Mideast situation – GA general debate – Verbatim record (excerpts)

Official Records

General Assembly

Fifty-sixth session

10th plenary meeting

Tuesday, 25 September 2001, 3 p.m.

New York

    In the absence of the President, Mr. Sevilla Somoza (Nicaragua), Vice-President, took the Chair.

    The meeting was called to order at 3.05 p.m.

Agenda item 10 (continued)

Report of the Secretary-General on the work of the Organization (A/56/1 and Corr.1 and Add.1)

 Mr. Kastrup (Germany):

[…]

  The leaders of the European Union met last Friday in an extraordinary session. They discussed ways and means of integrating as many countries as possible in a worldwide system of security and prosperity. Issues addressed included the provision of incentives within the framework of development cooperation to States that cooperate in the battle against terrorism. A particular priority in this context is the creation of a basis for political and economic stabilization in the crisis regions. Above all, we must do everything we can to achieve a breakthrough for peace in the Middle East.

[…]

  Mr. Satoh (Japan):

[…]

  In the Middle East, another hot spot with direct implications for global security, the vicious cycle of violence between Israel and  has continued since last year. The ceasefire measures taken by both sides on 18 September are a welcome development, and we urge the parties concerned to get back on track to implement the Mitchell report in order to achieve genuine peace.

[…]

  Mr. Aldouri (Iraq) (spoke in Arabic):

[…]

  In conclusion, my delegation is of the view that the United Nations must pay due attention to the question of  because of its direct and serious impact on international peace and security. Regrettably, the report of the Secretary-General does not reflect this matter in accordance with the provisions of the Charter. The report does not refer to the long-standing atrocious terrorist practices carried out by the Zionist entity against the defenceless Palestinian people. Similarly, the report does not refer to the Security Council’s failure to provide international protection for the Palestinian people.

[…]

 Mr. Kolby (Norway):

[…]

  In the first chapter of his report, the Secretary-General gives a broad description of the work done by the United Nations around the world in its peace-building efforts. The elections recently held in East Timor are among the many successes in those long-term efforts. Nonetheless, the situation elsewhere — and especially in the Middle East — raises serious concern. The Secretary-General describes the situation in the region as the worst crisis since the signing of the Oslo Agreement in 1993.

  The outbreak of violence in occupied Palestinian territory and in Israel since late September 2000 has brought extensive loss of life on both sides. Norway fully supports the Secretary-General in his decision to devote much of his time to addressing this particular crisis, and encourages him to continue his efforts in that respect.

[…]

 Mr. de Ruyt (Belgium) ( spoke in French ): I make this statement on behalf of the European Union.

[…]

  Beyond what I have mentioned, there remain worrying trouble spots in the world where, for various reasons, our Organization is less present. I am thinking, for example, of Burundi, West Africa and, of course, the Middle East, where the attention of the entire international community remains focused even after the events of 11 September.

  The Israeli-Palestinian conflict, beyond the suffering it brings to the civilian populations, also weighs heavily on the stability of the region. We strongly encourage the parties to seize the opportunity before them today to rejoin the path of peace through direct dialogue on the implementation of the recommendations of the Fact-Finding Committee, which should allow the earliest possible resumption of negotiations on the final status of the occupied territories.

[…]

    The meeting rose at 6.20 p.m.