General Assembly Session 57 meeting 65

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Chau (Viet Nam)

There is hardly an issue that has attracted more attention by the United Nations and the international community than the Middle East and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Year after year at this forum, we have debated the same topics -- the situation in the Middle East and the question of Palestine -- while the region is gradually turning into a powder keg. Punctuated by several bloody wars and successive flare-ups of armed conflict, followed by Israel's occupation of the lands legitimately belonging to the Palestinian Arabs, it has become a constant serious concern of the international community. Violence breeds the desire for vengeance, and the vicious circle thus thrives. Hatred spills across national borders, and the love-thy-neighbour spirit is lost forever in this holy part of the world.

No one benefits from this precarious situation. For Israel and other neighbouring countries, it must be an uneasy feeling of insecurity; but for the Palestinians, it is the feeling of being denied their inalienable rights for so long, including the right to self-determination and to establishment of the statehood they deserve. And the world community suffers, too. The recent killing of a United Nations relief worker in Jenin camp is just additional solid testimony to this painful fact.

Sheer force of arms cannot solve the problem. The only option to this conflict is to peacefully negotiate a solution that caters for the legitimate interests of all parties concerned. This makes the peace process all the more important and urgent.

This year, the Security Council adopted resolutions 1397 (2002), 1402 (2002) and 1403 (2002), which are relevant to this question, while a number of debates and discussions continued at other United Nations forums since the last United Nations General Assembly session. It is deeply regrettable, however, that the situation in the Middle East remains dangerously explosive, and the prospect of peace is drifting away.

The miserable plight of the Palestinians is a direct consequence of the acts of war and occupation by Israeli forces. It is deeply rooted in a political issue. These people suffer every time there is trouble in the region. For the last 50 years, millions of Palestinians have become refugees on their own land, struggling hard to make both ends meet. In addition, prolonged military curfews and strict travel restrictions by Israel gravely affect the normal lives of these people. The international community has tried its best to deliver assistance.

In this connection, we commend the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East for its painstaking efforts to help the Palestinian people, even with its very tight budget. We also commend donor countries, United Nations agencies, non-governmental organizations and other bodies for their generous contributions which help ease the suffering of the Palestinian people.

Viet Nam's position is crystal clear on this issue and is lucidly contained in a message by the President of Viet Nam, His Excellency Mr. Tran Duc Luong, addressed to the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with Palestinian people, 29 November. He said:

"Together with the international community, Viet Nam wishes to express its grave concern over the ongoing escalation of violence in the Middle East, especially when the Palestinian National Authority and the international community are trying to work out a peaceful solution to the conflict. More than ever before, Viet Nam calls upon all parties concerned to do their best to push forward with the peace process and implement fully the signed agreements, especially those accords achieved at the Sharm el-Sheikh Summit and the Mitchell Plan, in order to find, as soon as possible, a just and lasting solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, putting an end to these acts of violence. Such a solution must ensure the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people. including the right to self-determination, the return of refugees and the establishment of an independent Palestinian State, as well as the rights of all parties concerned, on the basis of the land for peace principle and of resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973) of the Security Council and other signed agreements."

The story of Samson and Delilah told of a young couple's love across the dividing line, laced with betrayal and manoeuvres, which resulted in destruction and death. Let us just take it as a legend. Let the international community and all parties concerned in this conflict join in good faith in concerted efforts to ensure that the modern Samson and Delilah can live happily ever after in peace and harmony.

Mr. Requeijo Gual (Cuba)

The debate on agenda item 36, on the situation in the Middle East, comes at an extremely critical moment, in the absence of any current negotiations in the search for peace amid an unprecedented spiral of violence. There are no signs anywhere of the possibility of beginning a constructive and serious dialogue leading to a just and lasting peace that would benefit, first, all peoples of the region and, thus, all humankind.

The ongoing deadly cycle of violence and reprisals has exacerbated political tensions and has caused an unprecedented number of dead and wounded in recent months, most of them innocent civilians, including a considerable number of children. To them, we must add the tens of thousands of families mourning the loss of their loved ones and living in precarious conditions, constantly threatened with death and destruction. That road cannot lead anywhere. Violence, destruction and the use of military force can in no way lead to a definitive resolution of the conflict.

Fifty-five years ago, the Assembly adopted resolution 181 (II), which recognized the partition and the creation of two independent States, one Arab and one Jewish, which were to coexist in peace and harmony. More than half a century later, the situation is still bleak. The State of Israel was created in 1948, but the creation of the State of Palestine remains a just aspiration that is yet to be realized.

The scene before us today is cause for despair. Palestinian, Syrian and Lebanese Arab territories are still occupied by Israel, in flagrant violation of the numerous resolutions of the Assembly and the Security Council that request the immediate return of those territories. The Palestinian people's inalienable right to self-determination and to the creation of their own independent and sovereign State, with East Jerusalem as its capital, are yet to be respected.

Despite the demands of the international community that Israel halt the establishment of new settlements and the confiscation of lands, Israeli settlements continue to expand, especially in the occupied West Bank, including the outskirts of East Jerusalem. That illegal practice violating international law must be halted immediately.

There is still no definitive solution to the situation of the approximately 4 million Palestinian refugees both in and outside the occupied territories. This is one of the issues on which no progress could be made during the peace-process negotiations begun in Madrid more than a decade ago.

The United Nations is faced with one of the most difficult of tasks, and one which has dragged on virtually since the Organization's foundation. It is regrettable that the Security Council is hostage to the dictates of a Power that uses its veto or the threat of the veto to prevent the implementation of the Council's own resolutions. In fulfilling the Council's obligations, double standards must be forever eliminated if the Council wishes to preserve its credibility.

As the Secretary-General notes in his observations in his report (A/57/621), the idea behind the preambular section of Security Council resolution 1397 (2002) of 12 March 2002, which supports the existence in the Middle East of two States, Israel and Palestine, living side by side within secure and recognized borders, is vital for sustainable peace in the region.

Now, what has actually been done since March to put an end to all acts of violence? It is painful to recognize that hardly anything has been done. Has any step been taken to put an end to the Israeli occupation of the Arab territories? Why could a United Nations fact-finding mission not be sent to assess on the ground the events of last April in the Jenin refugee camp, despite the adoption of Security Council resolution 1405 (2002) of 19 April 2002, which welcomed the Secretary-General's initiative in that respect? Everyone here knows the answers to those questions.

As is universally recognized, a definitive and peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine, which is at the core of the Arab-Israeli conflict, is fundamental to achieving a comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle East, while not neglecting the necessary progress on the Syrian and Lebanese tracks of the issue.

Israel must end its occupation of the Palestinian territories of the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem, the Syrian Golan Heights and the areas of southern Lebanon that remain under the control of the Israeli army. All Security Council and General Assembly resolutions on the situation in the Middle East must be fully complied with, without exception or discrimination, in particular Security Council resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973) and 425 (1978).

We must proceed to the adoption of more effective measures on the ground, such as the deployment of an international force, under United Nations mandate, to protect the civilian Palestinian population. Moreover, the United Nations must play an effective and genuinely impartial role in any negotiating process that is undertaken, without any interference deemed unacceptable to the parties, so that they can recover their confidence in the mediators.

In those efforts for peace -- as necessary as they are urgent -- the international community can rely, as always, on Cuba's constructive contribution and its firm support and solidarity. In that regard, my delegation calls on the Assembly to vote in favour of the two draft resolutions submitted under this item, which stress that the road towards peace in the Middle East is one of understanding and not one of confrontation.

Mr. Kafando (Burkina Faso)

Several days ago, we commemorated the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. The many messages of sympathy conveyed on that occasion to the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People reflected eloquently the international community's ongoing interest in the thorny question of the Middle East -- an interest particularly revived by the current context, which is marked by a paroxysm of violence.

My country, Burkina Faso, is following closely and with concern the alarming development of the situation, in which the stumbling block -- apart from the general problem -- is unquestionably the occupation of Palestinian lands. In fact, the Israeli policy of systematic colonization of Palestinian territories and of expropriation and even banishment of their populations is the principal cause of this persistent tension, punctuated daily by suicide bombings, military raids and repressive acts of all kinds. All of that has resulted in an enormous loss of human life, in material damage and in the destruction of neighbourhoods and houses, among other things. What is most deplorable is that most of the victims are children.

It is far from our intention to condemn anyone, but we must recognize that Israel, by weakening the Palestinian Authority, by subjecting the occupied territories to its legislation and by desecrating holy places, is antagonizing organizations that have no other choice but to express themselves through violence. Israel's abusive use of force and the legitimate reaction to it have led to many arrests and even to extrajudicial killings.

Thus, the conflict in the Middle East is entering its fifty-fourth year -- 1948 to 2002 -- without real hope for a solution or for lasting peace on the horizon. But the fact that we find ourselves in an impasse does not mean that we should utterly despair. Indeed, many diplomatic initiatives are currently under way that could provide a chance for a resumption of the political process, the precondition being, of course, that acts of violence cease. The protagonists must agree to a ceasefire and must commit to signing a modus vivendi that rules out any act of violence during the period of the resumption of negotiations.

With regard to solutions that should be emphasized, first and foremost is the Saudi plan, or the Abdullah plan, unanimously adopted by the Council of the League of Arab States at the Beirut Summit, held on 27 March 2002. What does the plan recommend? It recommends the cessation of hostilities and the establishment of normal relations with Israel on the basis of a peace treaty, in exchange for Israel's return of territories that it occupied in 1967 and its acceptance of the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian State. After all, that principle -- of land for peace -- has already been endorsed by the international community in Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973), reaffirmed by the Madrid Conference in 1991, approved by the European Union and very recently reaffirmed again by Council resolution 1397 (2002).

Upon careful analysis, the plan is an honourable solution, because it takes the desires of the parties into account and is widely supported by the international community. Moreover, the Security Council has fundamentally changed in its approach to the Middle East. In fact, it now supports the idea of two States -- Israel and an independent Palestinian State -- living side by side in peace and harmony. Furthermore, it is encouraging to note that the question has inspired individual as well as collective initiatives, such as the Tenet plan, the Mitchell report and, more recently, the peace plan of the Quartet -- comprising the United States, Europe, the United Nations and Russia -- whose ambition is to create a Palestinian State in 2005, with Israel's support and headed by the current President of the Palestinian Authority, Yasser Arafat, who would allow a certain number of institutional reforms. We think those are opportunities to seize without any further delay.

The advent of peace -- a lasting peace -- in the Middle East requires acceptance of an agreement entered into freely by the two parties on an equal basis. The protagonists of the Middle East have no choice but to negotiate, because more than 50 years of war, confrontation and violence have transpired there without leading to any kind of victory. In any case, the final solution will not come from military supremacy. History has taught us many times that a people's will and resistance to injustice always triumph over military force. The only remaining alternative, therefore, is to negotiate peace -- the peace of the brave -- on the basis of the relevant resolutions of the United Nations.

Mr. Mbanefo (Nigeria)

The situation in the Middle East and the question of Palestine would seem to be one of the most intractable problems on the agenda of the United Nations. It is a matter of regret that this situation persists despite the efforts on the part of the international community, as well as our collective good will, to end the cycle of violence in that region, which has continued to escalate, defying all efforts for a genuine and sustainable peace. The escalation of violence between Israelis and Palestinians in recent times is a matter of great concern. It is condemnable, and should not be allowed to continue a day longer.

The various military incursions by Israel -- including Operation Defensive Shield and incursions into Bethlehem, Jenin and Nablus -- and the deliberate humiliation and isolation of the Palestinian leader are as deplorable as the spate of suicide-bombing attacks on schools, markets and other public places carried out against Israel by certain Palestinian elements. All of those actions are clear violations of the Madrid and Oslo accords. The international community cannot, and should not, allow that wanton destruction of lives and property to continue.

Nigeria believes that a just and lasting solution to the thorny question of Palestine must be the basis for the establishment of sustainable peace in the region. It must also be consistent with Security Council resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973) and 425 (1978). Consequently, Nigeria joins others in demanding the withdrawal of Israel from Palestine territory occupied since 1967. We also call for respect for the right of all States in the region to live in peace and within secure and internationally recognized borders.

Nigeria is committed to a peaceful settlement of the Middle East conflict, and therefore calls upon the parties to resume the peace process and move towards lasting peace in the region. My delegation firmly believes that no progress is likely to be attained until the core issues central to the Middle East crisis are addressed. Those include the occupation of Palestinian and Arab territories, violence, terrorism and the economic situation in Palestine. Consequently, Nigeria calls on the General Assembly to address the security concerns of the State of Israel as well as the political aspirations of the Palestinian people.

Nigeria is deeply concerned that the inhabitants of the Syrian Golan continue to live under foreign occupation. My delegation therefore considers the continued existence and expansion of settlements in the Golan and the reluctance to guarantee the security of the parties to be a major stumbling block to peace. We call on the parties concerned to adopt flexible policies and to resume peace negotiations on the principle of land for peace, which, in our opinion, will guarantee long-term peace and security in the region.

In that respect, Nigeria supports General Assembly resolutions 56/31 and 56/32, both of 3 December 2001, on the issues of Jerusalem and the Syrian Golan, respectively. We also support Security Council Resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973) and 478 (1980).

My delegation notes from the Secretary-General's report on the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) that peace was maintained in the Israel-Syria sector. However, the situation remains tense and we continue to be apprehensive about the impact of the presence of landmines on UNDOF personnel and innocent civilians living in the area.

On the issue of Lebanon, my delegation notes that while there has been some progress in the implementation of Security Council resolution 425 (1978) following Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon, the situation there remains unstable. The disturbing developments along the Blue Line of withdrawal between Israel and Lebanon, including mortar and rocket attacks from southern Lebanon across the Blue Line, has the potential to threaten regional peace and security. My delegation agrees with the Secretary-General that no party should violate the Blue Line.

It is our belief that the situation in the Middle East calls for compromise by all the parties concerned, as reiterated pursuant to Security Council resolution 338 (1973). Nigeria will continue to support the efforts of the Secretary-General in favour of the presence of UNDOF in the region. We also welcome the agreement between Syria and Israel in that regard.

Nigeria supports the call by the Secretary-General for the establishment of a third-party mechanism to quell violence and foster progress on the volatile issue of the Middle East. We also endorse the idea of holding an international conference, as proposed by the United States Secretary of State after the meeting of the Quartet comprised of the United States, the European Union, the Russian Federation and the United Nations that was held in Washington, D.C., on 2 May 2002. My delegation will continue to support all multilateral initiatives aimed at a speedy return of the parties to peace negotiations. Nigeria calls on the Quartet, regional partners and other sponsors of the peace process to ensure timely resumption of the peace process, pursuant to Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973).

My delegation reiterates our support for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East. Equally, we support the vision of two States: the State of Israel living within secure and recognized borders and an independent and viable Palestine, both living side by side in peace and security, as affirmed by Security Council resolution 1397 (2002). Nigeria commends the speech made by the President of the United States of America on 24 June 2002 on the question of a road map towards establishing a Palestinian State within three years. We call upon the parties involved to heed that advice, abandon violence and pursue the peace process.

My delegation wishes to reiterate the commitment of Nigeria to the ultimate goal of a negotiated peace between Israel and Lebanon, on the one hand, and Israel and Syria, on the other, based on Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973); the initiative of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, which was endorsed at the Summit of the League of Arab States held on 28 March 2002; the Madrid meetings of 17 and 18 July 2001; and the principle of land for peace.

In conclusion, Nigeria commends the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, who is also the Secretary-General's Personal Representative to the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority and the Personal Representative of the Secretary General to southern Lebanon, on the coordination of the work of the United Nations and international assistance to the Palestinian people and Lebanon, respectively. My delegation also commends the men and women who have served, and are serving, with UNDOF and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon for their courage and commitment to the cause of international peace and security.

Mr. Kolby (Norway)

Since the start of the intifada more than 1,800 Palestinians and more than 600 Israelis have been killed in the Middle East. Innocent civilians, including many children, die regularly in terrorist attacks and military operations. A United Nations officer was recently shot and killed. The violence shows no signs of stopping, yet the Israeli and Palestinian leaderships are scarcely communicating, let alone negotiating a peaceful settlement.

There is a need for urgent and concerted external initiatives. Norway therefore supports the work of the United States, the European Union, the United Nations and the Russian Federation on an ambitious road map for peace in the Middle East by 2005. If it is followed, such a road map, supported by a strong and well-functioning monitoring mechanism, could lead the traumatized Israeli and Palestinian peoples to a comprehensive and lasting peace based on all relevant Security Council resolutions and previous agreements. To succeed, the road map will require the full cooperation of both sides.

While Israel has the right to defend itself against terrorism, we nonetheless call on Israel to stop the heavy military operations in densely populated areas, which often result in civilian casualties. We call on Israel to stop extrajudicial killings, to ease curfews and closures and to facilitate the resumption of economic and social activities in the Palestinian area. We particularly urge Israel to stop its settlement activities on occupied land. These continuing activities are eroding Palestinian trust and undermining the prospects for progress under the Quartet road map.

At the same time, we call on the Palestinian Authority to take an unequivocal stand against terrorism and to fight it vigorously by building a consensus in Palestinian society against such activity. We say to all Palestinian factions and groups engaged in terrorism that their methods have achieved nothing but misery and grief. Their actions are destroying the moral and economic foundation of a future Palestinian State. They must stop killing innocent civilians, disarm and engage in a democratic political process.

The violence has serious consequences for the humanitarian and economic situation in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, which has deteriorated to alarming levels. The Palestinian Authority is effectively bankrupt. Public services have partly collapsed. Poverty is spreading fast. These developments are breeding resentment and feeding terrorism. This is not in Israel's interest. Thus, for the sake of its own security, Israel should without delay disburse the taxes that have been withheld from the budget of the Palestinian Authority.

In the present very difficult circumstances, Norway remains committed to its role as Chairman of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee for the Coordination of International Assistance to Palestinians. An Ad Hoc Liaison Committee donor meeting should be organized as soon as possible to address these urgent issues. Timely action by the donor community will be an indispensable complement to the efforts of the Quartet to get the peace process back on track.

The destinies of the Israelis and the Palestinians are inseparable. Security for the Israelis depends on security for the Palestinians, and vice versa. Peace can be achieved only through mutual compromise. The road to peace may be arduous and painful, but both parties must now join the international community in recognizing that the best way to end this tragic conflict is to work with determination towards the goal of two States, Israel and Palestine, living side by side within secure and recognized borders by 2005.

Mr. Gatilov (Russia)

The situation in the Middle East remains one of the priority items on the agenda of the General Assembly. Unfortunately, we must note that, with regard to the turbulent developments in the region, the past year was marked by an unprecedented crisis in relations between the Palestinians and the Israelis. The efforts made have not yet been able to break the vicious cycle of violence, terrorist acts and forcible retribution, the victims of which are civilians on both sides. As a result, mutual distrust and despair are growing and the prospects for a resumption of the peace dialogue are deteriorating. Despite the assistance of international organizations and donor countries, the humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territories has assumed catastrophic dimensions.

Against this backdrop, the Russian Federation calls on both sides not to succumb to extremist provocation or to allow violent confrontation to be exacerbated. Violence cannot be justified by any motive. It only claims further victims, perpetuates crises and does irreparable damage to the interests of the Palestinian people and to the prospects for the achievement of their national aspirations. Russia, which is facing the manifestations of an ongoing terrorist war being waged against it, decisively condemns the activities of all those who have chosen terror as a means of achieving their own aims.

We welcome the steps taken by the leaders of the Palestinian National Authority to identify the organizers of terrorist acts and to suppress their activities. We believe that, despite the difficulties, the Palestinian authorities should continue decisively to combat the terrorist infrastructure.

Tangible results, however, can be achieved only if the Israeli leadership exercises restraint and stops attacking Palestinian towns and refugee camps and reoccupying the territories under the control of the Palestinian Authority. It is essential that the economic blockade of the territories be lifted, that financial revenues owed to the Palestinians be released, and that unimpeded access to all Palestinian areas be given to international humanitarian organizations. It is absolutely unacceptable that the property of organizations that assist the Palestinians be damaged. In this respect, we share the concern of the Secretary-General over the activities of Israeli troops who, on 2 December, destroyed a warehouse of the World Food Programme in Gaza. Unless Israel fulfils its obligations, we cannot hope for successful Palestinian reforms. Of course, there must be an immediate halt to Israeli settlement in the occupied territories.

The leaders of Israel and the Palestinian national administration must assume their lofty political responsibilities and do their utmost to resume the negotiating process in order to achieve mutually acceptable solutions on the basis of the road map elaborated by the international mediators of the Quartet.

The Russian delegation reaffirms the legitimate right of the Palestinians to establish their independent State and the right of Israel to secure and peaceful existence within internationally recognized borders, as established in Security Council 1397 (2002). To that end, we call on the Israeli and Palestinian leaders to cooperate closely with the international mediators and other actors in order to achieve a peaceful settlement on the basis of the two-State concept. The Arab peace initiative launched at the summit of the League of Arab States in Beirut, is consonant with those efforts.

The Russian Federation reaffirms that a comprehensive settlement in the Middle East can be achieved only through negotiations on the basis of Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973). To achieve such a peace the Israelis and the Palestinians must resolve the key problems during the negotiating process. But genuine peace in the Middle East is impossible unless normal relations are established between Israel, Syria and Lebanon. As a co-sponsor of the peace process and an active participant in the Quartet of international facilitators, Russia will vigorously continue its efforts in this area to seek to overcome the crisis and to bring about a comprehensive Middle East settlement.

Mr. Manis (Sudan)

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