ttHEf NATIONS UNIES

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

Message to the United Nations International Meeting in support of a Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Establishment of Peace in the Delivered by Mr. Peter Hansen, Commissioner-General, UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East Athens. 23-24 Mav 2000

It gives me pleasure to convey my greetings to all who have gathered in Athens for this important international meeting. I would like to pay tribute to the Government and people of Greece for hosting this event and assisting in its preparation.

You come together at a particularly sensitive and difficult stage of the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. The parties are making a determined effort to overcome decades of suspicion and animosity. They are addressing issues of paramount importance, including refugees, Jerusalem, settlements, borders and the sharing of water resources. They are attempting to build bridges of trust, partnership and understanding.

The United Nations continues to play an active role in supporting this process, in particular by helping to lay the economic and social foundations for a viable peace. These efforts have focused on developing Palestinian infrastructure, enhancing institutional capacity and improving the living conditions of the Palestinian people. Indeed, for more than half a century the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East has provided humanitarian assistance and essential basic services. I would like to take this opportunity to call again on donors to provide UNRWA with the resources it needs to keep up with the growth and rising needs of the refugee community. Donor countries, in particular members of the European Union, also play a key role in supporting the Palestinian Authority and Palestinian nation-building in general. Such assistance is a vital source of confidence, in this period of transition more than ever.

The United Nations is also supporting the peace process through the efforts of Mr. Terje Rod-Larsen, who serves as United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process as well as my Personal Representative to the Palestine Liberation Organization and Palestinian Authority. I have asked Mr. Larsen to work closely with the various parties in the region in order to provide them with political support, and to coordinate United Nations assistance in the areas of development and .

This moment in the Middle East peace process is one of great challenge and expectation. The parties have made considerable progress, yet the situation on the ground remains worrisome and contains the seed of further trouble. I would like to encourage the parties to move boldly ahead, and not to be discouraged by the obstacles they will face along the way. Succeeding in a task of such historic proportions will require both sides to show great patience, good faith and readiness to make hard decisions. But it remains my hope that they will indeed be able to make further headway and arrive at the final settlement agreement in accordance with the agreed timetable. And it remains my hope that the parties will do everything in their power to preserve the accomplishments of the peace process and continue to recognize their shared interest in a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on Security Council resolutions 242 and 338.

International support plays a crucial role in this regard, and it is in that spirit of solidarity that I ask you to accept my best wishes for a successful meeting. UNITED NATIONS NATIONS UNIES

OUTGOING FACSIMILE

EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL CABINET DU SECRETAIRE GENERAL

DATE: 16 May 2000

TO: Mr. Peter Hansen FROMi^J^RjgjK ^^f»<< Commissioner-General Chef de Cabinet ^^ UNRWA ExectrtrrrT7Tro

1. I would like to thank you for your fax of 15 May, confirming your availability to represent the Secretary-General at the opening session of the United Nations International Meeting in Support of a Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Establishment of Peace in the Middle East, to be held in Athens on 23 May 2000. We have informed the Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People accordingly, and are most grateful to you for making yourself available for this occasion.

2. Please see attached the statement that the Secretary-General would like you to deliver on his behalf at the meeting.

Thank you and best regards. UNITED NATIONS NATIONS UNIES

1 OUTGOING FACSIMILE [ji ft* I?" P'" ^ EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL 11 f] j 20311 CABINET DU SECRETAIRE GENERAL 1U U i

DATE: 17 May 2000 **^r * ^^^* j£^4 » * i- TO: Mr. Peter Hansen FROM: STIqbal Rlza f^ &*1 1*^ Commissioner-General UNRWA Executive Office of tfe/ Gaza Secretary-General New York FAX NO: 011-97-27-677-7555 FAX NO: (212) 963-2155 SUBJECT: Athens conference, 23 - 25 May 2000 TOTAL NUMBER OF TRANSMITTED PAGES INCLUDING THIS ONE: 3

Further to my fax of 16 May, please find attached Wey^sed^yersi£rio0ie message which the Secretary-General would like you to deliver at the opening session of the United Nations International Meeting in Support of a Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Establishment of Peace in the Middle East, to be held in Athens on 23 May 2000.

Thank you and best regards.