THAILAND: U.N. SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN CALLS ON ISRAEL TO RESPECT THE WORLD COURT RULING

Record ID: 222879

  • Title: THAILAND: U.N. SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN CALLS ON ISRAEL TO RESPECT THE WORLD COURT RULING
  • Date: 11th July 2004
  • Summary: (U2) BANGKOK, THAILAND (JULY 11, 2004) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1. SLV UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN WALKS INTO ORIENTAL HOTEL 0.06 2. SV/MCU KOFI ANNAN GREETS THAI FOREIGN MINISTER SURAKIART SATHIRATHAI (2 SHOTS) 0.25 3. SLV/SV SURAKIART AND ANNAN SEATED TOGETHER FOR TALKS (5 SHOTS) 0.50 4. MCU (English) UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN TALKING ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL COURT RULING THAT THE ISRAELI DEFENCE BARRIER BUILD ACROSS THE WEST BANK IS ILLEGAS AND SAYING: "We didn't (discuss the West Bank barrier) but the report has been received and I will pass it on to the General Assembly which has asked for the report, I think the decision of the court is clear. While we all accept that the government of Israel has the responsibility and indeed the duty to protect its citizens, any action it takes has to be in conformity with international law and has to reflect the interests of the Palestinians, and Israel as the occupying power is responsible for the welfare of the people, of the Palestinians. The report has been given to the General Assembly and we'll see where they will go from there. I don't want to prejudge what they may decide so we'll see at the General Assembly." 1.41 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 26th July 2004 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: BANGKOK,THAILAND
  • Country: Thailand
  • Reuters ID: LVABJ3745EPJEQRKZWDLKZIRIEBA
  • Story Text: U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan calls on Israel to
    respect the World Court ruling.



    U.N. Secretary Kofi Annan on Sunday (July 11)
    backed the World Court's decision to rule against the wall
    Israel is building in the West Bank, calling on Israel to
    respect its duties as an occupying power.

    "While we all accept that the government of Israel has
    the responsibility and indeed the duty to protect its
    citizens, any action it takes has to be in conformity with
    international law and has to reflect the interests of the
    Palestinians, and Israel as the occupying power is
    responsible for the welfare of the people, of the
    Palestinians," Annan told reporters in Bangkok, where he is
    to attend the International AIDS conference.

    The World Court, the U.N.'s highest tribunal, issued a
    non-binding opinion that the partially built barrier, which
    cuts
    into the West Bank, should be dismantled. Only the
    15-nation Security Council can take action on the ruling,
    but as a
    permanent member, Israel's ally the United States can veto
    it.

    Palestinian President Yasser Arafat hailed the court's
    decision, saying it "was a sign that the world supports the
    Palestinians in rejecting this wall."
    Israel has said the ruling is invalid because it fails
    to address its stated reason it built the barrier -- to keep
    Palestinian suicide bombers out of its cities where they
    have killed hundreds of people.

    Palestinians call the barrier an "apartheid wall" that
    will deny them a viable state and has separated thousands
    from fields, schools and hospitals. Officials said they
    would demand the
    Security Council take action.

    But U.S. officials made clear they opposed U.N.

    involvement.

    The ruling came only two days before a bomb exploded
    next to a Tel Aviv bus station on Sunday (July 11), killing
    one woman and wounding 14 people.



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