Former United Nations Secretary General Kurt Waldheim described the situation in the Middle East region as extremely dangerous and called upon leaders of the region to properly address and resolve these outstanding issues.
During an interview with the Beirut-based newspaper An Nahar, cited by Qatar News Agency, the former UN Head deemed the renewal of peace talks as essential. The concerned parties ought to return to the negotiations table, because there is no other way to succeed, he conveyed.
The former UN Chief, however, did not overlook the current paradox relations, QNA reported. He shared the general sense of fear that peace would be extremely difficult to attain as long as Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was in power. He termed the ultra-rightist Israeli Prime Minister as a hard-liner.
Waldheim conceded there was pressing need for fair and influential diplomacy to convince the parties to work out a last settlement.
He, however, admitted the futility of any settlement, which would not deal with the key issues of the conflict, namely the borders, and the two issues of Jerusalem and the refugees.
Waldheim, who is currently visiting the Lebanese capital city of Beirut, described the US recognition of an independent Palestinian state, as a favorable development, that can not be overlooked.
International major players, such as Britain, France and Russia should follow up on this important progress in Washington’s attitude on a workable and realistic basis in order to push the peace efforts in a forward direction, he further conveyed. (Albawaba.com)
