S/PV.2807 Security Council

I should like to inform members of the Council.that I have received letters from the -representatives of Egypt, Gabon, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Mozambique, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, the Syrian Arab Republic and Tunisia in which they request to be invited to participate in the discussion of the item on the Council's agenda. In conformity with the usual practice, I propose, with the consent of the Council, to invite those ' representatives to participate in the discussion without the right to vote, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter and rule 37 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure. There being no objection, it is so decided. At the invitation of the President, Mr. Mestiri (Tunisia) took a-place at the Council table; Mr. Badawi (Egypt), Mr. Biffot (Gabon), Mr. Salah (Jordan)# Mr. Abulhasan (Kuwait), Mr. Fakhoury (Lebanon), Mr. Bennouna (Morocco), Mr. DOS Santos (Mozambique), Mr, Shah Nawaz (Pakistan), Mr. Shihabi (Saudi Arabia), Mr. Osman (Somalia) and Mr. Al-Masri (Syrian Arab Republic) took the places reserved for them at the side of the Council Chamber.

I should like to inform the Council that I have received a letter dated 21 April 1988 from the Permanent Representative of Algeria to the United Nations, which reads as follows: "I have the honour to request that the Security Council extend an invitation to' Dr. Nasser Al-Kidwa, Alternate Permanent Observer of the Palestine Liberation Organization to the United Nations, in accordance with (The President) the Council's past practice , in connection with the Council'sconsideration of the item 'Letter dated 19 April 1988 from the Permanent Representative of Tunisia to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council'." That letter will be circulated as document S/19814. The proposal by Algeria is not made pursuant to rule 37 or rule 39 Of the provisional.rules of procedure of the Security Council, but if approved by the Council the invitation to participate in the debate would confer on the Palestine Liberation Organization the same rights of participation as those conferred on : Member States when invited to participate pursuant to rule 37. Does any member of the Council wish to speak on this proposal? '_ Mr. OHUN (United States of America): The United States has COnSiStentlY taken the position that under the provisional rules of procedure of the Security' Council the only legal basis on which the Council may grant a hearing to persons . :, .S :. speaking on behalf of non-governmental entities is rule 39. For four decades the United States has supported a generous interpretation Of rule 39 and would certainly not object had this matter been raised under that rule. We are, however, opposed to special ad hoc departures from orderly procedure. The United States consequently opposes extending to the Palestine Liberation Organisation the same rights to participate in the proceedings of the Security Council as if that organization represented a Member State of the United Nations. We certainly believe in listening to all points of view, but not if that requires violating the rules. In particular, the United States does.not agree with the recent.practice of the Security Council which appears selectively to try to , : _-- .-_ . I ‘ -c . enhance the prestige of those who wish to speak in the Council through a departure IL’ . *- from ou -~ r rules of procedure. We consider this special practice to be with&t leual :: / . foundation and to constitute an abuse of the rules. (Mr. Okun, United States) For these reasons the United States requests that the terms of the proposed ‘_ : -_ : invitation be put to the vote. Of course, the United States will vote against the proposal.

If no other member of the Council wishes to speak, I shall take it that the Council is ready to vote on the proposal by Algeria. It is so decided. A vote was taken by show of hands. In favour: Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, China, Japan, Nepal, Senegal, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Yugoslavia, Zambia Against: United States of America -Abstaining: France, Germany, Federal Republic of, 1taly;United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

The result of the voting is as follows: 10 votes in , I favour, 1 against and 4 abstentions. The proposal has therefore been adopted. ,‘, <‘, ,', ,'_ .', ", ,',' _-, _ .'_< _ .' _ --. .- .'. _ -_ -_-.. _ .-_' _-. '. 1-> .-- -_-_ I-. -_ At the invitation of the President, Mr. Al-Kidwa (Palestine Liberation ' Orqanization) took a place at the Council table.

I should like to inform members of the Council that I have received a letter dated 21 April 1988 from the Permanent Representative of Algeria to the United Nations, which reads as follows: "I have the honour to request that the Security Council extend an invitation under rule 39 of its provisional rules of procedure to His Excellency Ambassador Clovis Maksoud, Permanent Observer of the League of Arab States to the United Nations, during the Council's consideration of the item entitled 'Letter dated 19 April 1988 from the Permanent Representative of Tunisia to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security _. Council (S/19798)'." ,-. .-- . . :-,-. .,y;:- II-. _,." - , _.- .-,' ,'.-~ ;_-.' . - - (The President) That letter will be published as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/19815. If I hear no objection , I shall take it that the Council agrees to extend an invitation to His Excellency Mr. Maksoud under rule 39 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure. There being no objection, it is so decided. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. The Security Council is meeting today in response to the request contained in the letter dated 19 April 1988 from the Permanent Representative of Tunisia to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council (s/19798). _ I should like to draw the attention of members of the Council to document S/19813, which contains the text of a letter dated 20 April 1988 from the Permanent Representative of Jordan to the United Nations addressed to the secretary-General. The first speaker on my list is the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Tunisia, His Excellency Mr. Mahmoud Mestiri. I welcome His Excellency and invite him to make his statement. .' _- : Mr. MRGTIRI (Tunisia) (interpretation from Arabic): Thank you, Sir, for your words of welcome. In turn, I should like to congratulate you most warmly on your assumption of the presidency of the Council. We hold Zambia' - a worthy African country with which Tunisia shares unshakeable faith in the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter and in the charter of the Organixation of Afican Unity (OAU) - in great esteem. I am certain that under your wise leadership the Security Council will be able in an exemplary manner to fulfil its responsibilities under the Charter , primarily that of the maintenance of i : international peace and security. My country's sovereignty and territorial integrity have been violated by terrorist aggression perpetrated on 16 April 1988 at 1.30 a.m. when a group of Israelis equipped with g-millimetre Uzi sub-machine guns broke into the residence . of Mr. Khalil al-Wazir "Abu Jihad" - a member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) - situated in the northern suburbs of the Tunisian capital and shot him to death , after having killed a Tunisian citizen who worked as a gardener and two Palestinian guards. The assassination of Mr. Khalil al-Wazir was perpetrated in the most heinous manner, in the presence of his wife and children. At 1.44 a.m. the terrorists fled in two Volkswagen minibuses and a Peugeot 305 automobile, which were found some hours later on the beach at Raoued, 15 kilometres from the scene of the crime. It was later learned that these vehicles had been rented from three car rental agencies. The Tunisian Government established a committee of inquiry in order to investigate the ci:cumstances surrounding this operation. Its preliminary findings have established that at the very time when the assassination was taking place a Boeing-707 aircraft bearing Israeli insignia and the registration number 4X977 was (Mr. Mestir i, Tunis ia) flying not far. ,from’~the Tunisiancoast. It was later 1earne-d that the a ircraft, which had 611. U&F a$--arances of' a civil airliner, was actually a military aircraft’ that was provWng LogTs%ic supp.ort to a group of terrorists; it was equipped with Ultsa~aopli~~~i~~~~~~~e~~~~~onic equipmqnt whi& was able to jam the telecommunications neWork in the area of the attaok,. The ecstatic, indeed gloating, statements spontaneously made by various Israeli authorities immediately after the assassination - statements reported in the international mdia., which up until then had been neutral or more or less in favour of Israel, - are indications of the Israeli Government’s direct involvement in the execution of that odious terrorist plan. It is tru1.y regrettable and indeed ominous that the attack took place at a time when so many effcBXs were being made to resolve the problem of the Middle East, as. if someone ‘wished to scuttle them. As we all know, however, terrorist operations of this kind cannot halt the march of peoples towards liberation and emancipa ti-on. The heroic Pa1estinia.n uprising~will lead inevitably to the restoration of that people's lawful rights. . Israeli involvement in this operation, . Israeli involvement in this operation, which under international law is a which under international law is a viOlatiOn Of the. sovereignty and territorial integrity of an independent State viOlatiOn Of the. sovereignty and territorial integrity of an independent State Member of the United Nations, clearly shows, the terrarist nature of Israeli Member of the United Nations, clearly shows, the terrarist nature of Israeli practfces and Israel's defiance of the norms of international law as enshrined in practfces and Israel's defiance of the norms of international law as enshrined in the Charter. the Charter. The following evi&%We convincingly establishes the premeditated nature of The following evi&%We convincingly establishes the premeditated nature of this attack: this attack: First, the advance, Lnfiltratton of three individuals into Tunisian First, the advance, Lnfiltratton of three individuals into Tunisian territory in order to provide logistic support to the terrorist group; territory in order to provide logistic support to the terrorist group; - Secondly, the rental. of vehicles to lZraT@~ort the tWT$Zdf$~~ @IQ: GWried false identity papers; IYhirdly, the footprints that were left around tie Y~~Jc$W;~~ Four thly , the highly suspe& presencCV at the. t&me af tk& O~!SratfO?b Of an aircraft flying not far from the Tunisian C6asfr nea-r the. Een3 OF the: crXme* (Mr.‘Mestfri, Tunisia) Eifthl~, telec&mnun~~~~~.ons were: $%med~ precisely from. the beginning to the end of the. operation in Order TV co3tzea-l it. Sixth&, the Uehicle$- left bn the beach and the footprints heading towards the sea show .t%at the commandos entered! @El &ft Tunisian territory by sea. ft was reported in the- 19 April ed.i;fion of X,e ,Monde that (spoke. in French) "The operation, which took the life of Fatah's second in command, was carried-out by an Israeli unit of appro~ximately 39 men who arrived by sear 4%CcoXding to-a source close to French inteIligence. The Israeli commando unit also depat;ted by sea after having killed Abu Jihad in the Sidi Bou said Sub.~". (continaed~.in~ Arabic) It should be noted. that Le.Monde. states thosefacts unabiguously and without reservation+ Statements by Israeli leaders alsoestablish the Israeli Government’s responsibili.ty for this operation&- Commenting on 18 April about the assassination of Abu Jihad, Ariel Sharon said that he had been insisting for years on the need to liquidate what he called the "leaders of terrorist organizations". An. Israeli military. leader, Mt. Rafael Eitan, said on Isr,aeli armed forces radio that Abu Jihad.was.one-of the four main targets of the Israeli intelligence services and that he had to be cut down. The international -dia. and experts on terrorism - including Israeli experts .- are unanimous in nofbng thatthe operation to assassinate Khalil al-Wazir was identical to anearlier operation carried out by Israel against another Palestinian leader, 8ut the Israeli aothor4rie& have somewhat sheepishly attempted to deny ais; only tlKhC+ Who.are bIased. in favour of Israel can believe them. Israel understands the seriousv&w the international, @mmtmity taken ofthis attack. IMr. Mesti’rt-5, Tunisia). This presumptuous act follows previousaCts,, and Tunisia, an openr. bosp:itable ~. and peaceful country, has once again been, the target of the State3terro:E@m consistently practised by Israel with cynicism and arrogance,. , We have heard news from a variety. of &3urces, bncludingc international Ipress-. agencies, well known for their seriousness, and. Impartiality4 ,and wery close, to Israeli agencies. That news establishes in the c-lea&t way that this operz&ion was prepared and carried out by'fsrael. Israel was in fact its architect: Its style is easily recognized. : We would further cite reports from Aqence.Ftance: Presse , from, @xh ~er$od&als as Le Monde and Time magazine and from the-British 8roadcastin~~:l~~~_r.at~o~~. Those are credible sources, well respected internatft$nally:. They all say; that Xsraelf sources close to military circles suppliedzthem with their informEit%Xj&~ -- I also call attention to the fact that Mr. Bhamfr, Head'of, the Israeli Government, congratulated the terrorists on the success of their op?rat;io_n+ In a statement on 17 April, Mr, Ezer Weizman, gsraeli Government Minister and member-of the Council of Ministers, criticized the assassination of Abudihad in the strongest terms: That constitutes further proof of what took plac-e, 'La-erg tell us that a confession-is the best proof. Le Monde reporters. in Israel say that they obtained informatson indicating. that the, elimination of AbuJihad was a, joint operation by the fsr?eU intell&genCe service, Mossad, and the Israeli army, in ImplementatSon of a decision by the- Istaeli,Government itself. Other well-informed sources have stated'that the decision’was taken by the fsraeli Council of Min.isters; and enda.~~sd,.by,Pz?r~s;~and weizman, although those reports have yet to be amfiirmed, DO we not have sufficient evidence‘ to incximSn!Fite Israel ins the carrying out of this terrorist operation? Statements and re8ctionsby Rxae-lt4&aders give US e.nQUqh. to-go o&they are tantamount to.a confession, (Mr. Mestiri, Tunisia) *.. In these circumstances, blindness and great favouritism &uld be needed to awuit Israel; we hope that u%ll not happen, and that Israel ~111 not be given the green-light to continue it.8 State terro&m and.unjustified acts of aggression. On the basis of all I have said, the Tunisian Government reuuested the ., Security Council to consider the situation created by this new deliberate attack on Tunisia's territorial integrity, secutity and sovereignty, and invited it to condemn fsraeli terror-i.& forcefully to prevent the repetition of such acts on (Mr. Mestir& Tunisia-) The Tunisian Government would also like to emphasize the fact that this is not the first time that Tunisia tias been the target of terrorist acts perpetrated by Israel, acts which portend other attacks unless the Count-il takes ‘practical end Serious measures to counter Israeli terrorism. Tunisia, which .is mobilizing all its forces to consolidate democlracy and the rule of law, as well as fundamenta‘l freedoms for individuals and groups;wishes to turn its.energies to pursuing its economic well-being. we thereforecondemn terrorism,in all its forms, regardless of who Commits it f not only-because we are its victim but also because the opposition of terrorism is one of the pillars of civilized and humanitarian principles. That position is shared by. al3 peace-loving countries and by all countries that have engaged to respect international law* whether written or customary. In the light of its international responsibilities and moral authority, the Security Council is in duty bound to condemn the political assass5nat$on and' State terrorism practised by Israei , as well as Israelus violation 6f the saters$.gnty and territorial integrity of my country. The PRESIDENTS I thank the Minister for Foreign Affa$rs of Tun$s-ia for his kind words addressed to me. The next speaker is the representative of the Palestine Liberation. Organization, upon whom I now call. Mr. AL-KIDWA (Palestine Liberation Otganization (PL01) (interpretation from Ar%bir!) t Allow me at tie outset to congratulate your sir, upan. your . aSSumptio_r! of the presidency of, the Security Council for the month; Of April, We are conf'ident.that your outSt%nding qualities will c-ontribute: to ~erCounc4&'s work in the present difficult circumstances, We %re also pleased that you represent a friendly African nation whose President , a prominent African le%#er, iS a friend to, ourpeople and to all peaples. Struggling, for free-do& In thfS connecstbon., I Should (Mr. ,Al-Kidwa, Palestine I Liberation ‘Orgdn$zat~on~ also like to pay a tr.$bute-- to the Permanent Pepresentat5v.e of YugOs&ivia for the excellent and positive mann-or In which he led the Council’s proceedings last month. The Security Council is meeting once again to examine a serious, criminal act having a. direct bear&q upon the Middle East crisis and serious implications for the situation in that entire area , as well as for peace. and’ secur.ity in the _ Mediterranean region as a whole. It is, of, course, no surprise that the perpetra-tor o-f this crime is the same culprit that has committed a great many similar crimes, contrary to all norms of international law and. civiiized b~ehav46ur. For the second time in less than three years Israel has carried out an attack upon and committed an act of agcjtession agaLnst the swereignty and territorial integrity of a State Member of the United Nations. With naval and air 1OgiSt~i.C support Israel Bispatched a special commando unit to fraternal Tunisia with the a.im of unleashing yet another criminal act on Tunisian.terri-tory in flagrant violation of international law and. the provisions of the United Nations Charter, as weli as. the norms of civil.ized. conduct among States. As everyone here is aware, in the early hours of Saturday, 16 April, a special commando unit attacked the residence of Mr. Khalil al-Wazir, “Abu Jihad”, Deputy Commander-in-Chief ofthe Pa1estinia.n forces and member of the Executive Committea of the Palestine Liberation- 0rgqnLqation (P&01., situated in Sidi Bou Said, in the northern suburbs of Tunis. The comndo un4t first assassinated three persons: a Tunisian citizen and two Palestinians serving as guardsi Chemembers of the commando unit then br-utally assassinated Abu Jihad,- pumping-more than 70 bullets into his body, in the presence of his wife and young. daughter. Another of his children, two years old, was also in the house. Paving committed their crfme; the members of the commando left the scene, leaving three rented~oe3icles beliind them onthe beam at Ra’Oued. (Mr. Al-KPdwa, Palest-ine Libera ti~onQrgafiiza tiOn) -_ _. That is the: horrible 6cenar io. It reminds. us of the crimes commrtted by tne professional criminals in Beirut, Lebanon , when in 1973 a spe-cis*sz IsraelF u~nit assassinated three leaders of the Palestine Liberation Organization, who had‘ no chance to defend themselves.. It also reminds us of the criminal Israeli air caid on Hasimam-Plage in the suburbs of Tunis in 1985 , a.. raid that left tens. of. dead Palest‘inians. and Tun9sians. At that time, the Council adopted resolut.ion 5.73 (1985), in which it vigorously condemned the act of armed aggression perpetrated. by Israel and demanded that Israel refrain from perpetrating such acts: of aggression in the future. (Mr. Al-Kidwa ,. Palestine (Mr. Al-Kidwa ,. Palestine Libera tfon Organ,iza tion) Libera tfon Organ,iia tion) It i;s, now obvious: that, &ii;. this regard, es in all others, Israel has, no respect It i;s, now obvious: that, &ii;. this regard, es in all others, Israel has, no respect for the resolut$ons ofthe Security council., for the resolut$ons ofthe Security council., The Palest5n-e Lib’eration Organization tak-es this opportunity to make the The Palest5n-e Liberation Organization tak-es this opportunity to make the f oll,oHrig f oll,oHrig points l points l First, we stress the responsibiZ&ity. of the Israeli Government at the highest First, we stress the responsibiZ&ity. of the Israeli Government at the highest level for this. barbaric act. level for this. barbaric act. We do not need to gSve a13: the details of. that We do not need to gSve a13: the details of. that responsibility here and now, because we are convinced that the. whole world responsibility here end now, because we are convinced that the. whole world understands the facts.. The Foreign Minister of Tunis&a has given adequate details-. UnderStandS the facts.. The Foreign Minister of Tunis&a has given adequate details-. Al.1 those who try: to find excuses for themselves and for Israel should check Al.1 those who Yy: to find excuses for themselves and for Israel Should check the logs of. their naval fleets operating in the area and the images obtained by the logs of. their naval fleets operating in the area and the images obtained by their satellites and their special equipment. their satellites and the+ir speciah equipment. Theyshould els-o check the various Theyshould els-o check t&e various media reports, such, asthe reports. on NBC, media reports, such, asthe reports. on NBC, in Time magazine and in the Washington in Time magazine and in the Washington POSt, clearly $uotingl Israeli military sources and categorically proving fsrael*s Post, clearly $uotingl Israeli military sources and categorically proving fSr+3el*s respons$bility for the: act. respons$bility for the: act. It iS tegrettable~ that SOI@ civil-ized nations do not $how ‘anger over the It iS tegrettable~ that SOI@ civil-ized nations do not $how ‘anger over the - - pOSitiOn C%f. SOme 5sraeli officialsr who try to exploit‘that dirty operation in pOSitiOn C%f. SOme 5sraeli officialsr who try to exploit‘that dirty operation in Order to enhance their Standing-domestically, while tr-y&ig, to shift th-e Order to enhance their Standing-domestically, while tr-y&ig, to shift th-e international, respons@sility for it. international, respons@sility for it. Xn that connection, we cannot faP1 to mention In that connection, we cannot faP1 to mention the responsibility ofthe- United States, the responsibility ofthe- United States, if .only because of its speciaf if .only because of its speciaf / / rela tionsh,ip with Israel and its hi”ghtechnical capsb5l$tics, which enable the rela tionsh,ip with Israel and its hi”ghtechnical capsb5l$tics, which enable the uIl$‘tedE States t0 know in advance. of such op&at$ons and to influence them. Even ,if uIl$‘tedE States t0 know in advance. of such op&at$ons and to influence them. Even ,if it is now an established fact that the it is now an established fact that the / / we had a d%ferent work3ng assumpt%on, we had a d%ferent work3ng assumpt%on, biased On-Red Ststesposition, when it comes to, Israel's illegitzmate actions has biased On-Red Ststesposition, when it comes to, Israel's illegitzmate actions has been andcontinues to be a deterrent to the implementation bf international law and been andcontinues to be a deterrent to the implementation bf international law and the internat%Onal mechanisms of the, United Nations, the internat%Onal mechanisms of the, United Nations, thus opening the way for Isreel thus opening the way for Isreel to. car@@ @any: more @$@lar acts* to. car@@ @any: more @$@lar acts* The moSb rec.ent example of’ such bias. was, klie. Ke5OXutibn put beforethe Coun~i.1 after ?&reel’s: &$ortationto L@anon-. of eight Palestin&an! civilians: from the Occupied Pa~lestinian territories* XTns &%a~ cantravent$on of Security Council resolutions 607 [a98’S) and 60% a5@8Jz, let al-one: the Fourth. Geneva Convention. Co.nSis tent with. $$a-t depoita tSonpoX%yzV %.k5rael expelled-. elqht more Palestin%Ws last Tuesday,, Secondly , what happened. was undoubtedly an a-:_t: of Sta te~spcZW$or.edi &rrWism~ Which C&~L&CW a firm position by:- -the. Securfty doun-c$l, in our v&w,; & wasone of: the gravest forms. of terrorism, be-cause:- of. the; useofsophisticate-d tex6iTaloqical cquip@ent, thus makbnq. its consequences nw>re seoious. W& cannW5 Knde.mtan-d or accept the doub1.e s.tandard,of soar!: c.i‘reles on the @%l+QiiorkanO question Of internat&Wkl terrorism. I.?2 is, completely illoqica2~ for. coufltr gezg: that cnthusizisticall~ opposf3 international ferrorigm,‘tB %Zil& ‘diCfer@nt ~ga~~Tt$NW whenisi COmeS to &r,tain terrorist acts carried out by some of their, all$es; We-. %%iterete: our conviction that fail$nqto give. duel attention. to suchterrorist aCts-~31% lead to rtl9re se-r ious. actions. in our mo*rn world,. including. the crea tfon of: e state-. of chaos in W.er.na t$onarl. rela tSonS. (Mr l . Al-Kidwa, Palestine Liberation Organisation) Thlr$l;y, this Wrael~i @cf of terrorism. will undoubtedly have serious consequences in the: immediate future for the situation in the occupied territories and in the Middle Ust in general, It will also have a very negative impact on the endeavours to achieve a just and lasting peace in the region. We cannot imagine any party making ende-avburs for peace without directly participating in efforts tomitigate the CGnSw~UenceS of what happened and to punish those responsible. At least the parties concerned need to gain the minimum credibility. The martyr Abu ?&had was a genuine top leader of our- @‘a-lestinian people. Although he was a milStaty official, his great role cannot be minimized. He was one of those who fashioned the modern history’of our people. He was one of the pioneers responsible for creating a new political vision and hope for the future, and for imfiuing a generation ,of Palestinians with the ‘hope that they win attiin their human r%ghts as individuals and their political rights as a people. (Mr. Al+&Wj -Palestine, Liberation-O~~ganiiBtion') .' Abu Jihad is to 'me, as well as to all the Palestinian people, an inspiring leader who'will continue to inspire us on the path towards theatuinment of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people including be right to re~turn to its homeland% the right to self-determination and 'the right to establish its independent state. By dssassinating Abu Jihad Israel tried to deal a.mortal blow 'to the Palestinians, especially those in the occupied Palestinian territories, in the hope of thwarting the national uprising. This is emphas.ized by the, fsraeli occupation authorities' sharp escalation of criminal acts against the Palestfnians in the occupied territories. Those acts include8 all forms of oppression and torture that have been condemned by the international community. Let no one think,- 6.Wever, that those repressive measures will ever succeed in erasing the Identity of a people; they will instead rsinforce the Palestinian people's resolve to achieve its legitimate national rights. Before concluding f must place on record the position of the Palestinian people toward sisterly Tunisia, towards the great Tunisian people and. towards the Tunisian Oovertint. We highly regara the position of Tunisia and the &WrifiC%?S it has made for the Palestinian cause.. The Palestinian people wig1 remain grateful to Tunisia and we shall always commemorate the comingled Palestin"fan and-Tunisian bloodshed in the cause of national pride and dignity, The PRESIDRNT: I thank the representative of the Palestine Lib-er8tion Organizatfon for the kind words addressed to me. The next speaker is the representative of the Syrian Arab Republic. I invite I him to take a seat St the Council'table grid to make,his statement?, me- A1-MASXTl @y%Pan Arab Repub1j.c) (interpretation from Arabic): I shall be mak;ir@: tiS:s, $Utament in my. capacity a:$ Cha itman of he Arab Group for this month. I &pleased,. si&- to tell you how gra.X%fied the Arab Group and my delegation are at seeing you pr@Sding. ovex the.. SewrLty Council ‘s delib&a tions this month. we are fully CCnfidefi~f t]laP y.our exper i-ence. and wisdom will:‘ indeed. be the best guarantee for the success. of the Couri~il~~s work this. month,, We are all. the more satisfied by your pr,esidency,. Sir, because of th.e common struggle which unites our peoples against the r.abid racist tdgimes .in South Afrzica and occupied Palestine. GY I take this opportunity to express to the. Permanent Pepresentativ.e of Yugoslau,ial ,t-¶r~,. Oragoslav Pejic, our appreciation for his efforts to promote the. role Of the Security: Council in dealing with the important issues before it during his presxdenq last month. We. congratulate him for the excellent mann.er in which he. presided over the Counc.il’s deliberations and for the successes he .achieved. The Security Counc?Z convenes today to consider one of the gravest challenges faced by the international community to date, theassass ination of the great Palestinian leader, pha1.U al-Waz ir, “Abu Jihad”, inhis home in the capital of Tunisia, Tunis, by m@i@ers of the Israeli Mossad. The Security Coun~i.1 has just heard theimportant statement made by the Minister for Foreign. Affairs. of Tunis.ia., Mt. Mohammed Mestir& which leaves no room for doubt that that, terrorist act o-f &sass+ation was planned and undertaken by members of the Israeliintelligence servicer the Mossad, after approval by the Israeli Council of Min%ters* That was clearly mentioned and. pointed to in press reports and press analyses ftom occupied Palestine. It was an. act that violated Tunisfals sovereignty, terri~toorial integrity and inviolability. It wfll be recalled th& Israelpenpetraea. an #ct of aggre3%%%o~:.ag~fnSt Tunisiajs sovereignty, security. and territorial in.te.grity tn. Ccfobelc $>85*- when. six Israelis military a ircraft bofrbed the. locality of Por;SiCedriar q~.lfid_? @:!!im@m--Plagel a. small town situated in the southern SuburW cf: Tunis, an atQ.c)s. res:ulWig. in many losses 6f. li-fe and. property-,. The S&curity Councffq hi: resolufibrc 533: @9851;, conde-mned that act cf armedssggression Gerpetrsted,by Israel aga..fnst Tunisian land in clear violation of, the Charter and the rulss~ of. international law and behav$.ixir. It called upon I$rael to @-refrain from perpetrating such a&s of apgressiori or f&n the threa-t to do SO*S In a flagrant defiance of the Council and it$ resolution, IsTZ@ perp#katedJa new act of, aggression. against Tunisia: this time, ifs victimswere. khe mPl;i+ant Abu JOhad 4nd.a number of. his assistants. This proves to the wof;r‘dyet @jX$n that Israel persists with impunity in ita outlaw behaviour and its t>rrSr$st acts., both inside and ‘outside the occupied territories and aga,inst. the so$?ere$Fty endterritorial integrity of other SWtes; Abu Jihad~alweys fought to Uberate his national soil from, %:i.on;ist #%XuWion and to restore the national ri,ghts o.f his Arab Palestinian &ople, SCgOmng~ to. intern,atfonal law, ‘the Charter: of the UnitediNa-Hans and the $Wino@‘es of fuatice of civ,il-ized society.. His assass.ination ‘k&s more than an act of State. terrorism: it was a flagrant, premeditated violation of, TWisiaJs aovereign3y: and tertitoria-1 integr”ity ., (Mr. Al-Masri, Syrian (Mr. Al-Masri, Syrian Arab Repulqljc) Arab Republic) The. upr@zing of the Plle:stinian Arab people in the face of Zionist violence The. upr@zing of the Plle:stinian Arab people in the face of Zionist violence aimed at their very LWes, property, dignity and everything they hold sacred aimed at their very l%V-es, property+ dignity and everything they hold sacred deServe;s. the support of. the international community represented in this Council, SO deServe;s. the support of. the international community represented in this COUnCil, SO that that ‘people. may: indeed enjoy its inalienable national rights r including the that that ‘people. may indeed enjoy its inalienable national rights r including the trfght to return. to itshomeland and its right to self-determination and the trfght to return. to itshomeland and its right to self-determination and the esm.blishment of, its own. independent State on its national soil, which cannot be eSm.blishment of, its own. independent State on its national soil, which cannot be negotia-ted. negotia-ted. I I Our people in the occupied Arab territories will maintain their struggle to Our people in the occupied Arab territories will maintain their struggle to liberate the& terc%torSes from Israeli occupation. liberate the& terc%torSes from Israeli occupation. As they have always shown the As they have always shown the world,: they are ready to make sacrifices, regardless of the cost. world,: they are ready to make sacrifices, regardless of the cost. The, The, gssassination of individuals, gssassination of individuals, the slaying of children and women., the breaking of the slaying of children and women., the breaking of bones,r the acts of torture, the d.e.molition of homes a& the dispersal of their bones,r the acts of torture, the d.e.molition of homes a& the dispersal of their Nabit-arits#. and. the, beating. of women in the streets and even in their own homes by inhabit-en,ts#. and the, beating. of women in the streets and even in their own homes by the XsraeW txxifpa tLon forces the XsraeW txxifpa tLon QC*-s , as well as Israel’s escalation of its barbaric , as well as Israel’s escalation of its barbaric oppressive and Fdsci,st @acti-ces oppressive and Fdsci,st @acti-ces , which are unprecedented in the history of Fascist , which are unprecedented in the history of Fascist racist r&imes except perhaps in the case of South Africa, cannot put down our racist r&imes except perhaps in the case of South Africa, cannot put down our people.‘S struggle to- P:ibera3$e their land from Israeli occupation. people.‘S struggle to- P:ibera3$e their land from Israeli occupation. The 6eoUrity Counc& which is today considering m.nisia’s complaint against The 6eoUrity Counc& which is today considering m.nisia’s complaint against ISr3eli aggr$$sicn on ii& land and sovereignty and against the assassination of the Isr3eli aggr$$sicn on ii& land and sovereignty and against the assassination of the grsa.t PalestMian leader Abu Jihad, OS called upon to shoulde~r its grsa.t PalestMian leader Abu Jihad, OS called upon to shoulde~r its tespons-ib.ilities. tespons-ib.ilities. It is. called upon to play an effective role in the maintenance It is. called upon to play an effective role in the maintenance of interna’t$onalpeace and rsecurity of interna’t$onalpeace and rsecurity , a role which haas been paralysed owing to the , a role which haas been paralysed owing to the re-peated ab,use of the: eQ@tof ve-to, re-peated ab,use of the: eQ@tof ve-to, It is called qon to condemn that Israeli act It is called qon to condemn that Israeli act Of. aggression against and violation of Tunisia *s swereignty and territorial Of. aggression against and violation of Tunisia *s swereignty and territorial integr$ty; and the assa$s$nation of Ehalil al-Wazir “Ab.U Jihad”. integr$ty; and the assa$s$nation of Ehalil al-Wazir “Ab.U Jihad”. The PREfDfiJTr I tliank the representative of the syx.6g.y~ P;_~B;&~uIJ~$~ The PREfDfiJTr I tliank the representative of the syx.6g.y~ p;_~b;&~u&ggg for his kind words addressed to:@. for his kind words addressed to:@. The next speaker is the representgtiue of Jordan* The next speaker is the representgtiue of Jordan* 5: invfte 63rrim~take: a- 5: invfte 63rrim~take: aplace at the Council tab-le and to make his st;atement* place at the Council tab-le and to make his st;atement* . . Mt.. SALAH [Jordan) {interpretation from Arabic) t I should like to say at Mt.. SALAH [Jordan) {interpretation from Arabic) t I should like to say at the OUtSet 4hat t am hap5. to speak for the States metiers of the Organization of the OUtSet 4hat 1 am hap5. to speak for the States metiers of the Organization Of the fslamic Conference, which have authorized me to make this statement on their the fslamic Conference, which have authorized me to make this statement on their behalf. behalf. I should like to congr,atulate you, I should like to congr,atulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Council for this. month. of the Council for this. month. We are convinced that, thanks to your personal and We are convinced that, thanks to your personal and professional qualities, your .grea t diplomatic skill and wide experience, the professional qualities, your .grea t diplomatic skill and wide experience, the Council will be able, to. discharge its duties in an exemplary manner. I should also Council will be able, to. discharge its duties in an exemplary manner. I should also like to thank and congratulate your predecessor, like to thank and congratulate your predecessor, the Permanent Representative of the Permanent Representative of Yugoslavia, Mr. Dragoslav Pejic, on his skdlful and highly objective conduct Of the Yugoslavia, Mr. Dregoslav Pejic, on his skdlful and highly objective conduct Of the business of the Council last month. business of the Council last month. The Security Council is meeting to&y to consideL the complaint submitted by The Security Council is meeting to&y to consideL the complaint submitted by Tunisia on the act of aggression to which it fell victim. Tunisia on the act of aggression to which it fell victim. At dawn last Saturday, At dawn last Saturday, 16 April, an Israeli. unit, numbering approximately- 30, by air and sea violated the 16 April, an Israeli. unit, numbering approximately- 30, by air and sea violated the sovereigntyand territorial integrity of Tunisia sovereigntyand territorial integrity of TmiSia , sssassinating the number two , sssassinating the number two leader of, the’ revolut$onary forces of Palestine, the late Rhalil al-Wazir, in leader of, the’ revolut$onary forces of Palestine, the late Rhalil al-Wazir, in flagrant violation of the United Wations Charter and the principles Of flagrant violation of the United Wations Charter and the principles Of international law. international law. From document SJ19798, dated 3.9 April 1988, which contains the complaint of From document SJ19798, dated 3.9 April 1988, which contains the complaint of Tunisia, it is quite clear that Israel is responsible for this dastardly Tunisia, it is quite clear that Israel is responsible for this dastardly assassinat$on. assassinat$on. A nuitJjer of highly placed Israeli leaders and ‘some of the Israeli A nuitJjer of highly placed Israeli leaders and ‘some of the Israeli media have also established’Israel*s responsibility. A large number of Israeli media have also established’Israel*s responsibility. A large number of Israeli personalities personalities - particularly fsrseli extremists - ,have welcomed this crime. - particularly fsrseli extremists - ,have welcomed this crime. X should like to quote sorrwi excerpts from a lengthy article which appeared on X should like to quote sorrwi excerpts from a lengthy article which appeared on the front page of the latest edition of the Washington Post, on Thursday the front page of the latest edition of the Washington Post, on Thursday 21 April 1388. concerning an inquiry on this subject, under the byline df 21 April 1388. concerning an inquiry on this subject, under the byline df Glenn Frankel,. Glenn Frankel,. I should’liketo draw the attention of members of the Council to I should’liketo draw the attention of members of the Council to (Mr. Sa lah ; jordan) this very important inquiry which was. conductedin the Holy City af. $:eru$.ajem.. The extracts 1 am about to quote from this lengthy article establish. quite clearly the responsibility of the Israeli Government for the violation of, Tunisian sovereignty and the premeditated plan that gave rise to the assassination of @@l,ilal+qasir in Tunisia. (spoke Zn English) a . . . the assassination was approved by Israel’s pal-icy-making inner cabinet, according to informed sources here . . . (In 3erusalem) aThe operation was planned and carried out.by a combined team from the Mossad spy agency, the Army, -Navy and Air Force, but the. act-us1 -assassination early SatUrf%y IIiOrning in- Tunis was c&S&d out by a speciag Army. comndo unit known. in Hebrew as the Sayeret Ma tkal , sources said. The name translates. as ‘teconnaisance party of the general staff’. "The raid was overseen by several senior military commanders in. 8, specially equipped Boeing 707 who were in constant ra’dio contact 40th the squad on the ground. “The lo-me’nS>er inner cabinet discussed. the assassination ti~i-*y before approving it . . . No formal vote was taken at the’second, se$.sion, but the only dissenting voice was that of Ezer .~eizman Ce. *,Foreign Minister Shimon Peres, who taised objections, et theprevious session, was silent at the Wednesday,meeting . . . Education @¶$nister Yitzhak Navon, who also had objected to the plan, was overseas and d-id not attend ..‘. ‘3 (Mr. Salah, Jordan) @Such an operation ,. wrote Yoel Marcus, columnist for the Hebrew Daily Haaretz, ‘is good for our egos , but doesn’t deal with the serious problems facing our country’. Israel, he warned, is reverting to ‘the same methods and tools that were appropriate 20, 30, 40 years ago. . . . ‘At best, these critics contend, the assassination will be a serious short-term blow to the already fragile Middle East peace process . . . "Fc?r. several days,. fsraells official silence enforced by military censorship, was effective in concealing the Governmant’s role; even though the laodus operandi clearly was Uraeli . . . ‘Even P-rime Minister Yitzhak ‘Shamir . . . has not been .able to restrain himself from br-oad hints. At a memorial ceremony for Israeli war dead last nPght, Shamir, said, ‘Let’s hope that our enemies will realize and understand that fsrael knows how to wage war , and that all those who hurt’ us will be hurt man%~old’ . cI “Three of’ the Army’s top commanders have experience ~5th raids such as the one. against Wazir. The chief of staff, General Dan Shomron,” - the present chief of staff - “led the raid on the Entebbe, Dganda, airport in 1976 .‘. His Deputy, Maj. Gen. Shud Barak led a 30-member commando squad that killed three major PLO leaders and dozens of Palestinian guerrillas in Beirut in 1973. The commander of that operation, General Amnon Shahak, is now head of military intelligence. ~halysts say the assassination especially fits the strategic thinking of Barak, e commander whofavours swift, limited strikes over grand-scale opera t-io.ns l . . “Wh&le the raiders were approaching their target, a Boeing 707 -equipped like an Ametican a-itborne warning and control system aircraft, with (Mr. .SaIah',,_poil:Ba-n) (Mr. .SaIah',,_poil:Ba-n) -. -~. ,-_ -. -~. ,-_ sophisticated electronic gear sophisticated electronic gear , was flying over the @iediterr@nga:n: $x&6utsi:de , was flying over the @iediterr@nga:n: $x&6utsi:de Tunisian air space. Tunisian air space. The Plane was used not only tojam telqjhoae The Plane was used not only tojam telqjhoae communications around Wazir's home, as Tunisian investigators have &-asged, communications around Wazir's home, as Tunisian investigators have &-asged, but also to monitor and co-ordinate the entire opera,tfoni* but also to monitor and co-ordinate the entire opera,tfoni* (contanued in Arabic) (contanued in Arabic) This Israeli attitude comes as no surprise to us, This Israeli attitude comes as no surprise to us, We are.. raised. gQ‘- it:. We are.. raised. gQ‘- it:. T-his T-his attack reminds 'us of a similar attack. to which Tunisia fell vfct&~.o.n attack reminds 'us of a similar attack. to which Tunisia fell vfct&~.o.n 1 October 198% the Israeli air attack on the Hammam Plage regf-ori, 8' s~u.aern 1 October 198% the Israeli air attack on the Hammam Plage regf-ori, 8' s~u.aern suburb of Tunis, suburb of Tunis, in order to destroy the headguarlers of. the Palestine: t@era,tion in order to destroy the headguarlers of. the Palestine: t@era,tion Organization. Organization. At that time the Security Council adopted resolutgon $73 fag851 in At that time the Security Council adopted resolution $33 fa985) in which it demanded that Israel refrain from perpetrating sucha.cts.~5oE @q~ression an-d, which it demanded that Israel refrain from perpetrating sucha.cts.~5oE @q~ression an-d, urged States Members of the United Uations to take mea-sures to dissuade Isreel from urged States Members of the United Uations to take mea-sures to dissuade Isreel from resortgng to Such acts, resortgng to Such acts, (Mr. Salah, Jordan) This l$Oest a-ct of @ggtession reminds us, of another Israeli actc Xn 1973 a gtbup Of Isrself commandos assassinated in identical circumstances three PLO leaders in E@iruty flagrantly violating Lebanese sovereignty and territorial integrity . The list of Israel’s crimes is a very long one, beginning with the Deir Yassin and other massacres perktrated by the leaders of the Zionist organizations that founded Israel; given fB?ael*s expansionist and .aggressive iature, that list will certa-h&y not close with this attack against Tunisia and the assassination of Bali1 al-3a 2 ir . This case reminds us also of Israel’s 19.81 aerfal aggression against Iraq and its destruction of the peaceful nuclear reactor , of Israeli aggression -against the territorial integrity of Lebanon, mu* of whose territory has been under occupy tion, indiuafng its capital, Be irut. The southern Part of Lebanon, the so-called, security zone, is oooupied’by Israel to this day. We recall also last February% assassination qf three PLO leaders in- Cyprus and the ~explosion, also in Cyprus, of’ theship cartying Palestinian returnees. Any observer o-f the Esraeli leadership can discern in these examples a’ precise concept of fsraeli semr-lty: that Israel alone determines what it believes to be a threat to its securtty, then acts on this as it sees fit, irrespective- 0.f international law and practice. With respect to secure borders, Israel ar~rogates unto iYselftie. r-ig%ts ifwould deny athers: ,rt is ironical that Israel demands 6ecure 8ordezs #iile Sta-tes riear fsrael’s border-s are subject to attack. fsrael continues to~sccupy Arab lands and act under arbitrary laws against the legitimate owners of those lands. It ejects them; it attacks States that offer them hospitali.ty., it carries out military operations of sabotage and reprisal - all under the cover of seUXi&fence, We could expect worse catastrophes were all States to adopt the same notion of security. These misguided notions of security and selfidefence. pose B @rez& not only to- These misguided notions of security and selfidefence. pose B @rez& not only toneighbouring States but sls6 to the entire world;, they wdgld ntakq+ $$a: e:n.t$.ge, Persil@ neighbouring States but sls6 to the entire world;, they wdgld ntakq+ $$a: e:n.t$.ge, Persil@ the preserve of Israel. the preserve of Israel. I-sraeli acts carried out on the basis- 06 fkirjse ncMc>ns I-sraeli acts carried out on the basis- 06 fkirjse ncMc>ns COnbZtWene the. pr inciples of’ international law and the norms of State. r;icjn~duct$ they. COntieVene the. pr inciples of’ international law and the norms of: State. r;icjn~duct$ they. violate @he. fundamental principles on the basis of. which the UniW3 @at~O!W Was violate @he. fundamental principles on the basis of. which the Uni~~ti~t!k-t~OnS Was establfshed and which govern. relations among Sta,&s, establfshed and which govern. relations among Sta,&s, first and: fcmkcst: tie first and: fore&.st: the principle of the non-use or threat of use of force against the territorial: principle of the non-use or threat of use of force against the territorial: integrity or polit3lcal independence of other States, as set out. in:. arX$cl~e 2, (45 of inWrit!! or polit3lcal independence of other States, as set out. in:. arX$cl~e 2, (45 of the Charter; the principle of the sovereign equality of St,a tes the Charter; the principle of the sovereign equality of St,a tes , , and: the. prAnCipleand: the. prAnCipleof the right of peoples to self.+etermination. of the right of peoples to self.+etermination. Israel’s violation of these and other priilc~iples of internat$ona, leg- &er @e Israel’s violation of these and other priilc~iples of internat$ona, leg- &er @e past 40 years is the true reason fof the tens&n end instability 2.1)~ @.&e+-: @-:&dl:e past 40 years is the true reason fof the tens&n end instability 2.1)~ @.&e+-: @-:&dl:e East, which ha-s been unable to lead a normal exis:tence guaranfee’inq~ ~~ed~:~:~ East, which ha-s been unable to lead a normal exis:tence guaranfee’inq~ ~~ed~:~:~ tranquillity, prosperity and progress for all the. peoples of the r@j~on.~ tranquillity, prosperity and progress for all the. peoples of the r@$on.~ The Israeli aggression now before the Council, which resulted id& the, murderof The Israeli aggression now before the Council, which resulted id& the, murderof a principal leader of the PLO, a principal leader of the PLO, is but one entry in the long Ust 0-f @.r%~elY is but one entry in the long Ust 0-f @.r%~elY Cepea tedattacksagainst the Pales tinian people 9 both within the.. occupied Arab Cepea tedattacksagainst the Pales tinian people 9 both within the.. occupied Arab territories and outside them. territories and outside them. rsrael attemptsto portray these. &ta&sa @s 6” e%i&e rsrael attemptsto portray these. &ta&sa @s 6” e%i&e reaction to. the Palestinian, people% struggle. and resistance, wh&h; Waelreaction to. the Palestinian, people% struggle. and resistance, wh&h; Waelcharacterises as “terrorismn. characterises as “terrorismn. But: the truth isvery different, But: the truth isvery different, The Palestinian struggle, &s. in. response-. to., The Palestinian struggle, &s. in. response-. to., the acts of aggression to which Palestinians have been victim.both on tie% own the acts of aggression to which Palestinians have been victim.both on tie% own lands bnd in exile, The, resSs.tance is intended only to realize. @ie. natXonal> lands bnd in exile, The, resSs.tance is intended only to realize. @ie. natXonal> asp&a tions. of, thi Pa.lestin$gns: asp&a tions. of, thi Pa.lestin$gns: to p%it an end to. 6ccupationl. to) achieve to p%it an end to. 6ccupationl. to) achieve self~eterminafiob. and to lead, a normal, stable. life as enjoyed’ bj,. a%17 the: *ther self~eterminafiob. and to lead, a normal, stable. life as Mjoyed’ bj,. a%17 the: *ther peoples of the world... peoples of the world... (Mr *. Salah, Jordan) (Mr *. Salah, Jordan) Israel always blames the, Palestinians for terrorist acts in the Middle East, Israel always blames the, Palestinians for terrorist acts in the Middle East, but it is in fact Israel that orchestrates them. but it is in fact Israel that orchestrates them. Such acts, preceded the founding Such acts, preceded the founding of Israel and have continued since of Israel and have continued since f they have becomeofficial policy. f they have becomeofficial policy. I have not I have not the time to go into all the acts of terrorism of which the Palesinians have been the time to go into all the acts of terrorism of which the Palesinians have been victim at the hands of Zionist organizations in Palestine before and Since the victim at the hands of Zionist organizations in Palestine before and Since the founding of Israel. founding of Israel. Israel thinks that by liquidating a principal lea.der of the PLO it can put an Israel thinks that by liquidating a principal lea.der of the PLO it can put an end to the popular uprising in the West Bank and Gaza and sha+f%er the resolve Of end to the popular uprising in the West Bank and Gaza and sha+f%er the resolve Of that valiant, fighting. people. that valiant, fighting. people. But Israel has made a great mistake: But Israel has made a great mistake: In fact, the In fact, the Palestinian struggle is not a struggle of individuals, but rather the struggle Of a Palestinian struggle is not a struggle of individuals, but rather the struggle Of a people, a people that isdetermined to pursue its struggle to regain its national people, a people that isdetermined to pursue its struggle to regain its national rights ena freedoms, a people that has faith in its cause. rights ena freedoms, a people that has faith in its cause. The Palestinian people The Palestinian people has not met the expectations of Israel: has not met the expectations of Israel: Dozens mOre martyrs have fallen, for Dozens mOre martyrs have fallen, for Palestine is dear to the hearts’of its inhabitants; it is sacred to all the world% Palestine is dear to the hearts’of its inhabitants; it is sacred to all the world% MUS 1 $ms . MUS 1 $ms . We offer our sincerest condolences to the PLG and the Palestinian people for We offer our sincerest condolences to the PLG and the Palestinian people for . . I I the great lo.% Suffered inthe assassination of Khalil al-Wazir, and we express our the great lo.% Suffered inthe assassination of Khalil al-Wazir, and we express our solidarity with the Palestinian people. solidarity with the Palestinian people. ; ; We further State our full sol’idarity with the Governent and the people of We further State our full soS.idarity with the Governent and the people of Tunis ia. Tunis ia. Because of its devotion. to the principles of international law, Tunisia Because of its devotion. to the principles of international law, Tunisia occupies an important place on the international scene. occupies an important place on the international scene. Tunisia has offered its Tunisia has offered its hospitality to PalesUntans in this third exodus3 it has always Supported their hospitality to PalesUntans in this third exodus3 it has always Supported their leg:%tima.te Struggle for dignity and freedom. leg:%tima.te Struggle for dignity and freedom. Tunis ia is well knwn for its policy Tunis ia is well knwn for its policy of modera-tlon, open-mindedness; friendship and cordiality. of modera-tlon, open-mindedness; friendship and cordiality. (Mt. Salah,,~Jor.xIan) We reiterate that the Israeli attack against Tunisian sovereignty. and: .territorial integrity is a crime that must certaAniy be punished.+ Fo_r aat reascn. we call upon the Security Council to adopt a resolution reaffirmbgits r-essluticn 573 (1985) and compelling fsrael to respect its international cb.%igaticns in. keeping with the principles of the Charter ; and in particular Ar#icXe 2 c4b ' We also call upcn the Secretary-General, His Excellency W, Javier Pgrez de Cuellar, to keep this matter under review and report to the Councfl cn any-new infOrmatiOn and on progress made in the implementation of the resolution, (Mr, Salah, Jordan) i We would also like to takethis opportunity to thank the Secretary-General for I his statement expressing his great concern at the attack by Israel. Tunisia has I submitted a complaint to the Security Council, thereby demonstrating its confidence ' in the CouncS'l and: in it's abllrty to punish the aggressor and force it to respect the prlnc1ples ofint:ernationallaw upon which the Organization is based.' If that is not done Israel will. continue to. use force as an instrument to achieve its ambitions for terrorial expansion and to practise it in the occupied Arab territories ~nd‘throughout the Mi-adle East. The PRESXbENT;. r‘ thank the representative of Jordan for his kind words addressed: to me. F. B-C (Prance) (interpretation from French): If the situation were: not so tragic for TunSSia, I would say to His Excellency Mr. Mahmoud Mestiri, the Tunisian Ministerfor Foreign Affairs, how pleased we are to see him again. Things being as they: are.,. however, I should like to express to him, on my own behalf and cn~@%aX~cf~rriy en'tire delegation , our respect and our friendship for him perspgrlty @id, for his Country. Warm condemns all. acts of violence,'which are obstacles to the easing of tensions, to dialogue and to the establishment of peace in the Middle East. All Of UShere are committed to the quest for a just and lasting *ace that can ensure the SeCUrity of all States of the region and justice for all peoples. ~ndWldUally or collect$velyl we have all Undertaken a determined effort to achieve such a settsement. France, for its part, has continuously advocated dlialogue and it tirelessly-repeats that peace snd security require mutual recognition, which will pave the waytowards negotiatid;ns. The assassination of one of the main Palestinian leaders constitutes a flagrant'and brutal biwto the goal shared by the international community as a Wh~oler namely* the establ%shment of peace based on the principles of law and (pr. Blanc,.Przince) justice and through the concerted actions of all the parties cona-@fi& We cannot bit condemn such an act. At the same time that act constitutes a new and intolerable &ta& against Tunisian sovereignty. In these trying times we wish to express our. entire. sympathy, and solidarity to that friendly State , with which France ma&tainsj expecia:lQ: close: relations. Tunisia symbolises a tradition of hospitality deeply. rooted in. the. hear-t.. of: the Arab nation. Given the wisdom of its policy and the soundness.: oL; &s: decisions, that country , under the distinguished leadership of Pre~sident: @en Ali, is an ideal place for meetings, for exchanges of views and for dialoqu-e, frti. canwe fail to feel Outrage, at any act that is aimed at negating. the values embodied by. Tunisia and at undermining the friendship an-d respect it enjoys in the: international ds>mmun.ity? fb CCmcil mst express in the strongest possible terms the b-n$e~,a.tiona~l community Is condemnation of that attack. The Council mu~st. teaff-irm: it& ces-@X. for the dignity. with which the Tunisian Government is shouldering i.ts responsib$l$ties at this difficult time. The United Nations must assure Tunisia of. i:ts:. gympathy, and. active solidar iti. Sir Crispin TICKELL (United Kingdom): We are new happity QamilSar w&h youl Sir, as President, but I convey my best wishes to you all. the same$. in. the knowledge that you do not really need them. We also convey our thanks. to your predecessorfor his exceptional management of the Council at an. arduous, t-Her We also welcome the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Tunisia 1 aho. returns as an! old friend on a iad andr I am afraid, bitter occasion. The murder of Rha1i.I al-wazir, a leading member of the Palestine ~ibet;@~io.n Organizqtion, in Tun1.s bil 16 April. was a senseless, act. of terror-is& @a do-not (Sir Crispin Tickell, United kir@ornJ @V~YI witi certainty &ho was. responsible, nor whether a Govefhmeit dir&ted the \ riarrderers. We condemn terrorism in all its for’ms. But support or sponsorship of murder by Governmen-ts is doubly repugnant:- it is a betrayal of the natural expectation of the international commurS’ity that Governments will uphold the rule of law. The General Assembly in resalutiotls 40/61 of 1985 and 42/159 of 1987 unequivocally condemned as criminal alli acts, methods and practices of terrorism whatever and by whomever committed, including those which jeopardize friendly relations. among Wa teeand their secur.lt~., Murder of a.- political adversary fndicates a r-efusal to listen to his; arguments an:d:meet~ them in kind. It means a rejection of the G Processes by which the problems of Pa-lestine must eventually be resolved if a still .. greatertragedy is to be averted. The Council, in its knowledge of the background to this incident, is all toofamiliar with the consequences of policies which support & ,condone terroz-Lsm. Tn 0ct:ober 1985’the Palestine Liberation Organization in Tunisia wasthe target Of ah attZ@k which constituted a grave affront to Tunisian sovereignty. Then,. Ez% nW, the GbvetnMnt and the people of Tunisia deserve the sympathy of the. internationalcommunity for an outrage committed on Tunisian soil. Tunisia has an honourable history of $articipation .in United Nations peace-keeping and of contzibutions .t.o the work ofthe Council. Tunisia has been generous in its hospital3tg t;o victiiirs of other carif icts. It deserves better than repeated assaul@ upon its secu.rLty-, -. : ~. W delegation wishes. to express itssympathy to the family of malil al-wazir, paH%!.!lar$$ his wife and daughter, who suffered the horsor of wltsiessinq the : : -. mur-der. Wi! KMb:- cypress bW gympa thy to the Palestinian people for their loss. Our conds>len~e.s. qa equally to the famil-ies of the three others who were murdered in t&e attack, i The PRRSIDENT: I thank, the’ representative of the UnSted. Kingd-om. forhS.3 kind wor-ds and best wishes addressed to me. Mr. Sm (Senegal). (interpretation from French) : Fir&,- STr,. f wish to convey to you my delegation’s congratulations cn your assumption- Of the presSdencY of the Security Council. Your mandate gives us in Senegal reason: f.or hop& s.ince your great country+ Zambia, has presided with great devotion -an.!% CoSn~t~nci? OVC% the affairs of the Organization ‘of African Unity (OAW). We are oonvinced.. that Under your competent, dynamic leadership the Council will successfUIIy dibcUsS the burning issues before it- . Allow me also to pay tribute to the energetic, exemplary and wise way in which your .prsdecessor, Ambassador Pe jic of Yugoslavia , ccnducted the Counc%lqS.: business during a particularly busy period, My ctxlntry was shocked. and indignant to learn of the latest 6ct of aggression against a frien-dly, peaceful, country@ Tunisia. Once again there has been,. a fligrant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity- @f a: c0Urif3~ memb:rX of the United Nations. That a.ct is indefensgble in interna tiona$ fW, ,f$Y. Wllntry expresses its solidarity with the. Tunisian people, and we take th.fs @$5or.tunfty tb express our great concern. that there should be no similar violatfons Of. runis#an territory in the future. The violation of Tunisian territorial integr.ity resulted in the: a$sass-ination ‘. . . of @QC.* Rhal-il al-Wazir, a highly placed leader of the Palestine- ZiiberaXiotl . . OrganiZa ticn Cti) + Nis agsassination has beqn condemned by #$w h?l~Qik international community. The presence amongst us Ijf His Excellency Mt. Mahmoud Ah@d.: t4es.t$ri,Ki the Fbreign Affairs Minister of Tunisia , claar1.y reflec.ts the concern, GC ule Ti;in5sS@Q auth0ritie.s over this twofold actt the violation of a: State9 tett.i%srfaL in te gritty and tart or ism. (Mr. Satr6, Senegal) (Mr. Satr6, Senegal) Eie3:~X~ for the’. fer~~tor~fal~ integr$ty of States isa guiding principle of the Eie3:~X~ for the’. fer~~tor~fal~ integr$ty of States isa guiding principle of the UnZ@dXEE$ons C.hart?Tr. an& the General Asseely Z’n its relevant resolutions has U~$@&@E$WI~ C.hart?Tr. an& the General Asseely Z’n its relevant resolutions has ~tegO~&C~lTQ~ cmilelmied~ tenmrls~. ~tegO~&C~lTQ~ cmilelmied~ tenmrls~. . . The?E LS- Bo.~n?edL $3 &scribe egaf_n the facts givgng rise to this meeting, The?E LS- BO.~n?edL $3 &scribe egaf_n the facts givgng rise to this meeting, Nor Nor &iXIX f’ 9’is; $nto tie evJd&nce d.$re-ctXy implicating Drael. &ia%& f’ 9’is; fnto tie evJd&nce d.$re-ctXy implicating Drael. Other speakers have Other speakers have already done- $0 aloqqen.tl.y enda.uthOritatively. already done- $0 aloqqen.tl.y enda.uthOritatively. I shall simply mention the I shall simply mention the f OLSowSo1g~ f OLSowSo1g~ fa cts W fa cts W There $S- Wnclus-lve WOrma-tion showing that there is no shadow of a doubt, There $S. CZOnclUs-lve in%Orma-tion shawing that there is no shadow of a doubt, e&tier amongsl~ #4?Ws CW !&rzIel9s, that Israel deliberately violated Tun-isia’s e&tier amongsl~ #4?Ws CW !&rzIel9s, that Israel deliberately violated Tun-isia’s tert3tat iaX integrityend. srrvereignty . tert3tat iaX integrityend. srrvereignty . SeC0ndlY~ the Scale Of the means used and the Consunrnate professionalismof SeC0ndlY~ the Scale Of the means used and the Consunrnate professionalismof the per-Btrri?EC exclrJ@s the possibility of a group of individuals acting in an the per-Btrri?EC exclrJ@s the possibility of a group of individuals acting in an isola-tea W~zq, isola-tea W~zq, Those facts are of greatconcern. to my Government, because of their Those facts are of. grea:tconcern. to my Government, because of their cOns:e4intnCes= for the Cre.@&flity Of a nuder Of principles On which the. present cOns:e4intnCes= for the Cre.@&flity of a nuder Of principles on which the. present l l iDMxiatSosw~ Order fb. eased. iDMxiatSosw~ Order fb. eased. W Wgard Ehe: mtw3er Ox’** KhaHl a1iWazi.r as a definite act of terrorism. W regard Ehe: mtw3er Ox’** KhaHl a1iWazi.r as a definite act of terrorism. The. &CA that $4~ nas sp-“nsOred by B- State Metier of Our dqanization end. carried The. &CA that $4~ nas sp-“nsOred by B- State Metier of Our dqanization and. carried Out On th_e terr$fOry~ Of’ #iother gives-the si-fuation a peculiar character of its own, Out On th_e terr$fOry~ Of’ #iother gives-the si-fuation a peculiar character of its own, *if-e internat~On!al. ter;lcor?&m is 5n and of itse3f a scourge that must be *if-e internat~On!al. ter;lcor?&m is 5n and of itse3f a scourge that must be 6~-&2@dtc ?%T3te,+%$onsor~~d,~ tertorlsm !@ the most dangetOus form for the stability of 6~-&2@dtc ?%T3te,+%$onsor~:d,; tertorlsm 3i‘s the most dangetOus form for the stability of C~lations 6e:tWeen Gtatesand’ the @WTtenance Of international peace and security. C~lations 6e:tWeen Gtatesand’ the @WTtenance Of international peace and security. (M~,,..~rXe’~,~5&WjSl~ ~. _ _ ._.. principles defined by the Security’ Council in its-. resolutions. S?& 1(%!@5> and@ 579 (1985) and by the General Assembly in its.. r.es.olutions 4O//.bl $Y@ Qr&c@jer, 193% and 42j159 of 7 December 1987. My country.‘s respect for the human per son draws its strength, fr@m.; tie. bu~.nf$X: traditdons of Senegalese society and. the fundamental prbv-isions Ef@ our Constitution, which prov.ides , among other things,*. that thehu~mn:; @er.$oh. &s sacr,ed and the State has the duty to respect and protect it. That is why, @:.. ~a-l%$%Sr b; murder cannot fail to arouse our condemnation. We also fully condemn the flagrant violation of the. tertitor:$Zilintegrity. b’n&. independence df Tunisia, a fr-iendly country and a. Member of the: Un,ited: WZ~ti0n.s~: well known for its devotion to peace and co-opera-tion between. nbX:forE% The, infiltration of commandos fro@ fsrael and the car%y~$ng out of: mur3$&? C$n:T~$n3sQrr~ soil viola.te all the tules of international law andthe spirif aed., l~-~~~ OX* tkie. Charter of our Organization., c Senegal wishes once ag+s~n to express to the delegation of !&inSs:@,. $3je CyiiiPafhy and solidarity of the. fraternal people of Senegal at this di,ffi@!E l%Qe,,. We alSo w%h, to convey our condolences to the Pale.stine Liberation Qrg~n~zat~.Qn,. the. bereaved family of Mr. al-WazSr and the fam%&iet: of the other: OiX%%@% Before I conclude 1 should like to say a. few u0rd.s ahout rjh‘a3 @3$@. $3 in;+!: %@ ‘. . . be the source of all these tragic even-ts -. @IS? sgtgg.U&n in. @e $!Q@le- Fast3 T&C ‘. . . ‘. ‘. f. violation of Tunis-La”s terrlt0.r Sal integrity and:: sayergQ-ityj end! the ~s-s3~%%$~ntitXQn ‘. 7. r. i. of a highly placeh Palestl;nian. Leader ‘are brutal reminders 0-f tI;re !hKK,eraX4ve &YX% :. : : . to find a just and -lasting soluti.on to &he $sra-el$t;Arab. cM$&& a;% fiN% m-re: 0~5 ; I, which is the question of Palaat-bne.. @hlie we. leek. 3~ politi.c?CX; @olu%%?n. ? 1. 1 ! guaranteeing the Palestinians the exercise af the@ iwfUen-i@i;e~: g&$%g. S?j. self.-determination and the Crzza tion of a State, ana, guaranteeSn,g;. @I?& al& b& e (Mr. Sar rt$, Senegal) and recognized borders, it States of the region may live in peace within secure will be difficult to halt the cycle of violence that for more than 40 years has sown death and disarray in that part of the world. The cause of peace is not served by the assassination of political leaders, deportations, collective punishments and the muzzling of the press to meet the needs of repression. Such acts simply postpone the reaching of a peaceful settlement and cast doubt on the ability of the United Nations to find just and lasting solutions to conflicts that are a con'stant threat.to international peace and security, Senegal continues to believe in the possibility of a political solution to the Middle East conflict. Such a-solution should be sought within the framework of the international peace conference on the Middle Fast, as laid down in many General Assembly resolutions. As in the past, my country will continue to make its modest contribution to efforts to find a just and lasting solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict. _’

I thank the representative of Senegal for his kind words addressed to me. Mr. DJOFJDI (Algeria) (interpretation from French): First, Sir, on behalf of the Algerian delegation and on my own behalf I wish to express a warm welcome to our brother His Excellency Mr. Mahmoud Mestiri, Foreign Minister of Tunisia. His presence here and his detailed statement-to the Council point to the extreme seriousness of the events that have just occurred in his country. I need not emphasize the strong bonds of friendship and solidarity that join our two countries in our search for a oommon future. That means that everything affecting Tunisia's sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence is of direct concern to Algeria and becomes a matter of prime importance in our policy. '. (Mr. Djoudi, Algeria) On the night of 1546 April, using the most sophisticated means in its war machine and obviously with traditional accomplices without whom such an operation would have been inconceivable, the Zionist secret service violated the sovereignty and integrity of Tunisia, entered the domicile of a Palestinian leader, killed the guards who were protecting him and murdered him with unprecedented savagery. Having been bombed on 1 October 1985 by the,Israeli air force, Tunisia, a brother country and neighbour, is thus once again the victim of aggression which, . while underscoring the nature and seriousness of the‘violation of internationa.1 law that it represents, earns its perpetrator the international community's firmest condemnation. There can be no doubt that it is the Zionist leaders who bear direct responsibility for this crime. One need not merely wonder who benefits from the crime in order to identify its perpetrator: In this case the criminal - assured, today as yesterday, o f impunity by virtue of the indulgence heaped upon it even in this Council - did not take any precautions and even went so far as to acknwledge with consummate cyncism and arrogance the existence of an assassination plan which had long been in the making. In cold-bloodedly murdering Abu Jihad, a pillar of the Palestinian resistance, the mere mention of whose name, evokes continuity in the national liberation struggle and the inevitability of its victory, the Zionist leaders obviously wished to demolish the symbol and example which he represented. They also wanted to quash the popular uprising which has oontinued in the occupied-Arab territories for four months nw with daily deaths3 wounded and imprisoned as well as expulsions. ,By this odious assassination, the Israeli leaders have simply revealed-to the world their extreme disarray in the face of the resolve and heroism o'f'mere . . (Mr. Djoudi, Algeria) adolescents armed only with their faith and who, day after day, tirelessly proclaim their rejection of occupation and, with their stones, the national reality of a Palestinian people convinced of the rightness of its cause and determined to See it triumph. In an orgy of frenzied abandon the occupy'ing Pcrwer has spewed all its spite, hatred and rage in an attempt to repress a popular uprising that cannot'be stopped. The Zionists may have been able to eliminate the fighter, but not the symbol. -The children of Abu Jihad, witnesses to his murder, are the same age as Y, _ _-: their brothers fighting in the occupied territories. The legacy of Abu Jihad is that young Palestinians today have taken up the cudgels for their people's, irresistable national aspirations. It has long been established that the.Zionist r&gime, far from abiding by international law, systematically ignores and violates that.law, placing itself above UnWersally accepted standards - encouraged, as it is, by the impunity,it enjoys, to pile one fait accompli upon another. For several decades the Israeli leaders have been resorting to a special kind of morality in carrying out their aggressive ideology of domination and conquest. A symptom of that ideology, the terrorist operation against Abu Jihad is a flagrant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Tunisia, a hospitable, fraternal country in solidarity with us and with all peoples fighting for full recognition of their rights. This act of aggression also reveals that the Zionist leaders have chosen the Maghreb as a natural extension of the Middle East in which to express their policy of power politics. Thus the Middle East conflict threatens the very gates of Europe, which has been secure for many years but is now suddenly vulnerable. (Mr. Djoudi, Algeria) Thus also, the Zionist re'gime shows its similarity to the power of apartheid, which a few days ago , with comparable premeditation , murdered freedom fighters in Gaborone and in Paris. Once again, the Security Council must face its responsibilities. under the Charter. Will it continue to permit 'a regime which ignores universally accepted standards to continue to violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States, to assassinate men, women and ch,ildren in cold blood, to resort to the most abject forms of intimidation and terror? The Council must today condemn, in the strongest terms, the Zionist tdgime's violation of.Tunisia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Equalay, it mus.t condemn the odious murder of a Palestinian leader in Tunis. Lastly, it must call upon the Zionist re'gime to respect the fundamental rights and freedoms of Palestinian citizens and to cease resorting to violence against them;

I thank the representative of Algeria for the kCnd words he addressed to me. .'_ In view of the lateness of the hour, I intend ncnv to adjourn themeeting, The ,'. .', , next meeting of the Security Council lto continue the consideratton-of the ftem.on : the agenda will take place tomorrow, Friday, 22 April 1988; promptly at 10.30 a,m, The meeting rose at l.25 p-m.