Mideast situation – SecGen report

Fifty-first session

Agenda item 33

THE SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Report of the Secretary-General

I.  INTRODUCTION

1. The present report is submitted in pursuance of General Assembly resolutions 50/22 A and B of 4 December 1995.  The General Assembly, in its resolution 50/22 A, which deals with the transfer by some States of their diplomatic missions to Jerusalem in violation of Security Council resolution 478 (1980) of 20 August 1980, called once more upon those States to abide by the provisions of the relevant United Nations resolutions.  In resolution 50/22 B, which deals with Israeli policies in the Syrian territory occupied by Israel since 1967, the General Assembly demanded once more that Israel withdraw from all the occupied Syrian Golan in implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions.

2. The Secretary-General, in order to fulfil his reporting responsibility under the above-mentioned resolutions, on 31 August 1996 addressed notes  verbales to the Permanent Representative of Israel and to the Permanent Representatives of the other Member States and requested them to inform him of any steps their Governments had taken or envisaged taking concerning implementation of the relevant provisions of those resolutions.  As of 16 October 1996, a reply has been received from Japan.  It is reproduced below.

96-28644 (E)   281096

II.  REPLIES FROM MEMBER STATES

Japan

[Original:  English]

1. Resolution 50/22 A

Based on its support for related resolutions, Japan supported resolution 50/22 A at the fiftieth session of the General Assembly.  It has taken no specific measures to implement its provisions.

2. Resolution 50/22 B

Japan has never recognized the occupation of the Golan Heights by Israel.  Desiring the peaceful resolution of that problem, it has encouraged the parties concerned to engage in direct negotiations.  To the same end, it has supported the efforts of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF).  Japan has expressed that support on numerous occasions and, beginning in February 1996, it has contributed troops to UNDOF from its Self-Defence Forces.

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