‘Make Arafat’s dream a reality” - Annan

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan today urged Palestinians and Israelis to work with the international community to make Yasser Arafat’s dream of two states living in peace a reality.

At Mr Annan’s request, the General Assembly decided to accord Mr Arafat the honours of a head of state because that’s the way he was always regarded by the 191-member world body even though the Palestinians only have observer status at the UN, spokesman Fred Eckhard said.