UNITED NATIONS NATIONS UNIES
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
MESSAGE TO INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SEMINAR ON PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST, "NEW CHALLENGES IN THE MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS AND ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN DIALOGUE" Moscow, 8 June 2006
Delivered by Mr. Shashi Tharoor, Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information
You gather at a time when potentially transformative decisions are being contemplated that could affect the lives of Palestinians and Israelis, and the prospects for peace, for many years to come. Thus I am pleased to have this opportunity to preface what will no doubt be your very detailed discussions with a few general comments.
First, I hope you are all aware that the United Nations has just issued a revised Consolidated Appeal to address the humanitarian plight of the Palestinian people. The Appeal represents an 80 percent increase over what we had previously expected to require, and reflects our very real concern about the extent of the current difficulties. I have urged donors to fully fund the Appeal, and to support the work of UN agencies. With Palestinian suffering already acute, we must all do our part to avert a full-scale humanitarian crisis in the occupied Palestinian territory. In addition, as you know, the United Nations is working very closely with the European Union and our other Quartet partners to create a temporary international mechanism to ensure assistance to the Palestinian people. It is my hope that this mechanism can be put in place as soon as possible.
Second, our over-arching goal remains lasting peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians. For this to be achieved, the parties must deal with each other, face to face. Any Israeli desire to withdraw from the West Bank is to be welcomed, but there is no substitute for a durable, negotiated solution, and no other way to resolve final status issues. I am pleased that Prime Minister Olmert has said he would exhaust every possibility to promote peace with the Palestinians.
On the Palestinian side, President Abbas is a partner whose commitment to a peacefully negotiated two-state solution is unquestioned. The Quartet, for its part, has made clear its position on what is expected of the Palestinian Authority government. I hope that the well- known desire of the Palestinian people for a negotiated, two-state solution will emerge strengthened from the internal Palestinian discussion and debate now under way, and that their desire will be reflected in the positions taken by the government. - : ':? ^ L-J \u' 1I1 —
1 3 2006 Lt_ D /CENTRAL Your agenda for this seminar reflects the great breadth of issues facing the parties. The international community, for its part, has an interest and a duty to help them not only to return to negotiations, but also to see them through to a just, lasting and peaceful solution, in accordance with Security Council resolutions 242, 338, 1397 and 1515. I thank all the participants for contributing their experience and expertise to this seminar, and wish you all the best for a constructive encounter. Hira Ueki/NY/UNO To Edward Mortimer/NY/UNO@UNHQ 30/05/2006 03:18PM cc Dysane Dorani/NY/UNO@UNHQ, Ruxandra Ferascu/NY/UNO@UNHQ bcc Subject SG's message to the Moscow media seminar on peace in the Middle East
Dear Edward,
On behalf of Mr. Dysane Dorani, our Section chief, I would like to ask for the SG's message to the International Media Seminar on Peace in the Middle East, which will be held in Moscow on 8 and 9 June. Mr. Tharoor will read his message in the opening session on 8 June. The Foreign Ministry of the Russian Federation will co-host the seminar and we expect Foreign Minister Lavrov to make an opening statement ahead of the SG's message. We will send you shortly the latest programme and list of participants.
Hiro Ueki PDHRS/CCS/SCD DPI PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME (Rev 30 May 2006)
International Media Seminar on Peace in the Middle East
"New Challenges in the Middle East Peace Process and Israeli-Palestinian Dialogue"
Organized by the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI) in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation
Moscow, 8-9 June 2006
Day 1: 8 June 2006
09:30-10:00 Registration:
10:00-11:00 Opening session:
Welcoming remarks:
H.E, Mr. Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.
Mr. Shashi Tharoor, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information.
Messages:
H.E, Mr. Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the United Nations, message will be delivered by Mr. Shashi Tharoor.
H.E, Mr. Paul Badji, Permanent Representative of Senegal to the United Nations, Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People
Keynote address:
Mr. Alvaro de Soto, United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and Personal Representative to the PLO and the Palestinian Authority
H.E, President Mikhail Gorbachev, President of Gorbachev Foundation.
11:00-11:15 Coffee break 11:15-13:00 Panel I: "In the Aftermath of the Israeli and Palestinian Elections: Challenges, Opportunities, Responsibilities".
Key issue The emergence of Hamas in the Palestinian legislative elections has significantly impacted the dynamics of Palestinian politics, their relations with Israel, the Quartet and donor countries, as well as prospects for peace in the Middle East. In Israel, voters have endorsed the idea of withdrawing from the West Bank, during the recent legislative election, by supporting Kadima, along with the Labour Party. The Israeli new government policy decisions will also have a major impact on the Middle East peace process. In light of the significant changes occurring in Israeli-Palestinian relations, panellists present their perspectives on these changes and their implications for the road to peace.
Moderator: -Mr. Shashi Tharoor, Under-Secretary General, Department of Public Information will introduce the theme of the panel.
Panellists: 1- H.E, Mr Saltanov Alexander, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, in charge of Middle East region, 2- H.E, Mr. Nabil Shaath, member of PLC, former Minister of Information; 3- Mr. David Makovsky, Director, Project on the Middle East Peace Process, Washington Institute, (TBC), 4 - Ms. Zahava Galon, member of Knesset, Meretz Party,
Debate/questions and answer session
13:00-14:30 Lunch
14:30-16-30 Panel II: "The Impact of Regional Changes on the Middle East Peace Process"
Key issue: The recent developments in the region, particularly in Syria, Lebanon, Egypt and Iran, are becoming increasingly important for the Middle East peace process. On going domestic changes in the neighboring countries, movements for political and economic reform and the information revolution are all affecting the dynamics of the region. The panel will examine the implications, both direct and indirect, of these changes for the future of the Middle East Peace Process. Moderator: -Mr. Shashi Tharoor (introduction of the panel's theme),
Panellists: 1- H.E, Ambassador Chinmaya Gharekhan, former United Nations Special Coordinator in the Palestinian Occupied Territories, 2- H.E, Mr. Riyad Mansour, Permanent Observer of Palestine to the UN, 3- Dr. Ahmad Tibi, Deputy Speaker of the Knesset, Ra'am Ta'al Party, 4 - Mr. Gideon Saar, member of Knesset, Likud Party, 5- H.E, Mr. Mohamad Dahlan, member of PLC, former Interior Minister
Floor discussion
16:30-16:45 Coffee break
16:45-17:45 Film screening -Tribeca Film Festival: "Encounter point" This Organization was created for bereaved family members for both Palestinians and Israelis to share and unite in their grief for those family members who were killed as a result of terrorist/army attacks. This is a powerful message of peace.
20:15- 22:15 Dinner hosted by the Foreign Ministry of the Russian Federation
Day 2: 9 June 2006
9:00-11:00 Panel III: "Economic and Social Viability in a Two-States Solution'
Key issue: Economic and social data indicate a deteriorating economic and social situation in the West Bank and Gaza strip. The restrictions imposed on labour movements affect the economy as well as the daily life of the Palestinian population. How will a unilateral withdrawal of Israel from large parts of the West Bank impact the economic viability, livelihood conditions of the communities as well as vital social services including water, health, education, agriculture etc? What is the institutional, social and economic development in the West Bank and particularly in Gaza, especially after one year of disengagement? What perspectives and strategy could be envisioned to improve the conditions for the benefit of all communities in the region? Moderator: -Mr. Shashi Tharoor (introduction of panel's theme),
Panellists: 1- Mr. Guy Haaze, Member of the International Free Trade Union and President of Belgium Trade Union, 2- Mr. Riyad Al-Hassan, Director of the State Information Service, Gaza, 3- Ms. Rohama Avraham, Member of Knesset, Kadima Party, 4 - Mr. Shaher Sa'ed, President of the Palestinian Trade Union, Palestine General Federation of Trade Unions (PGFTU), 5- Mr. Dani Ben-Abu, Council member for Human Rights activities,
11:00-11:15 Coffee break
11:15-13:00 Panel IV: "Media Coverage of the Middle East Peace Process: Does the Media Have an Impact on the Peace Process?"
Key issue: In view of the discussion on political, economic and social Development in the Israeli-Palestinian relations, media representatives will share their views on the importance of media coverage of the Middle East peace process, increasing public awareness on prospects for peace in the Middle East; covering the story: different perspectives, different treatments; what makes the story newsworthy in the west? In the west, editorials and op-ed often debate different points of views. Can the public benefit from such a debate in the region's media? Should journalists play a role to help advance the peace process?
Moderator: - Ms. Elena Suponina, Chief Division for International Affaires, Vremya Novostei, Moscow,
Panellists: 1 - Mr. Gideon Levy, International Editor, Columnist Haaretz, Israel 2- Mr. Sarkis Na'oum, Columnist, Al-Nahar Newspaper, Beirut; 3- Mr. Talal Okal, Columnist, Al-Ayam Newspaper, Ramallah, 4- Mr. Abdulbarri Atwan, Editor-in-Chief, Al-Quds Al-Arabi, Newspaper, London, 5- Mr. Ben Caspit, senior political correspondent, Maariv Newspaper, Israel 6- Mr. Walid Omari, senior correspondent ofAl-Jazeera TV, Ramallah; 7- Ms. Roula Khalaf, senior international correspondent, the Financial Times, London, 8- Ms. Liat Collins, senior political reporter, Jerusalem Post Newspaper 13:00-14:30 Lunch
14:30-17:15 Panel V (A): "The Challenge of Local Capacity Building and Inter-Community Cooperation"
Key Issues: In this panel, representatives of the Civil Society, including Academia, City Governments, Economic Development Corporations, and NGOs, will present their perspectives on how inter-community cooperation in educational, scientific, and professional training initiatives could most significantly support local capacity building for economic and social development. Sample initiatives will be discussed, including the critical need for a regional cooperation in economic development projects such as the green house agricultural project undertaken by the Palestinian Economic Development Corporation with the support of the World bank, a joint efforts of Israeli and Palestinian municipalities and universities, with the support of the international academic community, to create a Computer Learning & Information Center for college students in Gaza and Ashkelon, an International School for Managers of Municipal Services such as water, energy, transportation, public health, etc.., as well as regional university-industry cooperation in exploring innovative methods for protecting the ground water quality in the region, and other social development projects. The presentations and discussion will focus on efficient ways for forging the partnerships for implementation of such initiatives for the benefits of the civil societies in the region.
Moderator: - Mr. Shashi Tharoor
Panelists: 1- Professor Ilan Juran, Executive Director, Urban infrastructure Institute, Polytechnic University, New York, and Co- Founder of MEDACORD; 2- Mr. Ayed Abu Ramadan, Executive Manager Gaza Agricultural Project, Palestinian Economic Development Corporation, 3- Mr. Benny Vaknin, President, Metropolitan Transit Authority, Tel Aviv, Former Mayor of Ashkelon;
16:00 - 15:20 Panel V (B): "The Civil Society Participation and Perspectives of Grass Root Level Initiatives" Key Issues: The peaceful resolutions of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict must ultimately involve the two peoples. In this panel, Unions, Academia, Elected Officials of Municipalities, Economic Development Corporations, and NGOs, will present their perspectives on the prospects of inter-community cooperation at the local level and grass root level regional initiatives that can most significantly contribute to the economic and social development of all the communities in the region. The presentations and discussion will involve experience sharing, prospects of economic development and concrete implementation strategies for grass root level initiatives.
Moderator: - Mr. Shashi Tharoor
Panelists: 1- Ms. Benita Ferrero-Waldner, European Union External Relations Commissioner (TBC), 2- Professor Evgeniy Primakov, former Prime Minister, member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, President of the Russian Trade and Industry Chamber, 3- Mr. Maghed Abu Ramadan, Mayor of the City of Gaza, 4- Mr. Zvi Zilker, Mayor of the City of Ashdod 5- Ms. Ruhama Avraham, Member of Knesset, Kadima Party, 6- Mr. Munib Al-Masri, President of the Palestinian Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
17:20-17:30 Coffee break
17:30-18:00 Evaluation and closing remarks: Concluding statement by Mr. Shashi Tharoor;
Note: MEDACORD (Mediterranean Association for Cooperation Resources and Development)