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Press
Release - Executive Office of the Director-General
Spokeswoman
THE
DIRECTOR-GENERAL CALLS UPON Mr ARIEL SHARON TO LET REASON PREVAIL
29.03.2002
The Director-General addressed
today a letter to Mr Ariel Sharon, Prime Minister of Israel, urging
him "to do his utmost to bring about an effective cease-fire
and to resume negotiations with the elected representatives of the
Palestinian people".
In his letter, Koïchiro Matsuura condemned the recent suicide attack in
Netanya and today's events in Jerusalem "which have caused horror and consternation
in the international community at large". The Director-General stressed
that "there can be no justification for such repugnant acts of indiscriminate
violence against Israeli civilians".
Referring to the Israeli Government's declaration that Mr. Yasser Arafat was
"an enemy" of Israel, the Director-General recalled that Mr Arafat
represents the Palestinian people and further added that "any attempt on
his life could provoke chaos in the subregion, and have untold consequences".
"In the name of the 'international intellectual and moral solidarity' proclaimed
in UNESCO's Constitution, I hereby solemnly call upon you to do all that is
in your power to avert the commission of an irreparable act", wrote Mr
Matsuura highlighting: "At this highly critical juncture, it is essential
for reason to prevail over righteous anger … a durable peace cannot be
imposed by the force of arms. It is only through a political settlement that
the right of both Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace may be guaranteed."
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Executive Office of the Director-General
Spokeswoman
Telephone : (33.1) 45.68.13.26
Fax : (33.1) 45.68.55.66
E-mail: m.de-pierrebourg@unesco.org
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