Peacekeeping – Fourth Cttee debate – Summary record

Special Political and Decolonization Committee

(Fourth Committee)

Summary record of the 13th meeting

Held at Headquarters, New York, on Monday, 21 October 2002, at 3 p.m. 

Chairman:   Mr. Maitland ……………………………………..  (South Africa)

Contents

Agenda item 78: Comprehensive review of the whole question of peacekeeping operations in all their aspects (continued)

The meeting was called to order at 3 p.m.

Agenda item 78: Comprehensive review of the whole question of peacekeeping operations in all their aspects (continued)

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31.   Mr. Assaf (Lebanon) said that further measures should be taken to improve peacekeeping operations, especially with regard to rapid deployment, ensuring the security of air and sea transport, improving relations between Headquarters and field missions, and coordination between the Organization and troop-contributing countries. Peacekeeping operations should be based on the consent of the parties, impartiality and respect for sovereignty.

32.   The first United Nations peacekeeping operation, the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization, had been unable to achieve its mission because Israel did not want peace. Israel had waged a number of wars and occupied Arab lands, including southern Lebanon in 1978; the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) had been established following that incursion. Lebanon regarded UNIFIL as a partner in the liberation of its land from Israeli occupation. UNIFIL had undergone a structural reform at a time when it had still to achieve an important mission in order to reach comprehensive and global peace in the region. Any change in the mandate or size of UNIFIL must be approved by his Government.

33.   The situation in the occupied Palestinian territories was a threat to international peace and security. Israel was still committing all kinds of aggression against the Palestinian people. He called upon the international community to put pressure on Israel to accept the deployment of an international peacekeeping force that would restore peace and security in the region in accordance with the relevant provisions of international law. 

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The meeting rose at 6 p.m. 

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