Israeli practices/UNRWA – Fourth Cttee debate – Summary record

Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee)

Summary record of the 24th meeting

Held at Headquarters, New York, on Thursday, 19 November 1998, at 3 p.m.

Chairman:  Mr. Macedo ……………………………………………………………………………….(Mexico)

Contents

Agenda item 83: United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (continued)

Agenda item 84: Report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories (continued)

The meeting was called to order at 3.05 p.m.

Agenda item 83: United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (continued) (A/C.4/53/L.9 to L.15)

Draft resolutions A/C.4/53/L.9, Assistance to Palestinian refugees, L.10, Working Group on the Financing of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, L.11, Persons displaced as a result of the June 1967 and subsequent hostilities, L.12, Offers by Member States of grants and scholarships for higher education, including vocational training, for Palestine refugees, and L.13, Operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, L.14, Palestine refugees' properties and their revenues, and L.15, University of Jerusalem "Al-Quds" for Palestine refugees

1. Ms. Proidl (Austria), introducing draft resolution A/C.4/53/L.9 on behalf of the European Union, said that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) made an important contribution to the peace process in the Middle East by providing sustenance and by equipping and managing much of the physical infrastructure available to Palestine refugees, thereby enhancing stability in the region. The Agency's financial difficulties continued, despite its successful reforms and efforts to achieve greater cost-effectiveness, and she invited all States to support it. While the draft resolution provided for a three-year extension of UNRWA's mandate, it was to be hoped that the advent of peace would soon make it possible to transfer the Agency's functions to the Palestinian Authority.

2. Ms. Van Daalen (Netherlands), introducing draft resolution A/C.4/53/L.10, pointed out that the special report of the Working Group on the financing of UNRWA and the report of the Commissioner-General of UNRWA both noted the Agency's persisting critical financial situation, which was jeopardizing its work. In view of the importance of that work, it was essential to ensure adequate financing. The draft resolution was identical to the resolution on the same subject adopted by the General Assembly at its fifty-second session, apart from necessary updating. She hoped the draft resolution would be adopted without a vote.

3. Mr. Suryo-di-Puro (Indonesia), introducing draft resolutions A/C.4/53/L.11, L.12, L.13, L.14 and L.15, noted that the five draft resolutions addressed various aspects of the issue of the Palestine refugees. Draft resolution A/C.4/53/L.11 reaffirmed the right of persons displaced as a result of the June 1967 and subsequent hostilities to return to their homes. It was to be hoped that that could happen shortly. Draft resolution A/C.4/53/L.12 appealed for support for higher education and vocational training for Palestine refugee students. Draft resolution A/C.4/53/L.13 was concerned with the day-to-day operations of UNRWA. The Agency continued to perform valuable work. While there had been some encouraging developments, the functioning of the Agency remained essential, and the draft resolution urged all States, specialized agencies and non-governmental organizations to continue and increase their contributions to it. Draft resolution A/C.4/53/L.14 reaffirmed that the Palestine Arab refugees were entitled to their property and the income derived therefrom. Draft resolution A/C.4/53/SR.15 dealt with the proposed University of Jerusalem "Al-Quds" for Palestine refugees, calling upon Israel, the occupying Power, to cooperate in the establishment of the university. The texts were the same in all important respects as their counterparts that had been adopted by the General Assembly at its fifty-second session. Failing their adoption by consensus, he hoped that they would receive the broad support of Committee members.

4. A recorded vote was taken on draft resolution A/C.4/53/L.9.

In favour:

Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Canada, Cape Verde, China, Colombia, Côte d=Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:

Israel.

Abstaining:

United States of America.

5. Draft resolution A/C.4/53/L.9 was adopted by 122 votes to 1, with 1 abstention.

6. Draft resolution A/C.4/53/L.10 was adopted without a vote.

7. A recorded vote was taken on draft resolution A/C.4/53/L.11.

In favour:

Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Côte d=Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zimbabwe.

Against:

Israel, United States of America.

Abstaining:

None.

8. Draft resolution A/C.4/53/L.11 was adopted by 122 votes to 2.

9. A recorded vote was taken on draft resolution A/C.4/53/L.12.

In favour:

Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Côte d=Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, United States of America, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:

None.

Abstaining:

Israel.

10. Draft resolution A/C.4/53/L.12 was adopted by 126 votes to none, with 1 abstention.

11. A recorded vote was taken on draft resolution A/C.4/53/L.13.

In favour:

Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Côte d=Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People=s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People=s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zimbabwe.

Against:

Israel, United States of America.

Abstaining:

Zambia.

12. Draft resolution A/C.4/53/L.13 was adopted by 124 votes to 2, with 1 abstention.

13. A recorded vote was taken on draft resolution A/C.4/53/L.14.

In favour:

Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Côte d=Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Ireland, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Against:

Israel, United States of America.

Abstaining:

None.

14. Draft resolution A/C.4/53/L.14 was adopted by 123 votes to 2.

15. A recorded vote was taken on draft resolution A/C.4/53/L.15.

In favour:

Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Côte d=Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zimbabwe.

Against:

Israel, United States of America.

Abstaining:

Zambia.

16. Draft resolution A/C.4/53/L.15 was adopted by 125 votes to 2, with one abstention.*

Agenda item 84: Report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories (continued) (A/53/136 and Add.1,** A/53/259, A/53/260, A/53/264, A/53/660, A/53/661, A/C.4/53/L.16 to L.20)

Draft resolutions A/C.4/53/L.16, Work of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories, L.17, Applicability of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, to the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, and the other occupied Arab territories, L.18, Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, and the occupied Syrian Golan, L.19, Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, and L.20, The occupied Syrian Golan

17. Mr. Dausá (Cuba), introducing draft resolutions A/C.4/53/L.16, L.17, L.18, L.19 and L.20 on behalf of the sponsors, said that draft resolution A/C.4/53/L.16 was concerned mainly with the recent work of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories, and requested the Special Committee to continue its work pending complete termination of the Israeli occupation. The text did not differ substantially from the corresponding resolution that had been adopted by the General Assembly at its fifty-second session. However, following consultations, the sponsors had agreed that the word "recent" in paragraph 3 should be deleted.

18. Draft resolution A/C.4/53/L.17 reaffirmed that the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, was applicable to the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, and demanded that Israel should accept the Convention's de jure applicability and comply with its provisions. The wording of the draft resolution was similar to that of its counterpart that had been adopted by the General Assembly at its fifty-second session, but two new paragraphs had been added: a preambular paragraph that noted the convening of the meeting of experts of the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention the previous month in Geneva concerning general problems of application of the Convention in general and in occupied territories in particular, and an operative paragraph (paragraph 4) reiterating the need for speedy implementation of the recommendations contained in the General Assembly's resolutions ES-10/3, ES-10/4 and ES-10/5 with regard to the convening of a conference of the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Convention on measures to enforce the Convention in the occupied Palestinian territory.

19. Draft resolution A/C.4/53/L.18, on Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory and the occupied Syrian Golan, was similar to its counterpart that had been adopted by the General Assembly at its fifty-second session. It expressed grave concern about the decision of the Government of Israel to renew settlement activities, reaffirmed that Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territory and the occupied Syrian Golan were illegal and an obstacle to peace and economic and social development, and demanded a complete cessation of all settlement activity. The draft resolution also stressed the need for full implementation of Security Council resolution 904 (1994), in which the Council had called upon Israel to prevent illegal acts of violence by Israeli settlers and guarantee the safety and protection of Palestinian civilians.

20. Draft resolution A/C.4/53/L.19 expressed concern about the continuing violation of the human rights of the Palestinian people by Israel, notably through its actions designed to change the legal status, geographic nature and demographic composition of the occupied Palestinian territory. The text stressed the need to preserve the territorial integrity of all of the occupied Palestinian territory and to guarantee the freedom of movement of persons and goods within it, as well as the freedom of movement to and from the outside world. It also called upon Israel, the occupying Power, to accelerate the release of all Palestinians who had been arbitrarily detained or imprisoned.

21. Draft resolution A/C.4/53/L.20, on the occupied Syrian Golan, recalled that the acquisition of territory by force was inadmissible under international law, and that the Israeli decision effectively to annex the Syrian Golan was therefore null and void. The draft resolution called upon Israel to desist from changing the physical character, demographic composition, institutional structure and legal status of the occupied Syrian Golan, and to desist from its repressive measures against the population of the area.

22. The adoption of the five draft resolutions would serve the ends of peace in the Middle East. It was not conceivable that a just and lasting peace could be arrived at while the human rights of the inhabitants of the occupied territories were being violated.

23. The Chairman informed the Committee that Bahrain had become a sponsor of all five draft resolutions.

24. Mr. Islam (Pakistan) said that his delegation wished to become a sponsor of draft resolution A/C.4/52/L.20.

25. Mr. Dausá (Cuba), responding to a suggestion by Mr. Islam (Pakistan), said that a new paragraph should be added at the end of draft resolution A/C.4/53/L.18 that would read: "Requests the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly at its fifty-fourth session on the implementation of the present resolution".

26. Mr. Eguiguren (Chile) said that paragraph 4 of draft resolution A/C.4/53/L.16 did not adequately reflect the recent positive developments in the region.

27. After a procedural discussion in which Ms. Proidl (Austria), Mr. Zaki (Egypt) and Mr. Al-Hassan (Oman) took part, the Chairman suggested that the Committee should vote on draft resolution A/C.4/53/L.16 after it had voted on the other draft resolutions under item 84.

28. A recorded vote was taken on draft resolution A/C.4/53/L.17.

In favour:

Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Côte d=Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zimbabwe.

Against:

Israel, United States of America.

Abstaining:

Swaziland.

29. Draft resolution A/C.4/53/L.17 was adopted by 127 votes to 2, with 1 abstention.

30. A recorded vote was taken on draft resolution A/C.4/53/L.18.

In favour:

Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Côte d=Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zimbabwe.

Against:

Israel, United States of America.

Abstaining:

Swaziland.

31. Draft resolution A/C.4/53/L.18, as orally revised, was adopted by 127 votes to 2, with 1 abstention.

32. A recorded vote was taken on draft resolution A/C.4/53/L.19.

In favour:

Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Côte d=Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zimbabwe.

Against:

Israel, United States of America.

Abstaining:

Swaziland, Zambia.

33. Draft resolution A/C.4/53/L.19 was adopted by 126 votes to 2, with 2 abstentions.

34. A recorded vote was taken on draft resolution A/C.4/53/L.20.

In favour:

Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Côte d=Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zimbabwe.

Against:

Israel.

Abstaining:

Swaziland, United States of America, Zambia.

35. Draft resolution A/C.4/53/L.20 was adopted by 127 votes to 1, with 3 abstentions.

36. Mr. Dausá (Cuba) said that, following consultations, he wished to make an oral revision to paragraph 4 of draft resolution A/C.4/53/L.16: the word "impasse" should be changed to "difficulties".

37. A recorded vote was taken on draft resolution A/C.4/53/L.16.

In favour:

Algeria, Angola, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Chile, China, Colombia, Côte d=Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zimbabwe.

Against:

Israel, United States of America.

Abstaining:

Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Swaziland, Sweden, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Zambia.

38. Draft resolution A/C.4/53/L.16, as orally revised, was adopted by 72 votes to 2, with 55 abstentions.

39. Ms. Proidl (Austria), speaking on behalf of the European Union, said that while it had been able to support the adoption of the other draft resolutions under agenda item 84, it had the same difficulty as in previous years with the draft resolution on the work of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories, and had therefore abstained in the vote. The European Union viewed with concern a number of policies applied by the Israeli Government in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. However, it considered that the mandate and functions of the Special Committee failed to take account of current realities and that the issues it covered could be better dealt with in another framework.

40. She reiterated the European Union's firm commitment to a just and comprehensive settlement in the Middle East based on the Madrid and Oslo Accords. The European Union reaffirmed its readiness to be fully associated with the implementation of the Wye River memorandum and to contribute to the final status issues to be negotiated between the parties.

41. Mr. Wehbe (Syrian Arab Republic) expressed appreciation to the representatives of countries who, through their vote, had demonstrated their support of true peace and a genuine peace process in the Middle East. The international community's support of the peace process was extremely important. The United Nations had a decisive role to play in that process, and UNRWA and the Special Committee were doing a very important job. He hoped that those countries which had not participated in the vote, or had abstained, would reconsider their position when the draft resolutions were put to the vote in plenary meeting.

Completion of the Committee's work

42. After an exchange of courtesies in which Mr. Crichton (Australia), Mr. Chirila (Romania), Mr. Bakhit (Sudan) and Mr. Apunte (Ecuador) spoke on behalf of the regional groups of States, and Mr. Zohar (Israel) spoke, the Chairman declared that the Fourth Committee had completed its work for the fifty-third session.

The meeting rose at 4.50 p.m.

_____________

* The delegation of the Republic of Moldova subsequently informed the Committee that it had intended to vote in favour of all seven draft resolutions, A/C.4/53/L.9 to L.15, and the delegation of Italy that it had intended to vote in favour of draft resolution A/C.4/53/L.14. 

** To be issued.