HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SPOKESMAN'S NOON BRIEFING

BY FRED ECKHARD
SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
 OF THE UNITED NATIONS

UN HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK

Wednesday, December 8, 2004

…

PALESTINIANS AND ISRAELIS MEET WITH UN, DONORS IN OSLO

  • Today in Oslo, the UN Middle East Envoy, Terje Roed-Larsen, attended a meeting of the Ad-Hoc Liaison Committee. This group brings together the donor countries, alongside the Â鶹APP, the World Bank, the IMF and the Palestinians and Israelis.
  • This was the first time in almost a year that Israeli and Palestinian officials sat face to face and exchanged views. Participants said the meeting took place in a positive spirit of cooperation as recent developments on the ground offered new opportunities.
  • Donors and the Â鶹APP said steps should be taken by Israel to lift the closures in the Palestinian territory to increase freedom of movement and ease the humanitarian situation for the Palestinians. 
  • They also urged the Palestinian to redouble their reform efforts, specifically in the judicial and security areas. The Palestinian delegation was congratulated for a smooth political transition.
  • Asked about UN involvement in the Palestinian election plan, the Spokesman said that the Â鶹APP had been advising the Palestinians on the election process. More recently, a European Union official took charge of the process, but the Â鶹APP remains involved.

…

Office of the Spokesman for the Secretary-General
Â鶹APP, S-378
New York, NY 10017
Tel. 212-963-7162 – press/media only
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All other inquiries to be addressed to (212) 963-4475 or by e-mail to: inquiries@un.org


Document Type: Highlights of the Noon Briefing
Document Sources: Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC), International Monetary Fund (IMF), Secretary-General, World Bank
Country: Israel, Norway
Subject: Assistance, Economic issues, Humanitarian relief, Palestine question, Situation in the OPT including Jerusalem
Publication Date: 08/12/2004