The "road map" for Middle East peace is not dead, but Israel and the Palestinians must do more to end the cycle of violence, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan told the European Parliament today.
He said the onus was on both sides to show leadership and make "reciprocal and parallel concessions" and take confidence-building measures to prevent attacks such as the suicide bombing of an Israeli bus that killed at least 10 people today.
The road map, which envisages the creation of a Palestinian state by 2005, is sponsored by the United Nations, the European Union, the United States and Russia. The plan calls for Palestinians to rein in militant attacks on Israel.
It also requires Israel to return occupied settlements and to ease travel restriction for Palestinians.
Each side has accused the other of non-compliance, and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has threatened to take unilateral steps, leaving Palestinians with less land than they have sought.
"I would once again want to appeal to the leaders, for the sake of their people and their nation, to summon the courage and the leadership to get back to the table . . . to move the process ahead," Mr Annan said.
He yesterday warned that the ruling Palestinian Authority could collapse unless extra international aid is provided urgently.
Mr Annan also accepted the Andrei Sakharov International Prize for the protection of human rights given to the UN in memory of its inspectors killed in a bomb blast in Iraq late last year. The award was made by European Parliament President Pat Cox who said the UN and shared common values and purpose.
Agencies