RUSSIA: UN chief criticises Israeli settlement expansion says quartet meeting at crucial time

Record ID: 561228

  • Title: RUSSIA: UN chief criticises Israeli settlement expansion says quartet meeting at crucial time
  • Date: 19th March 2010
  • Summary: CAMERA CREWS
  • Embargoed: 3rd April 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVAD71TMEZ5VW3HD9XUXU3EPNWH
  • Story Text: U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Thursday (March 18) he hoped a meeting of international Middle East mediators in Moscow can advance badly troubled peace efforts at a "crucially important" time.
    "This quartet meeting is taking place at a crucially important time. We have been very much frustrated by what's happening on the ground. This proximity talk which has been facilitated by the United States, should further be encouraged. This proximity talk, indirect talk, should eventually be led to direct negotiation. There is no alternative to the direct negotiation and there is no alternative to such direct and peaceful dialogue in resolving all the differences of opinion," said Ban, who heads to the Middle East after Friday's meeting with the top diplomats of Russia, the United States and the European Union.
    In an interview with Ekho Moskvy radio, Ban echoed widespread criticism of Israeli plans for 1,600 more homes for Jews near East Jerusalem.
    "It's true we have been frustrated by not having been able to see the progress on the ground. Recently the Israeli government has announced the new settlement plan of 1,600 houses and that has been very strongly condemned by quartet and by many other parties in the world. Now we'd like to discuss during our quartet meeting how quartet can better contribute to facilitate this ongoing peace process between Israelis and Palestinians," said the U.N. chief.
    The settlement blueprint has sent sparks flying between between Israel and the United States and cast plans for indirect "proximity" talks in doubt.
    Ban will meet on Friday with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton -- his colleagues in the so-called quartet of Middle East mediators.
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