Situation in the OPT/Holy places – Letter from Pakistan

DOCUMENT S/19475*

Letter dated 28 January 1988 from the representative

of Pakistan to the Secretary-General

[Original: English]

[4 February 1988]

I have the honour to forward herewith the texts of statements made by Mr. Mohammad Khan Junejo, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, on 27 December 1987 and 25 January 1988 regarding the recent developments in the occupied Arab territories (annex I) and the violation of the sanctity of the Al-Aqsa Mosque (annex II).

I should be grateful if you would arrange for these statements to be distributed as official documents of the General Assembly and of the Security Council.

(Signed) Shaukat UMER

Acting Permanent Representative of Pakistan

to the United Nations

ANNEX I

Statement made by the Prime Minister of Pakistan

on 27 December 1987

The Government and people of Pakistan are deeply distressed and outraged at the repression and terror against unarmed Palestinians unleashed by Israeli forces in the occupied Arab territories of the West Bank and Gaza. Such violations of legal and humanitarian norms deserve unqualified condemnation by all nations and peoples.

The Security Council has rightly denounced Israel's brutal measures. Pakistan urges determined follow-up action to ensure Israeli observance of the decisions of the Council and of the obligations under the Geneva Convention relating to occupied territories.

Despite decades of Israeli occupation, a new generation of Palestinians, infused by nationalism and the spirit of Islam, has now raised the flag of freedom. Manifestly, Israel cannot succeed in perpetrating its usurpation of the Palestinian homeland. Neither time nor repression can extinguish the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people. Every atrocity committed against defenceless Palestinians will increase the intensity and determination of their just struggle.

Palestine is the heart of the Middle East problem. Recent events emphasize the urgency of convening an international conference, with the participation of all the parties concerned, including the Palestine Liberation Organization, to evolve a just and comprehensive solution. Such a solution must bring about Israeli withdrawal from all the occupied Arab territories, including Al-Quds Al-Sharif, and enable the people of Palestine to exercise their right to self-determination and nationhood.

The Government of Pakistan will, as always, make every endeavour, in collaboration with all fair-minded countries, including especially the Islamic countries, in support of the Palestinian struggle for the realization of justice and peace.

ANNEX II

Statement made by the Prime Minister of Pakistan

on 25 January 1988

Israeli forces have unleashed a brutal reign of terror in occupied Palestine, killing and maiming unarmed Palestinians, already dispossessed of their homes and hearth by the Zionists, and desecrating the Holy Al-Aqsa Mosque. The Government and people of Pakistan reiterate their strong and unequivocal condemnation of Israel's inhuman and barbaric actions.

At Pakistan's instance, the Al-Quds Committee decided to observe 15 January 1988 as a day when the entire Muslim Ummah could express its solidarity with the heroic Palestinian uprising. On that day, Israeli forces wantonly attacked the Friday congregation on the premises of the Holy Al-Aqsa Mosque, the first kiblah of Islam. Words are not strong enough to express our indignation and anguish at this insolent affront to Islam's third holiest shrine.

The conscience of all civilized nations has been aroused by Israeli cruelty and obduracy. This must be translated into decisive action to convince Israel to cease its terrorism of the Palestinian people, to accept their national rights and to vacate their homeland.

The 100 million people of Pakistan will never forsake the just cause of their Palestinian brothers. It is our fondest hope to see Al-Quds Al-Sharif restored to the care of Muslims, who were its loving guardians for over 14 centuries. It is our deepest aspiration to see the Palestinian people realize their inalienable right to self-determination and nationhood in their cherished homeland.

*Circulated under the double symbol A/43/119-S/19475.

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