discuss what next steps are needed to stem the violence. ///2ND ANNAN ACT/// We have agreed to meet in New York later this month to consider all relevant aspects of the issue and determine how best to help the parties move forward with the process. ///END ACT/// Mr. Annan has called on Israel and the Palestinians to exercise the utmost restraint in the tense circumstances. (Signed) NEB/DG/RH |
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