SG/SM/8205
23 April 2002

SECRETARY-GENERAL REITERATES FULL CONFIDENCE IN
MIDDLE EAST SPECIAL COORDINATOR FOLLOWING
PUBLIC CRITICISM BY ISRAELI GOVERNMENT

NEW YORK, 22 April (UN Headquarters) -- The following statement by Secretary-General Kofi Annan was issued Sunday, 21 April by his Spokesman:

I am disturbed by the recent public criticism of my Special Coordinator, Terje Roed-Larsen, by representatives of the Government of Israel. Mr. Roed-Larsen, in his many years of working to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, has always conducted himself with objectivity, professionalism and compassion. In the course of his efforts, Mr. Roed-Larsen has developed useful and constructive relations with representatives of both parties.

I applaud the work done by Mr. Roed-Larsen and all United Nations personnel in the region, particularly in the recent difficult weeks, and I wish to reiterate my full confidence in Mr. Roed-Larsen.

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