General Assembly Session 54 meeting 80

The President

I call on the representative of Finland to introduce draft resolutions A/54/L.70 and A/54/L.52.

Ms. Rasi (Finland)

I have the honour to introduce, on behalf of the European Union and the other sponsors, the following two draft resolutions: the draft resolution contained in document A/54/L.70, entitled "Safety and security of humanitarian personnel and protection of United Nations personnel", and the draft resolution contained in document A/54/L.52, entitled "Assistance to the Palestinian people".

Since the publication of draft resolution A/54/L.70, entitled "Safety and security of humanitarian personnel and protection of United Nations personnel", the following countries have joined the sponsors of the draft resolution: Bangladesh, Costa Rica, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, the Republic of Moldova and Thailand. In order to make the text consistent with the version finalized in negotiations and submitted to the Secretariat, I wish to make the following revisions to the text:

The seventh preambular paragraph should begin as follows:

"Deeply concerned by the growing number of complex humanitarian emergencies in the last few years, in particular armed conflicts, and in post-conflict situations ..."

The thirteenth preambular paragraph should begin as follows:

"Recognizing the fundamental requirement that consideration for appropriate modalities ..."

Moreover, the personnel associated with the United Nations are referred to in two ways. Wherever the title of the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel is cited, reference is made to "United Nations and associated personnel"; in all other instances, reference should be made to "United Nations and its associated personnel". The word "its" thus needs to be inserted in the appropriate places in the ninth, eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth and fourteenth preambular paragraphs and in operative paragraphs 5 and 10.

The corresponding correction -- the insertion of a third- person possessive pronoun or equivalent -- should be made consistently in all language versions, covering all paragraphs where the formula occurs, except of course where the name of the Convention is quoted.

The sponsors share the Secretary-General's concern at the increasing insecurity under which humanitarian personnel and other United Nations associated personnel have to conduct their duties in the field. The numerous incidents in which humanitarian personnel have lost their lives this year have again testified to the intolerable level of risk often involved in humanitarian action. This seriously hinders the ability and effectiveness of the Organization to provide protection and assistance to civilians. Without safe and secure access for humanitarian personnel, the suffering of civilians and vulnerable populations can only increase.

The aim of the sponsors was to strengthen the text of the draft resolution relative to last year's in order to reflect the sense of urgency with regard to measures needed to enhance the safety and security of humanitarian personnel, including locally recruited personnel. The lengthy negotiations resulted in a stronger text, which we hope will lead to practical measures to enhance the safety and security of personnel.

I would like to comment on some of the new elements contained in this year's draft resolution. The draft resolution recalls the primary responsibility of Governments for the security and protection of humanitarian personnel and calls upon them to ensure the safe and unhindered access of humanitarian personnel to populations in need of assistance. It also urges all other parties involved in armed conflicts to ensure the security and protection of personnel. It recognizes that the appropriate modalities for the safety and security of humanitarian, United Nations and its associated personnel are to be incorporated into all new and ongoing United Nations field operations and that the Office of the United Nations Security Coordinator needs to be strengthened.

With regard to legal protection, the draft resolution recognizes the urgency of consulting further to address the recommendations contained in the Secretary-General's report (A/54/154/Add.1), and requests the Secretary-General to submit by May 2000, for the consideration of the General Assembly, a report containing a detailed analysis and recommendations addressing the scope of legal protection under the 1994 Convention on the Safety of the United Nations and Associated Personnel. The draft resolution also contains a request to the Secretary-General to submit to the General Assembly at its fifty-fifth session a comprehensive report on the safety and security situation of humanitarian personnel and protection of United Nations personnel, including an account of the measures taken by Governments and the United Nations in the prevention of and in response to individual security incidents.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to all the delegations that actively took part in the negotiations on this draft resolution, as well as to the representatives of the Secretariat for their valuable advice. We are looking forward to continued cooperation to further enhance the safety and security of humanitarian and other United Nations personnel.

Now I will turn to the draft resolution "Assistance to the Palestinian People", contained in document A/54/L.52. The authors of this draft resolution continue to attach particular importance to providing assistance to the Palestinian people.

In this draft resolution, the General Assembly expresses its appreciation to the Secretary-General, the Member States, United Nations bodies and intergovernmental, regional and non-governmental organizations for their efforts and continuous assistance to the Palestinian people.

Furthermore, the General Assembly calls upon relevant organizations and agencies of the United Nations system to intensify their assistance in order to meet the urgent needs of the Palestinian people in accordance with priorities set forth by the Palestinian Authority, with an emphasis on institution- and capacity-building. It also calls upon the international donor community to expedite the delivery of pledged assistance to the Palestinian people to meet their urgent needs.

The draft resolution notes the appointment by the Secretary-General of the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and Personal Representative of the Secretary-General to the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority. We hope that this appointment will have a positive impact on questions related to assistance to the Palestinian people.

The draft resolution welcomes the meeting of the consultative group in Frankfurt on 4 and 5 February 1999, in particular the pledges of the international donor community and the presentation of the Palestinian Development Plan for the years 1999-2003.

Furthermore, the recent meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee held at Tokyo on 14 and 15 October 1999, and the signing of the updated Tripartite Action Plan and the proposal to hold the next meeting in Lisbon are welcomed in the draft resolution.

It is the hope of the authors this draft resolution, like those of previous years, can be adopted without a vote.

The President

I give the floor to the representative of the Russian Federation to introduce draft resolution A/54/L.66.

Mr. Nebenzia (Russia)

The Russian delegation has the honour of introducing draft resolution A/54/L.66, entitled "Humanitarian assistance to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia". We consider this draft resolution extremely timely. As is rightly pointed out in the United Nations Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal for the South-Eastern Europe Humanitarian Operation, January to December 2000, this winter will test the humanitarian community's capacity to respond to large-scale needs against the background of a chronic worsening of the humanitarian situation in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Problems of refugees and internally displaced persons, winter energy shortage and damaged infrastructure all make this country increasingly dependent on outside humanitarian assistance.

As is stressed in the appeal, principles of humanity, neutrality and impartiality, without political conditions, guide the provision of humanitarian assistance and protection. We appreciate the fact that the Member States, by supporting this draft resolution, have demonstrated their adherence to these principles. At the same time we consider the adoption of this draft resolution only a first step in the right direction, since, as pointed out in the Appeal itself, we are dealing with a complex humanitarian emergency affecting the whole region, and in this context there is an unavoidable linkage between emergency relief, rehabilitation and the development of the region. One of the very first steps in addressing the complex emergency problems of the Balkan region and, first and foremost, of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, has been taken in the agreed conclusions adopted by the Economic and Social Council in its humanitarian segment. In the context of transition from complex humanitarian emergencies, the Economic and Social Council stressed the importance of a coherent regional strategy and the need for a coordinated and comprehensive approach by the United Nations and other interested partners in planning the transition from humanitarian emergency assistance to rehabilitation and reconstruction in the Balkans.

Draft resolution A/54/L.66, noting the efforts already undertaken to evaluate the situation and the needs of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, calls upon all States and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to provide humanitarian assistance to alleviate the humanitarian needs of the affected population in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, especially during the winter months, in particular bearing in mind the special situation of women, children and other vulnerable groups.

The Secretary-General is called upon to continue to mobilize international humanitarian assistance for the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. A separate paragraph is devoted to internally displaced persons and refugees, of whom there are more than 7,000 in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. We consider it very important to support programmes to ensure the humanitarian needs of these groups of people.

We also draw attention to the reference in the draft resolution to the report of the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights and to the need to prevent attacks on ethnic minorities. We believe that the leaders of the Kosovo Force and the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo should pay special attention to these provisions.

The Consolidated Appeal for the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia for the year 2000 amounts to more than $450 million. We hope that the adoption of this draft resolution will facilitate the implementation of that Appeal and lead to the full funding of the projects contained therein.

In conclusion, allow me to express our gratitude to the Chairman of the humanitarian steering group, Ambassador Jørgen Bøjer of Denmark, to the sponsors and to all Member States that supported the draft resolution and facilitated agreement on it during informal consultations. We hope that this draft resolution will be adopted without a vote.

The President

I now give the floor to the representative of Ukraine to introduce draft resolution A/54/L.67.

Mr. Yel'chenko (Ukraine)

I have the honour to introduce to the General Assembly the draft resolution entitled "Economic assistance to the Eastern European States affected by the developments in the Balkans", contained in document A/54/L.67. I am pleased to announce that this draft resolution has been sponsored by the following delegations: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Romania and the Republic of Macedonia.

I would like to avail myself of this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation to the sponsors and to all delegations whose constructive participation in the informal consultations resulted in the consensus text of the draft resolution.

The purpose of this draft resolution is simple and obvious: to help the Eastern European States affected by the developments in the Balkan region to solve their special economic problems, in particular in the sphere of regional trade and economic relations, and -- what is particularly important to the countries of the region -- to resume navigation on the Danube river. The need and urgency of such assistance to these States is clearly stated by the Secretary-General in his report contained in document A/54/534, which is taken note of in the draft resolution.

The draft resolution stresses the importance of the already established regional cooperation initiatives and assistance arrangements and welcomes the support already provided by the international community to the affected States to assist them in coping with their special economic problems during the transition period following the lifting of the sanctions pursuant to Security Council resolution 1074 (1996) of 1 October 1996, as well as in the process of economic adjustment following the developments in the Balkans.

It welcomes the adoption of the Stability Pact for South-Eastern Europe and stresses the importance of its effective implementation and of follow-up activities aimed, inter alia, at economic reconstruction, development and cooperation, including economic cooperation in the region and between the region and the rest of Europe.

The draft resolution invites all States and the relevant international organizations to continue to take into account the special needs and situations of the affected States in providing support and assistance to their efforts for economic recovery, structural adjustment and development.

It also encourages the affected States of the region to continue the process of multilateral regional cooperation in such fields as transport and infrastructure development, including the resumption of navigation on the Danube, as well as to foster conditions favourable to trade and investment in all the countries of the region.

As regards facilitating the participation of interested local and regional vendors in the efforts for reconstruction, recovery and development of the region, the draft resolution invites the relevant international organizations to take appropriate steps aimed at broadening their access, consistent with the principle of efficient and effective procurement and with General Assembly resolution 54/14.

In conclusion allow me to express my sincere hope that this draft resolution will gain the broadest possible support and will be adopted by consensus.

The President

I now give the floor to the representative of Canada to introduce draft resolution A/54/L.68.

Mr. Von Kaufmann (Canada)

The delegation of Canada has the honour today of introducing the draft resolution on assistance for humanitarian relief, rehabilitation and development for East Timor. We are introducing this draft resolution on behalf of the sponsors listed in document A/54/L.68, as well as the additional sponsors: Belgium, Finland, Greece, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique and South Africa.

I would first like to draw the Assembly's attention to certain typographical errors contained in document A/54/L.68 as issued. First, in operative paragraph 4, the word "crises" should be "crisis". Secondly, the word "western" should be "West" where the word appears in operative paragraph 9, operative paragraph 10, and operative paragraph 11.

The purpose of this draft resolution is simple and clear: to demonstrate the solidarity of the international community with the people of East Timor in their efforts to build an independent and prosperous country with the support of the United Nations and the peoples of the world.

To this end, the draft resolution reflects the commitment of the international community to support the crucial humanitarian assistance and emergency rehabilitation component of the mandate of the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor, established in Security Council resolution 1272 (1999).

The achievement of this objective necessitates the commitment, reflected in the draft, to ensure safe and unimpeded access for humanitarian assistance to all affected East Timorese in need, wherever they may be.

Likewise, the draft resolution emphasizes the need to ensure that displaced and refugee East Timorese are able to exercise their right to voluntarily return to East Timor or resettle elsewhere, should they so choose.

In presenting the draft for the Assembly's approval, the Canadian delegation would like to express its sincere appreciation to the sponsors and to all other Member States for their support in achieving consensus on this text.

In particular, Canada would like to express its appreciation for the constructive contribution of the delegation of Indonesia to this effort. We hope that the draft resolution will represent a step forward in the process of reconciliation, as exemplified by Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid and East Timorese leaders Xanana Gusmão and José Ramos-Horta at their historic meeting of 30 November in Jakarta.

We thus commend this draft for adoption by the General Assembly without a vote.

The President

I now call on the representative of Grenada to introduce draft resolution A/54/L.69.

Mr. Stanislaus (Grenada)

I have the honour to introduce on behalf of the sponsors listed in document A/54/L.69 and these additional co-sponsors -- Cameroon, Ireland, Paraguay and the United Kingdom -- the draft resolution entitled "Emergency assistance to countries affected by hurricanes Jose and Lenny", under agenda item 20 (b).

The draft resolution seeks humanitarian assistance for the small island developing States and Territories of Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, the State of Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique, St. Kitts and Nevis, the Netherlands Antilles, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, battered by hurricanes Jose and Lenny, either directly or indirectly. The sudden and massive rise of mountainous waves in some areas resulted in loss of biodiversity and the destruction of land resources and the marine and coastal ecosystems.

The frequency, severity and unpredictability of these natural disasters -- hurricanes, earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, drought and so on -- in the area are akin to the sword of Damocles hanging over the region, ready to strike at the vulnerable Achilles heel of the small island developing States. Hurricane Lenny, in particular, is a prime example of the unpredictability of these disasters. Lenny stole into the region like a thief very late in the hurricane season. He also chose a different route of attack by springing up in the Caribbean basin rather than coming across the Atlantic, where hurricanes usually originate.

Secretary-General Kofi Annan, in his recent report to the General Assembly on the work of the Organization, introduced his substantive and eloquent treatise with the title phrase "Facing the Humanitarian Challenge". The Secretary-General said:

"The world has experienced three times as many great natural disasters in the 1990s as in the 1960s, while emergency aid funds have declined by 40 per cent in the past five years". (A/54/1, para. 4)

The costly restoration of infrastructure and rehabilitation of the productive sectors, particularly agriculture and tourism, make the attainment of sustainable development in the affected islands an Herculean task, not unlike the labour of Sisyphus, whereby, as soon as we recover, we are hit again. We rebuild and we are destroyed again with repetitive frequency. And it is important to note that all of this is taking place at a time when some small island developing States are being graduated out of concessional loan arrangements and various other financing mechanisms for development.

We extend grateful appreciation to those States, international agencies and non-governmental organizations that are providing emergency relief to the affected countries and territories, but the magnitude of the rebuilding effort is beyond the ability of the small island developing States to undertake alone. We appeal, therefore, to the international community and to friendly countries for immediate assistance in the developing, financing and executing of a holistic approach to the medium- and long-term plans in order to restore structural and financial viability to the affected islands.

These countries and territories recognize the importance of building national and regional capacity in disaster preparedness and management. For this reason, we have included in this draft resolution a reference to the holding of a regional workshop that should bring together disaster preparedness and management experts with specialists in various other fields, including environment, structural engineering and development planning.

In September this year, the General Assembly held the twenty-second special session on the review and appraisal of the implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States. We believe that implementation of draft resolution A/54/L.69 should be seen as part of the rationalization of the work of the General Assembly. As such, the present draft resolution must be viewed within the process of implementation of the outcome of the special session and the Barbados Programme of Action. With this in mind, we have asked the Secretary-General to include in his report to the next session of the General Assembly information on the linkages between implementation of the present draft resolution and implementation of the outcome of the twenty-second special session and the Barbados Programme of Action.

Perhaps it is fortuitous that this draft resolution on humanitarian assistance is being introduced to the international community when the three monotheistic faiths -- Christianity, Islam and Judaism -- are celebrating their festivals, the central theme of which is giving, caring and sharing.

The message of Christmas is to bring glad tidings to the poor and to set captives free. Embodied in the fasting during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan is the feeling of compassion for those who are hungry and less fortunate. During the Jewish festival of Lights, Hanukkah, gifts are exchanged and contributions made to the poor. The immortal Charles Dickens, in his masterpiece A Christmas Carol, had this to say:

"Christmas is the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they were really fellow-passengers to the grave."

The great man of science and culture, Leonardo da Vinci, said:

"In a moment of crisis we should regard ourselves as passengers in the same vessel, tossed by the same high waves and facing the same destiny and the same struggle."

Let me here express grateful appreciation to all the sponsors of draft resolution A/54/L.69 for their invaluable and generous assistance given in the spirit of genuine cooperation, under the chairmanship of the Ambassador of Denmark.

In conclusion, the sponsors express the hope that the draft resolution will be adopted by consensus so that the humanitarian assistance sought may be forthcoming in the spirit of international solidarity. For our affected countries and territories, we honestly feel that this is not a time for pessimism that sees no possibilities. It is a time for hope and expectation.

The President

I should like to inform members that action on draft resolution A/54/L.70 will be taken at a later date to be announced to permit time for the review of the programme budget implications of that draft resolution.

I should like to announce that, since the introduction of draft resolution A/54/L.66 on humanitarian assistance to the Republic of Yugoslavia, Greece has become a co-sponsor.

We shall now proceed to consider draft resolutions A/54/L.29/Rev.1, A/54/L.66, A/54/L.67, A/54/L.68, A/54/L.69 and A/54/L.52.

The Assembly will first take a decision on the six draft resolutions submitted under sub-items (b) and (e) of agenda item 20. Under sub-item (b), the Assembly will take a decision on draft resolutions A/54/L.29/Rev.1, A/54/L.66, A/54/L.67, A/54/L.68 and A/54/L.69.

Draft resolution A/54/L.29/Rev.1 is entitled "International assistance to and cooperation with the Alliance for the Sustainable Development of Central America". I should like to announce that since its introduction, the following countries have become sponsors of draft resolution A/54/L.29/Rev.1: Argentina, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Venezuela.

May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/54/L.29/Rev.1?

The President

Draft resolution A/54/L.66 is entitled "Humanitarian assistance to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia". May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/54/L.66?

The President

Draft resolution A/54/L.67 is entitled "Economic assistance to the Eastern European States affected by the developments in the Balkans". May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/54/L.67?

The President

Draft resolution A/54/L.68 is entitled "Assistance for humanitarian relief, rehabilitation and development for East Timor". May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/54/L.68, as orally corrected?

The President

Draft resolution A/54/L.69 is entitled "Emergency assistance to countries affected by hurricanes Jose and Lenny". May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/54/L.69?

The President

Under sub-item (e), the General Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/54/L.52, entitled "Assistance to the Palestinian people". May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/54/L.52?

The President

I shall now call on those representatives who wish to speak in position on the draft resolutions just adopted. May I remind delegations that explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats.

Mr. Marsh (United States)

My delegation reluctantly joined the consensus on the resolution entitled "Humanitarian assistance to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia". The United States regrets that the nomenclature used in the General Assembly in referring to this State has not been followed. In several resolutions of previous years, and in earlier action of the fifty-fourth session of the General Assembly, the State in question has been correctly referred to as "the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro)". It is the position of my delegation that the General Assembly should be consistent with that previous and long-standing practice. Such nomenclature reinforces the point that the current State of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia is not the successor State for the former, and no longer existent, Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, but merely represents the portions of that former State that are the Republics of Serbia and Montenegro.

The General Assembly has made this position clear since 1992 by refusing to allow any representative of the State that now styles itself the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to take part in any United Nations deliberation or, literally, to take a seat at United Nations meetings. The General Assembly should not permit any alteration in the proper designation of the name of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) until that State has formally applied to become a legitimate and recognized member of the United Nations. This is a matter of importance to many States in the Balkan region.

My delegation further notes that Slobodan Milosevic and his undemocratic regime are directly responsible for Serbia's isolation from the international community and therefore for any resulting humanitarian needs there. This resolution should be viewed in the context of the causes of the current situation in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro), causes that are directly attributable to Mr. Milosevic.

Mr. Moniaga (Indonesia)

I would like to make a few remarks on resolution 54 H, on assistance for humanitarian relief, rehabilitation and development for East Timor, which was just adopted and on which Indonesia joined the consensus.

Let me begin by expressing appreciation to all the delegations that made considerable efforts with regard to the draft resolution, especially to the delegations of Canada, Japan and interested members of the Group of 77. Indonesia worked with them on the draft resolution and moved the process forward in order to accommodate the humanitarian aspects and to arrive at a consensus resolution.

We believe the resolution will contribute to alleviating the plight of the East Timorese, as it not only recognizes important principles of humanitarian assistance, but also addresses the unfortunate situation on the ground.

Likewise, the resolution recognizes the contribution that Indonesia, as the host country, is making to resolve the problem, and it welcomes the efforts that are being made by the United Nations and other members of the international community to address the humanitarian needs of the people of East Timor.

I believe all of these efforts can only have a positive impact on the region and create the necessary conditions for future amicable development.

Indonesia had made efforts to solve the problem of the humanitarian situation of the East Timorese. The Government of Indonesia made an immediate response by undertaking a massive humanitarian operation that has supplied food, medicine and shelter. Indonesia also provided its full cooperation to international humanitarian relief agencies and requested the United Nations Development Programme office in Jakarta to coordinate these efforts. Indonesia has been working closely with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to ensure the safety, health and well-being of all East Timorese refugees.

Indonesia is now working to accelerate the return of East Timorese refugees to East Timor, particularly those who want to return voluntarily and, with their return, to begin the process of stability and development so urgently needed. In working on the process of overcoming this humanitarian situation, we will provide all the assistance within our capacity, and we will continue our long tradition of rendering aid to those in need.

Through this resolution, our goal and commitment are to ensure that the funds allocated and the efforts made by the international community and by the United Nations are for the direct benefit of the East Timorese. These efforts should be carefully crafted to bring about a maximum return on the input and to limit to the extent possible the dilution of any assistance.

I would like to underline that Indonesia has always maintained that the preferred resolution of any refugee crisis is through voluntary repatriation. We consider that the options provided to East Timorese to return to East Timor, to remain in West Timor or to relocate to other parts of Indonesia, or to other countries, will contribute to a resolution of the crisis. I would like to note that this resolution addresses the humanitarian needs of all East Timorese, regardless of the option taken. Humanitarian assistance will be on a non-discriminatory basis for all East Timorese, including those who wish to remain in Indonesia.

We must now look forward to a future of close bilateral relations with East Timor, which is still under transitional administration and will become an independent State in the future, thus opening a new chapter of cooperation and mutual relations. I believe that the humanitarian efforts under way today will build the foundations of tomorrow.

It is my delegation's express desire that, through this resolution, the process of healing will be furthered and the peace and stability of the region further strengthened. As the world's attention is often fleeting, we hope that the goals of the resolution will all be met and the humanitarian situation of all East Timorese greatly improve.

Miss Rizk (Syria)

My delegation joined the consensus on resolution 54/116, "Assistance to the Palestinian people", which was just adopted. My delegation supports the operative paragraphs calling for assistance to the Palestinian people, proceeding from the support of the Syrian Arab Republic for efforts to assist the Palestinian people to develop and improve their living conditions.

However, my delegation has some reservations on some of the preambular paragraphs of the resolution just adopted, as we believe that they do not accurately or comprehensively reflect the difficulties facing the Middle East peace process.

The Syrian Arab Republic believes that the right path to the economic and social development of the Palestinian people and to alleviating the plight of that people requires the elimination of the genuine reason of their plight and suffering: the continuing Israeli occupation and, specifically, the colonialist settlement policies of the occupying Power.

Mr. Shacham (Israel)

This year, as in years past, Israel joined the consensus on the resolution entitled "Assistance to the Palestinian people", and I would like to explain our position in this regard.

As we pointed out in our statement on this item, Israel is committed to the goal of enhancing the economic growth and welfare of the Palestinian people, which we see as an investment in a better future for the people of the region. This goal has been translated into a primary component of Israeli policy, which includes direct economic assistance to the Palestinians, cooperation on development and a wide variety of other projects that have yielded substantial results on the ground.

We welcome the concerted efforts of Member States, international financial institutions and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to aid in the development efforts. Israel has been fully cooperating with the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency and the United Nations Children's Fund, as well as with other international organizations, in implementing programmes aimed at improving the living conditions of the Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza.

In this respect, it should be pointed out that Israel shares the hope that the United Nations Special Coordinator in these areas can assist in the crucial sphere of economic growth, enrichment and investment in the future. Israel is ready to cooperate with the Special Coordinator in this sphere.

Israel's participation in the consensus on the resolution should not be construed as implying any position regarding the present status of the areas referred to as occupied territory. Additionally, our support does not carry any implication regarding Israel's position on the permanent status of those territories -- which, in accordance with all Israeli-Palestinian agreements, including the recent Sharm el-Sheikh Memorandum -- is a matter to be negotiated between Israel and the Palestinians in the framework of the permanent status negotiations, which are now under way.

With regard to the comments made by my Syrian colleague, direct negotiations have restarted today in Washington between Israel and the Syrian Arab Republic. These talks join the ongoing negotiations that we are currently carrying out with our Palestinian neighbours. Israel believes that it is in the common interests of all the parties actively engaged in the negotiation of peace in the Middle East to aspire to the language of peace and the dialogue of reconciliation, not only in the negotiating room but also in international forums such as the United Nations General Assembly. In the light of this conviction -- and in the interest of pursuing a new code of conduct between us -- I would like to take this opportunity not to reply and would like to call this lack of reply to the attention of my Syrian colleague, as well as to the attention of the General Assembly.

Mr. Nebenzia (Russia)

Russia welcomes the adoption of resolution 54/96 G, entitled "Economic assistance to the Eastern European States affected by the developments in the Balkans" as an important step in the world community's recognition of the importance of an integrated approach to problems in the Balkan region, which has suffered as a result of the recent events around the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

We feel that there can be no doubt that the country most seriously affected by the recent and well-known events around the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia is the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia itself. Only comprehensive and coordinated action by the world community providing for the integration of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia into the transition process from emergency assistance to rehabilitation, reconstruction and development can guarantee durable progress towards stability and recovery in the Balkans.

As noted in the United Nations Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal for South-Eastern Europe for the period January-December 2000, we are dealing with a complex emergency situation affecting an entire region. In this context, there is an inextricable link between emergency assistance, rehabilitation and development in the entire region.

We are pleased that the process of recognition is expanding. Thus, the resolution adopted recently by the General Conference of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) entitled "The region of Europe and the newly independent States" notes the importance of widespread international efforts for a speedy commencement of the process of transition from assistance for rehabilitation, reconstruction and the genuine development of the Balkan region. It also contains an appeal to the Director-General of that organization to render assistance to the Balkan region in the rehabilitation and development of its industrial infrastructure.

In this context, we would like to note in particular the invitation in General Assembly resolution 54/96 G to all States and relevant international organizations, both within and outside the United Nations system, in particular the international financial institutions, to continue to take into account the special needs and situations of the affected States in providing support and assistance to their efforts for economic recovery, structural adjustment and development.

We are grateful to the sponsors of the resolution for initiating consideration of this urgent topic within the United Nations. We reaffirm our position that account should be taken of the special economic problems of all the countries of Eastern Europe in implementing the resolution, including States that do not directly belong to the Balkan region but that have also suffered from events there -- inter alia, as a result of adverse effects on regional trade and navigation on the Danube.

The President

We have heard the last speaker in explanation of position.

Mr. Satoh (Japan)

I would like to refer to resolution 54/96 H, on East Timor, which has just been adopted. This resolution is very timely indeed, for it has been adopted at a time when the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) has just commenced its activities. More importantly, the two-day donors' meeting to raise funds for UNTAET will start tomorrow in Tokyo. We highly appreciate the initiative of the Canadian Government in putting this resolution forward.

We also applaud the Indonesian Government for its active participation in the process of formulating the resolution and seeing it through to adoption. We are very much encouraged by this positive attitude of the Indonesian Government, for friendly relations with neighbouring countries will be vitally important for the future peace and prosperity of East Timor.

I am pleased to inform the Assembly that the Japanese Diet has just recently approved a supplementary budget of approximately $200 million for assistance to East Timor. This includes $100 million to be spent for the purpose of facilitating the participation of Asian and other developing countries' officers and soldiers in the International Force. The other $100 million includes the assessed contribution of $60 million for UNTAET and $28 million for humanitarian assistance to be made in response to the United Nations Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal and the appeal of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

In the area of humanitarian assistance, Japan has already provided $2 million to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and to the World Food Programme for initial humanitarian needs, and the aircraft of the Japanese Self-Defence Forces have been engaged in the airlifting of aid materials from Surabaya to West Timor for UNHCR activities. The remaining $12 million of the supplementary budget will be used for the purpose of rehabilitation and development. Japan intends to pledge a further substantial contribution for the same purpose at the Tokyo donors' meeting to be held tomorrow.

As I stressed in my statement on the occasion of the Security Council's adoption of the resolution establishing UNTAET, reconciliation among the peoples of East Timor is essential for the successful nation-building of the emerging new country. I am therefore pleased to inform the Assembly that a meeting for reconciliation was held in Tokyo yesterday and today, attended by the representatives of both sides: those who are in favour of independence and those in favour of integration. The Japanese Government is pleased to have given support for the convening of that meeting, and we hope that reconciliation among the East Timorese will be attained quickly so that many of them who remain outside East Timor will return to join the nation-building of their own country.

In conclusion, I would like to reaffirm the continued commitment of the Japanese Government to support UNTAET and the East Timorese people.

The President

I shall now call on those representatives who wish to speak in exercise of the right of reply.

Mr. Jilani (Palestine)

We would like, at the outset, to express our thanks to the member States of the European Union that have co-sponsored the resolution entitled "Assistance to the Palestinian people", as well as to the Member States of the United Nations that joined the consensus on the resolution.

We regret the statement made by the representative of Israel with regard to this resolution. We would like to stress that both the peace negotiations and the interim agreements are built upon Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973), both of which stress the principle of the inadmissibility of the acquisition of land by force. Furthermore, many other resolutions have been adopted at the United Nations -- including 24 by the Security Council alone -- that stress the applicability of the Fourth Geneva Convention to all occupied Palestinian territories, including Jerusalem.

We also regret that the representative of Israel continues to ignore the fact of the existence of a Palestinian people, which he could not even bring himself to mention.

Finally, I would like to say that the agreements that have been signed by both parties, and the final status negotiations, must take into account international law and the United Nations Charter and be in conformity with the resolutions of the Security Council and the General Assembly.

Mr. Shacham (Israel)

I would like to reiterate Israel's belief that it is in the common interest of all the parties actively engaged in the negotiation of peace in the Middle East to aspire to the language of peace and the dialogue of reconciliation, not only in the negotiating room but also in international forums such as the United Nations General Assembly.

In the light of this conviction, and in the interest of pursuing a new code of conduct between us, I would like again to take this opportunity not to reply and would like to call this lack of reply to the attention of the Palestinian observer delegation, which represents the primary beneficiaries of the resolution on assistance to the Palestinian people, as well as to the attention of the General Assembly.

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-items (a) and (e) of agenda item 20?

The President

I should like to inform members that the Assembly will take action on other draft resolutions submitted, or to be submitted, under agenda item 20 and its sub-item (b) at a later date, to be announced.

The President

Members will recall that the General Assembly held a debate on this item at its 70th plenary meeting, on 6 December 1999.

I give the floor to the representative of Norway to introduce draft resolution A/54/L.64.

Mr. Kolby (Norway)

In my capacity as representative of the Chairman-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), I have the honour to take the floor to introduce draft resolution A/54/L.64, on cooperation between the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe on behalf of the 46 listed sponsors. In addition, Albania and the Republic of Korea have asked to be listed as sponsors.

As a nation with a long-standing commitment to international security, Norway has been proud to have opportunity to serve as Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE over this past year and to shoulder our share of the responsibility for security and peace in the OSCE region.

The efforts of the OSCE over the past year culminated in the OSCE Summit in Istanbul last month. In his address to the General Assembly on 6 December the Norwegian Foreign Minister, Mr. Knut Vollebaek, briefed the General Assembly on the outcome of the Summit and expressed his appreciation for the participation of Secretary-General Kofi Annan at the Summit. Foreign Minister Vollebaek recalled the Secretary General's address to the Summit in Istanbul, in which he challenged the OSCE to contribute to the debate he launched earlier this year on ways to reconcile respect for national sovereignty with the need to prevent violations of international humanitarian law.

In many ways the Charter for European Security adopted by the Summit represents a response to that challenge, reaffirming the full adherence of the participating States of the OSCE to the Charter of the United Nations, as well as to basic OSCE commitments, including the principle of territorial integrity.

At the same time, the Charter underscores that threats to international security and stability can stem from conflicts within as well as between States. The Charter furthermore reiterates that there is no such thing as internal affairs when commitments in the human dimension are being violated. The Charter also strengthens the conflict-prevention and crisis-management capabilities of the OSCE and facilitates closer cooperation with other international organizations such as the United Nations.

Enhancing the OSCE's cooperation with the United Nations and its agencies has been one of the priorities of the Norwegian chairmanship, with the full support of the other members of the troika -- Poland and Austria. The excellent report of the Secretary-General, on which we congratulate him, fully demonstrates that cooperation has indeed intensified over the past year. This has happened not only by design; it has also been, to a large extent, driven by necessity. It is a result of the increasing demands on the ground, with the situation in Kosovo as the greatest joint challenge over the past year.

The increasing scope of cooperation between the United Nations and the OSCE is reflected in draft resolution A/54/L.64, which notes with appreciation the further improvement of cooperation and coordination between the United Nations and its agencies and the OSCE. It welcomes the adoption at the Istanbul Summit of a Charter for European Security aimed at strengthening security and stability in the region and improving the operational capabilities of the OSCE, inter alia by establishing a Platform for Cooperative Security.

While referring to continuing efforts by the OSCE with regard to specific conflicts in the areas of tension in the OSCE region that are of concern also to the United Nations, it highlights new developments. These include the participation of the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict in the Istanbul Review Conference of the OSCE. Moreover, it includes the commitment of the OSCE to promote children's rights and interests in conflict and post-conflict situations, the placing of the Stability Pact for South-Eastern Europe under the auspices of the OSCE, and the cooperation between our two organizations in strengthening our regional cooperation in Central Asia.

In his address to the OSCE Summit, the Secretary-General described cooperation between the United Nations and the OSCE as a model of what could be achieved throughout the world by the United Nations working with regional organizations and arrangements. This was followed up by Foreign Minister Vollebaek in his address to the General Assembly last week, in which he expressed the hope that the new form of cooperation which has been developing in Europe could serve as a model for other parts of the world. He welcomed a dialogue between the United Nations and regional bodies on how such cooperation could be developed on a global basis.

Allow me in conclusion to express my sincere hope that this draft resolution, which is sponsored by an overwhelming majority of participating States of the OSCE, will attract the broadest possible support and be adopted by consensus.

The President

I now give the floor to the representative of Azerbaijan to introduce the amendment to draft resolution A/54/L.64, contained in document A/54/L.65.

Mr. Kouliev (Azerbaijan)

I should like to introduce an amendment by the delegation of the Republic of Azerbaijan, which is contained in document A/54/L.65, to draft resolution A/54/L.64, entitled "Cooperation between the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe".

Regrettably, it has become a sad tradition that the delegation of Azerbaijan, year after year, is forced to amend a draft resolution under this agenda item by proposing the text that has been previously adopted by the General Assembly. At the present session we are doing so for the fourth time. This seems to be a vicious circle. What else can be done? What else must the General Assembly do so that its agreed and adopted language can be included in a draft resolution from the very beginning?

The reasons for proposing this amendment are still pressing and valid. It is a matter of principle, and it directly concerns the highest national interests of my country, its sovereignty and its territorial integrity. Operative paragraph 16 of draft resolution A/54/L.64, which relates to the problem, is, however, different in substance from the language adopted by the General Assembly at its previous sessions. Nevertheless, acting in the spirit of compromise, the delegation of Azerbaijan has proposed the General Assembly-adopted language, not to replace operative paragraph 16 but as a new operative paragraph.

The sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan have been repeatedly reaffirmed by the international community, in particular by the Security Council in its resolutions on the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict: 822 (1993), 853 (1993), 874 (1993) and 884 (1993). The Secretary-General, in his previous and current reports on the agenda item under consideration -- documents A/50/564, A/52/450, A/53/672 and A/54/537 -- has unequivocally stated that Nagorny-Karabakh is an integral part of Azerbaijan.

Here I would like to express our delegation's deep regret at the fact that in his statement before the General Assembly plenary meeting on 6 December 1999, the Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE failed not only to reaffirm the sovereignty and territorial integrity of my country, but also to mention a major problem facing the OSCE: the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan in and around the Nagorny-Karabakh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan. As a result of this conflict, 20 per cent of the territory of Azerbaijan, not of Armenia, is still under occupation, and it is Azerbaijan which has to cope with the humanitarian emergency brought about by the exodus of 1 million refugees and displaced persons.

As I mentioned earlier, the text of the amendment we are proposing is not new and is well known to all. Four times previously -- at its forty-ninth, fifty-first, fifty-second and fifty-third sessions -- the General Assembly adopted draft resolutions that included such an amendment. Its substance relies fully on the relevant provisions of resolution 49/13, which was adopted without a vote and by consensus, which included Armenia. It reiterates the relevant paragraph of resolutions 51/57, 52/22, and of last year's resolution 53/85.

Emphasizing the exceptional importance of this matter for our country, the delegation of Azerbaijan calls on Member States to do as they have done in the past three years in order to reaffirm their support for Azerbaijan and to adopt our amendment as contained in document A/54/L.65.

The President

We shall now proceed to consider draft resolution A/54/L.64 and the amendment thereto, contained in document A/54/L.65.

I shall now give the floor to those representatives who wish to speak in explanation of vote before the voting. May I remind delegations that explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats.

Mr. Abelian (Armenia)

First of all, I would like to thank the Permanent Representative of Norway for introducing, in his capacity as representative of the Chairman-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the draft resolution contained in document A/54/L.64, on cooperation between the United Nations and the OSCE.

In his report contained in document A/54/537, the Secretary-General states that the United Nations and the OSCE continue to practise the division of labour based on the comparative advantages of the two Organizations, and notes, inter alia, that the OSCE has retained the lead in the resolution of the Nagorny-Karabakh conflict. This approach is very much in line with our view that the present format of the Minsk Group co-chairmanship is most appropriate for the resolution of the Nagorny-Karabakh conflict, especially given the fact that the OSCE is the sole mandated and authoritative body dealing with the issue.

Since 1992, the OSCE has been actively involved, through the various permutations of the Minsk process, in defining the elements for durable peace and stability. As an advocate of a more flexible approach to the settlement, the Government of Armenia, as well as the authorities of Nagorny-Karabakh, have accepted the recent proposals of the co-Chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group as a more realistic effort to address the issue of the status of Nagorny-Karabakh, with minimal prejudice to either of the competing claims. Regrettably, Azerbaijan has rejected those proposals. Nevertheless, we hope that the intensified dialogue between the Presidents of Armenia and of Azerbaijan will enhance the peace process and help bring about a lasting and comprehensive solution to the problem, through the resumption of negotiations within the OSCE Minsk Group, as stated in the Declaration of the recent OSCE Istanbul Summit.

Draft resolution A/54/L.64 covers the varying aspects of cooperation and interaction between the United Nations and the OSCE. In drafting this draft resolution, the Chairman-in-Office, in consultation with the sponsors of the draft resolution, followed the spirit of the Istanbul Declaration, which itself was a result of the consensus reached by all heads of State or Government, including those of Armenia and Azerbaijan.

I would therefore like to draw the attention of the Assembly to paragraph 16 of the draft resolution in A/54/L.64, which contains language that is, in fact, identical to that in paragraph 20 of the Istanbul Declaration. That portion of the Declaration was drafted with the participation and assistance of the French, Russian and American Co-Chairmen of the Minsk Group and was accepted by consensus by all Governments, including that of Azerbaijan. I would like to reiterate that Armenia fully supports paragraph 16 and considers it the most realistic and objective reflection of the current developments.

On the other hand, the amendment contained in document A/54/L.65 imposes a compulsory framework on the peace negotiations. This amendment is, in fact, a post-Summit revision of the Istanbul Declaration. It is the view of my delegation that an attempt by an individual State to amend the Declaration with a view to adjusting it to its own interests would nullify the paramount significance of the Declaration. Therefore, Armenia will vote against the proposed amendment and will abstain in the voting on the draft resolution as a whole.

Ms. Rasi (Finland)

I am speaking on behalf of the European Union. The European Union regrets that once again it is not possible to adopt the draft resolution without a vote. The draft resolution is part of a series of resolutions dealing with cooperation between the United Nations and several international and regional organizations. The European Union would have preferred to focus the discussion on the strengthening of cooperation between the OSCE and the United Nations and the improvement of coordination between the two Organizations.

As regards the substance of the amendment proposed by the delegation of Azerbaijan, the European Union underlines its full support for the Declaration of the Istanbul Summit. The European Union stresses that the draft resolution before us does not in any way alter the commitments undertaken by the OSCE at the Istanbul Summit. Therefore, the European Union will abstain in the voting on the amendment presented by Azerbaijan, and will vote in favour of the draft resolution as a whole.

The Central and Eastern European countries associated with the European Union -- Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia -- and the associated countries, Cyprus and Malta, as well as the European Free Trade Association countries members of the European Economic Area, Iceland and Liechtenstein, align themselves with this statement.

Mr. Delgado (United States)

The three Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group Co-Chairmen -- France, the Russian Federation and the United States -- believe that, due to their role in the Nagorny-Karabakh conflict settlement process, we should abstain in the voting on any amendment to the language agreed by all OSCE member States in Istanbul. Today's abstention in no way alters our commitment to a negotiated settlement of this conflict in a manner that respects the territorial integrity of all States in the region, as well as other relevant United Nations and OSCE principles.

The President

We have heard the last speaker in explanation of vote before the voting.

The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/54/L.64 and on the amendment thereto, contained in document A/54/L.65. In accordance with rule 90 of the rules of procedure, the amendment is voted on first. The Assembly will therefore take a decision first on the amendment circulated in document A/54/L.65.

The President

The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/54/L.64, as amended. A recorded vote has been requested.

The President

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 30?

The Acting President

The report of the Fifth Committee on the programme budget implications of draft resolution A/54/L.24/Rev.1 is contained in document A/54/662.

We shall now proceed to take action on draft resolution A/54/L.24/Rev.1. May I take it that the General Assembly decides to adopt the draft resolution?

The Acting President

The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 47.

The Acting President

The report of the Fifth Committee on the programme budget implications of draft resolution Q is contained in document A/54/663.

May I remind members that under paragraph 7 of decision 34/401 the Assembly agreed that

"When the same draft resolution is considered in a Main Committee and in plenary meeting, a delegation should, as far as possible, explain its vote only once, i.e., either in the Committee or in plenary meeting unless that delegation's vote in plenary meeting is different from its vote in the Committee."

May I remind delegations too that, also in accordance with General Assembly decision 34/401, explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats.

Before we take action on draft resolution Q, I should like to advise representatives that we are going to proceed to take a decision in the same manner as was done in the Committee, unless the Secretariat is notified otherwise in advance. This means that where a recorded or separate vote was taken in the Committee, the General Assembly will do the same.

The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution Q, entitled "Small arms". A separate vote has been requested on the eighth preambular paragraph of draft resolution Q. If there are no objections to this request, I shall first put to the vote the eighth preambular paragraph of draft resolution Q.

The Acting President

I now put to the vote draft resolution Q as a whole.

The Acting President

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 76?

The Acting President

The Assembly has thus concluded its consideration of all the reports of the First Committee.

The Acting President

I should like to inform Members that consideration of draft resolution A/54/L.62 is postponed to a future date.

I now give the floor to the representative of Jordan to introduce draft resolution A/54/L.63/Rev.1.

Prince Al-Hussein (Jordan)

On behalf of the sponsors, I have the honour of introducing the draft resolution contained in document A/54/L.63/Rev.1, under agenda item 42, entitled "The situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina".

First, however, I would like to make a correction to operative paragraph 15 of the draft resolution. After the words "notes with deep concern", the following four words, "some of the revelations", should be deleted and replaced with two words, "the findings". The next four words after that, "contained in the report", should be retained. But then the words "associated with the conception, development and implementation of the safe area policy" should be deleted. Finally, at the end of the paragraph, please add "of the Secretary-General", so it reads "as recommended in the report of the Secretary-General".

I also have the honour to add to the list of sponsors of draft resolution A/54/L.63/Rev.1 the following countries: Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brunei Darussalam, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Finland, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Oman, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Tunisia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The draft resolution before us expresses the full support and commitment of the General Assembly to the advancement of the peace process in Bosnia and Herzegovina and to the achievement of a self-sustaining, lasting reconciliation there through the full, comprehensive and consistent implementation of the Dayton/Paris Peace Agreement and the subsequent Peace Implementation Council declarations.

Of the paragraphs in the draft resolution before us, operative paragraph 15 is, to the sponsors, the most significant of all. I would therefore like to introduce and explain in greater detail why that particular paragraph is structured the way it is.

Operative paragraph 15 is, as can be seen, divided into six parts. The first part relates to our appreciation of the effort invested by the Secretary-General in compiling a 137-page report, together with a 10-page assessment, on the failed United Nations safe-area policy in Bosnia and Herzegovina. That report, the Srebrenica report, requested by the General Assembly in resolution 53/35 of 30 November 1998, is extraordinary by any measure. That delegations will have their own interpretations of the evidence contained within it and that some will dispute the Secretary-General's assessment is not in doubt. But no one can take away from the Secretary-General the impressive nature of the report itself, in which virtually all of the evidence cited is either a matter of public record or documented. The General Assembly requested a comprehensive report, and it received one. That we must welcome. In the opinion of the sponsors, anything short of such an expression of appreciation would have been inappropriate, given the efforts of the Secretary-General.

In addition to the comprehensive nature of the report, the Secretary-General also broke with four years of United Nations silence on the subject of Srebrenica, and, with an honesty that deserves our appreciation, he exposed to scrutiny his own conduct and the conduct of the Secretariat, as well as the actions of the Security Council and the Member States. We must recognize and grasp the unique significance of this, the acknowledgement of which is captured in the second part of the paragraph.

Essentially, what the Secretary-General wrestled with in his report was not the occurrence of yet another act of barbarism, a tragic massacre somewhere in the world, but the dismemberment of two United Nations designated safe areas for which the United Nations had in no small part a responsibility for safekeeping. The subsequent systematic and brutal murder by the Bosnian Serb army of almost the entire male population of Srebrenica -- the vast majority of which were either civilians or had laid down their arms -- as well as the ethnic cleansing of the region, accounts for the words of the third and fourth parts of the paragraph.

The fifth part deals with the development of the safe area policy itself, from conception to implementation -- the backbone of the report. This part recognizes the serious findings brought out by the Secretary-General himself in the main body of the text.

Finally, as regards the sixth part, in view of the report's content the sponsors believe it only appropriate that the General Assembly respond positively to the Secretary-General's own invitation to a dialogue with the Member States to ensure that there will be no future recurrence of these terrible events.

The general structure of the rest of the draft resolution, both in the preambular and in the operative parts, is very much in keeping with the resolutions adopted by the General Assembly under this item in recent years. However, there are some elements that I would like to highlight.

Operative paragraphs 2 and 3 of the draft resolution cover a development of crucial importance to the overall implementation of the Peace Agreement. On 15 November 1999, the Joint Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina issued the New York Declaration, wherein the leaders of Bosnia and Herzegovina agreed to establish the State Border Service, to improve inter-entity military cooperation, to improve the functioning of common State institutions, to create a single national passport and to establish a joint commission on refugee returns. When its provisions are realized, this Declaration will have a considerable positive bearing on the implementation of the Peace Agreement. In this connection, the leaders agreed in New York to submit a report to the Security Council by 1 March 2000 on the progress achieved in the implementation of the New York Declaration, particularly as regards the return of refugees.

Another issue of crucial importance to the future stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the legal and moral obligation on the part of all parties and States in the region to cooperate with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, a duty that -- as was noted in the sixth annual report of the Tribunal -- has not been fulfilled completely. There has been no improvement in this regard, except in the area of the ad hoc arrest of a number of indictees. The obstructive behaviour on the part of certain States and entities in the region -- in relation both to the execution of the Tribunal's orders and to these States and entities meeting their wider obligations under international law -- has contributed to the unfortunate situation of their being 35 publicly indicted individuals still at large. The eighth and ninth preambular paragraphs and operative paragraphs 10, 11 and 12 address these issues, among others, in connection with the Tribunal's efforts.

On the plight of the refugees, the rate of return continues to be slow, and much remains to be done in the context of creating a safe and secure environment -- by creating greater economic opportunities and reforming laws -- so as to allow for an increase in the rate of return. The seventh and seventeenth preambular paragraphs and operative paragraphs 10, 13, 14 and 20 cover this particular subject from these various angles.

The remaining few points covered by the draft resolution that I would like to touch on as being of special concern to the sponsors are the implementation of democratic reforms in Bosnia and Herzegovina and throughout the region; their contribution to the overall peace process and to the observance of human rights within that region; the economic revitalization and reconstruction of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the attendant need to combat corruption; the expansion throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina of a free and pluralist