*EPF402 07/19/01
Text: G-8 Foreign Ministers' Statement on the Middle East
(Ministers reaffirm Mitchell report in its entirety) (340)
Foreign ministers of the world's seven major industrialized nations plus Russia, at the conclusion of a two-day meeting in Rome July 19, urged the Palestinians and Israelis to implement "in its entirety" the recommendations contained in the Mitchell Report.
"In the light of the alarming developments in the Middle East, we reaffirm that the Mitchell Report in its entirety is the only way forward to break the deadlock, to stop the escalation and to resume a political process," the foreign ministers said.
The Mitchell Report, a set of proposals on the Middle East, was put together by an international group chaired by former U.S. Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell.
The foreign ministers meeting in Rome was in preparation for the Summit of Group of Eight (G-8) leaders that begins July 20 in Genoa.
Following is the foreign ministers' statement on the Middle East, as released by Italy's Foreign Affairs Ministry:
(begin text)
G8 Document
STATEMENT ON MIDDLE EAST
Rome, 18-19 July 2001
In the light of the alarming developments in the Middle East, we reaffirm that the Mitchell Report in its entirety is the only way forward to break the deadlock, to stop the escalation and to resume a political process.
The cooling off period must begin as soon as possible. This means:
-- all extremism and terrorism must be opposed; they cannot be allowed to dictate the security environment;
-- all the commitments given to securing a cessation of violence must be scrupulously observed;
-- each party must refrain from provocation and incitement;
-- no action should be taken by either party which undermines the other.
We believe that in these circumstances third-party monitoring accepted by both parties would serve their interests in implementing the Mitchell Report.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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