Arab States extraordinary summit conference – Final communiqué – Letter from Morocco

Note verbal dated 9 August 1985 from the Permanent

Mission of Morocco to the United Nations addressed to

the Secretary-General

The Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Morocco to the United Nations presents its compliments to the Secretary-General of the United Nations and has the honor to transmit to him herewith the text of the Final Communiqué of the Extraordinary Summit Conference of Arab States hold at Casablanca from 7 to 9 August 1985, with the request that he should have it distributed as an official document of the General Assembly under items 26, 31 and 38 of the provisional agenda.


ANNEX

Final Communiqué of the Extraordinary Summit Conference of

Arab States held at Casablanca from 7 to 9 August 1985

At the invitation of His Majesty King Hassan II, King of Morocco, the Summit Conference met in extraordinary session in the city of Casablanca over the period 20 to 22 Dbu'lqa'dah A.H. 1405, corresponding to 7 to 9 August A.D. 1985.

With a view to strengthening solidarity among the Arab States and promoting the progress of joint Arab action on the bases of the principles of the Pact of the League of Arab States, its resolutions and the treaties concluded within its framework, the Conference studied the most important current Arab issues in an atmosphere of brotherliness, mutual understanding and concern for joint Arab rights and interests.

Because of its importance, the Conference gave its full attention to the matter of improving the inter-Arab climate. In this connection, the Conference affirms its belief in the need for solidarity among the Arab States, particularly in the present crucial circumstances requiring, as they do, that the capacities of the Arab nation should be mobilized and that differences among States, of whatever kind, should be set aside so that they may cope with the critical period through which they are passing.

It declares its full commitment to all the provisions of the Arab Solidarity Pact adopted by the Third Arab Summit Conference held at Casablanca in September 1965.

It entrusts the following committees, composed of a number of member States, and the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, with the task of resolving the differences between certain fraternal countries:

A committee composed of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Tunisia to endeavor to bring about a reconciliation between the Hashimite Kingdom of Jordan and the Syrian Arab Republic on the one hand, and the Republic of Iraq and the Syrian Arab Republic on the other;

A committee composed of the Kingdom of Morocco, the State of the United Arab Emirates and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania to endeavor to bring about a reconciliation between the Republic of Iraq and the Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya on the one hand, and between the Palestine Liberation organization and the Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya on the other.

The committees shall submit their reports to the President of the Conference, His Majesty King Hassan II. The Conference calls upon fraternal members to respond to these endeavors in a spirit of genuine Arab brotherliness.

With regard to the Iraq-Iran war, the Conference, having reviewed the situation in the Gulf, notes with deep concern and great pain the continuance of that war, together with the heavy human losses and costly material damage caused thereby to both sides, and the grave threat that it poses to the security, stability and prosperity of the region and to international peace and security.

The Conference expresses strong disapproval and deep regret at Iran's insistence on continuing the war and launching successive attacks against Iraq with the aim of violating its borders, occupying its territory and imposing its authority on it in defiance of the norms of international law, international conventions and the Charter and resolutions of the United Nations. It does so in contempt of all peaceful endeavors and of the Iraqi initiatives aimed at halting hostilities and finding a peaceful, just and honorable solution through negotiations guaranteeing the legitimate rights of both parties and establishing relations of good neighborliness, thereby ensuring that security and stability can prevail in the region for the good of the Arab Islamic nation.

The Conference reaffirms, on this occasion, its adherence to the resolution of the Fez Summit concerning the Gulf war and the Arab position with respect thereto, and to the obligations that devolve upon it under the terms of article 6 of the Pact of the League of Arab States and article 2 of the Joint Arab Defense Treaty. The Conference further reaffirms the request made to Iran by the Council of the League of Arab States at its emergency meeting held at Baghdad on 14 March 1984 to comply immediately with the resolutions calling for a halt to hostilities and to respond to the peace initiative.

The Conference affirms once again that Iran's continuation of the war against Iraq can only impel the Arab States to reconsider their relations with it and to take the necessary steps in implementation thereof.

The Conference declares its determination to make every effort to put a speedy end to hostilities and to enter into negotiations with a view to reaching a peaceful, just and honorable solution to the conflict. it calls upon the committee appointed to follow up developments in the war between Iraq and Iran to intensify its efforts and contacts to that end in the light of the tasks entrusted to it.

The Conference discussed the situation in the Horn of Africa and stressed the need for the implementation of the resolution on that subject adopted by the Twelfth Arab Summit Conference. It entrusts the Secretary-General with the task of presenting a report to the next Summit Conference on the extent to which that resolution has been implemented.

In the context of its far-reaching discussion of various developments relating to the question of Palestine, the Conference heard the detailed explanation given by His Majesty King Hussein, sovereign of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and by Mr. Yasser Arafat, Chairman of the Palestine Liberation organization, on the Jordanian-Palestinian agreement signed at Amman on 11 February 1985, and took note with full appreciation of the copious explanations kindly provided by His Majesty King Hussein and Mr. Yasser Arafat showing the Jordanian-Palestinian initiatives to be in harmony with the Fez plan and to be a plan of action for the implementation of the Arab Peace Plan for the achievement of a peaceful, just and comprehensive settlement ensuring the withdrawal of the Israeli occupation forces from all occupied Arab territories, first and foremost Jerusalem, and the restoration of the inalienable national rights of the Palestinian Arab people.

Having studied this matter exhaustively from all points of view, the Conference stresses the need for continued collective Arab commitment to the spirit and principles of the resolutions of the Fez Summit.

The Conference reaffirms its previous resolutions on the question of Palestine, its support for and endorsement of the Palestine Liberation organization, the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian Arab people, and its backing for it in its efforts to guarantee the inalienable national rights of the Palestinian people.

It further affirms the right of the Palestinian people to national self-determination and the impermissibility of any outside body interfering in its internal affairs.

The Conference considers that the convening of an international conference within the United Nations framework with the attendance and participation of the Soviet Union, the United States and the other States permanent members of the Security Council as well as of the Palestine Liberation Organization, the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, and the other parties concerned would help to bring about peace in the Arab region.

The Conference salutes the steadfast resistance of the Palestinian Arab people in the occupied Arab territories and its escalating daily struggle against the Israeli occupation forces. It stresses its commitment to supporting and enhancing such steadfast resistance so that it may counter the expansionist Zionist plans aimed at the Judaization of Palestinian territory and the displacement of the Palestinian people.

The Conference affirms its condemnation of the terroristic and racist practices engaged in by the Israeli occupation authorities in the occupied Palestinian Arab territories.

It calls upon world public opinion to support the Palestinian Arab people in its resistance to such practices, which are contrary to international law and incompatible with human rights. It further calls upon the international community to take practical measures to curb such Zionist practices and reaffirms its previous commitments to providing material, political and informational support to the Palestine Liberation Organization, the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people and the leader of its struggle to regain its usurped rights.

Considering the tribulations suffered by the Palestinian camps after the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982 and the subsequent slaughter and massacres, seeking to guard against the danger of expulsion and displacement threatening the Palestinian presence in those camps, concerned for the safety of Palestinians and for the right of the Palestinian people to freedom of work and movement, and seeking to strengthen the bonds of Lebanese-Palestinian brotherhood, the Conference calls upon the Lebanese Government and the Palestine Liberation Organization to co-operate and to co-ordinate their activities in matters relating to Palestinian affairs and the protection of the Palestinian camps situated in Lebanon in accordance with the agreements concluded between them. The Conference also affirms the need to implement the resolutions adopted by the Council of the League of Arab States at its emergency session held on 8 and 9 June 1985.

The Conference expresses its deep concern at the deteriorating situation in Lebanon, which is such as to jeopardize the future and unity of Lebanon as a country and a people. The Conference stresses its assistance to and support for the Lebanese people and its Government in opposing schemes aimed at dismembering and partitioning the country, so that Lebanon may be able to quell the sectarian strife manipulated by hostile forces. The Conference also stresses the importance of Lebanon's stability, of the need to preserve its unity and security and of putting an end to Israeli occupation throughout its territory

Out of commitment to the principles in which the Arab nation believes and drawing its inspiration from its civilization, its noble origin and its deep-rooted traditions, the Conference strongly disapproves of terrorism in all its forms and regardless of its source and, in the first instance, of Israeli terrorism both inside and outside the occupied Arab territories. It considers that recourse to terrorism is not in keeping with the ideals of mankind, and it calls for adherence to the principles of truth and justice in order to achieve the desired objectives and for the defense of national interests through the use of the legal means established by the international conventions. The Conference entrusts its President, His Majesty King Hassan II, with the task of pursuing his contacts at the international level with a view to elucidating Arab issues, particularly on the occasion of the forthcoming meeting of the two American and Soviet leaders, so that the super-Powers may be fully informed of the position of the Arab States on issues in general and those relating to the achievement of a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East in particular.

The Conference reviewed, with deep concern, the latest developments in the situation in South Africa and the acts of repression, violence, terrorism and racial discrimination to which the people of South Africa is exposed. It also reviewed the struggle of the people of Namibia to achieve its independence and sovereignty in accordance with the resolutions of the United Nations. Proceeding from its firm faith in the principles of Afro-Arab co-operation, the Conference reaffirms its previous resolutions in that regard, renewing its support for the struggle of the peoples of South Africa and Namibia for freedom, independence, sovereignty and the full implementation of the resolutions of the United Nations.

At the conclusion of its meetings, which were held in an atmosphere of solidarity, brotherliness and awareness of the delicacy of the current situation of the Arab nation, the Conference expresses its high appreciation for the genuine effort made by His Majesty King Hassan II in convening the Conference and conducting its work with wisdom, thereby ensuring its success and enabling it to have positive results.

The Conference also thanks His Majesty King Hassan II for the hospitality and generosity received and the splendid Moroccan people for the warmth of its reception. It addresses to Almighty God the supplication that He may grant the Arab nation invincibility, honor and victory.

______________

* A/40/150.


Document symbol: A/40/564
Document Type: Letter
Document Sources: General Assembly
Country: Morocco
Subject: Agenda Item, Palestine question
Publication Date: 09/08/1985
2019-03-11T20:29:19-04:00

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