S/PV.2790 Security Council

I thank the representative of India for the kind words addressed to me. The next speaker is the representative of Czechoslovakia. I invite him to take a place at the Council table and to make his statement. Mr. ZAPOTOCKY (Czechoslovakia): May I first of all express to you our congratulations on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the month of February and wish you much success in this responsible post. I should also like to take this opportunity to express our appreciation to the Permanent (Mr. Zapotocky, Czechoslovakia) Representative of the United Kingdom, Sir Crispin Tickell, for his efforts in his work as the President of the Council last month. The report submitted by the Secretary-General to the Security Council in accordance with resolution 605 (1987) has again convincingly demonstrated that the situation in the occupied Arab territories has become a serious problem which must be promptly resolved by political means. The report objectively documents that physical force is being used by the Israeli armed forces against civilians in the occupied territories, that fundamental human rights are not being observed, that economic pressure is being applied against the Palestinian population and that the unbearable and humiliating situation in the refugee camps is being perpetuated. The report cites many examples of the illegal nature of Israeli policy in the occupied Arab territories which Israel has been seeking to annex definitively for more than 20 years. xt is also obvious from the report that Israeli troops, armed to the teeth with the most sophisticated combat eouipment, are not in a position, even by resorting to the most blatant terror , cruel beatings and killing, to thwart the embittered flare-up of the just anger of the Palestinian population. Therefore, it cannot be expected that it will be possible in the future to suppress the legitimate demands of the population of the occupied Arab territories through violence and deportations. On the contrary, the long-practised forceful denial of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and the blind non-recognition of the PLO as the sole, legitimate representative of the Palestinians has led to manifeStStiOnS of mass discontent, not only in the occupied territories, but even in Israel itself. Less comprehensible is the position of the Israeli Government, which rejects the relevant resolutions of the Security Council and the General Assembly and does not want to understand that a peaceful and comprehensive solution of this problem (Mr. Zapotocky, Czechoslovakia) is in the interest of Israel as much as in that of the other parties concerned. We fully agree with the'statement contained in the report of the Secretary-General that it is necessary to 'adopt additional measures aimed at ensuring the safety and Protection of the civilian population, and join 'in the conclusion that real peace and security in the.occupied Arab territories'and inthe whole Middle East region cannot be achieved without negotiatons on a comprehensive, just and iasting settlement of the Middle East situation. In this sense, we regard as fully justified the appeal to intensify efforts aimed at the convening of an, .. international conference on the Middle East as contained in the letter from the 'Chairman of the Committee on the Exe&e of the Inalienable Rights of the .Palestinian People. We regard an undelayed and concrete initiation of arrangements in the Security . Council for an international conference-on the 'Middle East, as proposed in the letter from the Soviet Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Edward Shevardnadze, to -. the Secretary-General as a realistic way out of the present extraordinarily complex and dangerous situation. We resolutely support this proposal, which is fully in, harmony with'Genera1 Assembly resolution 38/58 C, since it expresses, in the spirit '. of new thinking in the sphere of international relations, political,will to find a generally adceptable solution to this problem. We welcome the Soviet initiative to open, without deiay, consultations within the framework of the Security Council aimed at identifying an effective negotiating process directed towards the creation of indispensable conditions which would make it.posible, within a reasonable period of time, to convene the international conferetice on the'Middle East with the participation of all parties concerned, the PLO.and the permanent members of the Security Council. . . (Mr. Zapotocky, Czechoslovakia) 'ia,<.,, _ .., I-. ,. :j We,consider it necessary in the present situation to step up the Security Council's activity in order to create realistic prereuuisites for a'just solution to the auestion of Palestine. Israel's refusal of concerted united Nations efforts .." c in the form of an international conference is a blind alley from which no escape is , .', possible through armed force or separate deals - a fact confirmed uuite convincingly by.the past 20 years , as well as by recent events. Throughout the world there is an ever stronger conviction about the urgent' need for a political, all-embracing settlement of the situation in the Middle East region. We evaluate positively the fact that other international organisations are also Striving for a political solution of this problem, be it the Non-Aligned Movement, the League of Arab States or the Organization of the Islamic Conference, ,. and we,hope it will-be possible through such joint efforts to surmount'fsrael~s present unconstructive approach and thus to unblock the process of peaceful _- I ,settlement in the.Middle East. The Czechoslovak Socialist Republic fully supports the Palestinian people's The Czechoslovak Socialist Republic fully supports the Palestinian people's right to self-determination, right to self-determination, including the establishment of its own State. including the establishment of its own State. Therefore, Therefore, we will continue to extend political support to the just struggle of the we will continue to extend political support to the just struggle of the _'. _'. heroic Palestinian people, heroic Palestinian people, and we hope that this series of Security,Council and we hope that this series of Security,Council meetings will be yet ,another significant step towards the implementation of the meetings will be yet ,another significant step towards the implementation of the justified demands of the people of Palestine. justified demands of the people of Palestine. We are convinced that an effective We are convinced that an effective contribution can be made to this by the acceptance and implementation of the latest contribution can be made to this by the acceptance and implementation of the latest initiative.of .the Soviet Union aimed at seeking concrete and practical initiative.of .the Soviet Union aimed at seeking concrete and practical possibilities for resolving the situation.in the occupied Arab territories and possibilities for resolving the situation.in the occupied Arab territories and reaching an overall settlement 'in the Middle East through the collective efforts Of reaching an overall settlement 'in the Middle East through the collective efforts Of Security Council members. Security Council members. . The PRESIDENTi I thank the representative of Czechoslovakia for the kind .: _' 8. ;-, words he addressed to me. ; ,I.. Mr. Clovis Maksoud, Permanent Observer of the League of Arab States to the , United Nations, to whom the Council extended an invitation under rule 39 of its Provisional rules of procedure at its 2785th meeting, wishes to make a further statement. with the consent of the Council, I invite him to take a place at the _ Council table and to make his statement. Mr. MAKSOUD: Allow me to join in the consensus on congratulating you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for this month and in the testimonials given to your predecessor, the Ambassador of the United Kingdom. The need to address the Council once more-is necessitated by the fact that several events have developed in the intervening period when the Council resumed its meetings and today. On the ground, the resorting again to firearms by the Israeli occupation authorities has led to the martyrdom of more than three, in addition to many wounded. It means that the Israeli occupying authority persists in its acts of defiance by not responding to the international 'community in its CUStOmary contempt of the United Nations and its resolutions, Charter and conventions. It is as though Israel had no intention to comply with, to respond to, to be sensitised by or to be deferential to the international will as represented in this Council. We are faced with this obvious conclusion , especially since its methods; instead of subsiding, are intensifying. Its intention has now reached broader elements who are involved, namely, the settlers in the occupied territories who are considered "settlers" - in illegally established settlements there - but armed. They are called civilians - but they are armed, ostensibly to protect the illegal settlements. A new factor is thus being introduced , not only to the occupation (Mr. Maksoud) _. : army but also to the illegal settlers who are supposedly civilians but armed. Every day we are seeing a proliferation of means by which Israel executes its occupying authority. The other day Mr. Herzog said he was worried about the spread of Islamic fundamentalism and Khomeinism. Yesterday the Israeli army attacked the Holy Sepulchre - people in the church - so I suppose that next they will be worried about the rise of Christian fundamentalism. Parenthetically, that goes to show that the resistance of the Palestinians to occupation is not sectarian, not religiously or ethnically motivated ; it is that the Palestinians do not want but reject occupation. What they seek are their rights to self-expression and to self-determination. These are obvious elements. In Nablus today the demonstrations have intensified and,the oppressive measures have intensified. To ecuate the demonstrations by the Palestinian people with the occupying authority*s behaviour is completely mind-boggling. The demonstrators have not resorted to violence. We are told by Israelis that stone-throwing is a form of violence. Stone-throwing is a form of obstructing the occupiers from the pursuit of their occupation. Firearms, breaking bones, wounding people, entering homes at midnight, arresting persons, arresting children - that is occupation, that is violence. (Mr. Maksoud) (Mr. Maksoud) That is violence inherentin .&coercive measures that an occupying authority That is violence inherentin .&coercive measures that an occupying authority 7 7 .: .: uses. uses. Demonstrations, Demonstrations, resort to the United Nations, trying to exhaust all peaceful resort to the United Nations, trying to exhaust all peaceful means through civil disobedience '- means through civil disobedience '- those are the methods of the resistance.. As 1 those are the methods of the resistance.. As 1 said in my earlier statement, the Pakinlansq said in my earlier statement, the Palestinlansq uprising has undoubtedly opened the uprising has undoubtedly opened the '. '. eyes of the,people of the world.to the insistence of the Palestinians on Securing eyes of the,people of the world.to the insistence of the Palestinians on Securing their~rights by all.means available under'the United Nations Charter. their~rights by all.means available under'the United Nations Charter. The uprising The uprising cannot be stopped; and it' ought not to be stopped. cannot be stopped; and it' ought not to be stopped. It has restored to the., It has restored to the., Palestinians the dignity.4zha.t Israel seeks to deprive them of; it has restored to Palestinians the dignity.4zha.t Israel seeks to deprive them of; it has restored to ,' ,' the Arabs a resilience that they almost lost when resort'to the united Nations the Arabs a resilience that they almost lost when resort'to the united Nations 'nearly became an exercise in futility. .' 'nearly became an exercise in futility. .' Thatis why we come here today, Thatis why we come here today, in the light of the simultaneous developments in the light of the simultaneous developments .taking place, developments on the ground and related developments in the so-called .taking place, developments on the ground and related developments in the so-called diplomatic atmosphere. diplomatic atmosphere. We have heard in recent days about special.envoys .of the We have heard in recent days about special.envoys .of the .United States going to Jordan.- .United States going to Jordan.- Yesterday Secretary Shultz said "Neither the' Yesterday Secretary Shultz said "Neither the' international conference nor direct,negotiations-., Those are processes. What is. .; ,. :, international conference nor direct,negotiations-., Those are processes. What is. .; ,. :, '_. '_. needed.is emphasis on substance." needed.is emphasis on substance." We agree with him that whdt is necessary is to We agree with him that whdt is necessary is to ' ' : : refocus on substantive issues. refocus on substantive issues. In that respect, we have stated that a United Nationsqponsored international ' In that respect, we have stated that a United Nationsqponsored international ' .- .- conference is the mecha&m by which we cangive priority to substantive issues. conference is the mecha&m by which we cangive priority to substantive issues. That is because we do,not believe in direct negotiations as a mechanism when the That is because we do,not be&eve in direct negotiations as a mechanism when the outcome.is not clearly speit out. outcome.is not clearly speit out. To us, negotiations are a dqsirable form Of To us, negotiations are a dqsirable form Of . . I I achieving results, which must.be'ascertained and then negotiated. achieving results, which must.be'ascertained and then negotiated. To us, To us, ;' ;' . . negotiations are'not a fishing trip to discover what the outcome might be.' That is negotiations are'not a fishing trip to discover what the outcome might be.' That is '.why we.reject the-'definition of negotiations - direct negotiations, bilateral ., why we -reject the-'definition of negotiations - direct negotiations, bilateral ,. ,. -. -. negotiations - negotiations - when they are perceived as a mechanism to ascertain the Validity,Of when they are perceived as a mechanism to ascertain the Validity,Of occupation, or at least,to concede part of, the territories. occupation, or at least,to concede part of, the territories. '. '. (Mr. Maksoud) We are.aqainst neqotiations'that seek to ratify any inch of concuest - whether it is the occupation of the Golan or of East Jerusalem or the existence and proliferation of the illegal settlements. we want negotiations through the mechanism.of a United Nations international conference, because then we shall be' assu,red, that they are not a form of diktat emerging from the assymetry of the occupying Power and the occupied population. In that respect the mechanism of a united Nations international conference becomes a commitment to substantive ' results, while .the the concept of direct bilateral negotiations becomes a way of dictating the hegemony-of Israel and running away from the parameters Of a clear-cut, genuine, authentic and mutually acceptable outcome.. We find the idea of negotiating interim agreements to be a possible way Out Or ' a dangerous trap to fall into. Here again, we think that what we ought to negotiate is a credible outcome. 'For negotiations to be of consecuence they must be seen in the light of who can deliver the outcome of a negotiated settlement. Attempts to circumvent the Paiestine Liberation Organisation, .as the credible,- " ' authentic representative of the Palestinian people , attempts'to rule it out of-the negotiating ecuation, mean that there is no intention of a serious negotiating ,' process. In the annals of diplomatic history no party has determined for its adversary who should represent it: To do so would mean that the negotiating prdess was of no conseauence and .that those who negotiated were ratifying the will of the occupier. That is why we do not think that any initiative or a resumption of'the peace process should be construed as an alternative to what the United Nations, including the Security Council, is doing. The United Nations is bound to.conStrUCt a peace in the Middle East in accordance with its various resolutions. If one of.. the big Powers - the United States, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom or any (Mr. Maksoud), (Mr. Maksoud), other other - has .its own conc.epts, ideas and priorities, they can be dealt with in the - has .its own conc.epts, ideas and priorities, they can be dealt with in the context of an international conference at -that juncture. context of an international conference at -that juncture. The only State that categorically rejects the international conference is The only State that categorically rejects the international conference is . . . . . fSrae1, because it Seeks to buyt&ne through making minute responses to initiatives' . fSrae1, because it Seeks to buyt&ne through making minute responses to initiatives' 1 1 in order to derail the international community from building incrementally 'the in order to derail the international community from building incrementally 'the elements; StrUCtUreS and institutions for peace-making. elements; StrUCtUreS and institutions for peace-making. In other words, Israel In other words, Israel .-intends to paralyse the Security Council .-intends to paralyse the Security Council , as it earlier trampled on the United , as it earlier trampled on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). It should not beallowed either to It should not beallowed either to paralyse the Council or to marginalize the Council's efforts and responsibilities. paralyse the Council or to marginalize the Council's efforts and responsibilities. . . . . '. '. > > . . -. -. ' ' (Mr. Maksoud) It is-,because of.the important role'we see for the security Council, and especially its permanent members, in preparing the international conference that we find it necessary that tensions in the occupied territories be defused.with a view to reaching a substantive resolution of the conflict. But if defusing tensions in the occupied territories.is intended to dilute the resistance to Occupation So Israel can buy.more time to further its creeping annexation, and to license Israel's behaviour, it would constitute a very dangerous ecniation. We do not consider ourselves to be unrealistic. We do not want to accept a definition of pragmatism or realism as a position that accommodates Israel's .--, intransigence in one way or another. Realism is when the international community takes the law into its own hands and forces recalcitrant elements to abide by its laws and by the reouirements of international peace. It is in that sense that the events of last weekend and the attempt to find formulas outside the framework-of'the United Nations and its Security Council'led us to the conclusion that if we allow that trend to be pursued without our serious opposition we would be directly'or indirectly helping the effort to.&arginalize the Security Council. We in the Arab States reject this. We in the Arab League, through our various resolutions, have enunciated our commitment to the view that there is a need for an international conference, prepared by the permanent members' of the Security Council, and with the participation of all those directly involved. That is why,we are eager to know that the super-Powers are committed to a substantive resolution of the.conflict.. During these debates and deliberations we. have always sought to address the human problems that have arisen as a result of a,." the savagery with which Israel has exercised i& o&upation in recent years. We think that if. the Security Council addressed this inthe 'light of the report of the Secretary-General and his analysis and r&ommendations , the Council would be able . ._' (Mr. Maksoud) at a later stage to address the substantive issues and finally resolve this endemic " ,. conflict. . . . Sut if the report of the.Secretary-General and the functioning of the Security Council are threatened with paralysis, or at least with marginalisation, we wonder iii. '. how we Can any longer continue to utilize the mechanisms of the United Nations to . address the substantive issues that have agitated our'volatile region for the past 40 years. ~ It is in that respect that we feel that the Security Council is called upon . ,. now to enhance the credibility and effectiveness of the Secretary-General. We feel too that his report, in both its substantive-and its analytical portions, was a \ _' : bold effort that has uualitatively improved confidence in the mechanisms of the United Nations. We hope the mexrkers of the Security Council will realize that this is an opportune moment historically; perhaps ihe uprising has unintentionally '_ . . helped.restore to the United Nations and the Security Council their functions of / making and building peace. It iS in that spirit that we armeal.to. the members af.the Securitv Council to -a*--- -- - - ____.__ - -- redress the immediate grievances as a first step towards assuming its ultimate 1. . . responsibility tobring peace and justice to the Palestinians and to the other peoples of the Middle East. . The PRESIDENT: I thank Mr. Maksoud 'for the kind words he addressed to me. Sir Crispin TICKELL (United Kingdom): I wish you the best of good fortune as President of the Security Council, Sir, in the knowledge that you will certainiy ,need it. We have ebery confidence that you and General Walters will. 1 ., carry out Your negotiations. and responsibilities with diligence, impartiality and grace. . The oistress’of the inhabitants. of the territories occupied by Israel since, The oistress’of the inhabitants. of the territories occupied by Israel since, ’ ’ :. :. ; ; 1967 an? the status of those territories themselves have long been cue&ions of. 1967 and the status of those territories themselves have long been cue&ions of. ‘. ‘. grave concern to my Government.’ grave concern to my Government.’ We welcome the Secretary-General’s report Of 21 We welcome the Secretary-General’s report Of 21 .I .I I I January 1988, which sets c&t the, problems clearly -and ‘comprehensively, ‘and, &kk January 1988, which sets c&t the, problems clearly -and ‘comprehensively, ‘and, &kk - - / / We are most grate& to’.him; and we endorse, the’ spirit of the We are most grate& to’.him; and we endorse, the’ spirit of the . . . . . . the way forward. the way forward. .: .: ). ). -, -, ,’ ,’ ; “. ; “. repOrt’s narrative and its recommendations.;. I ‘add our thanks to Mr.;Goulding for repOrt’s narrative and its recommendations.;. I ‘add our thanks to Mr.;Goulding for ” ” ‘. ‘. ” ” his part’ in preparing. the report under conditions which were ‘far from easy. his part’ in preparing. the report under conditions which were ‘far from easy. . . . . : : In his report the’ Secretary-General describes what we ‘ourselves ‘have seen on In his report the’ Secretary-General describes what we ‘ourselves ‘have seen on .- .- : : televi&nand in the press:- televi&nand in the press:- the rejection by the Palestinians in’.the.occupied the rejection by the Palestinians in’.the.occupied .,I .,I . . ter,ritories of.20 years of Israeli occupation. ter,ritories of.20 years of Israeli occupation. We’ have also seen examples ‘of ” We’ have also seen examples ‘of ” . . conduct b$ the security forces of the occupying Power which scarcely’conform’with conduct b$ the security forces of the occupying Power which scarcely’conform’with ” ” civilieed. standards. civilieed. standards. We are reminded in most unhappy fashion of the failure of the We are reminded in most unhappy fashion of the failure of the ‘ ._‘/ ‘ ._‘/ efforts.by the international community to ‘help the parties resolve the underlying efforts.by the international community to ‘help the parties resolve the underlying L L problems bf the Middle East conflict,’ ’ problems bf the Middle East conflict,’ ’ and of the growing .costs and risks of that and of the growing .costs and risks of that _. _. failure. failure. .Few here-underestimate the complexity and intractability*of the issues. I .Few here-underestimate the complexity and intractability*of the issues. I have been struck in recent weeks by the expressions,.on tiny sides, not least in have been struck in recent weeks by the expressions,.on tiny sides, not least in ‘” ‘” Ii Ii >& .:, _, >& .:, _, -this Council, ,of a, readiness to tackle them seriously and, to.avoid acrimony and -this Council, ,of a, readiness to tackle them seriously and, to.avoid acrimony and polemics. polemics. We agree .strongly with the Secretary-General’.s appeal fir a reductionin We agree .strongly with the Secretary-General’.s appeal fir a reductionin the vitulence’of debates on the Arab-Israel conflict, and for conscious action by the virulence’of debates on the Arab-Israel conflict, and for conscious action by the international community to promote understanding. We are grateful for, the international community to promote understanding. We are grateful for, interventions by Council members in that spirit; I saw them myself throughout my interventions by Council members in that spirit; I saw them myself throughout my presidency. presidency. For ourselves,. For ourselves,. ‘our simple aim,.as friends of both Israel and the Arab ‘our simple aim,.as friends of both Israel and the Arab people, is to help find the best means of reducing tension and to promote -a just people, is to help find the best means of reducing tension and to promote -a just and, honourable settlement. and, honourable settlement. , , ., ., :- ..' (Sir Crispin Tickell, United Kingdom) ., -. Now, we share :the Secretary:General*s conclusion that short-term measures to ,- . ii enhance the safety, protection and.well-being of the Palestinian inhabitants of the . occupied territories'canbe little more than palliatives. Of course, they still : deserve our urgent'attention. The,priorities set by the Secretary-General are .sensible, and we support his main recommendations, In particular, we endorse the * " .' call for 1,srael td abide by its obligations under the Fourth Geneva Convention and .- to ensure that. its‘practices aCthe occupying Power conform to them. . There is no ., doubt that the Convention applies in full to‘the Occupied territories. We see no merit in Israeli arguments, to the contrary. As a High Contracting Party to the- ‘1 : Convention, we shall continue to do all in our power to persuade the Government of L ., Israel in this'sense. i- ,':, ,' '> In the meantime we join the Secretary-General's call for israel to take . specific measures to meet:urgent humanitarian needs. Here, I pay warm tribute to '_ the International Cominittee;cf the Red Cross (ICRC); Its work in the occupied t,, _ ,. territories remains invaluable. We'will give urgent and sympathetic consideration to any appeal for an increase in its:resources. : '. ., Z also pay tribute to the United Nations Relief and works Agency (UNRWA), . . whose achievements over decades of devoted and insufficiently recognised work the Secretary-General rightly commends. We note his,recommendation for an extension of , 's..:'.: _. the Agency's mandate and for an increase in its capacity to provide assistance to '_ r the refugee population. We look-forward to seeing ‘the Commissioner-General'6 ._. ;. :. ~ detailed Proposals.. We+.also tiote the assurances by the Government of Israel , .(. .' . recorded in the report that it will co-operate fully with'the Agency and with other : :' _'. relief agencies working with the 'Palestinians. We welcome those’ assurances. -The . .i ,,l. United Kingdom has consistently eupported UNRWA and is one-of its largest :. _.' , ,' '. contributors.' In addition to.the recently'announced increase in our contribution : .'. .' . ,. to the regular UNRWA budget we stand,ready to'consider urgently any appeal for -” ; ._. ~ .I : I . European"Community. .: .: : Those are all practical steps, and it is right for the,Secretary-General'& concentrate on them. We concur, too, in his view that.Palestinians in the occupied ., territories should be given more scope to direct'their own economic.activities. As the Secretary-General recognizes ,.many of his recommendations depend for their application upon the consent and compliance of Israel. We urge Israel 'to respond to the constructive spirit of his report. The Secretary-General's central message , echoed by many.other speakers, is that no short-term relief, no emergency protection mea&me& and no economic band-aids can make the occupation acceptable to the Palestinians in the occupied territories. We agree. .Such measures risk tackling the symptoms, not the illness itself. A real cure reauires treatment of the underlying causes of the conflict in . order to bring genuine-peace. The main elements of a solution have long been widely recognized. They are: the withdrawal of.Israel from territories occupied since 1967 and the resolution of the status of those territories; .the guaranteed right of all States in the region, including Israel, to secure existence within . T' I recognized borders and provision for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian I people, including their right to self-determination. ", Those elements provide the basis for a solution. But that solution will ‘ , ". remain beyond our grasp until the parties concerned make a conscious decision to ', prepare for negotiations in a spirit of compromise and 'by avoiding acts that make I \ Peace all the harder to'achieve. The first step, 'and perhaps the most difficult . one, involves acknowledging the legitimate interests and grievances of the other side. As the British Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary, Sir Geoffrey Howe, said in a speech in Amman in November last year, that will recuire hard decisions by all . concerned. Some cherished dreams will have to abandoned on both sides. But the alternatives - terrorist blackmail,'armed struggle, the unstable and deteriorating : . ." ,. , c status QUO - are all far worse. In Our view a real,opportunity lies in the'proposal for an international conference involving all the partiesto the conflict and the five permanent members ‘ -.of the Council, under.the auspices of the United Rations. Such ,a conference should ,. ,: act as a framework .for negotiations between the parties directly concerned. The .' more they can talk tu each ot,her directly the better. Last year much progress was : achieved by the parties towards agreement on the modalities of the conference.' That process should now be resumed , and it is .for outside countries with influence ', ,in the region to give it their full backing. ." '. We are aware.of.the important role played'by the Secretary-General and his staff in promoting the convening of such a conference ; and we are grateful for all their hard work to that end. We contributed to it in 'the past and will happily contribute again. The co-operation of th,e five permanent members, which has been . . such,a. noteworthy feature of the Gouncil's work over the tragic conflict in the Gulf over the past year, sets an encouraging example of how they can and should work closely together to resolve major cuestions of international peace and , .security. .' For 40 years we:have'seen millions of people trapped in a continuing tiragedy. .The report of our Secretary-General points towards a way out. Let us take it. The PRESIDEWT: I thank the representative of the United Kingdom for his kinds words'addressed to me and to General Waltersi It is my understanding that the Council is ready to.proceed to the vote on the draft resolution‘before it. Unless I hear any-objection I shall put the draft resolution to the vote now. There being no objection, it is so decided. authority effectively in furthering .international peace and security, with lasting / influence. The adoption of resolutiotis 242 (1967) and 338 (1973), which remain the foundation for a peaceful resolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict and the ^- '. Palestinian issue and which tire accepted by virtually all parties, were examples Of : effective intervention by the Councii; Unfortunately, the Council has been convened too many other .times , especially in recent years, to consider unhelpful initiatives concerning this conflict. (The President) today is, regrettably, such an effort; This is The draft resolution before us the fourth time the Council has met to consider the situation in the West Bank and Gaza since demonstrations and violence erupted there in December. The ' United States believes that the three resolutions adopted during this period have amply expressed the Council's views on this subject. Further resolutions at this time are, in Our view, redundant and inappropriate at best. At worst, they can detract from diplomatic efforts under way which are designed to address in a practical way the current unrest , which is a symptom of the failure to achieve a solution of the Palestinian issue and the larger goal of a just and lasting peace for all concerned. The United States will veto the draft resolution before us today because we believe it is an untimely effort to involve the Security Council on issues which are, at this time, best dealt with through diplomatic channels. Since the disturbances began my Government has been intensively engaged to encourage all those who have influence over the situation to work for the restoration of civil order in the West Bank and Gaza. This is essential for efforts to achieve a settlement to proceed. Even more important, the United States is consulting with the parties directly concerned on ways to resolve the Palestinian conflict and achieve a permanent and comprehensive peace through negotiations on the basis of resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973). Agreement on a negotiating process and the appropriate auspices for negotiations can succeed only through the consent of the parties directly concerned. It cannot be imposed upon them, even by implication, as this draft resolution attempts to do. My Government acknowledges and respects the interest of the United Nations and the Security Council in seeking a resolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict. We respect the efforts of the Secretary-General and his representative to assess the .A (The President) current situation at'the recuest of the Council, and we support the vital work which Unite8 Nations agencies perform to improve the welfare of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaxa. We disapprove, however, of the Council's effort, in this instance, to address the current unrest and Israel's response in a fruitless and redundant way and to direct a negotiating process before agreement is reached among the parties on appropriate auspices for negotiations. The authority of the Security Council on these issues should be invoked wisely and sparingly and at the _' proper time. I now resume my functions as President of the Security Council. I put to the vote the draft resolution contained in document S/19466. A vote was taken by show of hands. In favour: Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, China, France, Germany, Federal Republic of, Italy, Japan, Nepal, Senegal, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Yugoslavia, Zambia ,Against: United States of America

The result of the voting is as follows: 14 in favour, one against and no abstentions. The draft resolution has not been adopted, owing to the negative vote of a permanent member of the Security Council. I shall now call on those representatives who have asked to be allowed to make statements after the voting. Mr. BELONOGOV (Union of soviet Socialist Republics) (interpretation from Russian): Since.this is my first statement in the Council in February, and since we are at the very beginning of the month, I should like to avail myself of this-? opportunity to congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the responsible post of President of the Security Council and to express my firm conviction that the well . .will-facilitate.the effective stewardship’of the Security Council’s activities in .will-facilitate.the effective stewardship’of the Security Council’s activities in ., .3 ., .3 the month’of February. the month’of February. ‘. ‘. I I . . . . I I Of course my delegation must take into consideration both a person’s _ Of course my delegation must take into consideration both a person’s _ I ,, ,_ I ,, ,_ activities as.President of.the Security Council’and his activities in the Council activities as.President of.the Security Council’and his activities in the Council ,. ,. as head of his delegation. as head of his delegation. I feel I should.recall’ this so that all may understand I feel I should.recall’ this so that all may understand .’ .’ this statement, whidh unfortunately cannot ‘be:entirely, complimentary to the United this statement, whidh unfortunately cannot ‘be:entirely, complimentary to the United States delegation, since it has commemorated the first day of its presidency of the States delegation, since it has commemorated the first day of its presidency of the : : Security Council with a veto - Security Council with a veto - cast in isolation in spite of the unanimous views of cast in isolation in spite of the unanimous views of : : all the other members of the Council - all the other members of the Council - of a necessary and important decision the of a necessary and important decision the .’ .’ draft text of which is, it will be seen if viewed carefully and dispassionately, draft text of which is, it will be seen if viewed carefully and dispassionately, drawn up in very mild’and modest terms and is uuite effective and balanced. drawn up in very mild’and modest terms and is uuite effective and balanced. Continuing my introductory remarks, Continuing my introductory remarks, I should like to pay tribute to the I should like to pay tribute to the Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland for his Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland for his great professionalism and energetic leadership of’the Council in the month Of great professionalism and energetic leadership of’the Council in the month Of : : January. January. Sir Crispin has earned our great respect with his many admirable Sir Crispin has earned our great respect with his many admirable uualities. uualities. ‘In particular we appreciate the fact that during his presidency we we.re ‘In particular we appreciate the fact that during his presidency we we.re :, :, ., ., finally able to move towards the prompt calling to order of the Council. Of finally able to move towards the prompt calling to order of the Council. Of ,. ,. ..’ ..’ ., ; ., ; course, that was not the greatest achievement of the Council under his presidency, course, that was not the greatest achievement of the Council under his presidency, : : butit was uniuue and’therefore it is appropriate to.mention it here today and to butit was uniuue and’therefore it is appropriate to.mention it here today and to express the hope that members.of the Counc$.l will continue the tradition express the hope that members.of the Counc$.l will continue the tradition established during Sir Crispin’s presidency. established during Sir Crispin’s presidency. The Soviet delegation voted in favour ‘of the draft resolution submitted by The Soviet delegation voted in favour ‘of the draft resolution submitted by r. . r. . Algeria, Argentina, Nepal, Senegal, Yugoslavia and Zambia, first because we fully Algeria, Argentina, Nepal, Senegal, Yugoslavia and Zambia, first because we fully share the great concern expressed therein share the great concern expressed therein , concern voiced by all delegations save , concern voiced by all delegations save one or two who spoke during our discussion of the tragic situation of the one or two who spoke during ok discussion of the tragic situation of the ‘, ‘, Palestinians in’the occupied Palestinian territories. Palestinians in’the occupied Palestinian territories. . . West Bank and in the Gaza Strip. West Bank and in the Gaza Strip. The fact is that it is not a ouestion,of hqw many- The fact is that it is not a ouestion,of hqw many- -. ,_, -. ,_, meetings we devote to this ouestion and how many resolutions we have already meetings we devote to this ouestion and how many resolutions we have already adopted. adopted. Unfortunately a turn for the hetter.has not come about and if it does not Unfortunately a turn for the better.has not come about and if it does not occur in the future what moral right will the Security Council have to refrain from occur in the future what moral right will the Security Council have to refrain from exercising its responsibilities and not consider and not take the relevant. exercising its responsibilities and not consider and not take the relevant. decisions on the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories? This iS.Our decisions on the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories? This iS.Our c c obligation. obligation. This is our duty. This is our duty. We voted in favour of the draft resolution because we agree wfth.'the ideas set. We voted in favour of the draft resolution because we agree wfth.'the ideas set. forth in the report of the secretary-General (s/19433). forth in the report of the secretary-General (s/19433). We should like once-again We should like once-again to extend our gratitude to Mr. to extend our gratitude to Mr. Perez de Cuellar for his objective and Perez de Cuellar for his objective and well-documented report and for .the useful constructive ideas.and pr&tical 'views he well-documented report and for .the useful constructive ideas.and pr&tical 'views he .I .I expressed on further areas of activity for the United Nations with regard to the expressed on further areas of activity for the United Nations with regard to the occupied teriitories and for a solution to the'P&estine problem as the very occupied teriitories and for a solution to the'palestine problem as the very linchpin of the entire.Middle East settlement. linchpin of the entire.Middle East settlement. : : .( .( In this regard we attach great importance to the fact that during meetings on In this regard we attach great importance to the fact that during meetings on a discussion of the aforementioned report of the Secretary-General; a discussion of the aforementioned report & the Secretary-General; there was there was broad, clearly expressed support for the proposal to speed up practical broad, clearly expressed support for the proposal to speed up practical ,' .'. ,' .'. preparations for the convening of an international conference on the"Middle East - ~ preparations for the convening of an international conference on the"Middle East - ~ ., ., ,now universally acknowledged ,now universally acknowledged - which is, the only way we might extrfdate ourselves - which is, the only way we might extrfdate ourselves from the'explosive situation in the Middle East and the current impasse. from the'explosive situation in the Middle East and the current impasse. (Mr. -Belonogov, USSR) In this connection, I should like once again to draw the attention.of members + 1 .- .I. /J%> Of the Council to the g>reat practical significance of the proposal contained *in the , I~ letter-of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the USSR to the Secretary-General. That proposal by Mr. Shevardnadze sets fo,rth specific steps to speed up and, I. facilitate the convening of an international conference on the Middle East. We deeply regret that the United States by casting its veto for the second time in the course of two weeks has prevented the Security Council from effectively Carrying out its responsibilities , adopting draft resolutions on the important problem of Lebanon and the occupied Arah territories and living up to the expectations of the,world community. The delegation of .the USSR expresses the hope that the Security Council's inability to adopt this draft resolution because of the position of one of the permanent members of the Council will-not weaken the determination of the< * Secretary-General to continue to do his utmost, with his usualskill and i .dedication, to fulfil.the mandate entrusted to him by the security Council ,qnd the I a '. General Assemhly. ,we further hope that the Secretary-General will act vigourouslY in the,manner he himself described in his ,report to the Security Council. That report, of course, .temains in force *and retains its significance. . We also hope that the Security Council, in spite of thqcurtent setback in its ;, _, .' . work, will not only continue to,show an active interest~in the situation in the I r_ occupied Arab territories - a situation which cannot fail to arouse any rational person with feelings of indignation .- but will also find the ways and means to have an impact on this difficult situation, thus mitigating the fate of the Palestinians and bringing about a just solution to the Palestinian problem through a comprehensive settlement. We should also like to express,the.hope.that the Government of Israel will not interpret'the Council's failure to ad0pt.a resolution ‘ * - owing .to' the exercise once' ., again of 'a'veto by the United States - as.condonement of the policy being pursued by Tel Aviv in the Middle East in general , and in the occupied Arab territories in particular. world public opinion on this issue cannot be subjected to any dual interpretation. It is unanimous in condemning-this policy as pursued by the current Israeli leadership, just as it-is unanimbus'in demanding,the immediate beginning of a comprehensive settlement of 'the Arab~Israeli.conflict.~, .

I 'thank the representative of the Soviet‘union for the' kind words'he addressed to me and to General Walters in our capacity.as President A 'of the Security Council. . f call on the representative of ihe Palestine Liberation Organization. Mr. TERZI (Palestine Liberation Organization): I know ,that it is a little difficult and that there may be some conflict for the Unitcd'States to '. occupy the presidency of the'Counci1. However, we welcome you, Sir, and trust that during the month of February there will.be more positive work done in the Council. Permit mer Sir, to express our deep.'appreciation to'Sir Cfispin Tickell for his dedication'and diligence during the last two weeks; .Be has manifested a deep sense of objectivity in the discharge of the responsibilities of the Council and a commitment to the smooth running of its work; : .', i. - .' . <, ., : ; ’ ,. ,,. (Mr. Terzi, Palestine ( :, ,. a_- ,' , Liberation Organisation) ' kit .Crispin'was motivated by a desire'to'prevent the'international co%munf.ty~-s failure to promote understanding and peace. .; . . . He did not achieve all that'he'aspired to, but at least he did his best. ;: ‘... Allow me also to assure the Secretary-General of the United Nations that his ,. -report has received unanimous support, notwithstanding the veto. As we understand " ‘it, every single representative has praised the report and agreed.with the" r&commendations therein. &withstanding the Yeto, we are sure he will read that in the records of the proceedings before the vote. 1. should like to reiate a few,events,..atrocities, that have taken place @inee the Council adjourned-on Friday.. Last'night; for example, Zionist settlers and members.of the Israeli forces kidnapped four children from Deishe refugee camp; this morning 30 more were kidnapped. We are still concerned about their fate, : Today;.the:forces of occupation opened fire-on demonstrators in 6alailiYa and arrested a nine-year-old.boy named Saber Daoud Tibaoui. The’result of the onslaught against Nablus which started on Friday is 72 wounded, of. which 19 resulted from.live ammunition.' The wounded were taken .to J the Palestinian Women;s Union hospital a&there is now an appeal for more blood, more-iodine, more bandage and all the'supplies necessary to treat the wounded in the hospital; '. '. In Hebron, Jamail Ata'fsmail and Adnan Der!aoui from Ben in Nahim were taken to a hospital for treatment as a result of wounds inflicted with live ammunition. In Anata, some 20.Palestinians were‘wounded and two killed: one Mouayyad Sha&r;. 21 years, and.the other Murid Hamdallah, 1'7 years of age. Naturally, we have all witnessed what happened in Jerusalem, outside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre., We have learnt also of the attack onthe Orthodox : Church, in Beit Sahour,. next to Bethlehem. We,are apprised of ,a similar situation -, ,.' -. .. : <I' I : (Mr. Terzi, Palestine ' . . . ,: ,.,- : i I Liberation Organisation) ,., .: ..,.,.‘.., * in Ramallah, where.on Sunday the,worshippers.were molested and attacked. .But. that came intha .-wake of the attacks that started last week.against the mosaues in ', Jerusalem and elsewhere. '. '. we have heard and know that the.City of Nablus has been declared a war zone. .-. We, supposedly, know what that means: curfew was declared in Nablus for the ninth time in two weeks. * The situation in Gaza is not much different: the refugee cam+ are being __ subjected to more atrocious and brutal crimes by the forces of .o&cupation. In this' ~ context, we wish the Secretary-General to continue his efforts,to'extend the , services and activities of the United Nations Relief and WorksAgency for Palestine V Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) to those refugee camps. We have two choices, one of which is to maintain the status airo. That would mean coming here every day to the Council about more victims, more wounded and more women with forced abortion as a result of inhaling the gas. And, who knows: we. are informed that the Israeli army is dropping some sort of.green liauid that seems ._ much more lethal than tear gas. So far we have no precise information about the nature of that green liquid. Of course, we fully agree that the prestige, dignity and authority of the United Nations Security Council should be'maintained. It-was out of respect for , that dignity, prestige and authority that we came here. We came here, in the first place, to see to it that thqseourity Council is enabled to carry out the.mission entrusted to' it, namely, the maintenance,of international peace and security. ,We had hoped its members, individually and collectively, would ensure respect for the provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention. Therefdre, by coming to.the Council no one is injuring its prestige or undermining its.authority; on the.contrary, we came. here to invoke that.authority. ; ._ : : -: . :. ., -1 -. .',, (Mr. Terzi, Palestine (Mr. Terzi, Palestine Liberation Organization) Liberation Organization) The representative of the United States has told us that resolutions The representative of the United States has told us that resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973) remain the,foundation for the peaceful solution of the 242 (1967) and 338 (1973) remain the,foundation for the peaceful solution of the Arab-Israeli conflict and the cuestion of Palestine. Arab-Israeli conflict and the cuestion of Palestine. I ‘beg to disagree, because I I ‘beg to disagree, because I have read them - have read them - I think I can recite them from memory - and there is nothing in I think I can recite them from memory - and there is nothing in 'them, explicit or iplied, 'them, explicit or iplied, that addresses the Palestinian issue. If I recall that addresses the Palestinian issue. If I recall Correctly, in 1978 the United States Government stated very clearly that resolution' Correctly, in 1978 the United States Government stated very clearly that resolution' 242 (1967) did not address the political dimension of-the.Palestinian problem. 242 (1967) did not address the political dimension of-the.Palestinian problem. HOW, then, can we think that the United States now believes that resolution HOW, then, can we think that the United States now believes that resolution 242 (1967) is the foundation for a peaceful solution of the Palestinian issue? 242 (1967) is the foundation for a peaceful solution of the Palestinian issue? What is the Palestinian issue? What is the Palestinian issue? That has been made very clear to every one: That has been made very clear to every one: the Palestinians have been thrown out of their homes, denied their right to the Palestinians have been thrown out of their homes, denied their right to self-determination, denied the right to life, and now are being "transferred" from self-determination, denied the right to life, and now are being "transferred" from . . . . their homes - their homes - a euphemism for elimination. a euphemism for elimination. '. '. : : ._ ._ (Wr. Terzi, Palestine Liberation Organisation) - .I So,where do resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973) address the Palestinian issue? Then we are told that those resolutions have been accepted by virtually all the parties. I wonder who all the parties are, whether the Palestinian people ie or is not a party to the conflict. We call it the Palestinian issue, so the Palestinian people, of necessity, is a party to it. I am not aware that the 'i Palestinians have ever accepted resolutions 242 (1967) or 338 (1973). We continue to read the statements by the representative of the United States, -_ who says that three resolutions are enough. Are we negotiating on a commercial basis - three resolutions now, two later, and two vetoes to balance the balance sheet - or are we addressing live issues? There are people being killed. We are not playing a game and scoring 7-3, or whatever; we are dealing with the future of /.I_ . . .i ,_I human elements. Will the resolutions and the Council's work really detract from diplomatic efforts that are under way, so that those resolutions and that work are inappropriate? We have been hearing about diplomatic efforts since 1949. I belong to the age group that can .remember diplomatic efforts then. Where did they get us? The number of registered refugees was then 8Ou,Oou; it is now more than . 2 million. Eighty per cent of Palestine was then occupied; now it is 120 p& cent, if we include the other Arab territories. So where are those diplomatic efforts leading US? Then we are told that the United States is consulting the parties directly concerned on ways to resolve the Palestinian conflict and achieve a permanent and comprehensive peace: I wonder who the United States Government is consulting. We have been seeing people on television, even in Washington, saying that the . ..-.. (Mr. Terzi, Palestine Liberation Organization) representative of the Palestinians is the Palestine Liberation Organization. So I do not know who the, United States is consulting. More than that, if the United States is really consulting towards the attainment of a comprehensive peace, one would think that it was consulting, at least at first instance, with a party that could deliver, and to the best of our knowledge the United States is not consulting . _ _ with the Palestinian party that can deliver , and we are not aware that the consultations are taking place with other people directly responsible for the future of the Palestinian people and the Palestinian territory. _ Nobody .is seeking an.imposed solution. Attempted imposed solutions come through a method that.has failed. The military option has not been successful in imposing a solution, because of the determination of those young boys whose sacred stones have proved to be much more powerful and effective than the tanks, the green liouid that is dropped and martial law. : Of course. we all respect the interest of the United.Nations, including the Security Council. We must also respect the fact that the United Nations, including , . the Security Council, should be enabled to discharge its duties. The United States veto is making it impossible for the Security Council to do so. In the draft resolution we see nothing to prevent the international.community from saying, for example, that the Council 'Affirms the urgent need to achieve, under the auspices of the United Nations, a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the Arab/Israeli conflict, an integral part of which is the Palestinian problem". To start with, if the United States intention is to act outside the united Nations Of to prevent it from assuming its responsibilities in this case, I can understand &at. But 1. am taking a bona-fide approach, assuming that the United States (Mt. Terzi, Palestine Liberation Organization) , Government also wants to function within the United Nations system, because all its efforts,outside the United Nations system have not brought peace. I do not have to ouote one of the clearest examples of failure On that regard. Or perhaps the United States is opposed to the Council's expressing its determination to work towards the achievement of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace. I. am confused. Would the United States really say that it is against the Security Council's working towards the 'achievement of peace? The Council's authority has always been invoked wisely, but not selectively. The fact't'hat the Council has discharged its duties so correctly in the past does not really give the impression that it has been acting unwiseiy, we'are happy and grateful that the'international community, as represented by the Council, has shown, with those 14 affirmative votes, that the United States . Government has opted to single itself out and work 'against the‘peace efforts. - -_ -. The‘PRESIDEN'r: There are no further speakers for this meeting. The _~._ Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item-on the agenda. The meeting rose at 6.25 p.m. '