In a phone conversation with Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia today, Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik offered his condolences on the death of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat. Mr. Bondevik underlined the need for Palestinian authorities to contribute to bringing the peace process back on track as soon as possible.

”I said Palestinian authorities must do what they can to prevent Palestinian acts of terrorism, while working actively to facilitate elections at the earliest possible time”, the Prime Minister says.

Mr. Bondevik said Norway is prepared to contribute to the peace process in the way the parties might wish. ”I said we are looking forward to the meeting of the international donor committee for the Palestinian areas, in Oslo on 8 December”, he says.

The Prime Minister today offered his condolences also in letters to Secretary General Mahmoud Abbas of the PLO and to Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia. The identical letters read as follows:

”I extend to you and to the Palestinian people my deepest condolences and sympathy on the death of President Yasser Arafat. Please convey my sincere condolences to the bereaved family. I am confident that the peace process to which President Yasser Arafat devoted his life will be carried forward. We must all now rededicate ourselves to the cause of peace in honour of his memory. Sincerely, Kjell Magne Bondevik”.