Attack in Jerusalem – Statement by Ukrainian FM – Letter from Ukraine

Fifty-second session

Item 36 of the provisional agenda*

QUESTION OF PALESTINE

Letter dated 6 August 1997 from the Permanent Representative

of Ukraine to the United Nations addressed to the           

Secretary-General

I have the honour to draw your attention to the attached statement issued on 31 July 1997 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine in reaction to the terrorist act that took place in Jerusalem on 30 July 1997 (see annex).

I should be grateful if you would have the text of the present letter and the enclosed statement circulated as a document of the General Assembly under item 36 of the provisional agenda.

(Signed)  Anatoli M. ZLENKO      

Ambassador          

Permanent Representative of

Ukraine to the United Nations

___________________

*A/52/150 and Corr.1.

ANNEX

[Original:  Russian]

Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

of Ukraine, dated 31 July 1997

The shameless terrorist act carried out by the Islamic fundamentalist group Hamas in the crowded central marketplace in Jerusalem, which left dozens of innocent people dead and wounded, caused great alarm and apprehension in Ukraine.

The explosions resounded precisely at a time when the long-awaited resumption of the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations had become a reality.  This act of bloodshed aggravates the already existing crisis with regard to a Middle East peace settlement and destabilizes the situation in the region.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine strongly condemns violence as a means for solving disputes, calls upon the Israeli and Palestinian sides to resume negotiations as soon as possible, seek mutually acceptable compromises and develop cooperation, inter alia, in the area of security and combating terrorism.

Ukraine is convinced that the threat of terrorism in the Middle East can be withstood only by deepening and stepping up the peace process and bringing about a definitive Arab-Israeli settlement.  This, in turn, will be in accordance with the vital interests of not only the countries of the region but also the entire international community.

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