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Israel seeks seat on UN Security Council
(AP)
Updated: 2005-09-21 09:26

"What happens in the West Bank is very much on our mind," U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said. "For us, the Quartet, it's Gaza first and then the next stage will be the West Bank, not Gaza first and Gaza last."

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice added, "Our task now is to build on the momentum of that withdrawal."

Shalom's meetings with Arab leaders have boosted hopes of a new era of cooperation in the Middle East. Shalom has been telling Arab and Islamic countries that opening ties with Israel would be the best way to help the Palestinians.

In a speech Tuesday to the General Assembly, Kuwait expressed hope Israel's Gaza withdrawal would revive peace negotiations, adding that it should be followed by measures by the Israelis toward ending the occupation of all Arab lands.

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan looks on during a news conference with the Middle East quartet during the 60th General Assembly at United Nations Headquarters in New York September 20, 2005. [Reuters]
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan looks on during a news conference with the Middle East quartet during the 60th General Assembly at United Nations Headquarters in New York September 20, 2005. [Reuters]
An Arab peace plan calls on Israel to withdraw from all territory captured in the 1967 Middle East war, the establishment of a Palestinian state and a solution for Palestinian refugees. Palestinians want Gaza, the West Bank and traditionally Arab east Jerusalem for their future state, while Syria wants the return of the Golan Heights.

Shalom said he was optimistic about the possibility of closer ties with the Arab world that could eventually lead to full diplomatic relations.

He announced that he will visit Tunisia in November. Tunisia broke off formal, low-level ties with Israel after the outbreak of large-scale Israeli-Palestinian violence five years ago, but retains some commercial relations.

Shalom said Arab officials he met with had a "positive attitude" about the future prospects for relations, though he indicated breakthroughs may not be achieved immediately.

"I don't know if we are going to have full diplomatic relations, but we are taking some steps forward with all those countries," he said.


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