KOFI ANNAN'S "MORAL CLARITY"

Kofi Annan's "Moral Clarity" (LGF)

Meeting with Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi, United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan called on Hizballah to free the Israeli soldiers they kidnapped this morning. I'm sure they'll get right on it.

And he stressed the need for "moral clarity" in the Middle East.

Then he got to the real business at hand, condemning Israel's retaliation.

ROME (AFP) - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has called for the release of two Israeli soldiers held by Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, while condemning Israel's subsequent invasion of its northern neighbour.

"I condemn without hesitation the attack that took place in southern Lebanon and demand that the Israeli soldiers be released immediately," Annan told reporters here after a meeting with Italy's Prime Minister Romano Prodi.

Annan, beginning a three-day visit to Italy, said he had discussed the latest developments in the Middle East with Prodi and had agreed on the need for "moral clarity" in the region. "We both feel extremenly concerned by what is happening," he told a joint news conference.

And in a statement clearly aimed at Israel's Gaza operation, Annan demonstrated his crystalline "moral clarity."

"Whatever happens, every effort must be made to protect civilians. The deliberate attack and maiming of unarmed civilians is terrorism pure and simple, whatever the cause."