Secretary General Kurt Waldheim said today that he intends to meet with Arab and Israeli representatives during the General Assembly session which opens Sept. 21 in order to revive the process of negotiations in the Middle East. But the Secretary General observed that formal negotiations between the parties cannot be expected to be resumed before the end of this year. He expressed hope, however, that his talks with Israeli and Arab leaders would lead to a resumption of negotiations.
Addressing a press conference on the eve of the opening of the 31st General Assembly, Waldheim also stressed the urgency of UN action against international terrorism. He noted that the problem is not limited to any member state or any one region in the world. It is “essential that the Assembly devote time to this urgent matter,” he said. Waldheim said he thought there were better chances this year that the UN would adopt antiterrorism measures, noting that a number of member states intend to introduce the issue before the Assembly.
Responding to questions on the situation in Lebanon, Waldheim said the UN has not intervened in the conflict because its Charter provides that regional efforts should be made before the UN takes action. in that respect he noted that the Arab League is continuing its efforts to reach a settlement in Lebanon.
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