A/33/PV.73 General Assembly

As members are aware, the debate on item 31 was concluded on Friday, 1 December. There are three draft resJlutions on this item, all contained in document A/33/L.ll and Add.1 as draft resolutions A, B and C. ~. Before we begin the explanations of vote I shall call on the representative of Sri Lanka, who would like to make a brief statement on behalf of the sponsors ~f the draft resolutions.

I am speaking on behalf of the original sponsors of document A/33/L.ll on the question of Palestine. In consequence of consultations &Jllong the original sponsors it has been decided to make the follOWing slight change in draft resolution C of document A/33/L.l1. In operative paragraph 3, we wish to delete the following words: "and taking its views and suggestions into account". With the deletion of those words, operative paragraph 3 of draft resolution C would read: "3. Further requests the Secretary-General to consider, in cOl\sultation with the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, the strengthening and the possible reorganization and renaming of the Special Unit on Palestinian Rights". * Resumed from the 68th meeting. NEW YORK

I shall now call on those representatives who wish to ~xplain their vote before the voting.

During the debate on the question ofPalestine the Albanian delegation expressed its views and stated the position of its Government on this ~ubject. Now that we are about to vote on document A/33/L.1l and Add.l, entitled "Question of Palestine", the Albanian delegation wishes to state the following in explanation ofits position on it. 6. The Albanian delegation shares the feelings of grave concern which have been expressed here because of the fact tl1at no just solution has been found for the problem of P.uestine. It believ.es that this problem is the central element of the question of the Middle East, which cannot be resolved without a just solution of the Palestinian problem in accordance with the principle Qf the restoration of all the national rights of the Palestinian people over its homeland. 7. The Albanian delegation renews the firm support of the people of Albania fOl the just cause and the just struggle being waged by the Palestinian people; it once again condemns the continuation of Zionist aggression against that people and all the imperialist and Zionist plots whose aim is to wipe ou1tJ1e question ofPalestine and to sacrifice the rights of the Palestinian people. It also expresses its conviction that the Palestinian people, through their armed national liberation struggle, will certainly realize their national aspirations. 8. We note that document A/33/L.ll recalls and reaffIrms General Assembly resolutions 31/20 of 1976 and 32/40, A and B, of 1977. The Albanian delegation did'not take part in the voting when those resolutions were adopted by the General Assembly. At that time it explained its reasons for its stand.! As we have stressed in the past, those two resolutions are based on a document on which we had-and still continue to have-reservations. The draft resolutions now before the General Assembly also refer to that same document. We do not wish once again to explain our reservations in detail, because they are well known and have been reflected in the offIcial records of our Organization. However, we should like to stress that our delegation is guided by the same reservations in its assessment of document A/33/L.ll and in its decision on the position it will adopt on it. 1 See OfficiJil Records of fhe General Assembly, ThirtY-first Session, Plenary Meetings, 77th meeting, paras. 51-55, and i1)id., Thirty·second Session, Plenary Meetings, 91st meeting, paras. 25-30. A/33/PV.73

Draft resolutions A, B and C of document A/33/L.l1, now under discussion, are designed further to increase the manipulation of the Uniterl Nations as all instrument of political warfare in the hands of those who reject peace with Israel. TIley are bad for the cause of peace. They are bad for the cause of the United Nations. And, although certain Arab Governments and organizations want the draft resolutions to serve their narrow partirnn interests, they are bad for all the people of the Middle East, including the Palestinian Arabs, whose tribulations are in fact a function of the cirect hostility which also inspired the document before us. 16. Moreover, draft resolution C not only seeks to assure the continued work of the Special Unit on Palestinian Rights, but also in an open-ended way requests the . Secretary-General to consider its expansion, taking into account the views and suggestions of the Palestine Committee. In the light of the experience accumulated over the past year, there can be little doubt about the pernicious nature of the Unit's continued activities~ which surely must raise serious questions about the wisdom ofexpanding it. 17. In short, the General Assembly is confronted here with a biased, destructive and wasteful proposal. This document is utterly unacceptable to us and we call on Member States to vote against it in all its parts. 11. The present draft reso!utions, as well as those which they recall, are based on a denial of the rights of the people of Israel and of the State of Israel as a Member of the United Nations. Therefore, they are not OItly devoid of moral and legal basis but also injurious to reconciliation and to the peace process.

There are thme basic principles which determine Jamaica's policy on the question of Palestine. 12. The draft resolutions ignore the inalienable right of Israel to enjoy peace and security. They disregard the need to resolve the Arab-Israel conflict througn serious peace negotiations. instead, they propose to bolster those who reject peace with General Assembly resolutions and provide them with further means to perpetuate the conflict. They expand the machinery within the United Nations system whose purpose is to vilify Israel and to promote the status and policies of terrorists. 19. First, we believe that the question of Palestine is at the heart of the Middle East crisis, which cannot be resolved unless a just solution of the question of Palestine is achieved. 20. Secondly, any settlement of this question must concern itself with the important issue of rights-namely, the right of all States in the area to exist; the inalienable rights of the Palestinians, including their right to self-determinatic71 and to a national homeland; and the right of return or to equitable compensation should they choose not to return. 13. Instead of the tried and promising method of negotiations which has been pursued with such success during the last year, therecommendations to be re-enclorsed in draft resolution A attempt to dictate a solution in complete accord with that advocated by those whose avowed aim is to eliminate Israel if not at once, then by stages. Draft resolution A is also in complete contradiction to the provisions contained in Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973). 21. Thirdly, the Palestine Liberation Organization [PLO], the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, must be invited to participate on an equal footing with all parties in 'any efforts of the United Nations to find a just and lasting solution to the Middle East problem. 14. Draft resolutions B and C would increase the activities and influence of the so-called Palestine Committee2 within the United Nations system and in the Secretariat. Additional facilities would be made available to it in its undisguised efforts to politicize United Nations agencies and otherwise non-political organs and conferences. In the' best tradition of "Parkinson's law", it seeks to engage more staff, take up more of the United Nations budget and more of the time of the United Nations. The draft resolutions 22. Guided by those principles, my delegation will therefore find it possible to support the three draft resolutions submitted in document A/33/L.l1, since they are largely in keeping with Jamaica's policy as outlined and as demonstrated by our voting record on this item. 23. We would refer more .specjfically, however, to operative paragraph 4 of draft resolution A. Jamaica is aware of current negotiations taking place outside the ambit of the United Nations and appreciates the spirit that·initiated them. Over the_ coming months ,the results of these negotiations will determine the extent of their impact on the situation in the Middle East and the extent to which these results conform with our stated position on the question of Palestine, as refl~cted in the relevant resolutions of the United Nations. . auth~rize the Committee to send representatives on junkets to international conferences of their own choosing to propagate their destructive message, no! only between now and the next session of the United Nations General Assembly, but also "thereafter", as specifically indicated in operative paragraph 3 of draft resolution B. 15. Beyond all that, draft resolution C seeks to further subordinate units of the Secretariat and the Office ofPublic 24. The Government of Jamaica is interested in the earliest possible resolution of the problem and is concerned that all be dGile to fa~ilitate this. 2 Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People. 26. My delegation accepts on the whole the report of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, contained in document A/33/35 and Corr.1/Rev.I. The report, however, as was the case in past years, fails to take into consideration the reality of the existence of the State of Israel, and some portions of its recommendations cannot be implemented without recognizing that fact. Therefore this report does not demonstrate a realistic approach to the whole question. 27. We shall therefore abstain in the vote on draft resolution A in document A/33/L.ll. We shall, however, vote in favour of draft resolutions B and C.

Only a few days ago Senator Ribicoff, a distinguished member of the Senate of the United States, speaking on behalf of my 'Government in this Assembly, made it clear that the United States supports and will continue to support "practical progress towards a resolution of the Palestinian question in all its aspects" {65th meeting, para. 79}, 29. My Government has expressed over and over again the view, which we believe is shared by most of the Members of this Organization, that such progress can be pursued only through peaceful negotiations, as long and as difficult as they may be. We have made it equally clear that we are prepared to work vigorously for peace with all who will accept Security Council resolution 242 (1967) and, in the words of the distinguished member of the United States Senate, all those who will: "... accept that the ultimate purpose of the negotiations is to achieve peace and recognition between the Palestinian and Israeli peoples on bases that reasonable men will judge to be fair". {Ibid., para. 89.} 30. Our Sflcretary of State, Mr. Vance, made clear in his address to this Assembly {14th meeting} that the United States is committed to resolving the legitimate problems of the Palestinian people. Our efforts in the Camp David framework are to ensure that any sett!l3ment includes rather than excludes Palestinians. 31. But my Government will vote against the three draft resolutions submitted under item 31, "Question of Palestine", precisely because those draft resolutions do not advance the cause of peace. It is unacceptable that the draft resolutions, in purporting to support the aspirations of the Palestinian people, attempt to advance the cause of an organization which has not accepted as the basis for peace Council resolution 242 (1967) and the concept of peaceful negotiations to realize peace. 32. The United Nations should be in the forefront of efforts to promote a just and lasting peace in the Middle East. It should not allow itself to be swayed by political 33. It is also important that the United Nations should not allow its limited financial resources to be used for partisan, unconstructive, one-sided activities such as those performed by the General Assembly Committee on Palestine and the Secretariat's Special Unit on Palestinian Rights, for the Continuation of which the draft resolutions provide. One of the great strengths of the United Nations Secretariat-so evident in its peace-keeping and mediatory efforts-is its reputation for impartiality and professionalism. Without that reputation the effectiveness of the United Nations is severely limited. This is what is involved in this matter. Will the majority of Member States support the continuation of a Unit whose very mandate conflicts with the underlying purpose of this Organization? Or will they have the strength to say; We will express our views in another way; we will not permit the United Nations itself 'to be weakened? 34. My Government will continue to oppose this Unit as strongly as it will continue to support activities genuinely and effectively aimed at promoting true and lasting peace in the Middle East.

We shall now vote on the three draft resolutions in document A/33/L.ll entitled "Question of Palestine", The report of the Fifth Committee on the administrative and fmancial implications of the draft resolutions is contained in document A/33/441. 36. We shall vote frrst on draft resolution A. A recorded vote has been requested.

We shall now vote on draft resolution B. A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. .... In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Bulgaria, Burma, Burundi, Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, Cape Verde, Central African Empire, Chad, China, Comoros, Congo, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Democratic Kampuchea, Democratic Yemen, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, German Democratic Republic, Greece, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Gu.yana, Haiti, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Repuplic, Lebanon, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe. Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Somalia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Cameroon, United Republic of Tanzania, Upper Volta, Venezuela, Vit.t Nam, Yemen, Y1.lgoslavia, Zaire, Zambia Abstaining: Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, ,Ecuador, El Salvador, Fiji, Finland, France, Honduras, Ivory Coast, Japan, Lesotho, Malawi, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Samoa, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Uruguay Against: Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Federal Republic of, Guatemala, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway> United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Un~ted States of America Abstaining: Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Brazil, ~hile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Fiji, Finland, France, Honduras, Ireland, Ivory Coast, Japan, Lesotho, Malawi, Mexico, New Zealand, Samoa, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Uruguay

During the consideration of the Palestine question in the plenary meetings the Chinese delegation has already expounded the Chinese Government's position on the question of Palestine and the Middle East [66th meeting]. We finnly support the Palestinian and Arab people in their just 3 The delegations of Ghana and Niger subsequently informed the Secretariat that they wished to have their votes recorded as having been in favour of the draft resolution. 4 Idem. "3. Further requests the Secretary-General to con- sider, in consultation with the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, the strengthening and the possible reorganization and re- naming of the. Special Unit on Palestinian Rights". A recorded vote has been requested.

The delegation of Peru voted in favour of draft resolutions A and B in keeping with its position of support for the principle of the exercise of the rights of the Palestinian people, which are recognized by the General Assembly.. 43. In voting in this way our delegation is reiterating its conviction that the question of Palestine cannot be isolated from the problem of the Middle East, since both situations should be resolved in the context of the basic guidelines laid down in Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973), including in particular respect for and recognition of the sovereignty, territorial integ 'ity and political independence of all States in the region and their right to live in peace within secure and recognized borders. 44. Similarly, we feel that both the question of the exercise of the rights of the Palestinian people and the solution of the problem of the Middle East can and should be dealt with together in a peaceful process of political agreement, thus ending the long period of inertia which has characterized and aggravated the crisis in the area. Efforts which have been made arid those which may begin in the future should, therefore, be assessed constructively with a view to determining whether they do constitute political progress toward a global and comprehensive solution, which will ensure that that disturbed area of our world will cease to be the hotbed of tension it has been for so long and become an example of life in peace, with co-operation among communities; for it is an area wh~re this spirit should flourish, in view of its age-old civilizations, inspired by tolerance and justice. 45_ Mr. FIGUEROA (Argentina) (interpretation from Spanish.J: The delegation of Argentina voted in favour of draft resolutions A and Bin document A/33/L.ll. 46. This support is a further expression of our traditional support for a negotiated solution which, in keeping with the Charter of the United Nations, takes into account the rights of the Palestinian people with equanimity and justice. 47. It is in this spirit that we would like now to make two comments on the resolutions just adopted. On the one hand, we mterpret operative paragraph 4 of draft resolution A as neither prejudging the results nor excluding the possibility of negotiations authorized by Article 33 of the Charter. On the other hand, still in keeping wit,h our position of respect for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, we feel that some of the recommendations of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People which were endorsed at the tllirty-

Ecuador abstained in the voting on draft resolutions A, ~ and C of document A/33/L.ll oooause we are convinced of both the need and the right of the Arab countries to recover the territories taken away from them by force and the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, sovereignty, independence and a specific geographical location. We are also convinced that there must be respect for and recognition of the right of all peoples in the area to live in peace within secure and recognized borders, including the State of Israel, whose establishment was due precisely to a United Nations reSOlution. 49. OUi country bases itself fully on the principle that might does not make right and, because of this, in all United Nations forums we advocate the peaceful solution of disputes as provided for in the Charter and believe that this system should be strengthened. SO. Of course, Ecuador has repeatedly reaffinned its recognition of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination, independence and sovereignty and, thei~:iore, the right of the Palestinians tiJ return to their homes and their property from which they have been uprooted and displaced. We are also in favour of the participation of the PLO, as an interested party, in the Peace Conference on the Middle East in order to resolve the question of the future of the relations of peoples in that area. We abstained in the vote on last year's resolution because of the precedent that might be set in the Secretariat by the Unit established to deal with this issue. SI. Ecuador maintains sincere and friendly relations with the Arab countries and with the State of Israel in the Middle East, and because of this we should like the negotiations which are now in progress"at Camp David to be successful. We hope that these negotiations will initiate the process of the restoration of occupied territories and will be broadened to include the achievemept of lasting peace in the entire region, which is so important for the peace of the world. We hope that any resolution adopted by the United Nations will promote and not hamper the desired understandings.

The delegation of the Dominican Republic would like to plate on record its concern that lasting peace has not yet been achieved in the Middle East. At the same time we should like to state that such .a peace will be possible only after a just solution has been found to the problem ofPalestine. 53. However, the Dominican delegation feels that any step that may be taken and any agreement made for the achievement of peace in the Middle East is valid. That is why we cannot support operative paragraph 4 of draft resolution A in document A/33/L.ll, on the question of Palestine, which denies the validity of such initiatives. The Dominican delegation therefore dedded to abstain in the vote on draft resolution A. 55. As far as draft resolution C is concerned, we do not feel that the establishment of the Special Unit on Palestinian Rights mentioned in operative paragraph I is valid since it creates a very special situation with regard to the competence of the Secretariat of the United Nations. 56. However, in all other respects we support the just and legitimate interests of the Palestinian people and their right to a national homeland in which they can live in peace and security. We also support the right of the State ofIsrael to live in peace within secure and fully recognized borders.

The representative of the PLO has asked to be given the opportunity to make a statement. I now call upon him.

At the end of the debate on the agenda item dealing with the Palestine question at this session of the Assembly, may I be allowed on behalf of the PLO to thank all the members who voted in favour of the draft resolutions in document A/33/L.ll and thus made a positive contribution to the enrichment of the Palestinian cause in all its dimensions and to justice, equity and self-determination. 59. The meaning of the resolutions adopted is to be found in the determination of the international community, which the Assembly represents, to allow the Palestinian people to exercise their inalienable national rights, which the Assembly has approved, and to overcome all the difficulties and obstacles impeding the implementation of the resolutions the General Assembly has adopted in this respect. 60. The resolutions that have been adopted by a voting ratio of 5 to 1 are particularly important since the Palestinian question is being considered after the signing of the Camp David agreements, which have disregarded our inalienable and legitimate national rights and ignored the only legitimate representative of the Palestinian people and have held out to some of our people who live under an occupation regime a prospect of self-government under Israeli occupation. The Assembly's resolutions have reaffirmed the role of the Ur.1ted Nations in the peace-seeking process and have also reaffirmed our inalienable rights, in particular the right of the Palestinian people to return, to independence and to sovereignty in their homeland, Palestine, as the basic element of peace. These resolutions have also reaffirmed the role of the PLO, which is the representative of the Palestinians in all the conferences and 62. The international consensus that emerged during the debate on the question ofPalestine supports the inalienable rights of the Palestinians and adds yet another dimension to our determination to continue our struggle. It reinforces our conviction that the peace-loving forces will be victorious eventually, no matter what manoeuvres the forces of hatred may engage in. 63. Once again may I be allowed to thank the representatives of the Member States that share our convictions concerning the need for the struggle of peoples against imperialism, racism and neo-colonialism. I would also thank the Chairman and the members of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian people for all the sincere efforts they have made. 64. I would now express the hope that our national rights, upon which the As.'lembly has insisted so strongly, will have been implemented and realized by the time the thirtyfourth session begins.

As members know, the debate on agenda item 30 was concluded yesterday. The General Assembly has before it draft resolution A/33/L.12 and Add.!. 66. I shall give the floor to those representatives who wish to explain their votes before the voting. 67. Mr; BALETA (Albania) (interpretation from French): Having concluded the· etebate on the situation in the Middle East the General Assembly is now called upon to take a decision on draft resolution A/33/L.12 and Add.I. 68. In our view, that draft resolution differs very little from resolution 32/20, which the General- Assembly adopted last year. 69. The delegation of Albania did not take part in the vote on that resolution, for reasons which we explained at the time of the vote. 70. Acting coitsistently with thewell-known and consistent position of principle taken by· the People's Socialist Republic of Albania in regard to the !-,foblem of the Middle East the delegation of Albania would like now to explain its position with regard ·to the draft resolution before the Assembly. 71. The People's Socialist Republic of Albania has firmly supported, and will continue to support, the just cause and 72. The People's Socialist Republic of Albania siiOngly condemns the continuance of the Zionist-imperialist aggression against the Arab peoples and the occupation by Israel of the territory of the Palestinian people and the Arab States. In the view of our delegation, the question of the Middle East cannot be resolved urJess an end is put to the imperialist-Zionist aggression and the interference of the imperialist Powers, nor can true peace be established in the Middle East until the Zionist forces have withdrawn from all the occupied lands belonging to the Palestinian people and the Arab States. There can be no true settlement without the solution of the Palestinia'" question. 73. However, as we have stated on other occasions, we :.lr~ convinced that those problems cannot be resolved by relying on the goodwill of the Zionists and the imperialists or on the role that may be played by the imperialist super-Powers. The mediation and patronage of the two imperialist super-Powers will not only fail to bring about a solution of the Middle East problem but in fact will complicate the situation and endanger the interests of the Arab peoples. When the two super-Powers pretend to be acting to solve the problem they are in fact only promoting their own hegemonistic interests in the Middle East. 74. Draft resolution A/33/L.12 calls for the reconvening of the Geneva Peace Conference on the Middle East under the co·chainnanship of the United States and the Soviet Union. In the view of our delegation, that Conference cannot solve the problem of the Middle East. The two super-Powers have used that Conference to camouflage their conspiracies, and to wheel and deal to the detriment of the Arab people, and to arrogate to themselves the right to act as arbiters in the Middle East. 75. The delegation of Albania also has reservations with regard to those parts of the draft resolution which refer to various United Nations docum~nts relating to this problem, the references being so worded as to imply that Security Council resolution 242 (1967) is meant. It will be recalled that Albania has always been opposed to that resolution and to other resolutions based upon it. 76. For all those reasons, our delegation will not participate in the vote on draft resolution A/33/L.12.

In our statement yesterday in the . course of the debate on agenda item 30, entitled "The situation in the Middle East", we said: "Here in this hall, year after year, we have been subjected to an unending tirade of invective, an endless stream of repetitive speeches and an ever-growing accumulation of equally repetitive resolutions, passed from one international conference to another,· from one committee to another, from one year to the next." [71st meeting, P/lTa. 72.J 78. The draft resolution before the Assembly fully bears out that statement, for it is nothing more than a regurgi- 79. At the conclusion of the general debate Israel put the General Assembly on notice that those who have exploited unrest and conflict in the Middle East in the past, and who cannot now reconcile themselves to the prospects of peace, would indeed attempt to subvert this body-which is dedicated, through the Charter of our Organization, to peace and security-and to turn it to their own destructive ends. Israel also asked at that time that if this Assembly could not actively encourage the peace process it should at least allow that process to move forward without obstruction. 80. The draft resolution before us proves-&Ild this can only be a matter for regret-that the General Assembly is unable to rise to the occasion and as a resuit is still prepared to be harnessed to the aims and purposes of those·that thrive on dissensi.on and wannongering. 81. Lawrence of Arabia once described the Arab revolt during the First World War as a "sideshow to a sideshow". If the draft resolution before us is adopted, it will have the effect of placing the General Assembly in precisely the same category. Israel will vote against the draft resolution, and can only urge other Members whicl} have at heart the best interest of peace and the United Nations to do likewise. 82: Mr. JELONEK (Federal Republic .of Gennany) (interpretation from French): The statements made on 30 November [66th meeting] on the question ofPalestine and on 6 December [71st meeting] on the question of the Middle East by my delegation on behalf af the nine member countries of the EuroPean Communitj recalled the declaration of the nine Heads of State or Government of 29 1une 1977.6 It is in the light of that declaration that our nine Governments have determined their position on draft resolution A/33/LI2, which repeats, with some changes, the test of resolution 32/20 of last year. 83. The comments which we made in our explanation of vote last year on that resolution7 are therefore equally applicable to the draft resolution now before us. This draft resolution is not consistent with the views of the nine 84. With respect to the expression "occupied... terri· tories" in the operative part, the nine countries understand that expression to refer to the territories occupied since 1967, as made clear in the fourth paragraph of .the preamble of the draft resolution and also in paragraph 2 of resolution 32/20. 85. Of course, the interpretation which the nine countries have given to the expression "Palestinian territories" on other occasions also applies to the text now before us. 86. Finally, by insisting on certain elements rather than on others, the draft does not reflect the balance to be found in the four principles of the statement of the nine countries made on 29 June 1977, which we recalled in our statements of 30 November and 6 December. 87. For all these reasons, our nine delegations will abstain in the vote on this draft resolution.

We shall now take a vote on the draft resolution entitled "The Situation in the Middle East" contained in document A/33/L.12 and Add.1. A recorded vote has been requested.

I shall now call on those representatives who wish to explain their vote after the vote.

My delegation abstained in the vote on the draft resolution on the situation in the Middle East. It did so because of the absence of any acknowledgement of the Camp David agreem(,lnts, which my Government considers an important step towards the achievement of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the region. My delegation considers that the resolution is unrealistic in that it simply repeats, with minor changes, the text of the resolution ad()~ted by the General Assembly last year-and :n this respect wc ~mderstand the new reference to Palestinian territories to have a purely geographical connotrttion-whereas the resolution could have been of greater value if it had sought to support the Camp David agreements. 91. The Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs made our position quite clear when he said in the Assembly on 6 October this year: "The Australian Government welcomes the two agree· m~nts signed following the Camp David meetings as a constructive framework for progress. In particular, the Australian Government welcomes agreement that further negotiations will be guided by the provisions and prin· ciples of Security Council resolution 242 (1967) and the recognition of the legitimate rights of' the Palestinian people. "These positions accord with Australia's views. The Australian Government pays a tribute to the states· manship of the leaders of Egypt and Israel in reaching these agreements and applauds the initiative and the assiduous efforts of the President of the United States in fostering them. "We recognize that long and difficult negotiations will be required if there is to be a just and lasting peace in the Middle East. It is our earnest hope that other Arab States, whose support will be essential to any lasting settlement, will be encouraged to accept the Camp 6avitl framework as a basis for future negotiations and will be prepared to join in the search for peace." [24th meeting, paras. 31-33.} 92. Mr. PI Chi.lung (China). (translation from Chinese): Having studied draft resolution A/33/L.12, the Chinese delegation supports the righteous-fonnulations of the draft, which condemn Israel for its continued occupation of Arab territories in violation of the United Nations Charter and the principles of international law, demand Israeli with· drawal from all the occupied Palestinian and other Arab territories, and the attainment by the Palestinian people of all their inalienable national rights. However, in view of the fact that the above draft mainly involves the Geneva 93. The Chinese delegation wiRhes to take this opportunity to reaffirm that the Chinese Government and peo~le will, as always, unswervingly and resolutely support the Arab and Palestinian people in their just struggl~ against Israeli zionism, for the recovery of their lost territories and for the restoration of their national rights. We are finnly opposed te super·Power rivalry, interference and expansion in the Middle East. We are convinced that the Arab and Palestinian people will further strengthen their unity, persevere in struggle and finally realize their national aspirations v.?th the support of the people of all countries.

When on previous occasions the delegation of Peru has deemed it necessary to explain its vote in favour of draft resolutions on the situation in the Middle East, we have done so indicating that our support for their central elements-such 2S withdrawal from the territories occupied since 1967, recognition of the rights of the Palestinian people, and measures aimed at achieving those objectiveshad to be linked with other equally basic elements: the recognition of all the States in the area, their sovereignty, their territorial integrity and independence, and their right to live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries, in keeping with the essential guidelir.es of Security Councn resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973). 9S. The wording of some paragraphs in draft resolution A/33/L.12,on which we cast an affmnative vote, requires in the opinion of my delegation a basically similar explanation at this time. 96. We feel that with regard to the situation in the Middle East, ~though the critical elements that have characterized it for so long are still present, the inertia which formerly exacerbated matters is now being overcome. Hence, in light of this development we feel it relevant to repeat ~at what confrontation and conflict among the parties seeking their respective ultimate goals did not achieve over decades of tragic confrontation sho,uld now be the subject of negotiation on the basis of political realism, which can make possible a new stage of peace and harmony in the history of that region.

My delegation has voted in favour of draft resolution A/33/L.12 concerning the situation in the Middle East. Very briefly, we would like to state our position, however, on one POillt contained in the said document. My delegation understands the references to Israeli occupation of "Palestinian and other Arab territories" in operative paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 to mean those territories occupied by Israel as a result of and since the 1967 war.

My delegation has abstained in the vote on this issue, but because of its importance, we would like to record the"reasons why we did so. r~presentative of the Palestinian people. 100. We feel that the conflict in the Middle East has far-reaching consequences, and ~hat is why we welcome all efforts aimed at a solution to the problem, including the most recent Camp David agreements. 101. We are convinCed that the Palestmjan people have th~ right to self-determination. This implies, moreover, the inalienable right to a land and a home, making it possible for them fuUy to exercise their national rights within clearly recognized boundaries. . ~ 102. In this respect we are also convinced of the right of Israel to live in peace within secure boundaries. This right has been recognized and guaranteed in Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973), which also established the principle of the return of occupied territories. 103. My delegation, faithful to the principles that have always governed its policies in the search and in support for peace and justice, feels that throughout the world, whe~ver there is a situation of conflict, refugees and their problems should be given priority consideration. In this connexion General Assembly resolution 194 (Ill) should be recalled. 104. The need of the Palestinian people for a homeland in no way, we feel, contradicts the existence of the State of Israel, the creation of which by this very Organization not only gives it the right to exist, but also the right to tiemand ~l3curity within well·defmed boundaries. 105. In summary, my delegation felt compelled to abstain because of some of the wording of the draft r~solution,but we basically support the substance with respect to the search for a just solution to the conflict in the Middle Eut, with the participation of all those concerned, and with recognition of the·rights ofeach party concerned, including the State of Israel and the Palestinian people.

The position of the Finnish Government on the substance of the question of the Middle East is well known and remains unchanged. We .have on many occasions put on record the fmn support of Finland for Security Councn resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973) as providing the essential basis for a just and lasting settlement in the Middle East. Furthermore, we have strongly underlined the fact that in addition to those resolutions, provision must be made for the legitimate rights of th:~ Palestinian people, including their right to self-determin3tion. The Finnish Government welcomes all genuine ~fforts, wherever and on the initiative ofwhomever they may take place, aimed at promoting a peaceful settlement in the Middle East and intended as a contri- ";"

The delegation of Chile voted in favour of draft resolution A/33/L.12 on the situation in the Middle East. Our affirmative vote was basically intended to reaffirm Chile's support for the principles contained in Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973) and its desire to co·operate in ~ything that contributes to the establishment of peace in the area, together with the rights of all the nations there, including, of course, the Palestinian people. But those same principles and aspirations for peace lead my delegation to express a reservation, because the draft resolution just adopted mentions resolution A in document A/33/L.ll. This, VIe believe, might hamper the valuable negotiations now being conducted by two nations involved in the conflict. 107. We noted with satisfaction that draft reson ;tion A/33/L.12 made reference to the right of all peoples in the region to live in peace and security within secure and recognized boundaries. We also welcomed the strong emphasis put on a comprehensive solution under the auspices of the United Nations. 108. While we recognize the over-all positive purpose of the sponsors of the draft resolution that has just been adopted, we note with regret that it does not mention, nor does its wordi07lg entirely correspond to the wording of, Security Council resolution 242 (1967), although there are implicit references to that resolution. It also leaves other important elements of the situation without recognition. 117. Without in any way changing its consistent position of support for the principles ofSecurity Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973), which I have already mentioned, and for the right of the Palestinian people to a homeland, Chile wishes to state that it believes the United Nations must foster, recognize and support the commendable efforts now being made by those two States. W9. For those reasons my delegation abstained in the voting.

It is well known that Togo is one of the countries which have broken diplomatic relations with Israel because of its occupation by force of territories of Arab States and its continued opposition to the exercise by the Palestinian people of their inalienable national rights. 118. Mr. FUENTES iBA~EZ (Bolivia) (interpretation from Spanish): The delegation of Bolivia voted in favour of draft resolution A/33/L.12, whioh once again reiterates a basic and permanent principle of Bolivia's foreign policy. This concerns the inadmissibility of the occupation of territories by force, which we absolutely repudiate, and our conviction that all territories thus occupied must be returned. 11 L Togo's policy on this question remains consistent with the position which it has always takeu on the problem of the Middle East. We want to reaffirm our conviction that a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, within the framework of which all the countries and the peoples of the region would be able to live in· peace and sec;urity within secure and recognized borders, can be attained only if Israel withdraws from all the territories it has occupied since 1967 and if the Palestinian people are granted their inalienable na~lonal rights. 119. Nevertheless, we believe that some of the elements of the text of the resolution which we havejust adopted might interfere with one of the most positive efforts being made to achie~e peace' in the Middle East, the Camp David negotiations. In this respect, had operative paragraphs 2 and 4 been voted on separately, we would have abstained in the vote. 112. That is why the delegation of Togo voted in favour of draft resolution A/33/L.12. We wish to express our firm opposition to all fonnulas which would bring into question the very existence of any country in that region, incl~ding Israel. All the countries and the peoples of the region have the right to exist, to live in peace free from threats and to live without aggressive or expansionist designs. 120. We should like our reservation on these paragraphs and on the last paragraph of the preamble to~be.reflected in the records.

My delegation would like to express its gratitude to the friendly States that supported the draft resolutions on the Palestine and Middle ~East questions, contained, respectively, in documents A/33/L.ll and A/33/L.12. 113. We therefore understand that the words "the Israeli withdrawal from all the occupied Palestinian... territories u in the resolution mean the territories occupied as a result ofthe 1967 war. 122. The significant support which those draft resolutions received has reaffIrmed the determination of the international community to fmd a solution to the Middle East and Palestinian questions, a solution based on justice and conforming to international standards and the United Nations Charter, as well as decisions adopted by the Organization.

The delegation ofHonduras wishes to reiterate its firm adherence to the principle ofthe inadmissibility of the acquisition of territories by fon:e and, in this context, its support in principle for the call on Israel to withdraw from the occupied Arab territories. 124. I should like to put a question to the representative of Israel. How many billions of United States dollars does Israel want in order to agree to get out of Sinai alone? According to information given in this country, Israel will receive about $3.5 billion for withdrawing from Sinai alone. I therefore ask this question, How m2IlY billions of dollars would Israel demand in order to get out of the other Arab territories? Of course, we know that Israel now says daily that it will never withdraw from those ter:itories. That is the spirit of blackmail; that is the racist mentality which exists in Israel. Israel will never accept any peace that is not to the detriment of tHe Palestinian and Arab peoples and that does not give a blessing to Israeli expansion whenever circumstances permit it, as has been tne case in the past. 125. As recently as yesterday, the representative of Israel said that there is no necessity to create a Palestinian State because there is already a Palestinian State in Jordan. That clearly demonstrates that the racist regime in Israel i.."ltends 126. My country feels that the path that the General Assembly and the Security Council have taken is the best path to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East. Such a peace will certamI: aot be achieved by Israeli blackmail or deception.

I should like to propose that the list of speakers in the debate on agenda item 27, be closed this afternoon at 5 o'clock. If there is no objection, I shall take it that the General Assembly adopts that proposal. • Resumed from the 52nd meeting. . >