Middle East | UN Chief Praises Saudi Peace Proposal |
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| Wednesday, 21 March 2007 | ||||||
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Praise for Saudi Peace Plan Mr. Ban told VOA he is generally encouraged by recent Middle East developments. He pointed in particular to the Mecca agreement that led to formation of a Palestinian national unity government. Among the key stops on his 10-day visit will be in Riyadh, where a 2002 Saudi Arabian peace proposal will be reconsidered. It offers Israel full recognition by Arab States and permanent peace in return for a withdrawal to pre-1967 borderlines, the establishment of an independent Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital, and a return of Palestinian refugees to lands lost in the 1967 war. The plan was widely criticized at the time,not least because Israel has several objections to it. But both Israeli and American officials have recently noted that it contains positive elements. Secretary-General Ban says the Saudi plan has the potential to move forward the long-stalled peace process. "I think the Arab peace initiative of 2002 by Saudi Arabia is one of the pillars, which will facilitate the peace process in the Middle East," said Ban Ki-moon. "It is encouraging that Americans and Israelis are now trying to revisit this Arab peace process. I know that there are still reservations shared by Israelis. But one cannot always be fully satisfied with one or two agreements. We must build upon these good principles." As U.N. secretary-general, Mr. Ban leads one of the members of the Quartet, which also includes the United States, Russia and the European Union. His visit to the region coincides with a similar trip by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and Mr. Ban says he hopes to meet her when they are both in Israel. Their agenda is expected to include the Arab peace proposal. Source: Huliq
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