One week after rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas signed a reconciliation agreement, five Elders – Kofi Annan, Desmond Tutu, Jimmy Carter, Mary Robinson and Lakhdar Brahimi – discuss what this development could mean for a lasting peace in the region.
The Elders met the Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, and Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias and were encouraged by their positive reports of progress at the start of the second phase of peace negotiations. At a press conference at the end of their visit, the Elders also urged the Cypriot media on both sides to play a responsible role in reporting the progress of the talks and in covering efforts to improve cooperation between the two communities.
On the second day of their visit, the Elders met Israeli President Shimon Peres in Jerusalem as well as Palestinian Prime Minister Salaam Fayyad in Ramallah. On their way to the West Bank, they stopped at the Qalandia checkpoint, where hundreds of Palestinians line up daily to cross into Israel under tight security. There they met Zaina who has made the crossing many times to go to school. Zaina joined other young Palestinians in conversation with the Elders later in the day to express their frustrations with the current situation and their hopes for peace.
Mary Robinson and Lakhdar Brahimi argue that women must be included in the peace-building process.
Three members of The Elders visited Cyprus to lend their support to the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, and to commend Mr Demetris Christofias and Mr Mehmet Ali Talat for their efforts to reunify the island. The Elders urge the international community to embrace the fact that a lasting settlement is within reach, and to actively support the leaders and the peace process.
