About Us

IMRA
IMRA
IMRA

 

Subscribe

Search


...................................................................................................................................................


Thursday, November 20, 2003
Statement by Ambassador Arye Mekel ON UN SECURITY COUNCIL ROADMAP RESOLUTION

Statement by Ambassador Arye Mekel, Deputy Permanent Representative of
Israel to the United Nations
Israel Government Press Office
--Press Release--
19 November 2003

[IMRA: Unfortunately, the wording could be better: It is not "even though
we have expressed certain concerns in this regard" but should instead be
"subject to certain concerns. . ."]

Statement to the Media on 19 November 2003
Following the adoption of a Security Council resolution on the Road Map
Delivered by Ambassador Arye Mekel, Deputy Permanent Representative of
Israel to the United Nations

--As you know, Israel welcomed the vision of President Bush in his speech of
24 June 2002, and we have accepted the steps outlined in the Road Map, even
though we have expressed certain concerns in this regard.

--Israel has declared in the past, and reiterates again today, its readiness
to implement what is requested of it under the Road Map but we expect and
demand the implementation by the Palestinian side of its obligations. This
involves the fundamental obligation to fight terrorism, violence and
incitement and dismantle the terrorist infrastructure of groups such as
Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade. Unfortunately, the
Palestinian side has yet to take any real steps to implement its obligations
and this has been the primary obstacle to progress. For its part, Israel is
ready to work to assist a Palestinian leadership committed to peace in
fulfilling its obligations.

--Israel has proved its willingness to implement the Road Map before, and we
are ready to do so again provided we have a Palestinian partner committed to
eradicating terror and pursuing a peaceful negotiated settlement as its top
priority.

--We do not believe that the key thing now is additional resolutions or
statements, there have been plenty of those. We need action, not words. For
a long time now the essential issue has been to see steps taken on the
ground, especially an end to terrorism, so that we can move towards a
peaceful settlement through direct negotiations between the parties.

--We hope that the Palestinian side is ready to respect its obligations. If
it does so, it will find in Israel a genuine partner for peace.

--As you know, Israel is currently working to bring about a meeting between
the two sides at the highest levels to examine the steps to be taken on the
ground, and we hope that this will lead to genuine progress.
Thank you.

Search For An Article

....................................................................................................

Contact Us

POB 982 Kfar Sava
Tel 972-9-7604719
Fax 972-3-7255730
email:imra@netvision.net.il IMRA is now also on Twitter
http://twitter.com/IMRA_UPDATES

image004.jpg (8687 bytes)