SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES INDIRECT PEACE TALKS BETWEEN SYRIA AND ISRAEL

SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES INDIRECT PEACE TALKS BETWEEN SYRIA AND ISRAEL New York, May 21 2008 2:00PM Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed today's announcement that Syria and Israel have started holding indirect peace talks aimed at resolving their long-running conflict.

The two Middle East countries confirmed that they are holding talks, under the auspices of Turkey, with the hope of reaching a comprehensive peace in accordance with the 1991 Madrid Conference terms of reference for peace.

In a <"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2008/sgsm11585.doc.htm">statement issued by his spokesperson, Mr. Ban commended Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert "for taking this important step." He also thanked Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his efforts.
2008-05-21 00:00:00.000

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