Palestine question/Deportations – Letter from Japan

Letter dated 14 April 1988 from the Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General

I have the honour to transmit herewith the text of a statement issued on 14 April 1988 by a spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan on the deportation of Palestinians from Israeli-occupied territories (see annex).

I should be grateful if you would arrange to have this text circulated as an official document of the General Assembly, under items 37 and 40 of the preliminary list, and of the Security Council.

____________________

* A/43/50.

ANNEX

Statement issued on 14 April 1988 by a spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan on the deportation of Palestinians from Israeli-occupied territories

1. As regards the serious situation which has prevailed since December last year in the West Bank and Gaza Strip under Israeli occupation, Japan deeply regrets that despite the strong appeals that have been made to Israel by the international community including Japan, there has been no improvement and the number of victims continues to increase.

2. Japan condemns Israel's deportation of eight Palestinians from the occupied territories to southern Lebanon on 11 April and its order to expel an additional 12 persons.

These measures were taken in defiance of Security Council resolutions 607 (1988) and 608 (1988) and in violation of the Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War. They threaten to lead to a further deterioration of the situation in the occupied territories.

3. As Japan has repeatedly pointed out, underlying the recent developments is the fact that a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East has not been realized, and that for a long time the Palestinian people in the occupied territories have been living under harsh political, economic and social conditions. The Government of Japan reiterates its hope that peace in the area will be realized as soon as possible through the prompt and complete implementation of Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973), and through the recognition of and respect for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to self-determination in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations.