A/44/PV.68 General Assembly
I should like to inform delegations that four draft
resolutions have been issued as documents A/44/L.43, A/44/L.44, A/44/L.45 and
A/44/L.50, under the agenda item on the question of Palestine.
(Mr. Sallam, Yemen)
Mr. SUTRESNA (Indonesia): A year ago ,the forty-third session of the
General Assembly met in Geneva to take up the agenda item 5Quest:ion of Palestine.-
Those plenary meetings were considered to be of such significance that many
delegations, including Indonesia's, were represented at the ministerial level. In
his statement in Geneva the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Indonesia,
Mr. Ali Alatas, said:
-The unprecedented decision to convene the General Assembly in Geneva in
order to hear the views of Chairman Arafat is not only an appropriate honour
bestowed on him, but also fitting homage to the PLO, recognized by the United
Nations as the sole and legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.
"These meetings, moreover, are an expression of international solidarity
and support for the intifadah, the popular uprising in the Palestinian
occupied territories in heroic defiance of the Israeli colonial occupation.-
(A/43/PV.78, p. 118)*
Indeed, the statement by Chairman Arafat at that important session concerning
the historic decisions taken by the Palestine National Council at its nineteenth
Extraordinary Conference was hailed by an overwhelming number of Member States.
The proclamation of the independent Palestinian State and the bold peace initiative
taken by the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) were welcomed as singUlar
contributions to a peaceful and comprehensive settlement of the conflict in the
Middle East.
Indonesia is heartened to note the further consolidation of the broad-based
support that the declaration of independence adopted by the Palestine National
* Mr. Lahia (Papua New Guinea), Vice-President, took the Chair.
Council has gained over the course of the past year. In this regard my delegation
is pleased to announce the inauguration at Jakarta on 19 October 1989 of the
Palestine Embassy as a concrete manifestation of the establishment of diplomatic
relations between the Republic of Indonesia and the State of Palestine.
On that auspicio~ occasion the Foreign Minister of Indonesia stated that that
step was b~t the logical consequence of Indonesia's long-standing policy of
unflinching support for the valiant struggle of the Palestinian people, under the
leadership of the PLO, their sole and legitimate representative, to regain their
inalienable national right to sovereignty and independence. He also underscored
Indonesia's deep conviction of the pressing need to convene the International Peace
~onference on the Middle East to consider aU the essential elements of a just and
comprehensive solution, a need that has become increasingly obvious to everyone.
It is to be regretted that the accelera tion of the peace process we all so
fervently hope for had hardly commenced when the international efforts to initiate
negotiations under United Nations auspices and in accordance with its resolutions
were overshadowed by the extremely dangerous situation in the West Bank, Gaza,
Jerusalem and other Arab territories occupied since 1967. In fact, the Security
Council has had to be called into session urgently no less than three times dur ing
the past yea.r - in February, June CI1d November - to deal with the inhuman policies
and practices of the occupation forces against the innocent civilian population.
Moreover, the General Assembly, at the outset of its forty-third session, expressed
its deep concern at the alarming situation. And, when it reconvened in April, the
Assembly rightly moved to adopt, by an overwhelming majority, resolution 43/233, in
which it reiterated the demand in earlier decisions that Israel abide by the Geneva
Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War and
demanded an end to the car.nage in the occupied territory.
(Mr. Sutresna, Indonesia)
Instead of responding positively to the international outcry and condemnation,
Israel, in its customary manner, further intensified its iron-fist policy of
attempting to bludgeon the Palestinians into submission. For the murderous
attacks, the mass detentions and tortures, the deportations and humiliations, the
confiscations and demolitions have continued unabated and constitute nothing less
than a war of annihilation against the Palestinian nation and its leadership, the
PLO. Indeed, the magnitude of the death and destruction, which have been duly
catalogued in the report of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights
of the Palestin ian People and in other relevant documents of the Organiza tion,
defies description. We are also all apprised of the extreme suffering and hardship
of the Palestinians ~,der Israeli occupation by the daily reports of killings of
defenceless civilians, inclUding children, of raids and mass arrests, of increasing
use of collective punishment and of tolerance and even encouragement by the Israeli
civilian and military authorities of unchecked vigilante violence by Israeli
settlers.
Yet, despite the barbarous methods employed to curb the intifadah~ the heroic
Palestinian revolution cannot be quelled. Clearly, the powerful wave of popUlar
indignation against the repressive measures has swept through all segments of the
population. Through their great sacrifice and heroic resistance over .the past two
years the Palestinian people have demonstrated their unwavering allegiance to the
PID, as their sole and legitimate representative and as the sine qua non party in
the search for a just solution to the question of Palestine. Thus there is and can
be no alternative to the PLO. Israel must reconcile itself to this· undeniable
reality. Similarly, if there is to be any hope of peace Israel nust abandon the
dangerous delusion of living with the intifadah and treating it as the status quo.
(Mr. Sutresna, Indonesia)
It is indeed a telling indication of Israel's arrogant reliance on military
might and unqualified support from its powerful benefactor that it is still unable
or unwillin,J to accept what has long been evident to the overwhelming majority of
the international community. Indeed, owing to the determination of the
Palestinians themselves to achieve recognition of their inalienable national rights
it is now universally acknowledged that there can be no peace without the
involvement of their legi timate representa Uves. Even Israel's other tradi tional
friends in the European Community and elsewhere today support the position that the
only viable path to peace is through the involvement of all the parties directly
concerned. In this regard my delegation has welcomed the initiation of contacts
between the United States and representatives of the PLO. At the same time we join
in the call for further consolidation of the dialogue leading to a greater balance
and objectivity in the approaches to the peace pr9cess.
After more than four decades and four wars, and after imr~nse hardship and
humiliation, an irreversible turning point has been reached. As I have already
noted, many momentous developments of a far-reaching nature have taken place. It
has been evident to the non-aligned and other nations that the Middle East conflict
is not amenable to a military fait accompli, conquest or annexation. The situation
calls for a poli tical settlement through sustained and meaningful dialogue and
negotiations. In the interim, the rapidly deterioratin~ situation in the occupied
territories calls for the initiation of actions to provide international protection
to the civilian population. In this connection, we concur with the need to place
all Palestinian territoIY, including 3erusalem, under United Nations supervision.
Now is the time for Israel to demonstrate the necessary realism, pragmatism
and moral determination, while acknowledging the national and human rights of
others. We therefore join menbers in urging Israel to rise to the occasion and
(Mr. Sutresna, Indonesia)
,=-----__J Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld Library
3dopt a constructive policy in order to find ways and means whereby pro9ress
towards peace may be achieved and the injustice and oppression to which people have
been subjected may be redressed.. Peace in the Middle East is in the interest of
all concerned, not least Israel. My delegation would like again tc call upon
Israel to take measures that will initiate a new era in the Middle East, an era
marked by genuine and lasting peace.
In this regard the PLO has been direct and forthcoming in its decision to work
for peace with Israel t,hrough the single interna tionally recognized framework for
negotiations, the International Peace Conference on the Middle East, as called for
in Gener~l Assembly resolution 38/59 C.
(Mr. SUtresna, Indonesia)
The PLO has been clear also in its support for a comprehensive and lasting peace as
enunciated in General Assembly resolution 43/176, a<6'.opted in Geneva, especially
Israeli withdrawal from all territories occupied since 1967; security for all
States in the region, including those named in resolution 181 (11) of 1947; the
solving of the Palestinian refugee problem in accordance with resolution 194 (111)
of 1948 and other relevant United Nations decisions~ the dismantling of Israeli
settlements in the occupied territories; and the guarantee of freedom of access to
the holy places. Those indeed constitute the essential elements which address the
legitimate interests of all parties; therefore we appeal to Israel's friends and
supporters to institute the necessary .policies and adopt appropriate measures which
could induce Israel - for its own sake - to coma to the negotiating table and natch
the historic gesture of reconciliation with the PLO.
Indonesia shares the fervent hope that this unparalleled opportunity should
not be squandered, for the altetnative can only be further SUffering for all sides
from the incessant strife and tl.trmoil, violence and war. Let us therefore roove
forward by redoubling our collective efforts to ensure the end of the nightmare of
occupation that has been the daily lot of the Palestinians for too many years.
Nothing should deter the f~llfillment of their dream of sovereign independence in
Palestine and peace and security for all States in the region. For its part
Indonesia pledges to spare no effort in the realization of those noble objectives.
Mr. DIAKITE (Mali) (interpretation from French): The Middle East, which
is the historic cradle of civilizations and cultures among the most brilliant and
fertile hum"Jnity has ever known, has unfortunately since 1948 been synonymous with
tension, war and destruction and the continuing violation of international laws,
human rights and the rights of peoples. This tragic situation is the direct
consequence of Israel's refusal to abide by the relevant resolutions of the United
(Mr. Sutresna, Indonesia)
Nations, which was instrumental in its creation. By refusing to respect the rights
of peoples and States in the region, by rejecting any dialogue which might lead to
just and durable peace, by blindly using military power against peoples and States,
Israel has created in the Middle East a situation which constitutes a permanent
threat to international peace and security.
The question of Palestine, as my delegation has always stated, is at the very
heart of the Middle East conflict. The problem has always been the central focus
of our Organization's concerns since it was created. Indeed, it was in the United
Nations that th) question of Palestine was born and it is in the United Nations
that it can and should be settled, with the assistance of all Member States.
Sin~e 1948 the question of Palestine has been the subject of discussions and
resolutions in this Organization. For more than 40 years the Palestinian people,
whose rights have been flouted and whose dignity has been injured, has been
fighting to recover its plundered homeland.
The Charter of the United Nations is binding upon all Member States.
Equality, justice, the peaceful settlement of disputes, co-operation and the
preservation of peace and security are fundamantal rules which are accepted by all
Menbers of our Organization. Although a State Menber of our Organization, Israel
is behaving in Palestine like an occupying power, reject.ing the obligations
incumbent upon it under the Charter, international conventions and the pertinent
~esolutions of our Organization.
The growing deterioration of the situation in occupied Palestine and the
tragedy which is the daily lot of the Palestinian people in the refugee camps in
Gaza and the West Bank of the Jordan are of concern to the international
community. The pOlicy of occupation, the annexation of territories, the imposition
by Israel of its Qfn laws, jurisdiction and adminsitration Md the various kinds of
viOlence whim are practised upon old people, women and children among the
(Mr. Diakit.e, Mali)
Palestinians, the exploitation, the plundering of the natural resources of the
occupied territories, the installation there of Jewish settler colonies and all the
physical and moral brutalities that are deliberately inflicted on the inhabitants
of the occupied territories - arrests, arbitrary sentencing and deportation, the
lay1ng of seige to towns, the demolition of the houses of the Arab inhabitants who
refuse to accept the laws of the occupier - all these are a daily illustration of
the behaviour of the occupying Power, which is deliberately violating the Geneva
Convention of 12 August 1949 relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time
of War.
Faced with this situation the people of Palestine have risen as one against
oppression, pillage, injustice and occupation. The heroic people of Palestine are
in a state of revolt, of legitimate defence against Israeli occupation. The
struggle waged by the Palestinian people is part and parcel of the struggle being
waged by all oppressed peoples. The millions of Palestinians, whether or not they
live in Palestine, are all freedom fighters and those who struggle for dignitYJ
they are patriots, not terrorists.
For almost two years now the superiority and invincibility complex of the
Israeli repressive forces has once again been successfully ~hallenged by the heroes
of the intifadah. As Mr. N'Golo Traore, Minister of Foreign Affairs and
International Co""Operation of Mali, said in this Assembly on 9 October
"that revolt of the people in the occupied territories which has mobilized
Palestinians into the streets, including a large number of women 5nd children,
who are standing up unarmed to the Israeli occupation forces which ••• are
committing acts of torture and carrying ,)l...t massacres". (A/44/PV.24, p. 57)
The intifadah is thus seen as a popular uprising, both legitimate and
invincible, which has helped our Organization and the international community to
(r.tr. Diakite, Mali)
understand better the tragedy of the Palestinian people and search for the most
appropriate way of finding a final solution to the nightmare inflicted upon the
Palestinian people.
We are convinced that victory for the Palestinian people is inevitable because
it is well known that no Power, no tyrant, can quell the struggle of a people which
is resolved to live and flourish in honour and dignity. Through its heroic
struggle, supported by the international community, the people of Palestine has
made itself felt. Its participation and its necessary role in creating a peace
based on a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the question of the Middle
East are recognized by all.
The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the new Palestinian :tate,
which my country recognized as soon as it was creatad, are the only direct and
mandated bargaining parties in everything concerning satisfying and guaranteeing
the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people. Those rights were recognized by
the United Nations, and it is for our Organization to ensure that they are ~~lly
enjoyed.
Here I should like to pay a tribute to the United Nations peace-keeping forces
and the united Nations Relief and WOrks Agency for Palestine Refug-ees in the Near
East, whose actions in that region are indeed necessary and in accordance with the
spirit of the Charter.
The Republic of Mal i has never spared any effort or any contribution in
recognizing and ensuring the enjoyment of the right to self-determination of the
Palestinian people and their return to their own homeland. Mali vill continue, as
in the past, to work for dialogue, understanding and co-operation among the peoples
and States of the entire world, while strictly respacting their sovereignty and
terri torial integrity. As in the past, the Gavernment of Mali will continue to
give its unstinting support to the PLO.
(Mr. Diakite, Mali)
........
My country was 1ft~ qratUled _en, on 15 tble!llber 1988, Chairman
Yasser Arafat announced en _Ill' of the PlO that it _auld accept Security Council
resolutions 242 (1967) &4 U8 (le,)) fIftd declared its readinG. to undertake
direct dialogue with I8rsel Dd to take pnt 1ft the International Peace Conference
on the ltic1dle East. 1ft Geft~8 Oft 15 I»ceilber 1988, durill9 ita forty-third session,
the General Assenbly in its resolut10n 43/176 took note of that historic
declaration Md quite properly espressed the view that the Conference would be
pointless without the Participation ot all perties to the conflict, lnclulUng the
Palestine Liberation Organization, on an equal footing, and the five per1lU!l\ent
menbers of the Security Council, based on Security Council resolutions 242 (1967)
and 338 (1973) Md the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people,
primarily the right to self-dete11'lli~ation.
In response to the well-thought-out requests of the United Nations and the
enU~e. ~Dternational community the PID courageously and intelligently II'iIlde
concessions that are indeed of historic proportions. 'these (J)ncesslons should have
influenced the Israeli position.
Unfortunately, despite this breakthrough Israel is still refusing to undertake
constructive dialogue with the legitimate representatives of the Palestinian
people, a dialogue which would have the result of guannteeing its peace and
secudty. It is hi9h tine Israel faceG5 the facta line! stopped l1Ipeding processes
which can lead to peace~
It is essential that we work wen .,r8 Vigorously to put an end to 40 years of . . violation, destruction 8I'ld intransigence CWld t'M ezletence ot refugees" eall•••
Neither the first two ~cial sessions of the General AsseRbly on Paleatine nor
resolutions 181 (11) of 29 Newellbel IN' end 11. (Ill) of 11 D1tc:"r 1948 nor all
the equally pertinent resolutions of the BeCU1'lty Ccuncll or other political anc!
legal bodies have been able to solft thi8 prebl,..
(Mr. Diaklte, Mali)
Mali believes that enough guarantees have been given to Israel, notably the
guarantee of its right to live within secure and recognized boundaries. The United
Nations, and more particularly the security Council and the General Assembly, must
shOUlder their full responsibilities. The situation in Palestine and in the Middle
Sast is an emergency which requirC!S the implementation of the appropriate steps
laid cbIn in Chapter VII of the Charter.
Mali will continue to support the relevMt resolutions, reconnendations and
decisions adopted by our Organization, by the Organization of African Unity, the
Non-Aligned Movement, the Organization of the Islamic Conference and any other
organization workinr:J to bring peace and security to the Middle East. We welcome
the efforts and actions which have been carried out with such courage, objectivity
and devotion by the Secretary-General of the Uni ted Ha tions,
Mr. Javier Perez de Cuellar.
Mali appeals to all peace-loving and justice-loving States to work even harder
together in order to bring to Palestine and the Palestinians the benefits of the
general atmosphere of detente, trust and co'"'Operation which is progressively
emerging in international relations, in partiCUlar between East and West and
specifically between the two super-Pcwera, the United States and the Soviet Union.
Mali supports the Palestinian peace initiatives Md trusts they will
continue. We repeat that there is no substitute for direct dialogue. We should
give ever'i encouragement also to action undertaken by the Government of the U'l ion
of Soviet Socialist Republica and the States of the European Co_unity to put an
end to what Professor Arnold 'lbymee described in 1968 as the -locul Palestinian
tragedy which affects the entire world because it is an injustice that threatens
the peace of the world-.
'1b avoid ~ny further deterioration of the situation in the area and to allay
the 6uffaring of the Palestinian people, it appears to us to be indispensable to
(Mr. Diadte, Mali)
speed up the convening of the International Peace Conference CXl the Middle East.
Such a oonference must necessarily take into account the contents of Ganeral
Asselllbly resolufdon 43/176 of 15 December 1988 - 1n other words: ensuring Israel's
withdrawal from the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem,
and from the other occupied Arab territories, guaranteeing arrangements for the
security of all States in the region, including the State of Palestine, within
secure and internationally recognized boundaries, solving the problem of the
Palestine refugeesj dismantling the Israeli settlemEnts in the territories occupied
since 1967, aild guaranteeing freedom of access to the Holy Places and other
religious buUdings and sites.
In keeping with its history and its traditions based on wisdom, tolerance and
solidarity i tha people of Mali, together with all the other peoples in Africa and
the world, will always be ready to make its contribution to bringing about a world
of peace Md justice. The peace, justice and solidarity we are seeking should be
of benefit to all mmtk ind.
Mr. SaDRI (Sweden) I Before I start fftI statement, I wish to Wlderline
that the continuation of the delicate peace process in the Middle East requires
restraint from all sides. It is most regrettable ~~en major parties seem to lock
themselves into pClBitions which could ser iously aft'"ct the peace process and even
the proper functioning of the United Nations. I am convinced, however, that with
illll1gination and underst.anding it will be possible to overcome the present
di fficul ties.
The part of the General Assellbly session that was held in Geneva last year was
characterized by remarkable progress. The Chairman of the Palestine Liberation
Organization (l'ID), Yasser Arafat, explained that the PIO was prepared to ne90tiate
with Israel a caapreheneive peace settlement of the Ar~b-Israeli conflict on the
basis of Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973) within the
(Mr. Diakite, Mali)
framework of the International Peac~ Conference. The PLO recognized the right of
Israel to exist in peace within secure and recognized borders. Mr. Arafat also
renounced terrorism in all its forms. As a result of those declarations, a
dialogue between the United States and the Pto was opened. This created a new
situation in the Middle East.
International support for the Palestinian people and for the PLO policy of
peace md negotiation has dramatically increased. All over the world people now
look with clearer eyes and with greater understanding at the plight of the
Palestinians.
The fact that the PLO and the Palestinians have chosen the road of peace and
reconcilation has gained them international sympathy and support. The Arab world
has now confirmed its support for this policy. The PLO strictly adheres to this
read in spite of the :ontinuing suffering of the Palestinian people.
Also in Israel voices of reason are gaining strength. A growing number of
Israelis .and of supporters of Israel all over the world are realizing that the
present situatio~ is untenable and that the time has come to recognize the
Palestinian people' s ri9ht to exist, right to self-determination, and right to
their own land.
CMr. Schori, Sweden)
The Government of Israel has for the first time this decade presented a peace
initiative of its own. This initiative is still a long way from the universally
recognized and basic principles for a solution, such as the principle of land for
peace, contained in Security Council resolutions 242 (1961) and 338 (1918), and the
principle of Palestinian self-determinationJ but it reflects a growing awareness
also in the Israeli Government that the status quO is not acceptable.
A ye~ ago the focus was on establishing a dialogue between the Uni ted States
and the Palestinians. Today efforts are focused upon conditions for a dialogue
between Israel and the Palestinians. Israel is for the first tine facing the need
to address the Palestinian people directly. The United States is, together with
Egypt, actively engaged in efforts to bring about such a dialogtle. We support
these efforts. Never before has a direct dialogue between Israel and the
Polestin!an people been ~ close. It would be a tragic mistake not to use the
current 8pirit of reconciliation M1alg people and nations all over the world. This
historical oppcxtunity 1'Il\mt not be lost.
A dialogue between Israel and the PLO is an important step, but it is not an
end in 1tself. 9.r 45ealing wi th elections in the occupied terri toties and with
negotiations about the peace process it can lead to further steps al the road to
peace.
It is in our view self-evident, and a basic democratic right, that the
Palestiniens the~elves determine who shall represent them. For someQie else to
claim this right le ~tot only denr.x:ratically unacceptable but also politically
unwise.
We appeal to the parties to seize this opportunity. The Palestinian
leadership has accepted talks as the ally viable means to reach peace. The PLO is
ready to talk to Israel. Israel must inevitably, sooner or later, talk to the
(Mr. Schori, Sweden)
i
PW. Can anyme seriously believe that a Palestinian orgS\i:aticm tIhoao
representative status has been confirmed by almost the entire membership of tba
United Nations can be perlll8ftently excluded frOll Influencisr;r tIM Regotia,tiCll prooou?
"We have got to talll to the enemy. Our tullets and their stoee. eaano~ solye
the problem·'
ThOlSe words are Abie Nathan IS, the prOllineftt IsraeU. peace eliICtiv!8., .. 1ft gaol
for talk lR} to the PW.
The Intifadah has shOlfn that the Palutiniaft people wU1 Jmt __1\ ~ ~.lraeli
occupation. There cm be no return to the .itutb befCll'Q the outbreat of the
~ intifadah.
Sweden has foe <Wer 40 years supported Israelis right to live in peace. That
support "U1 remain talcbugec!, but this ctwlously cbu nM mean automatic nppo-rt
for Israelis policies. We have on a number of occas ions cri ticiz&d Ist'ael l s
practices in the occupied Palestinian territories. It'" with great cUsmay that we
note that the harsh policies of the occupying brer ecntiaue eabated.
The brutal methoc!s I:lf which the Palestinian poPJlatioa iD st.;)pres8ed He not
caupatiLle '11th Israelis status aa a d;ftt)cracy. POt the Pel.tinians wilo are.
arbitrarily detained and harassed, whose house. are demo1i~ed - while the illegal
Iarae1i settlement policy ls still being pursued - whoee oU... groves are
destroyed, and whose children are rancbmly shot atJ for these people IsraelGs
lron-f1st policy has vert, very 11ttle to do with demcracy.
Not only is the Palestinian people being .harassed by the occupying PCwer,
Un! ted NaUt. is institu tions are being attacked. tthen a West Bank sc;bOol of the
United Nations Relief and tbrks Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Hear
East (UNRWA) was recently shot at by Israeli troops, the event was witnessed by
visiting Swedish parliamentarians here present.
The Palestinian people needs protection. The Geneva Convention relative to
the protection of civilians in occupied territories is applicable to all the
territories held by Israel since 1967. Israel'S claim that this is not the case
because the territories are - allegedly - administered rather than oecup~ed must be
firmly re jected •
Israel's continued violation of the Palestinian people's human rights must
again be condenned. For the sake of peace and demcracy, in the interest of the
Israeli and Palestinian peoples, we call on the Israeli Government to abandon these
policies now.
A year ago my Foteign Minister appealed to the Israel i Government to declare
openly in the Assembly that Israel has no intentioo to acquire terr! tory or remain
in the territories taken by force in 1967. I now, on behalf of the Swedish
Government, renew this appeal.
Mrs. FIORa mmA (Cuba) (interpretation from Spanish): For decades nOlf
in the Uni ted Nations we have been involved in the search for a peaceful and just
solution to the problem of the Middle East and its oore, the question of
obstructionist atti. tude of a few .0 attempt. to stop the irreversible march of
Palestine. Thus far we have not achieved that objective, mainly because of the
history.
It might seem that the injustice committed against the Palestinian people
cannot be redressed and that that long-suffering people is doomed to live displaced
from its }-'\meland, discriminated against and oppressed in the land of its birth,
and deprived of all its national rights, including that to self-determination.
'l'here has been a great deal of talk about the prospects that are opening up
for a peaceful solutim to many regicnal conflicts through negotiations. But
everything seems to indicate that there are forces that reject an agreenent of this
(Mr. SChori, Sweden)
type in respect of the Middle East crisis, in spite of the posi tive steps taken by
the Palestine Liberation Organization as an expression of its wUl to negotiate in
order to resolve, through political means, the conflict afflicting its region.
The declaration made by the Palestine National Council in November 1988, in
which it recognized Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and ~,38 (1973) as a
basis for negotiation in the search for a solution to the a"nfli(2t is a clear
demonstration of that fact.
(Mrs. Florez Prida, Cuba)
Israel, on the other hand, has not respooded with equal flexibility, and, at the
same time as it tries to gain time through diplomatic ..leans and to distort the
legitimate proposals to begin a peace process in the region, it has continued to
carry out unacceptable measures to deny the Palestinian people its nationality and
its culture and to uproot it.
The heroic intifadah, t~e Palestinian national insurrection, emerged as a
response to these actions by the Israeli occupier and as a reflection of the
growing yearning for freedom of a people that has its Ofn culture, its own
traditions and its own national identity. Israel's acts of plunder against the
Palestinian people in the occupied territories, its promotion of Jewish sattlements
on Palestinian land, the destruction of homes, the levying of taxes, the
difficulties in gaining their livelihood imposed on Palestinians in Gaza and the
West Bank of the Jordan, the detentions, torture and assassinations are all part of
a preconceived plan, to jeopardize the Palestinian people's basis of survival.
The Government of Israel and its supporters must realize that this situation
cannot continue and that there is no longer any place for the policy of
fait accompli that the State of Israel has imposed on the Arab and Palestinian
territories occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem.
Cuba reiterates its support for the just struggle of the Palestinian peopl.a
against the Zionist invader and for the State of Palestine as proclaimed by the
Palestine National Council. At the same ti~, it demands the imm!diate and
unconditional withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from all occupied Arab ~,d
Palestinian territories. My country believes that in the present circumstances it
is essential to step up the efforts aimed at the convening of an international
conference on peace in the Middle East under the auspices of the Uni ted Nations and
(Mrs. Flores Prida, Cuba)
with the participation on an equal footing of the fi'IYe permanent ~mbera of the
Security Council and all the patties concerned, including the Palestine Liberation
Organization, the sole, legitimate representative of the Palestinian pet·
believe that the expressed will of virtually all the memers of the inb; .....ational
community in favour of the holding of such a conference should provide these that
oppose it with food for thought.
Wa believe that the time is ripe for the beginning in all seriousness of a
genu1.ne peace process in the regiQ1 that will have posi tive effects not only on the
Palestinian people, its national dignity and its conditions of life but also on the
other countries of the Middle East. However, for this purpose it is essential that
there be compliance with the principles which, in the opinion of the r-~vement of
Non-Aligned Countries, as reaffirmed at its ninth summit Conference, in Belgrade,
should guide the achievement of comprehensive peace in the Middle East. These are:
"Ca) the wi thdrawal of tsra et from all the terdtory of the State of
Palestine, including Jerusalem, occupied since 1967, and from all the other
occupied Ar~b territories,
"(b) guaranteeing arrangements for the security of all States in the
region, including the State of Palestine, within secure and internationally
r~ognized boundarie~1
"(c) resolving the problem of the Palestine refugees in conformity with
United Nations General Assembly resolution 194 (Ill) of 11 December 1948 and
subsequent relevant resolutions,
"(d) dismantling the Israeli settlements in the territories occupied
since 1967, and,
"(e) guaranteeing freedom of access to holy places, religious buildings
and sites" (A/44/551, p. 39).
(loirs. Flores Pdda, Cuba)
We •
Cuba, as a nember of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries, supports these
principles unconditionally and rejects any plan to begin a peace process in the
region. without the full and free participation of the Palestinian people, under the
leadership of the Palestine Liberation Organization, since that would from the
outset thwart any effort at negotiation aimed at a pol! tical settlement of the
conflict.
We believe that the time has come to press forward in that direction. My
COGntry is prepared to wor.z with the rest of the international community to bring
about peace in the Middle East by means of fair and lasting agreements.
The meeting rose at 12. SS p.m.
(Mrs. Flores Prida, Cuba)