UN sees window of opportunity to advance Mideast peace

A "window of opportunity" to revitalize the Israeli-Palestinian peace process has emerged as the two sides are cooperating to ensure successful Palestinian presidential elections in January and the Palestinians' backing for anti-Israel violence is falling, a senior UN official said on Thursday.

"Both parties seem to have realized the potential for change inherent in the present situation," Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Kieran Prendergast told the Security Council.

He cited a string of positive developments, including a smooth Palestinian transition after the death of President Yasser Arafat,a scaling back of Israeli military activities and a dramatic drop in the Palestinian public's support for anti-Israel violence.

"There exists at present a real opportunity to implement the roadmap's provisions and to make a huge leap forward toward a settlement of the conflict," he added, referring to the peace plan which envisions two states living in peace by the end of 2005.

"But," he cautioned, "much work remains to be done if potentials to become achievement. We should make clear that we expect both Israel and the Palestinians to seize the moment to act constructively, and to work within the framework of the roadmap."

Prendergast also hailed the smooth preparations for the Jan. 9 elections and Israel's role in contributing "meaningfully to enabling a positive transition period" by resuming security cooperation and taking other constructive measures.

"With the emergence of a more positive atmosphere, support among the Palestinian public for violent acts and terror against Israelis has declined dramatically," he said. "This is a critically important development."

In a statement issued after the briefing, Council President Abdallah Baali of Algeria welcomed Prendergast's assessment. "Members of the Security Council agree that the moment is propitious for movement to implement the roadmap and look forward to free, fair and open Palestinian elections," he said.

The Algerian ambassador encouraged the UN to continue providing full support to upcoming Palestinian presidential elections and to encourage parties "to do their utmost to ensure success of those elections."

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Thursday that a UN liaison and support unit will open its office in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Saturday. UN officers will act as an interface betweenthe international observers and the Palestinian Central Electoral Commission.

Source: Xinhua