U.N. Chief Welcomes President Clinton's Decision to Hold Mideast SummitU.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Wednesday welcomed U.S. President Bill Clinton's decision to invite Prime Minister Ehud Barak of Israel and Chairman Yasser Arafat of Palestinian Authority to a summit meeting at Camp David next week.A statement issued by his spokesman's office said "The Secretary-General attached great importance to this meeting and wished to express his full support for the Camp David process." "A 'Peace of the Brave' between Israel and the Palestinians would not only end more than fifty years of hostilities but would pave the way for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East based on relevant resolutions of the United Nations, including Security Council resolutions 242 and 338, and the principle of land for peace," the statement said. "The Secretary-General is aware that a successful outcome will require decisions and compromises which would be painful for both sides. But the prize is great, and the Secretary-General wishes to take this opportunity to encourage both sides to demonstrate the courage of true statesmanship," the statement added. U.S. President Bill Clinton announced Wednesday that he would host a summit with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat at Camp David, Maryland, early next week in a bid to deal with difficulties core issues on the Middle East peace process. |
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