17 Sep 2012

UN / MIDDLE EAST

The top United Nations official in the Middle East told the Security Council today (17 September) that against the background of the severe financial and economic crisis currently affecting the Palestinian Authority, "the lack of progress between Israelis and Palestinians on the political track and the continuing conflict and occupation put at risk the viability of the two-state solution." UNTV

Posted at: September 17, 2012 1:34 pm

Duration: 02:26

Available in: SD

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STORY: UN / MIDDLE EAST
TRT: 2.26
SOURCE: UNTV 
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH/ NATS

DATELINE: 17 SEPTEMBER 2012, NEW YORK CITY / FILE

SHOTLIST:

FILE – RECENT, NEW YORK CITY

1. Wide shot, exterior United Nations headquarters

17 SEPTEMBER 2012, NEW YORK CITY

2. Wide shot, Security Council
3. Med shot, delegates
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Robert H. Serry, United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process:
"We can no longer simply count on the pursuit of short-term mutual confidence-building measures aimed at starting talks. Such measures are not alternatives for negotiated peace. The lack of progress on the political track and ongoing conflict and occupation put at risk the very viability of the two-state solution. There is no more sobering a manifestation of such a risk than the financial and economic crisis currently afflicting the Palestinian Authority."
5. Med shot, delegates 
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Robert H. Serry, United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process:
"Despite Prime Minister Fayyad's commendable efforts, he is confronted with the effects of a decrease in foreign aid, the failure of donor countries to fulfil their financial pledges and slowing economic activity. As our report to the AHLC will highlight, such a slowdown is dampening hopes of reducing the high unemployment, poverty and vulnerability that still affect thousands of Palestinians. Against this background and as an immediate step to ensure the PA's fiscal viability in the short-term, we urgently call on donors, in particular from the region, to increase their contributions and provide the much needed funds to timely finance the current gap." 
7. Med shot, delegates 
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Robert H. Serry, United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process:
"In a volatile and rapidly changing region, the vision of the two-state solution and the achievements of the Palestinian Authority are elements of stability and progress that should not be lost but rather maintained and realized in full without further delay. For one, this means nothing short of unequivocal support by the international community for the Palestinian Authority and collective intensified efforts to address the fiscal difficulties presently faced and preserve the institutional gains made to date. Israel has also a special responsibility and interest in ensuring the Palestinian Authority's viability. It is now even more important for the parties to further engage in positive steps, show restraint, and refrain from provocative acts that risk inflaming an already delicate environment." 
9. Wide shot, Security Council

STORYLINE:

Robert Serry, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, said the effects of a decrease in foreign aid, the failure of donor countries to fulfil their financial pledges and slowing economic activity are "dampening hopes of reducing the high unemployment, poverty and vulnerability that still affect thousands of Palestinians."

He called on donor countries "to increase their contributions and provide the much needed funds to timely finance the current gap."

The Special Coordinator said "in a volatile and rapidly changing region, the vision of the two-state solution and the achievements of the Palestinian Authority are elements of stability and progress that should not be lost but rather maintained and realized in full without further delay."

Serry called for "nothing short of unequivocal support by the international community for the Palestinian Authority and collective intensified efforts to address the fiscal difficulties presently faced and preserve the institutional gains made to date."

He added that "Israel has also a special responsibility and interest in ensuring the Palestinian Authority's viability."

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in his report to the Council expressed hope that the Quartet partners, in consultation with the parties, will chart a credible political way ahead in the coming months.