Mideast situation/Palestine question – Commonwealth Heads of Government communiqué – Letter from Malaysia (excerpts)

Letter dated 26 October 1989 from the Permanent Representative of

Malaysia to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General

Upon instructions of my Goverment, I have the honour to transmit herewith the text of the communiqué adopted by the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting on 24 October 1989 (see annex).

I should be grateful if you would have the present letter and its annex circulated as a document of the General Assembly, under agenda items 31, 32, 34, 37, 38, 39, 41, 47, 48, 50, 63, 64, 67, 70, 71, 77, 82, 98, 103, 104, 108, 109, 110 (c), 111, 118, 133 (b), 139, 146 and 150,   and of the Security Council.

(Signed)  RAZALI Ismail

Ambassador

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ANNEX

Communiqué adopted on 24 October 1989 by the Commonwealth Heads

of Government at their meeting held at Kuala Lumpur

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Middle East

29. Heads of Government expressed deep concern at the dangerous tensions arising from the unresolved problems of the Middle East, especially the Palestinian issue.  They recognized that a just and lasting settlement should be on the basis of the relevant United Nations resolutions, the withdrawal of Israel from territories occupied since 1967, and recognition of the rights of the Palestinian people, including their inalienable right to a homeland, as well as the right of all States in the region to live in peace within secure borders.

30. They expressed deep concern at the deteriorating situation in the occupied territories and their alarm at the constant increase in the number of dead and wounded.  They appealed urgently to the Israeli authorities to exercise utmost restraint in the occupied territories, to implement Security Council resolutions 605 (1987), 607 (1988) and 608 (1988) and to respect the provisions of the Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Times of War.

31. In reviewing international developments in relation to the Middle East crisis, Heads of Government welcomed the growing momentum in favour of the convening of an International Peace Conference on the Middle East under the auspices of the United Nations, with the participation of all parties concerned, including the Palestinians, on an equal footing.  They urged the permanent members of the Security Council to intensify efforts aimed at setting in motion the preparatory process for the Peace Conference.  They welcomed the continuing dialogue between the United States of America and the Palestine Liberation Organization as a positive contribution in the search for a durable and comprehensive peace in the Middle East.

32. Heads of Government expressed their grave concern at the situation that has threatened to rend the very fabric of Lebanon.  They reaffirmed their support for the territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty of Lebanon.  They welcomed the establishment of a cease-fire in Lebanon.  They expressed their full support for the efforts of the Arab League Committee of Three in helping to resolve the crisis and called on all parties to co-operate with it.

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