Mideast situation/Palestinian question/Gaza flotilla – SecCo President statement/meeting – Verbatim record

Security Council
Sixty-fifth year

6315th meeting
Tuesday, 1 June 2010, 1:40 a.m.
New York

Agenda

The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question

Letter dated 31 May 2010 from the Permanent Representative of Turkey to the President of the Security Council (S/2010/266)

Letter dated 31 May 2010 from the Permanent Representative of Lebanon to the President of the Security Council (S/2010/267)

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The meeting was called to order at 1.40 a.m.

Expression of thanks to the retiring President

The President (spoke in Spanish): As this is the first meeting of the Security Council for the month of June, I should like to take this opportunity to pay tribute, on behalf of the Council, to His Excellency Ambassador Nawaf Salam, Permanent Representative of Lebanon, for his service as President of the Security Council for the month of May 2010. I am sure I speak for all members of the Council in expressing deep appreciation to Ambassador Salam and his delegation for the great diplomatic skill with which they conducted the Council’s business last month.

Adoption of the agenda

The agenda was adopted.

The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question

Letter dated 31 May 2010 from the Permanent Representative of Turkey to the President of the Security Council (S/2010/266)

Letter dated 31 May 2010 from the Permanent Representative of Lebanon to the President of the Security Council (S/2010/267)

The President (spoke in Spanish): Pursuant to the invitation extended pursuant to rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure at the 6325th meeting of the Security Council, I should like to acknowledge the presence of the representative of Israel, who is seated at the Council table.

Pursuant to the invitation extended in accordance with the provisional rules of procedure and with previous practice at the 6325th meeting, I should like to acknowledge the presence of the Permanent Observer of Palestine to the United Nations, who is seated at the Council table.

The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. The Council is meeting in accordance with rule 2 of its provisional rules of procedure in response to a letter dated 31 May 2010 from the Permanent Representative of Turkey to the United Nations and a letter of the same date from the Permanent Representative of Lebanon to the United Nations, both of which are addressed to the President of the Security Council and will be issued as documents S/2010/266 and S/2010/267, respectively.

Following consultations among the members of the Security Council, I have been authorized to make the following statement on behalf of the Council, which I shall read out in English given the lateness of the hour and the fact that the text has not yet been translated into all six official languages:

(spoke in English)

“The Security Council deeply regrets the loss of life and injuries resulting from the use of force during the Israeli military operation in international waters against the convoy sailing to Gaza. The Council, in this context, condemns those acts, which resulted in the loss of at least 10 civilians and many wounded, and expresses its condolences to their families.

“The Security Council requests the immediate release of the ships as well as the civilians held by Israel. The Council urges Israel to permit full consular access, to allow the countries concerned to retrieve their deceased and wounded immediately, and to ensure the delivery of humanitarian assistance from the convoy to its destination.

“The Security Council takes note of the statement of the United Nations Secretary-General on the need to have a full investigation into the matter and it calls for a prompt, impartial, credible and transparent investigation conforming to international standards.

“The Security Council stresses that the situation in Gaza is not sustainable. The Council re-emphasizes the importance of the full implementation of resolutions 1850 (2008) and 1860 (2009). In that context, it reiterates its grave concern at the humanitarian situation in Gaza and stresses the need for sustained and regular flows of goods and people to Gaza, as well as unimpeded provision and distribution of humanitarian assistance throughout Gaza.

“The Security Council underscores that the only viable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is an agreement negotiated between the parties, and re-emphasizes that only a two-State solution, with an independent and viable Palestinian State living side by side in peace and security with Israel and its other neighbours, could bring peace to the region.

“The Security Council expresses support for the proximity talks and voices concern that this incident took place while the proximity talks are under way, and urges the parties to act with restraint, avoiding any unilateral and provocative actions, and all international partners to promote an atmosphere of cooperation between the parties and throughout the region.”

(spoke in Spanish)

This statement will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/PRST/2010/9.

The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda.

The meeting rose at 1.50 a.m.

This record contains the text of speeches delivered in English and of the interpretation of speeches delivered in the other languages. The final text will be printed in the Official Records of the Security Council . Corrections should be submitted to the original languages only. They should be incorporated in a copy of the record and sent under the signature of a member of the delegation concerned to the Chief of the Verbatim Reporting Service, room U-506.