A/46/PV.54 General Assembly

33.  (c~&iauQ) QUESTXON OF PALESTINE: (a) REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE EXERCISE OF THE INALIINABLE RIGHTS OF THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE (A/46/35) (b) REPORT OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL (A/46/623 and Corr.1) l%dLLShlbMJ (United Arab Emirates) (interpretrtion from Arabic): First of all, as I am addressing the General Assembly for the first time this session, I would like to express my delegation’s congratulations on your election to the presidency of the General Assembly for the current session anL to express to you my personal pleasure at seeing you in this post. I would also like to voice my delegation’s gloat appreciation of the work done by Mrs. Diallo, Chairperson of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, and also thank the members of the Committee, for the efforts they have made in support of the cause of the Palestinian people. The report submitted to the General Assembly by this Committee in document A/46/35 reflects the valuable work being done by it in its noble mission. The question of Palestine is being discussed by the General Assembly in this current session in an international climate which we can unreservedly qualify as one in which the balance of power has been upset, the theories that have characterised international relations since the end of the Secona World War have been changed, and in which many claims have been refuted and many facts been confirmed. In dealing with international and regional questions, tne world is now armed with deeper understanding and greater hopes. These changes have been reflected in different parts of the world, and the Middle East is no exception. ".'hr changes that this region has seen in their interaction and their international and rogioflal dimension have reviewed and revived hopea and confirmed the necersity for aerioua international efforts to establish peace in a region which has suffered the scourge of war, destruction and division. The offortr of Mr. James Baker, Secretary of State of the United States, with the support of the Soviet Union, the European Community and the rest of the world, were based on these changes. These efforts have been a real test of the true intentions of all parties. They clearly uncovered those who set obstacles on the road to peace. Jsrael has continued to raise obstacles, one af tet another, through the intransigent statements of its Prime Miniaster, in which he stated that Iarael would never cede an inch of land and would never accept the laud-for-pdaC9 principle, and also through its continuation of the settlements policy and the building of settlements on occupied land. It is also reflected in unacceptable conditions concerning Palestinian representation. For the first time in history, the occupying Power has retained for itself a veto over those who may represent the occupied people with which it is negotiating. Declpita all thi8, the M&id POMO cOnf0tMC~ Ye8 COnVMW!. It Wei8 convened becaure of international iari8tenco on the nsmd to launch the paace procerr and of the flexibility of the &rab partie and their cooperation with those efforts. xy country l upported the convening of the tonference and rlrhmcl it all 8ucce8s * hoping that it would be the rtartieg-point of the l 8tabli8hmont of a just end durable peace in the Middle tart bared on the withdrawal of Israel from all occupied Arab territorier, includinp Al-Qudr, and the regaining by the Pelertiniaa peoplm of all it8 legitimate right8, includin9 it8 ripht to aelf-dstermlnstion. Ai8tory will judge the role of thir Conference and the re8ult8 of future meetings. Rowever, we cannot ignore the fact that while thi8 Conference, a turning-point in the hi8tory of thir conflict, ha8 revived many hope8, it ha8 al80 generated many a di8appOhAment a8 a rorult of the diacusrion8 that took place there. Our initial a88088ment reveal8 that the importance of tbir Corlference lies in bringing to light the reality of the position8 of the different parties with regard to the fundamental ib8u0, namely, that of peace. This ia an issue that is very important prc~d~ and in view of the rerultr to which it may lead with regard to the allocation of responsibilitien and paving the way to the future. The first signals from Madrid have made absolutely clear to world public opinion where the Arab8 stand on peace and where Israel stands. Despite the sacrifice8 of the Arab parties and their flexibility tn the Conference, the position of Israel continued to be intransigent as it (ffi-~Ll.piU.d -1 persisted In its refusal tr recognire the majn and objective e1ement.s of the conflict. We have neon how, in hia falsification of history, Shamir hns tried to deny the very existence of the Arabs, both Moslem and Christian in the territory of Palestine. This he did in order for bin to be able to deny the Palestiniao people the right of self-determination on its own land. The same position is reflected also in Israel's refusal to implement the resolutions it claimed to be committed to, foremost among which are Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (19'73). Neither during or after the Conference has Jsrsel shown any evidence of good intention0 yA.&--&ti the peace process. Indeed, right after the Conference, it inaugurated new settlements in the occupied territories and, last week, there was the Knessst resolut'on on the non-negotiability of the Golan Heights. This was yet another slap in the face to the peace efforts. These nre but new chapters in the come of old Isravli positions. However, 1:his time, they take place under the eyes of the whols world and in direct defiance not only of United Nations resolutions, for which Israel has never cared anyway, but also of the ,peace process and the very principle of peace. In pursuing this policy, Israel wants the world to despair of the feasibility of peace and is trying to portray the Middle East as a region that is immune to the impact of international developments. It would follow from this that the world would be better off if it dealt with the region on the basis of the fait BE;c;pmE1I imposed by the force of arms, namely, Xaraeli occupation and Iarasli hegemony. Israel'r goal in all this ir to hold on to the land and to evade its legal, moral and international responsibilities ao that it may continue to be free to act outside international legality, especially in regard to the building of its military might and the development, manufacture and stockpiling of weapons of maaa destruction without any international control. Zionist extremists even say that peace ia the real danger that threatens Israel. W-y0 we are happy to aee the peace process in motion, thanks to the momentum generated by international unanimity and the determination to achieve peace. We look forward with hope to the forthcoming talks in Washington, D.C., next mouth. On thin occasion, we call upon the international community not to be stopped by ‘.Jpair but to continue to push forward the peace process. We realioe that it is a difficult and complex proceaa, but it is indispensable if the region of the Middle East is to resume its civiliring role and thereby ensure that security and stability may prevail in the world.* Before concluding, I ahould like to pay tribute to the aenae of history, the political flexibility, the wisdom and ability shown by the Palest.iniac negotiators in their atand that reflects the position of a steadfast people under occupation which has resiste? and continues to resist every form of torture and displacement and yet finds it possible to carry the olive branch. From this rostrum, my delegation would like to express its appreciation to every woman and child, to all the young and the elderly, who are still struygliug in defence of t;le sanctity of their sacred land. . . -..---.-.. * Mr. Rogers (Belize), VicePresi<!ent, took rhe Chair. &.,-Ow (Tunisia) (interpretation from Arabic)r The quartlon of Palestine ham been on the agenda of the general Assembly longst than any other international problem. The ruffering and hardships of the Palsrtinian people date back to the very establishment of the United Rationm. For three years now, the world has been experiencing fundamental changes which have replaced tsnrion and rivalry between the two euper-Powers with understanding and cooperation. Democracy has replaced dictatorship in every shape and form, and thanka to theme change8, conditions have been craated that are conducive to the settlement of regional disputes through peaceful means under the auspices of the United Nations, in every part of the world, with the exception of the Middle Xart conflict which har continued to be marginalited and kept out of the list of United Nation0 and international comnunity'm concerns. Once again the question of Palestine is being considered. However, at this session, it is being examined under new and distinctive circumstances following the launching of a peace process that aims at finding a just and lasting solution to that question on the basis of international legality, especially Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973). This launching of the peace process took place through the initiative by the United States of America and the Soviet Union and the convening of the Madrid Conference for Peace in the Middle East. My delegation would like to thank the Secretary-General for his report and YO wish to pay tribute to the Chairman, the Rapport.eur and all the members of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inallsnable Rights of the Palestinian People for their tireless efforts. The reports submitted to the General Aatiembly provide a pictur,e of the suffering of the Palestinian people, suffering which haa lasted for over four decades. That people, day after day, suffers every form of injustice and repreoaion, the occupation of ita territory, the usurpation of its land. Its sons and daughters nre displaced and tens of thouaands of Palestinians are thrown into jail without charge or trial. Many unarmed civilians afe killed and their possessions seiaed. Trees and crops are torchsd, houses arti! dynamited, schools are closed down and holy places are profaned. These, without exaggeration, are some of the realities of the daily life of the Palestinian people under occupation in its own land. These are facts which the whole world knows, which the United Nations humanitarian organizationa attest to and which the international media, including the Israeli press, know to be facts and sometime8 report. None the 3888, the will of the people cannot be conquered. All these injustices and all this oppression have failed to weaken the determination of the Palestinian people to resist and to defend its human dignity, regain its right to freedom and recover its land. The glorious i lrrifnaeh in but one shining episode in the heroic saga of Palestinian struggle. With nothing but stones and faith in the justice of its cause, the Palestinian people has confronted the occupying Power and its awesome war machine. The Palestinian People does not fight tG occupy thQ lands of others or to usurp the rights of others. It fights only to recover its own legitimate rights to its own land, the land of its forefathers, its aye--old ancestral land. The Palestinian poplo’r rtrugplo ir for its human rightr. Thio is 8 l truggle thst is recognised under international law. It ia a struggle for self-determination and the right to establish the Palestinian people’s own independent, atate on its own homeland. In spite of all the injustices and all the suffering, the Palestinian people ham preferred the UIW of peaceful moana to rssolve the conflict. In opting for this approach, it has been supported by all Arab States. The whole world recalls the olive oranch held out in this very Hall by Chairman Yasrer Arafat. This choice wae also reaffirmed in the 1982 peace plan adopted by the runwnit meeting of Arab States at ?ea. In 1988, the Palsrtinian National Council. which mot in Algiers, recoqnired, and Chairman Yasssr Arafat that same year in Geneva declared, that the Daleatintan people agreed to rerolve the question by peaceful means on the basis of international legality and Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973). He called for the convening of an international peace conference on the Middle East under Unite& Nations auspices. The Palestinian National Council, at its last meeting, also welcomed the United States-Soviet initiative which led to the convening of the Madrid Conference. Aa the whole world has seen, the Palestinian delegation to that Conference demonstrated its determination to uue peaceful means. From the very beginning of the conference, the statement by the representative of Palestine reaffirmed that peaceful choice by the Palestinian people. My country, peace- and justice-loving Tunisia, has always participated within its means in the search fclr a just and lasting settlement of the question of Palestine. It hosted the dialoguo between the Palestine Liberation Organization and the United States and did all it. could 1-o arlsuce its success. On 14 January 1991, it requested the Security Council to convene (Mr I GhOlrrll Tualrim) II pesce conference on the Middle Lsst in the (‘ourbe of this yesr under Ilnitrd Nations susplces. It alao welcomed the Unitetl States-Soviet. effort-s aimed nt holding a peats conference on the Middle Eaet and we also welcomed and suppvrted the responsible and constructive response of the Palestinian National Council to thoas efforts. In the context of ita solidarity with tha Palestinian people and in consonance with its cooperation with all international Parties in the search for peace in the Middle East, Tunisia participated in the Madrid ConfersrIce in the capacity of observer and wan represented by the Secretary-General of the Union of the Arab Msyreb. We hope that in this forum and in the negotiation8 that were launched in Madrid, Israel will forsake the language of intransigence and accept in real earneat, as the Arab Parties have, to abide by international legality and, above all, by Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973) and the principle of land for peace which has been reaffirmed by President George Bush in Congress, on 6 March 1991 as a basis for the settlement of the Middle East conflict whose core is the question of Palestine. We hope that, aa the Palestinian delegation has done at the Madrid Conference, Israel will respond and show a desire for peace. Intransigence, arrogance and shaky and contradictory arguments do not serve the cause of peace. It is not logical that Israel should ask the Palestinians and all the Arabs to give up their past and to consider the return to the pre-1967 or 1947 borders an illusion while at the same time it gives itself the right to turn the clock of history back 4,000 years. It is not logical to deny the riqht of the Palestinian people to self-determination on their own land under the pretext that )ther Arabs have enjoyed their right to self tiet.ermination un their cwn territories. Lasting and comprchpnsivs peace and security cannot he based on the usurpation of the lancl of others by fOrCQ, rQprQB!BlOn snd aggreeslon. They muot be based on justice, respect for international law and international legaltty, and that includes the right of the Palestinian people to ael f cletermination, a right that is Qnjoyed by sll other peoples of the world, and the right to the establishment of its own independent Ktatn on its own n8tiVQ soil. This can only be achisvsd in the context of a clear OVQrnll plan. that would be binding to all tl:* Parties in all its otageQ and all its aspects. There is no doubt that in order for the peace process that was lsunched in Madrid to succeed, a climste of ConfidQncQ, of determination and of good will should prevsil. Arbitrariness and one-upmanship should be renounced. Israel, in this context, murt desist from its settlement policy in Palestinian territories end other occupied Arab territories, including Al-Quds, as the building of sbttlements will undermine the very basis of negotiation on the ultimnte future of the occupied territories and about the possibility of coexistence between the peoples and states of the region. It is clear that the latest decision of the Knesset on the annexation of the occupied Golan and the situation in Lebanon indicates that not enough weight has been given to the peace process, which we must all support if the region is to enjoy peace and security. (Mr. Ohraal, Tunlria) Rotrithrtanding the roprorrivo and provocative practices of the Iaraali Government, we hove ooted with intermrt thm recognition by the opposition Labour Party of Pslertinisn national righta. ThiB indicater a prowinq domire for peace sad coexietsnco that momm to ho gaining ground in Irraeli public opinion ~II is the came with the Paleetiniann and other Arab poopler. The road to th8 nor international order we all aapiro aftor muat @tart from the Middle ISsat roqion. This ir an hirtoric challenge to which the international comnunity rime if wo really went a world in which poaco and recurity prevail, in which the rightr of all people8 and nation8 are equal, and in which internationsl relotionr can devslop on the bari of cooperation, undsrstsnding and solidarity. HL~ (Jordan) (interpretation from Arabic): The General Assembly will today conclude ito consideration of the item entitled "Question of Paleetine”, for this rermion, by reaffirming once again the inalienable rights of the Palsetinian people, including its right to @elf-determination on it8 national soil, aa well au the urgent need to reach a comprehensive an& just settlement of the question of Palestine and the Arab-Israeli dispute - a settlement built on international legality whose mainstay is the Charter of the United Nations. I see no need to review the history of the question of Palestine as it is well-known to all those who seek truth and knowledge. Suffice it for me to fozua on some aspects which we consider fundamental, particularly in the current stage in the life of our region and against the background of radical world changes and the events which have affected and continue to affect the pattern of world-wide thinking, above all with regard to the search for peaceful solutions to regional disputes. Way I, first of all, l trers that we eee no contsadlction in continuing consideration of the yusst.ion of Palertine snd tha Arab-Israeli dirrpute in t-ho United Nation@, am well ae their aubeidiary items and issues in different colmnittoer, on the one hand, and the activities of the peace conference which recently bogan in Madrid, an well a8 the subsequent direct bilateral negotiationa and multilateral negotiationa on the way to a just, peaceful, comprohonrive and lasting settlement in the Middle East, on the other. On thm contrary. we believe that the Madrid conference, the unremitting effort8 that led to it and which are sppreciatod by all who love peace and jurtico and believe in the rule of law - and the hope8 raired by that conf@rwx!o have all highlighted the efficacy of United Nstiona resolutions and the role of the Orgaai8ation. The Madrid conference ha8 been convened on the ba8ir of the implementation of Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 336 (19731, the application of the principle of land for peacer the achievement by the Palertinian people of its legitimate political rights and guaranteeing peace and security for all State8 of the region with the objective of reaching a lasting, just, comprehensive and peaceful settlement. The Madrid conference did not spring from a vacuum. It is the beginning of a now initiative and a new process in the earnest endeavour to find 8 just. practical and viable solution to the question of Palestine rend the Arab-Israeli conflict, built on law and the even-handed application of international legality. It has been convened in the wake of a radical change in the world political environment and in relations between States. It has taken place after the restructuring and reorganization of some of those States and the reaffirmation of fundamental rights, democracy and human rights. (Mr, Salah, Jur dan) Thm Madrid conference, having baen convenmd on the heelr of the crieie and rsr in the Gulf, ir a tort of the ability of the international cormnunlty to reaffirm internstional legality and uphold the rule of law. Above all, the Madrid conference come8 after far-reaching developments of which all are awere - developmante in the positions of the partiee concerned in the quertion of Palestine and the Arab-Israeli conflict. All theme changer and developments - or at least most of them - must have a positive effect on the peace procesm. ~110~ me briefly to remind the Assembly of the important developments in the positions of the Arab and Palestininn side. Jordan and Egypt accepted Security Council resolution 242 (1967) upon its adoption. At the time there were aosurancee of the implementation of its provisions. Then Syria accepted that resolution, and 80 did Lebanon. These are the Arab countries that are directly concerned with the Arab-Israeli diapute. These States also accepted Security Council resolution 338 (1973) upon its adoption. The Arab position was completed with the acceptance by the Palestine Liberation Organisation in 1966 of resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973). That acceptance was reflected in resolutions of the General Assembly which reaffirmed the acceptance of those two Security Council resolutions, as well as the general principles stemming therefrom. The following are among those principles; Israel’s withdrawal from the Palestinian and Arab territories occupied since 1967, including Al-Quda in application of the principle of the inadmissibility of acquisition of the territory of others by force; the right of the States in the region to live in peace and security within internationally agreed borders: acceptance by the Palestinians of the exisF,'t\ce of two States ou the lhnd of Palesclne -. one being Israel, the other being the State of Palestine. (Mr. ~al~t....Jor4ea~ Those princlplcr also include the resolution of the problem of the Palestinian rafuyeem, on the hania of relevant United Nationa rmsolutionr, and particularly General Assembly resolution 194 (III) of 1948~ the halting and dismantling of Israeli settlements built on Arab-occupied territories, In contravention of the tourth Geneva Convention and thm many relevant United Nations resolutions. Thus, the Arab position, including the Palastinian position, became a practical constructive position based on the rule of law and on international support for the aforementioned principles. What Was Israel’s position? Israel continued to occupy Arab and Palestinian land. It persisted in its policies and practicea which contravene international law, and particularly the 1949 Fourth Geneva Convention, the very Convention which the Security Council and the General Aseembly decided wag, in effect, legally applicable to those territories and their inhabitants. Israel continued to build and to expnnd its settlementa in the occupied Arab territories. These are illegal act o that are considered null and void. Immigration increaaad radically, especially the itnrniqration of SovZet Jews to Xsrael, large numbers of whom settled in the Arab occupied territories. Israel’s violations of human rights increased very noticeably and intensively. Violations of the fundamental rights of the inhabitants of the occupied territories in all aspects of their daily lives, freedom of movement, freedom of speech and expression, freedom of association, freedom of education and access to culture, freedom to work, the right to a livelihood, and even access to religious sites are being violated. A review in tne report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Aroar of the Occupied Territories, and other reports, will prove thlr fact. Israel continued uailaterally to adopt policies and measures that change the states and demographic composition of the Holy Crty of Al-Quds. These polic!ea and practicea are illegal and null and void. Furthermore, the Israeli leadership persists in its intransigent and extremist position u-a-da the poaco procoss. It still trios to impose conditions by force on the other partieu -- indeed, on the entire world. This has led His Majesty, King Hussein, to say in hio statement boforo the National Jordanian Congress in Ananan on 12 October 1991, beforo travelling to the Madrid Conference! “SON may wonder why we should go to the peace conference, going to the paace conference, while the Israeli leadarship continually declares that it will not give up one single inch of occupied territories? The answer to this isr ona cause is not something that is between ua and Israel alone, it is a matter that is between the whole world and Israel also. It is a question of the rule of intarnational law in support of world peace and rebelling against it. Tha whole world does not approve the statements of the Israeli leadership, as they run counter to internationai legality - indeed, an increasing nwnbar of the Israelis themselves is moving closer to the world position.” We have heard in the news that the Isrnali opposition Labour Party decided last Thursday to recognise the national rights of the Palestinians, to freeze Israeli settlements in the occupied territories, and to abandon the policy of prohibiting contacts or talks with representativea of the Palestine Liberation Orqanizetion (PLO). These are encouraging indicationa. They are steps in the right direction. We hope that. there will be more movement. towards the position8 of international legality 80 that there may be movement away from the porition8 of l rtremi8m and intranrigencs which have boon the hallmark of the current Israeli leadernhip, a8 wa8 expressed on Friday last in a moat blatant fashion by tha Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations. It is time the Israeli leadership faced rea:ity. Israel has always claimed that its poaitiona would be of the utmost moderation, if only the Arabs accepted to negotiate directly. Now that the Arab parties have accepted to negotiate, ha8 the Israeli position changed, or ha8 it become more intransigent? We maintain, and the world maintains with ~8, that there must be a comprohmnrive and larting pmac8, that now relation8 and link8 8hould be forged on the basis of that peace, that in order to achieve 8uch a peace and to forge such new relations, there must be a full Israeli withdrawal from all the occupied territories, including Al-Quds; that there must be an end to Israeli settlements, and above all, there must be recognition of the inalienable legitimate right8 of the Palestinian people, just like all the other peoples of ths region - including the Israeli people - to live in security and peace within recognioed borders. We insist, together with the rest of the world, in consonance with the principle of the rule of law and rules of international legality, that security and stability ara achieved as a result of the prevalence of peace and not through holding on to the land of others, land which has been occupied by force or through the application of expansionist militaristic theories. We would add that security measures accepted by all the parties, such as weapon-free zonea and other arrangements, will be much more effective than insistence on imporing Tarseli conditions, which are unacceptable tri the other parties. The Palestinian poop10 ham suffered the horrors end exyulrion at the hands of Iorael in 1948. It ham ruffered Irraoli occupation of the West Bank, the Gasa Strip end Al-Qudr mince 1967. The Palertinian people ir today one of the last peoples of the world not to have regained its freedom, independence end national homeland. That people has continued to struggle with steadfastnesr and determination to achieve its rights, just like all other peoples of the world. The htifw was but sn expression of that steadfastnear. The same applies to the Palestinian people’s position vir-h-yi~ the peace process rind the Hadr id conference. The Palestinian people, together with the international community, do not. ask for much. The Palestinian people wonts nothing more than the application of international legality and the prinriyleo of international law. It wants to live in peace on its national homeland within recognixed borders. just like all other peoples of the world. Refore concluding this statement, I wish to express our appreciation to the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, as well as to its Chairman and membership. I cannot fail also to place on record our appreciation for the efforts of the Division for Palestinian Rights in the Secretariat, aa well as that of the Department of Public Information, in disseminating facts and data concerning the question of Palestine and the Palestinian people. In conclusion, as 1 stated at the beginning, the position and resolutiona that we adopt within the United Nations and the efforts which our international Organisation must deploy do not contradict the peace process which began in Mndrid, but indeed, they must support and complement that peace process. Mr ___. ,RAJZR (Bangladesh): At a historic conjunction of real &jlf?nte, reconciliation, understanding and compassion, and we see a flicker of hope for mankind to live finally in harmony and peace on mother Earth, there is one loud and discordnrt note in the symphony. In our religion - Islam - human heinys are considered the best creation of Allah, the Most Merciful and the Most Compassionate. All religions have thei: Gods and those revered Gods do (Mr, Gslsh, Jordan) not think dlffsrently for the well-boiag of their bolieverr. Can we pray In our respective teliqions to our Gods and give a solemn pledge that we all live in peace, that we are making thls globe something that you, the Almighty and All Compassionate, should bo proud of, and that this environment of beauty, grandeur and bountiful resources is in the csrinq and compassionate hands of believers of all Gods and all faiths7 This discordant note to which I have referred is the question of Palestine. It is no longer a question8 it is now an answer to Palestine. Ths conflict in the Middle East, ths core of which is Palestine problem, has so far eluded solution and remained intractable. The qumstion of Palestine, or, rather, as I say, the answer to Palestine, is one of the greatest tragedies of our time. Uowevor, CL hirrtoric transformation has taken place io the political costploxion of the globe. Positive l vants have transformed the contemporary world in a manner which fills us with optimism. This historic opportunity must be seised to find a lasting and durable solution to the Palestine issue. The situation in the Middle 6ast romaine a source of profound and intsnss concern not only because of the political principles and issueo at stake but also because of the widespread human suffering caused by the failure to resolve those issues. Over four decades havs OlSpbOd since the question was first debated in the United Uations. The international comsunity, despite its serious andbavour, has failed to find a solution to the quartion of Palestine. The situation in the Mfddlm Kast, particularly in occupied Palestine and Arab territories, has deteriorated in recent years. Purthsr delay in resolving the issuss might bring further turmoil to the entire region - aomethisy the whole world rants to avoid xn the new matrix of hope. In the aftermath of the Gulf cririe, the Unit.& State8 undertook ssrious l ndeavoute to launch a pmace procomr in thm Middle tart on the basis of security Council rorolutione 242 (1967) and 336 (1973) and on the land--for-peace principle. The culmination of theme effort6 led to the convening of the Madrid conference on the Middle East. Bangladesh welcomes the Madrid conference which, we hope, will trigger wider coneultstions to rainforce the initiative leading to a junt and durable solution to the Palestine and Middle East problems. The peace negotiations will he difficult because the issues are undoubtedly complex. The success of the conference will require necessary politic@1 will and pragmatism by all parties, particularly Israel, which occupier Palestine and Arab territories. Bangladesh brlisves that there is 8 continuing and relevant role for the United Nation8 in the search for a just and durable peace in the Middle East. Whether or not one admits it, it is obvious that no just and lasting peace in the region can be achieved without the exercise of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination, including their right to their homeland. A comprehensive, just and durable solution to the conflict in the Middle East and to the question of Palestine cannot be achieved unleso Israel withdraws from the Palestinian territory it has occupied since 1967, including Jeruaalem, and from other occupied Arab territories on the basis of Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973) and other relevant resolutions. We regret that Israel is pursuing a policy of establishing new aettlamenta for Jewish immigrants in the occupied territories with the aim of perpetuating occupation by altering the demographic composition in the (Mr. Rebir, Bangladesh) occupiad area6. Bangladesh notes with de@?&? concern that. Israel i6 cant inuinq t.o establish 66ttlement6 in occup ion Paleat Inn. including Jeruscrlnm snd Arnh territories, derpite Security Council resolutions and in contravention of the provision6 of the Fourth Geneva Convention. Such policie6, we believe, constitute definite impediment6 to the DUCCO~IV of the peace conference. The iakifam, the Palsstlni~n uprising to end Israeli occr.rpat.ion. is continuing for a fourth year ogainat overwhe?-ning odda. Rangladesh reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the Palestinian people. We 66lUt.6 their indomitable courage and resilience. Our support for the Paleatinion cause is unwavering. The hkiffiQah ha6 testified to the rejection of the occupied status quo. Dehumaniration, detention, banishment or deaths, a6 ha6 been decisively proved by recent development6 in certain strategic part6 of the world, cannot deter resistance, including, of course, Palestinian resistance. Their cause i6 based on justice, and if such a cause 6uccnoded elsewhere, it should logically do so in the case of Palestine. Israel continues to teke even more repressive measures to quash the AfLLifaQnb - Meanwhile the situation in the occupied territories grows steadily worse, with heavy loss of human life as well as hundreds and thousands wounded or detained since the start of the movement. The Security Council has repeatedly called on Israel to abide by its obligations as a State Party to the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War. The human rights situation of the Palestinian people and other Arabs in the occupied territories has deteriorated to such an extent that this population is no reaching the stage of mere survival. In view of the gravit-y of such developments, Bangladesh calls upon the Security Council and the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to adopt measures to ensure protection of Palestinian civilians in !-he occupied territories. (Mr, Kolir, u8ll~lsdestl) The ecguisition of territory by force is impsrminnible under int.ernational law. No country may be allowed to enjoy the fruita of aqqreaaion. Israel muat withdraw from sll the territories occupied nlrrcs June 1967, in conformity with fkcurity Council resolutionr 242 (1967) and 338 (1973) and other relevant. rs~olutionft. There can be no juet and lastinq uolution t.o the question of Palsatine - the core of the Arsh-Inrseli conflict - that doea not take into account ths legitimate aspirationo of t.he psopl~ of Palestine. The intifoa& should nerve aa a signal to Israel that no people will for ever tolerate oppression in silence. WO hope that the Madrid <:onferencs, which ret in motion a process of negotiation, will result in a dursbls pence in the region and, finally, in the establishment of a homeland for the Palestinian people and, thus, will make a significant contribution to internat.ionai peace, security and harmony. MELUWU!.U_LWG (Viat Nm): The new climate in international relations haa brought about peaceful a01 ition to a number of conflicta in different parts of the world. For the pilst 44 years, however, the question of Palestine has remained unsolved. It is our hop” that the new international situation will provide a favourable climate for the achievement of a just and comprehensive settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict in the Middle East, the core of which ia the question of Palestine. The United Nations and the international community should urgently concentrate their efforts to secure a peaceful, just and comprehensive solution to the question of Palestine. The enormous suffering of the Palestinian people during the past four and a half decades must be ended. No (Mr a Ksllr, Darwladesh) Just and lartiag poaco will be l chiovod in the Middle Baat until the Pslertinlsn poop10 IWO ah10 to l rmrcimo fully their l*qltlmato national right8 - primarily the right to 8alf-detorninatioa and to a homeland. lo jurt and comprohenrive rolutlon to the pua8tion of Palortino will ba l chiwad until Israel withdraw8 from tbo Palartini8n territory, including Joru8alom. that It haa occupied rime 1967, and from the other occupimd Arab torritoriar, in conformity with Security Council rorolutionr 242 (1967) and 338 (1973) mnd the other relevant ~080 Lutionr. For the pa8t 44 yomro Imrml ham pormirtod in it8 policy of intranrigenco, thur obrtructilrq the mttsinnmnt of a poacoful, comprehonrive and durable 8olution to the conflict. It har ured all wam to maintain itm occupation of Palortinian territory, including Jeru8alm. and the other occupied Arab torritorim8 and to provent the Palmrtinian poop10 from l xerciring their inalienable rightr, including the tight to l elf-detotnination and to a homeland. It h88 rOj0Ct.d th. PalO8tiIBiUl8' p.aCO iPiti8tiVO Of December 1988 and the Unitad Iationr rarolution8 aimod l t 8dvanci~p the pace procers. It ha8 ignored all the ralwent rmrolution8 of thm Security Council and ha8 inten8ifiOd t-he 8ottlmat of J8w8 in the occupied tarritOrie8. A8 a rsrult Of I8ra.1'8 iRpa8itiQn Of he>-8h rOprO88iVO nmalurol th0 situation in the occupied Palortinian tarritorp ham deterioratad noticombly, particularly in the aftermath of the Gulf War. The inten8ification of land confiscation and of the rettlmmat policy and practice purruod by Irr8el in the Palestinian territory, including Jmru8alwn, that it her occupied rince 19br. an well a8 other hatlh mea8ure8 against Pale8tinian8 - 8uch titea8uro8 a8 deynrtnt ion, wldespresd nrreet.0, detent ion, raids ran homes and villoqss, nntl prolonged turfswn - havs cnused untold suffer inq for ? he Psleat.infrrn ysrrple.* We believe t-hat. thb General Ansemhly and the Recur lt.y Touncl I muat urycrnbly anrl firmly address the querrtions of Jewish ssttlement~ crnd the protection rind aafOt.y of Palestlnlans In the occupfed tsrr-ltorlss. ‘Thn Aonembly and the Council must do everything possible t.o monitor t.he aituntion of Palestinians under Israeli occupot.ion and to prom0t.e the adoption, by the fligh Contracting Parties to the Fourth Genqvn Convent ion, of concrete mensures aimed at ensuring that Israel, the occupying Power, will in all clrcumstancen respect the Convention in conformity with its obligation under article 1 of the Convention. In this connection, we highly commend the efforts made by the Secretary-General. by the Coxunittea on t.he Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People and by the United Nations Relief and Workn Agency in response to the appeal of the Palestinian people. The staunch and persistent struggle waged by the Palestinian pnople to secure their inalienable national rights, including the right to self-determination and the right to return to their territory and to establish an independent and sovereign State, has resulted in important developments. The Palestinian bLifa.dah - the uprising of the Palestinian people, now in its fourth year - is an expression of the determination of those people to liberate their territory and to achieve their inalienable national rights. The Governmen and the people of Viet Ham have unswervingly supported the just struggle of the Palestinian people. We greatly appreciate the * The President returned to the Chair. (Ml 1 Triuh Xusrr Lang, Viet Nam) constructive attitude demonstrated by the Palestinian leaders in agreeing to participate in the Madrid peace conference. As a peace-loving people, we have always supported fully the efforts to achieve, at an early date, a comprehensive political solution to all the problems in the Middle East - first of all. the problem of Palestine - through peaceful negotiations. In this spirit, we believe that the recent meeting in Madrid is a positive step, although many difficulties and complexities lie ahead. We are firmly of the view that a comprehensive and durable solution to the Middle East conflict must be based on the total withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Pnlastinian territory, including Jerusalem, that they have occupied since 1967, and from the other occupied Arab territories; cessation of the construction of Jewish settlements in those occupied territories: and recognition of the basic national right& of the Palestinian people. We are confident that, ultimately, the arduous and staunch struggle waged by the Palestinian people, under the leadership of the Palestine Liberation Organisation and with the support of the United Nations and of peace- and justice-loving peoples throughout the world, will be crowned with victory. (Mr. Trinb Xuan Lancr. Viet Nam) ml.- (Saudi Arable) (lntorprotation from Arabic): Intornatlonsl tiatr yravallr lo the world today. The l rtsbllahment of a rrew international order lo contributing to the remolutlon of moat lnt~rnstloaal problamm. The quomtloo of Palomtlno - the core of the Arsb-Imrael dispute lm one of the lntornatlonal problomm that met bo solved in a jumt manner in order for durable poaco to provall not only in our roglon, the Hlddlo tsat. but alma in the ontlro world. The quemtion of Pslomtlno lm a caum of right and ju~Cice in the first place. Today, wo face new raalltlem in the international urona which, we hope, will rhapo the future of the Palomtlnlan caumo. The lntornational peace conforenca ~a8 convmnmd in Madrid moma wookm ago. The Palemtlulan delegation want to that confarenco carrying ollvo branchem, declaring to the world that the Palmrtlnianm afa a poop10 that advocate and arplre to peace. Will the world now help them to achlovo tholr national lnallonablo rights? Rlncs its eatabllmhment under Gonoral Amrombly romolutlon 3376 (XXX), dated 10 Novombor 1974, the Comnlttoo on the Exorclmo of the Inalienable Rights of the Pslestlnlan Poop10 hsr made many fruitful efforts to focus the attention of the world on the Palortlnlan caufm and to urge the international conwnunlty to step up its efforts toward6 finding a just solution to that question. On this occasion, I wish to exprerm our thank6 and appreciation to the Chairman of the Committee, Ambassador Absa Dlallo, am well as to the members of the Cormnlttee for the Committoe's report to the forty-Birth session of the General Aosembly (A/46/35). The report states the Conmnlttee's belief that "with the recent manifestation of a renewed international determination to ensure equity, jus",ice and conslatency in the application of the princip3es of international law, it is of the utmost importance to intensify efforts to bring about a comprehensive, just and lasting settlemeut of the question of Palestine, the core of the Arab-Israeli conflict." (A/46/35, aara.4) In addition, the Committee reaffirmed that “Israel’s contiuued occupation of the Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, and the other occupied Arab territories and its denial of the exercise of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people in Pal55tim, including those to self-determination without 5xternal interference, to national independence and sovereignty, and to return to its homes and property, constitute tne principal obstacle to the achievem5nt of a just peace." (Ibid.. oara. 7) Moreover, the Committee strongly deplored Israel's continued reliance on military force to suppress the Palestinian uprising, the $&ifadab, and the increasing restrictions on freedom of movement and economic activity of Palestinians, which greatly jeopardirgd their livelihood. Furthermore, the Committee supported the efforts of the Secretary-General regarding the convening of a meeting of the High Contracting Parties in accordance with Security Council resolution 681 (1990). The entire world is aware of the flexibility demonstrated by the Palestinian people, reflected in the resolution of 24 September 3993 of its National Council to accept participation in the peace process that began in Madrid, which is certainly not helped by the intransigence of the Israeli Government and the successive obstacles it places on the road to a just and comprehensive solution to this tragic question. The time has come for Israel to be Put on the spot, for its c3aims to be unmasked, just as it pretends to be reaching out far paace before the international community. If Israel truly desires peace, it must put an end to its devious measures aimed at imposing the policy of fait accomdi and consecrating its policy of settler expansionism. The time has come for the international community to see the truth behind Israel's claimed desire for peace anal its position yis-h-via United Nations resolutions, which are the legitimate basis for the solution to this problem. The time has come to get away from semantic acrobatics and to show commitment to these resolutions. Moreover. Israel must realise that it cannot achieve peace while it persists in its policy of settler expansionism, which is in direct contradiction to Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973). the basis of any possible settlement. Last year’s events have tiemonstrated the intertatiozxtl cx?%%dty’s determination to support the role of the United Nations in achieving peace in different parts of the world and in applying the rules of international legality in upholding justice and guaranteeing rights. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, like all its Arab brethren, has close links with the question of Palestine and the just struggle of the Palestinian people. In the wake of the 1946 tragedy, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia participated and continues to participate with all its capabilities alongside the sons of the Palestinian people in supporting Palestinian rights and the just steadfastness of the Palestinian people inside and outside the occupied territories on all economic, social and political levels. I must reiterate the strong commitment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the need to uphold what is right and just in Palestine, under the guidance of the Guardian of the Two Holy Sites, King Fahd bin AbBulasix, who has played a (Mr. Allactanv. Saudi Aram) principal role in supporting Palestinian rights since the beginning of the practices aimed at undermining those rights. We must not forget that it was his peace initiative, which was adopted by the Arab Summit Conference in Fez, in November 1981. Now, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, together with its Arab brethren, stands in support of international efforts aimed at finding a just solution and a comprehensive peaceful settlement to the Arab-Israel conflict and guaranteeing the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. We hope that these efforts will enjoy the continuing support of the international community so that a durable peace, based on justice, in the land of Palestine may be achieved.