Sixty-fifth GA high-level debate/Palestine question – GA press release (excerpts)

Plenary

14^th & 15^th Meetings (AM & PM)

WITH UNITED NATIONS CREDIBILITY, LEADERSHIP ROLE IN JEOPARDY, WORLD LEADERS WARN

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ONLY 'RADICAL OVERHAUL' CAN BRING ORGANIZATIAON FULLY INTO TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY

Annual General Debate Continues With Calls for Security Council Reform

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Background

The General Assembly met today to continue its general debate.

Statements

PÁL SCHMITT, President of Hungary, …

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Additionally, Hungary envisaged the establishment of an independent, democratic and viable Palestinian state, living side by side in peace and security with Israel and its other neighbours, and welcomed direct talks between the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority.  …

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Cristina Fernández, President of Argentina, …

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… As for building peace and security, resumed dialogue between Israel and the Palestinian Authority was “really good news”.  During this session, she hoped to see a state of Palestine seated in the Assembly Hall.  That would contribute greatly to global peace and security.

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NICK CLEGG, Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, …

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…   The United Kingdom welcomed the United States’ efforts to revitalize the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians and was committed to helping end hostilities.  …

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MICHEL SLEIMAN, President of Lebanon, …

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Citing the important political role of the United Nations and the Organization’s resolutions concerning the Arab-Israeli conflict, he noted, however, that the Organization’s efforts had faded in the face of Israeli intransigence and inclination for expanding and adopting a settlement policy.  He explained that it would be impossible to reach a permanent solution for the Middle East unless all aspects of that conflict were justly and comprehensively addressed and unless the international community worked to ensure means for implementation.  Any solution must be based on resolutions relating to Madrid’s Terms of Reference and the Arab Peace Initiative, particularly those assuring the rejection of the Palestinian refugees’ settlement in Arab host countries, should their circumstances contradict such settlement.

He emphasized that the settlement of Palestinian refugees on Lebanon’s territories, which the country had frequently declared it would not accept, would provoke repercussions and dangers affecting security and stability.  The Palestinian refugees issue could not be solved through Israeli-Palestinian negotiations alone, in a way that disregarded Lebanon and other concerned host countries.

The responsibility for ensuring the well-being of the international community fell on all stakeholders, he continued, and added that increasing contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) budget would guarantee a decent life for the Palestinian refugees under the sovereignty of host countries.  He added that Lebanon condemned international terrorism, calling for exploring means to clearly define it and address its root causes so that it would be distinguished from legitimate foreign occupations.

While noting that Lebanon was committed to Security Council resolution 1701 (2006), he said that Israel violated Lebanese airspace, territories and waters daily, and that the Israeli spying networks’ work to destabilize his country had reached a point necessitating the international community to take a firm position to thwart Israeli aggressions and make Israel withdraw from Lebanese territories that it still occupied.  Lebanon retained its right to retrieve occupied territories by available means and asserted its right to dispose of its waters, oil and natural gas wealth in accordance with international law.  Commending the efforts of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), he also reemphasized the importance of cooperation with the Lebanese Army to ensure proper implementation of the mission.

ABDOULAYE WADE, President of Senegal, …

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…   He supported Israeli-Palestinian dialogue and reiterated support for Palestinians to achieve an independent, viable State.  …

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Dimitris Christofias, President of Cyprus, emphasized the importance of the United Nations and other multilateral organizations and expressed his hope for the creation of an independent Palestinian state, coexisting side by side with the State of Israel.  In this context, Cyprus and Greece had proposed the creation of a humanitarian sea corridor for the people of Gaza.  …

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NASSER AL-MOHAMMAD AL-AHMAD AL-SABAH, Prime Minister of Kuwait, …

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…  The Arab-Israeli conflict was considered one of the gravest threats to the region; the international community and Security Council were responsible to deal “seriously and sternly” with Israel.

NAOTO KAN, Prime Minister of Japan, …

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…  Japan was also supporting the peacebuilding efforts under way in Iraq and Afghanistan, and would continue to support the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.  He stressed the importance of United Nations reform, and reaffirmed Japan’s request to become a permanent member of the Security Council.

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JEAN ASSELBORN, Deputy Prime Minister of Luxembourg, …

He also called for a solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict based on the coexistence of two States, and hoped the resumption of talks would give birth to peace and security between Israel and its neighbours.  It would be important for both parties to show determination and courage and act only according to international law – hence the importance of ending all settlement activity.  He was heartened to see the European Union persist in its call for a prolongation of the moratorium on settlement activity beyond 26 September.  …

ROBERT MUGABE, President of Zimbabwe, …

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… Turning to several other issues, he called for an end to the United States embargo on Cuba, expressed concern over the stalemate in the Middle East peace process, and noted several reforms that were implemented by his Government, such as the Global Political Agreement.

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AHMED ABDALLAH SAMBI, President of Comoros, …

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He reiterated Comoros’ support for the efforts of the international community and United States President Barack Obama to bring peace to the Middle East, saying that Palestinians wanted to live in an independent State.  …

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VALDIS ZATLERS, President of Latvia, …

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In other regions, he said efforts in the Middle East by the diplomatic Quartet and the unity of the Arab States would be decisive in ensuring a continued peace process.  Welcoming the launch of direct talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, he urged that they be supplemented by others on the Israel-Syria and Israel-Lebanon tracks.  …

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For information media • not an official record