A/35/PV.88 General Assembly

The item which we are discussing today and which we have agreed to call the problem of the Middle East has been on the agenda of the General Assembly for 14 years now. As we all know, it is nothing but a provisional and ancillary aspect of the root problem, the problem of Palestine, which as old as the United Nations itself and which has also of course been discussed from the very beginnings of the Organization to the point that it has become a permanent agenda item for the General Assembly. It is therefore not surprising that the inclusion of this agenda item gives rise to distress among some and to grief among others, given the strange and even absurd situation that it signifies. 45. It is truly illogical that a racist entity created by a resolution of the General Assembly can show such contempt for such an institution as the United Na- tions, to which it owes its very existence, and can choose from among the relevant resolutions adopted over 30 years only one [resolution /8/ (11)] and, indeed, the paragraph that suits it in that resolution, completely disregarding the rest of the Partition Plan that established the State of Palestine, and the later resolutions that address the problem of Palestine or the problem of the Middle East as a whole. 46. This curious situation is less a condemnation of the United Nations than a condemnation of a single Member State that was created by the General As- sembly. It could have been expected that that State would have been the first to respect United Nations resolutions, (Jut of regard for its own existence. In not complying with these resolutions Israel is not exercising free will, as Zionist propaganda would have us believe; it is destroying the very legitimacy of its existence. It is truly ironic that a State should demand recognition while it does not recognize itself, 48. The danger is increased by the fact that the world economy feels the slightest tremors experi- enced in this region which, in particular, ensures the petroleum supply of the industrialized world and the developing countries. It is therefore quite correct to say that stability, peace and security in the Middle East mean a stable international economic situation and that the continuance of tension in the region has destructive effects on the world economy. Those are truths better understood by the industrialized States, but they are also understood by the other countries of the world, regardless of their social or political systems. 49. All these facts have an impact not only on the world economy but also on the unbridled rivalry of the two big Powers to obtain zones of influence in the Indian Ocean and the Horn of Africa. Everyone I~",OWS that the other struggles in the region at the "'l~:ient time are only secondary and passing symp- toms of the tension which has brought the entire Mid- dle East to the crater of a volcano that threatens to erupt at any time. 50. The false arguments and evidence used to show that the Arab-Israeli conflict is not at the root of the difficulties being encountered in the region are at- tempts doomed to failure. 51. The United Nations has, of course, not re- mained inactive with regard to those problems. The Organization has attached great importance to them by its awareness of their dangerous internatr-nal di- mensions. The United Nations has adopted many resolutions requesting Israel to withdraw from the occupied Arab territories and to recognize the in- alienable rights of the Palestinian people, in particular, to comply with General Assembly resolution 3236 (XXIX). But those resolutions have been ignored and defied by Israel. What is worse, Israel has persisted in pursuing its arrogant policy of intransigence, sup- ported as it is by a great political, economic and mili- tary Power. It has continued to implement its Zionist 56. Qatar-which is bound by the resolutions of the Arab summit conferences, especially those at Bagh- dad in November 1978 and Amman in November 1980,as well as by the resolutions of the Organization of the Islamic Conference and the Sixth Conference of Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned Countries, held at Havana in September 1979- affirms once again that a solution to the problem of the Middle East can be found only through the imple- mentation of the following measures: first, the com- plete and unconditional withdrawal of Israel from the occupied Arab lands, including the city of Jerusalem; secondly, full and complete recognition of the in- alienable rights of the Palestinian people, in particular its right to self-determination and its basic right to create an independent State on Palestinian territory; thirdly, recognition of the PLO as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people; fourthly, non-annexation of Jerusalem by Israel; and fifthly, respect for. the sovereignty of Lebanon and non- interference by Israel in the internal affairs of that fraternal country. 5'1. We understand full well that the essential reason why it has been impossible to find a just and lasting solution to the Middle East problem is none other than Israel's disregard and defiance of United Nations resolutions. Israel's attitude, supported as it is by the Israel's attitude, supported as it is by the United States, is the primary source which threatens the world's peace and security and therefore constitutes a threat to the very existence of the United Nations.

The General Assembly is once again considering the situation in the Middle East. This question, which is serious and dangerous for peace and which has been considered by the United Nations almost since it was created, has caused four destructive wars resulting in numerous innocent victims, untold suffering for the entire popu- lation and inestimable material damage. Apart from the fact that those conflicts have aggravated the pre- carious nature of the situation of the millions of Pa- lestinians who have been unjustly deprived of their homeland, reduced to the status of refugees and doomed to a nomadic existence, they have since 1967 resulted in the occupation of Arab territories, thus adding a new dimension to the prevailing tension. Since then, not a day passes without the mass media informing us of outbursts of violence in that part of the world. 59. Although the United Nations has, through many General Assembly and Security Council resolutions, long defined the principles of a compre- hensive, just and lasting settlement of this matter, the situation is more unstable and explosive than ever. This state of affairs once again shows the inability of the United Nations to solve the principal problems that our world faces and to assure respect for and implementation of its own decisions. 63. The Assembly has repeatedly striven to define the framework for a settlement that is likely to estab- lish a just and lasting peace in that part of the world and to promote a climate of detente, understanding and co-operation. We are talking here about a com- prehensive solution based, as the Secretary-General recalls in his report: " ... on the right of all States in the area to live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries free from threats or acts of force, on the inalienable right of the Pa.lestinians, including their right to self-determination, and on withdrawal from occu- pied territories." [Ibid., para. 48.] 64. The position of the United Republic of Came- roon-and we have ceaselessly worked to bring about a comprehensive solution because we respect the interdependent and indivisible nature of the various aspects of the Middle East conflict-is well known. It was made clear during this session by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs on 7 October 1980: " ... Cameroon is convinced that the settlement of the Palestinian question is the key to any peace- ful, just and lasting solution... This means that the Palestinian people, under the aegis of its authentic representative, the Palestine Liberation Organi- zation [PLO], should be able freely to exercise all its inalienable rights, including that to a homeland in Arab Palestine, and to participate on an equal footing with all other parties and at all levels in any process for the settlement of the conflict. "A just and lasting peace... necessarily entails the withdrawal of Israel from all Arab territories occupied by it since J967 and recognition of the right of all States in the area, including Israel, to live in peace within internationally recognized borders." [25th meeting, paras. 29 and 30] 67. International law, fortified by numerous United Nations resolutions, has long recognized the inad- missibility of the occupation of foreign countries by forcible means. The military might of a State or its reliance on a poweful ally for support cannot and does not justify its bullying attitude and greed for territorial expansion and aggrandizement. Indeed, the military might of a State or its reliance on a powerful ally ought not to blind it to the much cherished and universally recognized inalienable rights of all peoples to self- determination. Only those who believe in the law of the jungle can be oblivious to these facts and thrive on State terrorism. 68. .The norms of international law and practice have been and continue to be severely tested in the situation in the Middle East. United Nations resolu- tions have met with an utter contempt and insolent rejection by ~ne Israel: authorities paralleled, perhaps, only by the attitude and cynicism of the proponents and practitioners of the evil doctrine called apartheid in South Africa. It is unacceptable and intolerable that Israel should continue with impunity to occupy Arab territories. It is similarly unacceptable and intolerable that Israel should continue to deny the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including its right to a national homeland in Palestine. Certainly, the Pales- tinian people must not continue to be dispersed and to suffer humiliation, deprivation and torture. 69. My delegation once again calls for Israeli with- drawal from occupied Arab territories. We similarly call for the exercise by the Palestinian people of its inalienable right to self-determination, including the right to a national homeland in Palestine. We are con- vinced that there can be no just and durable settle- ment of the situation in the Middle East as long as Israel persists in its illegal occupation of Arab terri- tories and in the denial of the inalienable rights of tile Palestinian people. 70. The problem of Palestine, as the Assembly has repeatedly reaffirmed, is the core of the conflict in the Middle East. It follows, therefore, that any geruine 71. Unpalatable as this may be to Israel and its sup- porters, the fact of the matter is that the PLO is the authentic representative of the Palestinian people. Any attempt to circumvent or replace it is futile. Such an attempt could not and will not advance the search for a just and durable solution to the conflict in the Middle East. 72. Israel has repeatedly stated that it desires to live in peace with its neighbours within secure and recognized boundaries. However, its actions have always belied its protestations of sincerity in this regard. Aggression and intransigence are certainly no way to promote such a cherished objective. How can one explain the persistent Israeli raids against Lebanon, launched in utter disregard of the sover- eignty and territorial integrity of that country? How can one explain Israel's annexation of Jerusalem and its policy of establishing settlements in the occupied territories? These are not mere aberrations in the situation in the Middle East. They are serious actions by Israel which are illegal and deeply resented and which have given rise to loss of innocent life and des- truction of property. They invite war rather than creating an atmosphere which promotes and enhan- ces efforts for a peaceful settlement. 73. My delegation unreservedly condemns Israeli acts of aggression against Lebanon, its annexation of Jerusalem and its policies and practices in the occu- pied territories. In particular, we strongly condemn the recent decision of Israel to persist in the banish- ment of Arab mayors from the occupied territories. 74. The Middle East has known conflict and turmoil for too long. Generations of the people of the Middle East have not known peace in their lifetimes. They yearn for peace and tranquility. The Middle East is an important area of the world, and the return of peace to the area would certainly be in the larger interest of the entire international community. 75. Finally, my delegation remains convinced that it is within the capacity of the United Nations and Member States to find a solution to the contlict in the Middle East. Let us all rededicate ourselves to this goal and let us seek a genuine solution within the framework of the norms of international law and the many resolutions of the Organization. 76. Mr. MARINESCU (Romania) (interpretation from French}: A few days ago, during the debate on the question of Palestine [78th meeting], I had occa- sion to reaffirm the position of principle which has always been upheld by my country concerning the imperative need for a political and peaceful solution to the situation in the Middle East and the essential components of the establishment of a just and lasting peace, which is in the vital interests of the peoples of the region and other peoples of the world, as well as the ways and means of achieving that peace. 80. As is well known, on the basis of the responsi- bility for peace of all countries, regardless of their size, the Head of the Romanian State and the Gov- ernment of our country maintain a direct dialogue with Heads of State and Government and with the political circles in a great number of countries and are acting with perseverance to find a solution, by common efforts, of the problems facing mankind and to promote negotiated political solutions which res- pond to the aspirations of peoples for freedom and independence, in the interests of peace, security and co-operation among nations. 81. Recent developments in the Middle East leave no doubt whatsoever as to the constant aggravation of the situation in the region. In recent days, because of military incursions into Lebanon and unlawful measures taken by Israel in the occupied Arab lands and with respect to Jerusalem, which prompted strong condemnation from the international community, the situation has further worsened, exacerbating tension and giving rise to grave dangers to peace and security in the region and throughout the world. Hence, the Romanian Government feels that such a situation requires that no action be taken that could worsen the state of tension and that resolute efforts be made by all States in order to find a political solution to the Middle East conflict. 82. in our view, a viable response to the problems that concern the States and peoples of the Middle ~iu._mtion. We therefore believe that resolute steps must be taken without delay to create conditions conducive to the holding of serious negotiations among all the parties concerned. 85. In order for a future peace settlement in the Middle East to be just and lasting, it must of course be based on Israel's withdrawal from the Arab terri- tories occupied since 1967, including the Arab part of Jerusalem. Such a requirement, which is provided for in the clearest and most formal terms in United Nations resolutions, has been reaffirmed constantly and resolutely by our country, on the basis of its posi- tion of principle that the occupation of foreign terri- tories by force is contrary to and condemned by the norms of international law and international relations and, therefore, is inadmissible. 86. As we have always stated, a just and equitable peace also unquestionably requires a solution to the problem of the Palestinian people on the basis of its right to self-determination, including its right to the establishment of an independent national State in which it can organize its life in full freedom, in accor- dance with its legitimate national aspirations. It is the firm conviction of the Romanian Government that an equitable settlement in the Middle East is in- conceivable without a solution to the Palestinian problem, which is one of its essential components. As we have reaffirmed on many occasions, the reali- zation of the legitimate right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, including its rights to establish an independent national State, is a fundamental 89. As a country which is close to the Middle East and therefore particularly concerned at the grave situation which persists in the region, Romania be- lieves that in the present international circum..tances it is more necessary than ever th: intensive and con- crete action be undertaken to put an end to that con- flict which has lasted for so long. As was stressed in the message from the President of the Socialist Republic of Romania, Nicolae Ceausescu, addressed to the President of the Assembly, and to the Secre- tary-General, on the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People: "We feel that at present there is an overriding need 'to achieve, through broad-based consulta- tions, and initiative which would lead to the crea- tion of a new framework and a new basis for nego- tiation in the form of an international conference organized under the sponsorship of and with the active participation of the United Nations and the participation of all parties involved in the conflict, including the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), as the legitimate representative of the Pa- lestinian people, the Soviet Union and the United States, as well as other States which can make a positive contribution to the process of the peaceful settlement of the Middle East situation." 90. When we speak of a framework or a context to be established under the auspices of the United Na- tions, making it possible for all the parties concerned and interested to participate and reach agreement on the establishment of peace in the Middle East, we believe that it is appropriate to recall the broad sup- port given to the idea of convening such an interna- tional conference as contained in General Assembly resolution 34/65 A. 92. The present debates in the General Assembly have again underscored the need to enhance the role of the United Nations in the search for a negotiated solution to the Middle East problem. In our view, the United Nations must, in the present situation, play a more important and more active role in finding a comprehensive solution to the Middle East conflict and in the settlement through political means of all conflicts, in keeping with the expectations and hopes of peoples to live in conditions of peace, security and co-operation. 93. Just as we have on more than one occasion stated from this rostrum, Romania will in the future also do everything in its power to make its contribu- tion to a just and lasting solution to the Middle East problems, to the establishment of a comprehensive peace in the region and to the consolidation of inter- national peace, security and co-operation.

Once again the General Assembly is considering the explosive situation in the Middle East, which has become much more dangerous than it was at the end of the thirty-fourth session. 95. In spite of the resolutions and recommendations of the General Assembly which call for recognition of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including the right to return to its homeland, the right to self-determination and to the establishment of an independent State on its national territory, and which demand the complete and unconditional withdrawal of Israel, the world has witnessed the attitude adopted by the Zionist entity, which is utterly hostile to those resolutions and recommendations. The Zionist entity has not recognized the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people; it has not recognized its right to self-determination; it has not withdrawn from the Arab occupied territories in accordance with General Assembly and Security Council resolutions. On the contrary, it has shown contempt for the international Organization by disregarding its resolutions and attacking the Organization itself. The Government of Menachem Begin has intensifed its repressive mea- sures against the Arab citizens in occupied Palestine by imposing a curfew, stopping demonstrations and closing universities and secondary schools, as in case of Eir Zeit University, and by implanting more Zionist settlements. 96. The Zionist entity has likewise adopted a unilat- eral law annexing the city of Jerusalem and consid- ering it as its capital. It has tried to assassinate and expel a number of mayors and the most important leaders in the West Bank. But Begin Government is not content with that. It has expanded its daily acts of military aggression against Lebanon, and we read every day that the number of innocent civilian victims in Lebanon is increasing, as is the number of de- ported people as a consequence of Zionist military operations within Lebanese territory. 2 A/34/63I. 106. Any resolution or any solution that disregards the truth, that the core of the Middle East crisis is the Palestinian problem, is doomed to failure and will 115. Events of recent months have also shown how volatile the political situation in this area is, and in our opinion it is in everybody's genuine interest to keep it free from foreign interference and truly non- aligned. We have been made aware of the great dan- ger of rifts in the Arab world, which will lead to frag- mentation and contribute to the destabilization of the area. A pre-condition for fruitful and mutually ad- vantageous development is the stability of the region and, therefore, a final and lasting solution of the Middle East conflict. 116. Many efforts to find this solution have been undertaken within the framework of the United Na- tions in the General Assembly and the Security Coun- cil, as well as outside that framework through direct political initiatives. So far, all of them have failed to bring a solution closer. We do not wish here to be- little the achievements of the Camp David agree- ments. They have started a process of peace between Egypt and Israel which is now a reality and which need for national identification of the Palestinian people. Our long preoccupation with the Middle East conflict has resulted in defining the approximate terms of a viable and equitable comprehensive set- tlement. 118. Austria is convinced that any lasting solution to the Middle East conflict will have to do full justice to the following elements. l!9. First of all, recognition of the right of all States in the area to exist within safe and secure boundaries and recognition of the national rights of the Palesti- nian people. Whenever we speak of a solution to the Middle East conflict, the key word is that it has to be a just solution, and justice will have to be done to the Palestinian people-a people that has for too many years now been left homeless, dispersed and denied its most basic rights. An international consensus has developed on the rights of the Palestinian people not only among the non-aligned nations but also among the nations of Western Europe. 120. Secondly, a people like the Palestinian people does not need and should not be forced into accepting others to speak on its behalf. And those it has chosen, to whom it has entrusted its political future, are the only ones that should and could negotiate on its be- half. The Austrian Government for its part has re- cognized the PLO as the representative of the Pales- tinian people. 121. The third essential element of any solution is the withdrawal of Israel from the territories occupied in 1967. Austria fully joins the international con- sensus that Israel's policy in the occupied territories, such as the building of settlements, the expropriation of land and the eviction of the local population, is not only in contravention of established norms of inter- national law but further aggravates the situation and further endangers the prospects of a negotiated set- tlement. Mr. Oumarou (Niger), Vice-President, took the Chair. 122. Especially over the past months, violence has escalated in the occupied territories, and the resent- ment and resistance of the population as a reaction to increasing repression by the military authorities have risen to a critical point. 123. We have had the opportunity to hear the voice of the population of the West Bank when the mayors of Hebron and Halhoul addressed the Security Coun- ell.' Austria did not remain silent when those two elected officials were forcibly expelled from their office and separated from their people. We strongly deplore the recent decision of the Israeli Supreme Court not to revoke the expulsion order of the military 128. My delegation intends to state once again that which must be said and to repeat the same statement, as necessary, in order that it may be clearly under- stood that those who possess a right are in no way prepared to abandon that right and in order that world opinion may perceive the gravity of the question and its ramifications. 129. The Secretary-General has submitted to us a detailed report on the development of the situation in the Middle East during the past year. In this con- nexion, I should like to pay a tribute to the efforts of the Secretary-General and his staff and to commend in particular the spirit of equity and objectivity they have demonstrated in implementing General Assem- bly resolution 34/70 and preparing the report. Those efforts are truly valuable. We ourselves are convinced that if the report has concerned a question other than that of the Middle East and had required of its authors but one quarter of the efforts they have exerted or contained but one quarter of the material we have before us today, the whole world would have eagerly sought to implement the recommendations of the Secretary-General. 131. The Secretary-General has mentioned the many resolutions adopted by the United Nations and, in particular, General Assembly resolution 34/90 A, in which the Assembly condemns Israeli practices in the occupied territories; resolution 34/90 C, in which the Assembly deplores the measures taken by Israel to change the geographical and demographic char- acter of the occupied territories; Security Council resolution 478 (1980), in which the Council censures the basic law enacted by ~srael proclaiming Jerusalem its unified and eternal capital; and resolution :,4/52 E, in which the Assembly reaffirms once again the in- alienable right of the populations displaced from their homes to return to their lands which have been oc- cupied by Israel since 1967. The Secretary-General's report places special emphasis on General Assembly resolution ES-7/2, which reaffirms the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including its right to self-determination without external interference and its right. to establish its own independent sovereign State, while at the same time calling upon Israel to withdraw completely and unconditionally from all the Palestinian territories and other occupied Arab territories, including the Holy City of Jerusalem, and setting 15 November 1980 as the date by which that withdrawal was to start. 132. The report also mentions General Assembly resolution 34/70, which certainly constitutes the basic reference for the expression of the attitude of international public opinion to the question of the Middle East. In that resolution the Assembly reaf- firms that peace is one and indivisible and that a just and lasting settlement of the Middle East question must be comprehensive and take into account all aspects of the Arab-Israeli conflict, in particular the attainment by the Palestinian people of all its rights and the Israeli withdrawal from all the occupied Arab and Palestinian territories, including the Holy City of Jerusalem. In that resolution, the General Assem- bly reaffirms that until Israel withdraws from all the occupied territories and until the Palestinian people attains and exercises its inalienable rights, it will not be possible to establish a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East in which all countries and peoples in the region can live in peace and secu- rity within recognized and secure boundaries. 133. There would be little point in quoting further material from this report or from earlier reports to prove that the international community has consis- tently made every effort to seek ways of solving the problem which has marked the existence of the Or- ganization to the point where it has become one of its main preoccupations. That situation has arisen be- cause that problem is a matter of life and death for an entire people which is the victim of what President Bourguiba has called the greatest injustice of the 135. Lebanon is the victim of war in the fullest sense of the term. Part of its territory is occupied by Israel, which has carefully established there a de facto au- thority consisting of agents in its pay who are seeking to dismember the country and place the southern part of it at the service of Israel's interests and schemes. Thus Lebanon is ravaged and divided and its future is clouded. 136. In the occupied territories, there is fierce re- sistance on the part of a despoiled people which has sworn not to die, not to surrender and to reconquer its rights, despite an occupying force combined with a policy of usurpation that puts down peaceful de- monstrations with steel and fire, that expels citizens from their homes, which it demolishes to facilitate the construction of settlements peopled by emigrants, and that exploits the resources of the country by dis- tributing them to settlers to the detriment of their lawful owners. To achieve those ends, there is on'y one means: force and more force, as Mr. Shamir, tile Israeli Minister for Foreign Affairs, declared to the French newspaper Le Monde, according to the issue of 2 December: "We must be strong, very strong, in order to preserve our presence in the region." In other words, they must be strong enough to impose occupation, repression and hegemony. 137. In the other Arab countries a number of dif- ficulties have arisen owing to differences of opinion regarding tactical options, while time passes and opportunities are lost. The region is thus vulnerable to the influence of external pressures designed to make it teeter among choices that are of no interest and no importance as regards world peace. 138. Contrary to what is alleged by Mr. Shamir, it is obvious that the developments in the Middle East, irrespective of the country in which they occur, origi- nate in the Arab-Israeli conflict and in conditions created by the political short-sightedness of Israel, which is maintained by the blindness of certain parties who are impervious to the lessons of history. In fact, this policy of force, division and delay has already demonstrated its futility: it cannot solve the problem or render the crisis less acute; it has merely aggra- vated the situation and made it more tense. 139. No change can be expected with regard to con- sequences as long as nothing changes with regard to causes. The Palestinian people, hardened to resis- tance fo~ almost 40 years, will never stc:, struggling for survival, even if that struggle must last for cen- turies. The Arab peoples will never yield until they have regained (heir territories and put an end to the l.egemony of Israel. The region will never be stable as long as the status quo persists. World peace will hang by a thread. There is no certainty that this ad- venture will benefit the countries of the rezion or their friends. . 144. The land of Palestine today can provide a haven 151. Mr. PASTINEN (Finland) (interpretation from to botb the parties in conflict and tomorrow can offer French): This General Assembly debate is taking a place where coexistence is possible. We should all place at a time when a fratricidal war is pitting two accept this fact, in the desire to put an end to the flow central nations of the Middle East against each other. of blood, to maintain peace and to prepare for the Other dangerous tensions are rampant in the region. future, a future which would ensure the security and The main cause for the permanent instability of the dignity of all the parties. situation in the Middle East is the absence of a peace- 145. On 3 March 1965, during a visit to the town of ful settlement ofthe conflict between Israel and its Arab Jericho on the West Bank, President Bourguiba neighbours. It is therefore important to recall that appealed to the Palestinian people to conform to the goal of the United Nations in the Middle East is international legality represented by General As- the establishment of a just and lasting peace. That sembly 181 (II), which determined the frontiers of the presupposes that all Governments and concerned State of Israel and also the establishment of the Pa- parties endeavour to find peace in the region. Time, iestinian State in the land of Palestine. On that day in of itself, is not working in favour of a just and lasting 1965 the Palestinian people looked favourably on that peace in the Middle East. appeal and welcomed it. To return today to that legal- 152. Finland favours a political solution to the Mill- ity constitutes, in the view of my country, the path of die East ccflict, through negotiations and in accor- salvation. The alternative solution which Mr. Shamir dance with the basic documents of the United Na- recommended in the columns of Le Monde is already tions, which must govern the achievement of that doomed to failure; it is merely a waste of time. solution. We consider that the political solution to 146. The Palestinian cause is the heart of the prob- the conflict in the Middle East must be based on lem of the Middle East; the fate of the region and the Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 restoration of security depend of its solution. We are (1973). Furthermore, it must take into account the convinced that the main aspects of the problem of legitimate rights of the Palestinians, particularly their the region would easily be resolved if a solution were right to national self-determination. The acquisition 153. The Government of Finland agrees with the decisions of the United Nations which declare the policy of the Government of Israel with respect to the settlements in the occupied territories unaccept- able. Likewise, unilateral measures designed to change the status of Jerusalem are universally con- sidered as illegal and have been so declared by the Security Council as recently as last 30 June, in its resolution 476 (1980). Israeli acts thus flagrantly con- tradict the obligation, which stems from Council resolution 242 (1967), to withdraw from the occupied territories. 154. As the representative of the national aspira- tions of the Palestinians, the PLO has been invited since 1974 to take part as an observer in the work 'of the General Assembly. The Government of Finland supported that decision. Our policy has always been to maintain contacts and to exchange views with representatives of the PLO. Hence we support its right to participate in the negotiations on granting to the Palestinians their legitimate rights, within the framework of a comprehensive solution to the Mid- dle East problem. 155. In line with its policy of neutrality, Finland has adopted a balanced and conciliatory position in respect of the controversies relating to the Middle East. We have thus been able to preserve good rela- tions with all nations of the region, including the par- ties most directly involved in the conflict. It is our firm intention to pursue that policy, thus safeguarding the trust accorded to us by all parties to the Middle East conflict. We have thus been able to render peace- ful services to all the parties concerned. Tangible proof of that was the major contribution that Finland has since the beginning provided to the peace-keeping activities of the United Nations in the region. 156. There is doubtless no other region in the world where peace is of such crucial importance. There is doubtless no other region in the world where peace is more essential and urgent. Peace in the Middle East is urgent, not only for the peoples who live there, but for all nations.

It has been repeatedly stated that a just and lasting peace in the Middle East will be achieved only through a comprehensive and peaceful settlement of the situa- tion prevailing in that area. My country fully shares that view, one that seems to muster the agreement of the international community. 158. A peaceful settlement implies the existence of negotiations between the interested parties. Dialogue seems therefore to be the basis for the attainment of a solution to the problem we face. In that respect, we cannot but praise the lucid and courageous initiative taken by President Sadat of Egypt to initiate a dia- logue with Israel, thus breaking a vicious circle of mistrust and violence that for decades characterized the relations between those two countries. 160. Unfortunately, this is not what we see. Vio- lence, hatred and mistrust continue to be the basic pattern of daily life i» the area. Israel persists in a policy of force, which in our view can only jeopardize the chances for the attainment of peace. Israel's security is rightly a matter of major concern to the international community. We believe, however, that Israel will not attain that objective by resorting to violence and repression, by refusing to others the rights it legitimately seeks for itself or by repeated violations of the sovereignty of bordering countries. 161. Israel's true security, like that of any other State, lies in its acceptance by the neighbouring na- tions and in its capacity peacefully to relate with them. Israel should therefore desist forthwith from pursuing its illegal policies such as the establishment of settlements in the occupied territories or its cen- surable unilateral acts aimed at changing the legal status of those territories, as was recent.ly the case with Jerusalem. 162. It should also. cease its repeated aggressions against Lebanese territory, which no excuse can jus- tify. The sovereignty and territorial integrity of Le- banon must be fully respected, and its people should be enabled freely to pursue their course, without foreign interference. It is time to put an end to the suffering of that country, torn apart by foreign struggles. 163. On the other hand, the Palestinians should pea- cefully pursue the search for the fulfilment of their legitimate rights and refrain from any acts of violence, which can only lead to meaningless suffering and deepen the lack of confidence that constitutes the main obstacle to peace in the area. 164. Indeed, we are convinced that any attempt by either party in the Middle East to impose its own solution will be doomed to failure, regardless of the means chosen to pursue that aim. Peace can only be brought about by a negotiating process between all the parties involved, including in particular Israel and the PLO. 165. Such a process should be based on the fol- lowing main elements generally accepted by the international community; Israel's total withdrawal from all the Palestinian and Arab territories occupied since 1967, including Arab Jerusalem; recognition of the legitimate and inalienable rights of the Palestiniar people, including their right to self-determination within those territories, that is to say, their sovereign right to determine their political future; recognition of the right of return for all the Palestinian refugees willing to do so; and respect for the right to existence and to security of all the States in the region, in- cluding Israel. We do not consider, though, that it would be realistic to expect the immediate acceptance of these principles as a point of departure for nego- tiations. On the contrary, we believe that they con- stitute the very aim of any serious negotiations. 174. Greece has unequivocally condemned foreign invasion and occupation wherever it has occurred. In the case of the Golan Heights in particular, the Greek Foreign Minister on 31 October this year stated that the annexation thereof would be contrary to the principle of the non-acquisition of territory by force, which is embodied in many United Nations resolu- tions for which Greece has voted, including Security Council resolution 242 (1967). 175. The aspects of the Middle East problem I have just mentioned are proof, if proof were needed, that the only possible way out ofthe present impasse, which is fraught with dangerous consequences for the whole of humanity, is the strict application of the principles of the Charter and the numerous United Nations re- solutions which reaffirm them. Israel, as much as any other Member er the Organization, has the legal as well as the moral obligation to adhere to those prin- ciples. So long as it refuses to do so, peace, whose benefits Israel would reap together with its neigh- bours, will continue to be an elusive mirage, and the threat of war will continue to cast its sinister shadow on the Middle East. 171. However. my delegation feels that there are aspects of the situation which can and should be dealt wi.h irrespective of the problem of Palestine. For instance, the violation of the sovereignty and territo- rial integrity of Lebanon is a phenomenon of the last f-w years. Lebanon is a sovereign State and a Mem- ber of the United Nations. Like any other Member State, it has the right to solve its internal problems without outside interference, and it is entitled to the full protection of the Organization. Nevertheless, for years now Lebanon has been the object of un- warranted armed incursions by Israeli forces and elements acting under Israeli protection. An end must be put to this state of affairs without delay. There are various options available to us. One option would be the reactivation of the Mixed Armistice Commission of 1949. as the Lebanese Government has repeatedly suggested. That would enable the latter to exercise its authority over the whole natio- nal territory, and at the same time it could help stabi- lize the situation on the border with Israel.

The question of the situation in the Middle East has for many years been a highlight on the General Assembly's agenda. It would not be an overstatement to say that the various organs of the United Nations have for many years in succession had constantly before them the prob- lems arising in this sensitive area of the world. 172. Another aspect of the Middle East problem which should receive immediate attention with a view to a satisfactory solution is the status of Jeru- salem. As a result of various measures of the Israeli Government. its age-old status has been modified. Tlie measures in question. the last of which was the law proclaiming Jerusalem the "eternal" capital of Israel. should be rescinded. The Holy City should remain a corpus sepurattun in whatever arrangement is reached. thus retaining its unique character as a 177. It can justifiably be said that the real causes of the negative developments are actually the attempts by the forces of imperialism and reaction to arrest the process of genuine national liberation, to interfere in domestic affairs, or through direct aggression to curb the just struggle of the peoples in that region of the world for national freedom and political and social revival. In the aftermath of the thirty-fourth regular session of the General Assembly and its seventh emergency special session, there is new proof of the increasing interference by those same forces in the Middle East. The continuing impunity of the Israeli aggressor has overtly inspired it to perpetuate its domination over the occupied Arab territories. 178. This period has also completely laid bare the true essence of the whole political gambit of the Camp David separatist deal. Far from bringing about a set- tlement of existing problems, that deal, in keeping with the real intentions of its inspirers and perpetra- tors, has complicated the situation and introduced elements of divisiveness among the Arab peoples struggling for their just cause. East drama. The socialist countries, for example, have aligned themselves in a firm and categorical manner with the victims of aggression, in support of the just cause of the Palestinian people and in favour of an all-embracing settlement of the Middle East conflict. 183. Unfortunately, the efforts of those who insisted on a comprehensive settlement were brought to a standstill because of maneeuvres and separate deals perpetrated by imperialist and reactionary forces in order to fuel the tension in the Middle East and to consolidate their position in that region. The in- creasing United States presence in that part of the world is yet another proof of their true intention of seeking to turn that region into an exclusive sphere of United States political, economic, social and ideo- logical domination. 185. Being situated in proximity to the Middle East, my country is strongly in favour of the stabilization of the situation there and the elimination of existing conflicts and tension in-the interest of strengthening world peace and security and in the interest of all peoples of the Middle East. 186. This position of principle is shared and de- fended by our allies w.hich are States parties to the Warsaw Treaty, and it was reaffirmed last May in the most authoritative manner by its Political Consul- tative Committee. Faithful to this consistent political course, the People's Republic of Bulgaria will con- tinue to give its support to the Arab peoples, particu- larly to the just cause of the Arab people of Pales- tine, in their struggle for genuine independence, against aggression and for lasting peace and security.

The peoples of the world are continuing to follow with great alarm and concern the dangerous development of events in the Middle East. The most characteristic factors of the worsening situation in the region at this time are the further intensification of the aggressive policy of Israel and the growing military potential of the United States of America in the Middle East and the neighbouring area under the pretext of defending so-called "vital American interests". These com- bined factors are leading to an escalation of tension the consequences of which cannot be foreseen and creating impediments to a comprehensive political settlement in the Middle East. 188. It is generally acknowledged that an extremely important element in such a settlement is the solution of the Palestinian problem. That was quite clearly shown during the discussion of that question in the General Assembly a few days ago. The long-suffering Arab people of Palestine has for some time been expecting from the international community specific and effective measures to restore its inalienable national rights. In this regard, under the leadership of its political vanguard, the PLO, it has for many years been carrying out a heroic and just struggle. That struggle is finding growing understanding and support throughout the entire world, including in the United Nations. 194. It is known that the imperialist monopolies of the United States and the international Zionist orga- nizations were and still are the main paymasters financing the military budget of Tel Aviv. It goes without saying that the political, military and 'finan- cial support given to Israel is not an altruistic one. It has always been and is still being carried out in full keeping with the hegemonistic plans of United States imperialism in the Middle East. That prospects for such plans are dim is evident. They run counter to the historic changes in the international arena and are contrary to the basic interests of the people of the Middle East. These plans have been decisively con- demned by world public opinion. 195. Like other countries of the socialist commu- nity, the Ukrainian SSR has advocated and continues to advocate the achievement of a comprehensive and just settlement in the Middle East. The fundamental principles of such a settlement are known and are as follows: the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from all Arab territories occupied since 1967,including eastern Jerusalem; the exercise of the inalienable right of the Arab people of Palestine to self-determination, in- cluding the establishment of its own independent State; the guaranteeing of all States in that region to a secure and independent existence and to devel- opment. 196. Clearly, all aspects of the Middle Eastern problem, as well as its core-the question of the res- toration of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people-can be resolved only through the joint efforts of all parties concerned, including the PLO. Here is where we see the real basis for the establishment of a stable and just peace in the Middle East, and it is our hope that the General Assembly will undertake the necessary efforts to achieve that noble goal. 197. Mr. I\:::lA KOURI (Cuba) (interpretation from Spanish): Ever since Pindar said, "Have the courage to be yourself', much has happened in the world. Cuba, incidentvltv, does not mince words, neither in this nor in any ier international forum. We have always spoken e truth although, as Jose Marti noted, "it does h~t always smell of roses". 198. Today we are gathered together here once again to deal with the situation in the Middle East. As we all know, it is not our job to repeat the story, as Sheherezade patiently did for Caliph Harun AI Rachid, nor like Aladdin to wait for the genie in the bottle or some other magic spirit of the Arabian Nights to point the way to a just, peaceful and lasting solution of the conflict in that vital region of the world. 199. It is up to us, the Members of the Organization, which was conceived to safeguard international peace and security? to take the bull by the horns ard by honest combat solve once and for all a situation that 201. The problem of the Middle East has a well- known umbilical cord: the tragedy of the Palestinian people. The report of the Secretary-General refers to this only in the penultimate chapter, though it clearly should have been in the first. It is no secret to anyone, much less to the Members of the United Nations, that there will be no real and effective solution to the problem of the Middle East as long as the question of Palestine remains in the limbo of General Assembly resolutions and suspended by the veto of the United States in the Security Council. 202. There are many factors underlying the situa- tion as it now stands, and there is no need to refer to all of them. After all, we are among the chosen, those who know full well that the substance of the problem is too muddled and thorny to get into all of its many details. If we were to do so, what would happen to this august areopagus? Where would we file away the polished speeches, the pompous gestures, the care- fully drafted statements of those who keep advising' us to wait a little longer, until circumstances are ripe and until a new American president is elected, or until such time as the new president has familiarized himself with international problems? 203. Time has run out for the well-intentioned scep- tics and for those who, like Pangloss, see a new ear of wheat in every twist and turn of Western politics. The present cannot wait. We do not need Aeschylus to depict a vivid picture of this tragedy. It is there, like an angry child deprived of his homeland; it is there in the tortures, the gaols, the usurped olive groves and the destroyed homes. It is in the patriot's machine gun and the avenging hatred of the dispos- sessed, in death which comes each dawn and in the unmistakable cries of liberation. 204. There will be no just, lasting and comprehen- sive peace in the Middle East without the prior rec- ognition of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including the right to return to their homes and to establish their independent and sovereign State in Palestine. Nor can there be a negotiated solution without the participation, on an equal footing with the other parties concerned, of the PLO, the sole le- gitimate representative of that fraternal people. 205. Thus the Sixth Conference of Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned Countries, and this very Assembly, condemned any partial agreement in that area and specifically spoke out against the so- called Camp David agreements-an imperialist stab in the back of the Arab nation and the Palestinian people-which were designed to impose a pax Ame- ricana in the region and to ensure the continued exis- tence of the Zionist State of Israel as a spearhead aimed against the young independent States of Africa and the Middle East.

First I would like to express, on behalf of the Palestinian people and its leaders, our sympathy on the occasion of the death of Hamilton Amerasinghe. He was well known on the international plane and was President of the Gen- eral Assembly in 1976. He spent a large part of his life' in the service of the international community, and his positive contribution increased confidence in 222. In my delegation's statement during the dis- cussion of the question of Palestine [75th meeting], Mr. Kaddoumi, Head of the Political Department of the PLO, outilined the basic elements of the Palestine problem in the light of the evolution of the situation, replied to many questions and gave appropriate explanations. He drew attention to everything re- lated to the problem of the Middle East. That is na- tural because there is a causal and organic link be- tween the problem of Palestine and the problem of the Middle East. If there were no Palestinian ques- tion there would not be the question of the Middle East on the agenda of the General Assembly. That is why our intervention during the discussion of the present item will be designed to shed light on certain points and certain truths which will help the General Assembly in its constructive work to bring about a just and lasting peace in the Middle East. We must set aside the errors of the past and prepare the ground for a better future for that region and for the entire world. 219. The course of events in the Middle East in the last three decades proves convincingly that war and the use of force can never lead to a solution. On the contrary, they add to bitterness, complicate further an already complex problem, aggravate an already dangerous situation and lay the groundwork for more ruinous armed conflicts. Nepal, therefore, has always considered that a negotiated political settlement is the only way to establish a just, comprehensive and lasting peace which will enable all the people in that area to live in peace, security and harmony. As in the past, Nepal will continue to support and encourage any initiative which aims at the attainment of these goals.

The next speaker is the Observer of the Palestine Liberation Organization. I now call upon him in accordance with General Assembly resolution 3237 (XXIX) of 22 November 1974. the United Nations and its institutions, that is, in all that defends the cause of truth and justice in the world. We express our heartfelt condolences to the international community and to Sri Lanka. 241. As for what has been claimed by the represen- tative of the Israeli entity with regard to Security Council resolution 242 (1967), namely, that it is the only recognized basis for finding a solution to the Middle East problem, that is an obviously false as- sertion and an undisguised attempt to hide the truth about the situation in the Middle East, which is that its real cause is the Palestinian problem. It is an at- tempt by Israel to prevent the Palestinian people from recovering its inalienable national rights by occupying Palestinian territories and forcing the rightful inhabitants to leave their country, making refugees of them. Israel denies the Palestinians the right to return to their homeland, to recover their property and to return to their country from which they have been evicted by force. That is what is af- firmed by the leaders of Israel themselves, whether in statements or in written form. I do not need to cite facts. The truth is obvious. The Assembly has listened to hundreds of quotations in this connexion during the past 30 years. 242. Security Council resolution 242 (1967) is not a valid basis for finding a solution to the Middle East problem, whose very core is the problem of Palestine. Indeed, resolution 242 (1967) is not the result of a study of the Palestinian problem. It is not a valid or acceptable basis for the Palestinian people, which is the main party concerned in the struggle in the Middle 244. The joint Soviet-American statement of 1 Oc- tober 1977 did not mention Security Council resolu- tion 242(1967). That statement affirmed the legitimate rights ofthe Palestinian people. 245. We may add, moreover, that the international community, in resolutions adopted by various inter- national conferences and 0Y the General Assembly, has affirmed that the Palestinian problem is at the very heart of the Middle East crisis and that peace cannot be established in that region without a eom- . plete and unconditional withdrawal by Israel from all the occupied Palestinian and Arab territories, with, at the same time, a guarantee to the Palestinian peo- ple of the possibility to exercise its inalienable natio- nal rights, with the PLO as its sole legitimate repre- sentative. Further the PLO is a member of the League of Arab States, the Organization of the Islamic Con- ference and the non-aligned movement, and it is an Observer at the United Nations. 246. The problem of Palestine, which is at the very heart of the struggle under way in the Middle East, is the problem of the existence of the Palestinian peo- ple and of its inalienable rights; it is not at all a prob- lem of borders between Israel and Arab countries, as Israel is trying to prove with the support of the impe- rialists. 247. Finally, after having reviewed the Israeli re- presentative's mendacious allegations and attempts, we must emphasize here that in his statement before the Assembly [77th meeting], he could not but recog- nize the inalienable national rights of the Palestinian people to return to its homeland and its right to self- determination and to establish an independent State. None the less, he decided on the places where those people could enjoy those rights, but the specified areas are not within the genuine boundaries. And despite his Zionist and racist hatred for the Palesti- nian people and despite the fact that he purposely used the term "Palestinian Arab" instead of "Pales- tinian people", he said: "The Palestinian Arabs have long enjoyed self-determination in their own State -the Palestinian Arab State of Jordan." [Ibid., para. 108.] 275. As the Czechoslovak Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Chiioupek, said in his statement in the general debate of this session: "It is becoming ever clearer that the transparent attempts to present the Camp David blind alley as an avenue to peaceful settlement have been doomed to failure from the very beginning." [18th meeting, para. 150.] 276. The sepan, agreements, and the separate talks on that ba- .. '/1 the so-called Palestinian au- 289. My country, for one, is not prepared to wait until everybody else's problems are solved before we can even hope to enjoy again peace and stability. If we speak of the divisions of others, of their problems, their ambitions and their aggression, and if we also feel with others their anxieties and the deep sorrow of their national frustrations, it is because in the past years we have become more and more the arena of everyone's war and of everyone's revolution as well. 290. But can we today isolate the question of Le- banon and address it independently of its regional context? The answer is both positive and negative. There should be a comprehensive peace in the Middle East, but peace in Lebanon cannot, should not and shall not, indeed, wait for peace everywhere else in the Middle East. Any other course would be both immoral and unrealistic, for the continuation of war in the Lebanon has now become a danger to peace everywhere else in the area and probably beyond. 291. In this present debate our contribution is and must be that the Middle East question should be solved as a whole and that the beginning of the solu- tion can only be where the beginning of the problem 295. Although peace-keeping in Lebanon has not been without some frustrations and problems, we still think that resorting to the international com- munity is the surest way of attaining peace and secu- rity, provided the Organization can restrain those who challenge its resolutions. 296. Whatever the successes or failures of those endeavours that are conducted outside of the Orga- nization, the United Nations is and should remain the ultimate framework of the search for peace and the guarantee of security.

Once again we are discussing the situation in the Middle East, when a year ha: ~ assed since the General Assembly took up the question at its thirty- fourth session and adopted several resolutions on the subject, including resolution 34/70. In that resolution the Assembly, by a large majority, condemned Israel's continued occupation of Palestinian and other Arab territories, declared once more that peace is indivisi- ble and that a just and lasting settlement of the Mid- dle East question must be based on a comprehensive solution, under the auspices of the United Nations, which takes into account in particular the attainment by the Palestinian people of all its inalienable rights. In that resolution the General Assembly also called upon the Zionist State to withdraw from all Palesti- nian territories and other occupied Arab territories, including Jerusalem. 298. The efforts made by the international commu- nity at the thirty-fourth session were not limited to that resolution, since the General Assembly adopted 300. Regarding the brother country of Lebanon, Israel is refusing to respect United Nations resolu- tions with regard to total withdrawal and prefers to give over the border area to armed elements instead of turning it over to UNIFIL. Thus it has been able to manceuvre those armed elements at will each time it has perpetrated an act of aggression against Leba- non in flagrant defiance of the will of the international community. 301. As far as the Golan Heights are concerned, Israel, taking advantage of the deadlocked situation, has established new colonies and imposed a fait accompli, in violation of United Nations resolutions and the provisions of international law. 302. In spite of the dangerous situation that prevails in the occupied Palestinian and Arab territories, and in spite of the numerous resolutions adopted by the General Assembly at its thirty-fourth session and at the seventh emergency special session held within the space of a year, Israel always pursues its policy of hostility and aggression against the Arab peoples and practices the worst forms of repression and op- pression against them. We speak of that from one session to another. But the consideration of the con- flict in the Middle East by the General Assembly allows us to see a dangerous trend in the practices of the Zionist State, which attempts to hinder all inter- national efforts to find a comprehensive, just and lasting solution of ·he conflict in the Middle East. My delegation sees a great danger in that. It is a grave demonstration of Israel's behaviour. 303. First of all, Israel is flaunting the authority of the United Nations as well as the resolutions con- cerning the Middle East conflict. Moreover, Israel is making bare-faced accusations and attacking .111 those who, during the general debate in the General As- sembly and in the meetings of the Security Council, have recalled its heinous crimes. 309. The Zionist State has always proclaimed its desire for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, but so far it has absolutely refused to go along with this. For their part the Arab peoples have always remained firm, and they call upon the international community to defend the right of the Palestinians and that of the Arabs to their occupied territories. Thus, at the Arab Summit Conferences, the latest of which took place in Amman, the Sudan has underscored the importance of the fact that the international commu- nity has been searching for a peaceful, just and com- prehensive solution which puts the question of Pales- tine at the heart of the Middle East conflict. The Pa- lestinian people must recover its legitimate rights under the leadership of the PLO, its only legitimate representative, and enjoy the right to self-determina- tion and to an independent State in its homeland. Finally, Israel must withdraw from the occupied Arab territories. 310. The Sudan supports all the resolutions adopted at the Arab Summit Conference in Amman. We sup- port the Palestinian cause and the Palestinian revolu- tion. Our people will always be close to the Palesti- nian people and its revolution until the time when that people can finally enjoy freedom, independence and dignity.

Thl~ Polish People's Republic's consistent position on the question of the Middle East has been presented at the United Na- tions on numerous occasions. 312. Throughout the years of lengthy discussions devoted to the dangerous trends in the development of the situation in the Middle East, we have con- stantly pointed out its grave implications for the peace and security of the world. We have emphasized that a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in that region cannot be established without Israel's with- drawal from all the occupied territories, including Jerusalem, and without the achievement of a just solution of the problem of Palestine on the basis of the attainment of the inalienable rights of the Pales- tinian people, including the establishment of their own independent State. 313. That position of ours was clearly reflected recently in the declaration of the States parties to the Warsaw Treaty adopted at the meeting of the Po- litical Consultative Committee held in Warsaw last May and in Poland's statement at the seventh emer- gency special session of the General Assembly, as well as in the general debate of the current session by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Polish People's Republic, Mr. Jozef Czyrek [10th meeting]. 316. The course of events also confirms that the policy of separatist solutions does not lead towards a just and lasting peace. Such solutions are ~ot capa- ble of eliminating the real causes of the conflict. They can only aggravate existing tensions and in con~e­ quence make the prospect of a settlement mo~e dis- tant. In this connexion, the necessity of renewing an integrated process of negotiations with the participa- tion of all parties concerned is today more evident than ever before. It is the only approach that could open up a road towards the achievement of real peace in the Middle East. 317. Both political circumstances and politically logical reasons make it abundantly clear at the .p~e­ sent time that there is a need to return to the jomt Soviet-United States statement of 1 October 1977, in which the two Powers declared that they were con- vinced that vital interests of strengthening peace and international security in general urgently dictated the necessity of achieving as soon as po~sible ~ just a;nd lasting settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict, which settlement should be comprehensive, incorporating all parties concerned and all questions. 318. The seventh emergency special session, the general debate at the current se~sion and th~ debate on the agenda item on the question of Palestine have shown that the number of countries in favour of a political comprehensive. settle~e.nt .is. constantly growing. The overwhelming majority IS m favour .of the direct participation of all parties concerned, m- eluding the Palestinian Arab people, represented by the PLO. There is a growing international awarenes.s of the necessity of taking fully into account the legi- timate aspirations of the Palestinian people, for there can be no solution of the Middle East problem unless they achieve their inalienable rights. 319. Difficulties and obstacles notwithstanding, we are convinced that there are still real prospects of starting a comprehensive peace process. We are de- termined, for our part, to work actively towards !he attainment of this end together with the other SOCial- ist countries, which at the recent meeting in Moscow of the leaders of the States parties to the Warsaw Treaty again reiterated that they intend to !Jlake further contributions to the betterment of the inter- national climate, the consolidation of peace, the policy of detente, the developmen~ of i~ternational co-operation and the settlement of all conflicts through ,negotiations [see A/35/785-S/14301, annex]. In fact, Middle East can be achieved only If the Palestinian people achieve their inalienable rights. 323. The international community cannot close its eyes to the Palestinian cause despite the ~fforts of Israel and its allies to divert world attention else- where, create the conditions for new conflicts, pro- mote division among the Arab people and conceal the military penetration of the imperialists into that area by means of the establishment of new bases and the introduction of military forces. This displace- ment is intended, among other things, to justify and consolidate the Zionist occupation of Arab territories and to deprive the Palestinian people of their inalien- able rights, while the imperialists assign an important geo-political function to Israel. 324. But some would argue that the Arab-Israeli conflict is simply one conflict among the many which afflict the Middle East, and not necessarily the most important one. This is the argument of those w~o try to justify the illegal occupation of the Arab terntones and the Zionist policy of colonization, those who claim to negotiate on the rights of the Pales~i.nians without the participation of their sole and legitimate representative, the PLO, those who would place on the same plane Israeli colonialist violence and the national liberation struggle to achieve the legitimate and internationally recognized right to self-determi- nation. those who abuse the right of veto in the Se- curity Council in order to bring about the failure of United Nations efforts to put an end to the tragedy which the Palestinian people have borne for more than 30 years. Those are the same people who harbour the illusion that national liberation in Palestine and in other parts of the world can be impeded .by.force and diplomatic manoeuvres such as the activities of third parties which claim to speak on behalf of !he Palestinians. They are the same people who think that the term "people" is simply a grammatical expression and that the unprecedent~d consen~us that exists in the international commumty concernmg the Palestinian tragedy and struggle can continue to be ignored. "Declares that the Camp David accords and other agreements have no validity in so far as they purport to determine the future of the Palestinian people and of the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel since 1967". 328. The response of Israel to this took the form of brutal attacks against Palestinian populations, ag- gression against Lebanon, repression of Palestinian students in the West Bank, expulsion of Palestinian mayors, new attempts to annex the Golan Heights, the declaration of Jerusalem as the eternal and indi- visible capital of Israel, and new settlements in the occupied territories. 329. In the face of these facts it is quite clear that the Arab and the worldwide struggle in defence of (he Palestinian national rights is closely related to .the search for peace and stability in that area. Likewise, these desires are also linked with the resistance to the imperialist designs on that region. Those designs encourage and support Israeli aggression because zionism acts as the imperial policeman of the area. The invocation of so-called "vital interests", the intensification of military maneeuvres in the area, the promotion of partial agreements which violate Pales- tinian rights and the supply of massive assistance to Israel form part of a single design to do violence to the sovereignty and security of the Arab peoples and to extend the military, economic and political power of imperialism over that area. 330. These purposes cannot be concealed. On 7 De- cember 1980 The New York Times reported on plans to establish a joint military force of 200,000 troops to ensure the supply of oil for the West. That newspaper stated that the purpose of that force is to train, exer- cise and be prepared to deploy and use forces to res- pond to threats to vital American interests. The target area is now South-West Asia, with the Persian Gulf as the bull's eye. 331. It is quite well known that the objective of creating rapid deployment forces is conceived not only in connexion with the Middle East, where the Palestinian people are struggling for their inalien- able rights, but also in connexion with Central Amer- ica and the Caribbean, where the liberating cry of 332. May I repeat the call issued by our Minister of External Relations on 8 October [28th meeting] on the need to take decisive and urgent measures to achieve peace in the Middle East, which necessarily implies the recognition and exercise of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, its right to return to its land, its right to sovereignty and to establish its own State. Therefore, the defence of Palestinian rights necessarily implies the rejection of any ap- proach or partial agreement which would determine the future of the occupied territories and the Palesti- nian people without the full participation of the PLO, in its capacity as the sole and legitimate representa- tive of the Palestinian people. 333. That people and its representative enjoy the full support of the peoples of the world, expressed in the will repeatedly stated in various resolutiuns of the Assembly. 334. History has demonstrated many times, as it did last year in our country, that there is no force able to defeat a people which insists on being the architect of its own destiny.

For three decades now the situation in the Middle East has been included in the agenda of the Assembly. To a conflict which is rooted in the diffi- culties related to the exercise of the right to self- determination of two peoples on the same territory, another conflict has been added, a regional one, which has already resulted in four wars. Today these conflicts still continue to threaten international peace and security. This situation cannot but add to the concern of the international community. 336. In the view of my delegation, if the very com- mendable attempts made in the course of the last few years to find a just and lasting solution to these con- flicts have failed, it is because they were inspired by an approach which did not properly take into account a central element, namely, the question of Palestine. Any attempt to settle the question of the Middle East must tackle the question of Palestine in its objec- tive aspect, that is to say, the exercise of the inalien- able rights of the Palestinian people, namely, the rights to self-determination, to return to its home- land and to create an independent State in Palestine. This is dictated to us by law and by justice. This is the price for stability in that region. The relevant resolutions of the Organization have drawn up the framework for this. 337. Senegal remains in favour of any dialogue be- tween the parties in the Middle East conflict in order to find a just and lasting solution to it on the basis of the principles and resolutions of the United Na- tions. My delegation is convinced that respect for these principles and decisions makes it possible to extricate this conflict from the deadlock in which it is now. Mid~le East problem. 340. With regard to Jerusalem, my delegation re- jects Israeli attempts to annex the Holy City. We de- plore once again the continued violations of the sover- eignty of Lebanon. Such acts are not only a threat to peace. but also hinder the peace-keeping activities of UNIFIL. 341. The Middle East, the cradle of the revealed religions, land of encounter, of fraternity, of mutual understanding and enrichment, mus ~ remain a high place of inspiration for men who love justice, peace and liberty. 342. My delegation, at the time of the debate on Palestine, launched an appeal here [79th meeting] which we wish now to renew. We must go beyond passions and prejudice. In so doing we can restore to this region its first vocation, that of a land of peace and understanding. Is this not, indeed, the meaning of Jerusalem? 343. The PRESIDENT (interpreation from French): I shall now call on those representatives who wish to exercise the right of reply. 344. Mr. SULEIMAN (Oman) (interpretation from Arabic): The representative of the Byelorussian SSR, in his statement, talked about Oman and the Gulf region, straying from the item now before the General Assembly, that is, the problem of the Middle East. '/bid.• 6th meeting. 351. We know that Israel was founded on racist and religious intolerance, under the leadership of the Zionist movement, which was condemned in resolu- tion 3379 (XXX), in which the General Assembly de- cided that zionism was a form of racism and racial discrimination. In resolution 3151 G (XXVIII) the General Assembly condemned, inter alia, the unholy alliance between South African racism and zionism. The Declaration of Mexico on the Equality of Women 9 Report of the World Conference of the International Women's Year, Mexico City, /9 June-Z July /975 (United Nations publica- tion, Sales No. E.76.IV.l), chap. I. 10 See A/10297, annex n. resolution 77 (XII). 357. The Libyan Arab Jamahiriya signed the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and an agreement with IAEA on the implementation of guarantees in Libya. President Qaddafi declared on 25 October 1980 to journalists of the magazine Epoca that Libya does not possess nuclear arms and does not wish to have them; it only seeks to benefit from the peaceful uses of the atom. 358. The difference between Israel and other third world countries which try to arm themselves to de- fend their independence is that Israel is getting its arms free from the United States by putting pressure on its authorities.

May I point out to the representative of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya that the 10 minute time-limit has expired. May I ask him to be good enough to con- clude his statement.

It is known that Israel received $11 billion in aid when Carter was President of the United States. I would conclude in general terms by saying that it is time to expel this Zionist entity because it does not deserve to be a member of the Assembly, given its racist and terrorist prac- tices, which were exposed in the report of IAEA for 1979. Moreover, it has been an illegal entity since its creation.

In his statement this afternoon the representative of the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic accused my country of providing military bases to the United States and of becoming an accomplice of the United States in its policies in the Middle East. 362. I should like to reiterate my Foreign Minister's statement before the Assembly on 29 September 1980 to the effect that "no agreements, recent or other- wise, made by my Government have ever permitted foreign military bases to come into being in our coun- try" [15th meeting, para. 139], nor will any such bases be granted to any Power in the future. The meeting rose at 9 p.m,