UN chief calls on PA to release Shalit
Visiting West Bank for first time, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon calls for the release of kidnapped Israeli soldier, expresses 'deep admiration' for the Palestinian people. 'This has strengthened my commitment to work for peace,' he says
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon on Sunday toured a Palestinian refugee camp and a stretch of Israel's separation fence in the West Bank, and said the visit strengthened his resolve to work for Mideast peace.
During his visit Ban also called for the release of kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.
In his first trip to the Palestinian territories, Ban visited the Aida refugee camp on the outskirts of the biblical town of Bethlehem, just south of the fence.
"I have deep admiration for these people, for the resilience of Palestinian people, to make their lives better," Ban said. "This has strengthened my resolve and commitment to work for peace in the Middle East."
Senior UN officials and the Palestinian governor of Bethlehem, Salah Tameri, explained to Ban the difficulties caused by Israeli travel restrictions and the fence.
Commenting on the fence, Ban said it is "a very sad and tragic thing to see many suffering from the construction of this wall, depriving opportunities for basic living."
'Palestinians ready for peace talks'
Later Sunday, Ban met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
The two discussed the Palestinians' current situation in light of the international embargo on the Authority, the cutting-off of international aid and Israel's freezing of Palestinian tax funds.
Abbas also informed Ban of the increasing poverty in the PA and the deteriorating situation at IDF checkpoints.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (Photo: AFP)
Abbas described the suffering the Palestinians faced as a result of "Israel's policy of collective punishment."
"We made clear to the secretary-general the dangers of expanding settlements, especially in the Jerusalem area, and the building of the fence that harms the two-state principal."
Abbas asked Ban to complete evaluations of the damage the fence has caused the Palestinians, and reiterated that the Palestinians were ready for peace talks with Israel.
After arriving at Abbas' headquarters, Ban laid a wreath of white flowers on the grave of Abbas' predecessor, Yasser Arafat. He was received by an honor guard and a red carpet.
'Release Gilad Shalit'
During his meeting with Abbas, Ban called for the release of kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.
After the meeting, Abbas said that the Palestinians made it clear to Ban that they were committed to a peace based on international decisions and the Saudi initiative.
He stressed that Ban should view the new government's political plan in a positive light, saying that it was committed to a mutual calm and will continue making every effort to see to Shalit's release, in the frame of a prisoner-swap deal.
Ban urged the Palestinian government to meet international demands to renounce violence, recognize Israel's right to exist and accept past peace agreements.
"We expect that the national unity government will perform and meet the expectations of the international community," Ban said. "I encourage this new government and I hope that its actions will show a basic commitment ... To peace."
Despite his positive attitude toward the unity government, Ban sad that the time is not ripe for meetings with its Hamas officials.
Ali Waked contributed to this report.
