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Letter from M. Jacques CHIRAC, President of the Republic, to Mr Kofi ANNAN, Secretary-General of the United Nations, regarding the situation in the Palestinian Territories.
Paris, 3 May 2006
Secretary-General
[Handwritten:] Dear Kofi,
On 28 April I had a visit from Mr Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority. He emphasized to me the imminence of an unprecedented humanitarian, economic and social crisis in the Palestinian Territories, largely due to the fact that, as from two months ago, the Palestinian Authority has been unable to pay the salaries of its civil servants.
Action is thus necessary, and even urgent. The international community has a political responsibility which it must not shirk.
Given the risk and the consequences which could ensue, we must establish a mechanism making it possible, while respecting international legality and the principles agreed to by the Quartet, to address the nature and urgency of this looming crisis.
The Palestinian President supported the idea of a trust fund directly managed by the World Bank which could pay the salaries of the civil servants on whom depend the living conditions of nearly a third of the Palestinian population. The Bank has the means, agencies and staff required to rapidly set up such a mechanism.
I assured the Palestinian President of France's support for the implementation of this fund.
I am aware of the eminent role the United Nations has played in the management of the Palestinian issue, and the presence and considerable economic and social support provided on the ground by the UN agencies, which are doing a remarkable job, recognized by everyone.
So I have no doubt that you will share my analysis, and be sensitive to this completely new situation in the Territories, for which we must live up to our ambitions and our commitment.
The next Quartet meeting, on 9 May, must be the opportunity for taking such a decision, since it will allow us to reaffirm, in the eyes of all, the unity of the international community, its support for the Palestinian population and commitment to the establishment of a just and lasting peace in the region.
(complimentary close, with handwritten addition).
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