COMMITTEE ON THE EXERCISE OF THE INALIENABLE
RIGHTS OF THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE
VERBATIM RECORD OF THE SIXTY-FIRST MEETING
Held at Headquarter, New York,
on Friday, 28 November 1980, at 3 p.m.
Chairman: Mr KANE (Senegal)
CONTENTS
Special meetings to commemorate the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People
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This record is subject to correction.
Corrections should be submitted in one of the working languages, preferably in the same language as the text to which they refer. They should be set forth in a memorandum and also, if possible, incorporated in a copy of the record. They should be sent within one month of the date of this document tot he Chief, Official Records Editing Section, Department of conference Services, room A-3550, 866 United nations Plaza.
Any corrections to the record of this meeting and of other meetings will be issued in a corrigendum.
The meeting was called, to order at 3.20 p.m.
SPECIAL MEETINGS TO COMMEMORATE THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF SOLIDARITY WITH THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE
The CHAIRMAN (interpretation from French): The first speaker on the list for this afternoon's meeting is the Permanent Representative of Qatar, upon whom I now call.
Mr. JAMAL (Qatar) (interpretation from Arabic): I am pleased to read the message sent by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa "bin Hamad Al-Thani, the mir of the State of Qatar, to this Committee. The text of the message is as follows:
"Thirty-three years after the adoption of the United Nations resolution that flagrantly belied the purposes and principles of the Charter, a resolution by which it is stipulated that Arab Palestine should be divided and the State of Israel created in that beloved part of the Arab homeland, this august Committee meets on the occasion of this International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People in order to continue to make its positive contribution in the service of the two principal goals of our Organization, namely, world peace and international justice.
"By this contribution, I intend to demonstrate my country's solidarity with the Palestinian people in defence of its legitimate and inalienable rights through the sincere information media – rights which have been violated by Israel and in various barbarous ways contrary to the two goals we have proclaimed, in flagrant violation of all general humanitarian and accepted religious principles as well as of established international legal and moral laws. In praising the valuable efforts and great achievements of this Committee, I feel that it has today become a clearly established fact that Israel's pursuit of Zionist practices that defy all these principles, rules and regulations has at last led the international community to a unanimous conviction of the need to put a stop to Israel's arrogance and defiance of the international will, ideals and values, in particular after Israel's iniquity has reached its apogee with the adoption by the Knesset of a law involving the annexation of the Holy City of Jerusalem and its declaration as Israel's eternal capital. This conviction has appeared more clearly than ever in Security Council resolution 478 (1980) relating to that law by which the occupying and aggressor State has defied the feelings of Moslems and Christians throughout the world and has issued a provocation to all peoples and Governments. That Security Council resolution was supported by all the members of the Council with the exception of the United States, which did not oppose it but abstained in the vote.
"That resolution enunciates the invalidity of that unjust law, calls for its abrogation and considers its promulgation, as well as any measures and provisions of a legislative and administrative nature that have resulted under that law and are intended to transform the character and status of the city, as null and void. The resolution calls for the acceptance of its previsions by United Nations Member States and addresses itself to those States that have established diplomatic representation in Jerusalem to withdraw their envoys from Jerusalem. This has been done by all the 13 States to which the resolution addressed itself.
"Among other facts that have also been established is the fact that the international community has become firmly convinced that the establishment of a lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East is determined by a comprehensive and Just solution of the question of Palestine, for that question lies at the very heart of the conflict in that region, where the continued disturbance of peace and security threatens international peace and security and will do so as long as this issue remains unresolved.
"It is now also generally admitted that the elements for a just and global solution to the question of Palestine are fundamentally the total withdrawal of Israel from the West Bank, including of course the eastern, portion of Jerusalem, and from the Gaza Strip and the recovery by the Palestinian people of its inalienable right to independence and sovereignty over the territory of its homeland and its self-determination within that homeland without any outside interference, under the leadership of the Palestine Liberation Organization, its sole and legitimate representative.
"In the light of all of these facts, and in the face of Israel's continued, refusal to comply with United Nations resolutions aimed at finding a solution to the Palestinian question on the basis of the elements I have mentioned, and in the interests of safeguarding international legitimacy and international peace and security, it has become more than ever urgent for the United Nations and the world's political leaders and intellectuals to join their efforts with a view to adopting practical means capable of containing the consequences of Israel's pursuit of its aggressive policies against the rights of the Palestinian people in order to compel Israel to accept that just over-all solution to be implemented by all available lawful means in accordance with the provisions of the United Nations Charter.
"I could not better conclude this message than by taking advantage of your Committee's meeting to express, on behalf of the Government and the people of Qatar, our profound admiration of the sacrifices made by the Palestinian people in its heroic struggle both inside and outside its own borders against the Israeli occupation and against various forms of Zionist terrorism in order to maintain its national identity, its homeland and its national patrimony. History is witness to the fact that an overwhelming revolution such as the one now being engaged in by the Palestinian people in striving to gain recognition of its rights, with the support of the international community, is bound to result in the victory of that people, whatever the difficulties it encounters.
"I should once again like to salute your Committee and express to it our esteem for its successful efforts in supporting the Palestinian people in its glorious struggle to recover its rights and its total dignity." The message is signed "Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al-Thani, Emir of Qatar".
The CHAIRMAN (interpretation from French): I thank the representative of Qatar for the message from his Head. of State that he was enough to read out. I now call on the representative of Turkey.
Mrs. UKAYDIN (Turkey): I have the honour to read out the text of the message sent to you. Sir, in your capacity as Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian people, "by the Foreign Minister of Turkey, on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity With the Palestinian People;
"On the occasion of the third, anniversary of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, I should like to convey, on behalf of the Turkish nation and Government, as well as on my own "behalf, my sincere wishes for the rapid success of the brotherly Palestinian people in the pursuit of their rightful cause.
"Turkey, having fought an exemplary war of independence, has always sided with nations striving for the recognition of their legitimate rights and will continue to do so in the future.
"It is on that understanding that Turkey has actively participated in the work of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, while contributing to the drawing up in the United Nations of the resolution concerning the recognition of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to self-determination without external interference, the achievement of national independence and sovereignty and the establishment of their own State; Turkey has also defended these rights in other international forums as well as in its bilateral contacts.
Turkey, believing that the Palestinian problem constitutes the centre of gravity of the Middle East conflict and that the solution of this problem is a fundamental condition for the achievement of a just, comprehensive and durable peace in the region, has devoted its efforts to the attainment of that aim. Turkey's efforts to that end are well known to world public opinion.
"I avail myself of this opportunity to reiterate my sincere wishes for the cessation of the sufferings endured, for over 30 years by the Palestinian people and for the success of their legitimate cause." The message is signed by Mr. Ilter Turkemn, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey.
The CHAIRMAN (interpretation from French): I thank the representative of Turkey for the message she has just read out. I would also take this opportunity to thank her delegation for agreeing to appoint its Ambassador in Geneva to preside over a similar commemoration today at the United Nations Office in Geneva.
I call on the Permanent Representative of Egypt.
Mr. ABDEL MEGUID (Egypt) (interpretation from Arabic): I have the honour to read out to the Committee the following message from President Mohamed Anwar El-Sadat:
"The commemoration today by the United Nations of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People once again confirms the commitment of the international community to the noble principles at the basis of the United Nations Charter and reflects the need to lay the foundations of an international order resting on respect for the rights of peoples and human rights as a whole.
"Our brothers the Palestinian people have experienced something that no other people in modern history has experienced – that is, the denial of its fundamental political rights. Some have gone so far as to deny the very existence of that people. The injustice done to the Palestinian people has been the cause of the wars and other tragedies which have devastated the Middle East region for more than 30 years, which have taken tens of thousands of lives and have destroyed enormous material resources that could have been used for the development and well-being of the peoples of the region.
"The Palestinian cause has been foremost among the concerns of the people and Government of Egypt ever since the Palestinian people was expelled, from its homeland, and deprived of its legitimate national rights. Egypt has been in the forefront of the Arab struggle to help the Palestinian people regain its inalienable rights, and above all its right to self-determination and to return to its homeland. Egypt has discharged its national responsibilities to the Palestinian people in the political sphere by calling on the international community to support that people's claims to recover its inalienable rights. That must be the basis of the establishment of a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle East.
"Egypt, in conformity with its commitment to the noble principles governing its foreign policy, stood up to Israel militarily in order to put an end to the immobility of the Palestine question – an immobility that seemed acceptable to some. The last military confrontation was the October war, rightly regarded as the true beginning of a movement for the recovery of the Palestinian rights and the establishment of a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East. The peace initiative was the confirmation and the continuation of the October war, as well as a reflection of the vanguard role played by Egypt in war and in peace. It was also the expression of the determination of the Egyptian people to continue to shoulder its national and Arab responsibilities for the establishment of a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, on the basis of Israel's withdrawal from all the occupied Arab territories, including the Arab part of Jerusalem.
"Egypt, in its pursuit of peace, always bears in mind the fact that the question of Palestine is the very basis of the Middle East conflict and that no over-all settlement of the conflict can be achieved unless the Palestinian people obtains its legitimate national rights, and above all its right to exercise self-determination freely and without any outside interference.
"At Camp David, Egypt succeeded in taking the first step towards the drawing up of a practical framework for the achievement of that objective. The noble and honourable struggle being waged today by Egypt to achieve a just and lasting peace requires that the international community maintain its support for the fundamental principles of law, legitimacy and justice – support it has always given in various organs of the United Nations and within the Non-Aligned Movement and the Organization cf African Unity.
"On this occasion I am pleased to express my appreciation for the constructive part played by the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, under the chairmanship of the Ambassador of Senegal, in supporting the legitimate struggle of the Palestinian people. The Egyptian people will always shoulder its responsibilities, strengthened by its faith in God and in itself, as well as in the correctness of the Arab cause, and determined to work seriously for a just, comprehensive and lasting peace and to do so by deeds and not by empty slogans, by unselfishness and the resolve to make all the efforts necessary to safeguard the legitimate rights of the Arab nation, and in the first place the Palestinian people. We still await the day when that people will be able to enjoy freedom in its homeland, so that it may use its creative capacities to the fullest and contribute constructively, together with the -other peoples of the region, to the forward march of mankind towards development, progress, well-being and prosperity."
Before concluding, I should like to refer to the message from the Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization, to the attacks it contained on the Egyptian policy and its insinuations that that policy has been the cause of the conflict and that we are in the process of creating a tripartite military alliance. The representative of the regime of Saddam Hussain al-Takriti has repeated almost the same allegations. I would have wished the representative of the Palestine Liberation Organization to refrain from entering into such matters in his message today. They have already been mentioned on so many occasions.
I should have liked the representative of the PLO to refrain in his message from mentioning subjects which have already been mentioned too often on a day when all the world is expressing solidarity with the heroic people of Palestine. I should very much like us to rise above such things, because they can only be harmful to the cause of Palestine and the struggling Palestinian people. However, since he has departed from this line of conduct, I must tell him that Egypt has not been the cause of the conflict and that more than any other representative he knows who is the cause of the conflict in the Middle East, the conflict between Moslem and Arab brothers who are savagely killing each other and devastating with their own hands what was built by their forefathers. That is the high price the bloody conflict that is now taking place in the region of the Middle East which is caused by those that claim to defend the Arab cause.
As for the so-called tripartite military alliance to which the representative of the Palestine Liberation Organization has referred, it exists solely in his imagination. Can he deny that Egypt, its Government, its people and its army have been and will always remain a shield for the Arab and Islamic nation? During the October war the Egyptian army proved its basic strength and its identity. Egyptian army and people will not be adversely affected by the hollow sayings slogans that circulate from time to time.
As for the representative of Iraq, the representative of the regime of Saddan Hussein, Mr. Al-Takriti, in addition to what I have said I should like remind him – perhaps this might be of some use – of the proverb: "People who in glass houses should not throw stones".
Fear God, gentlemen, for a very important mission has been entrusted to you and as Arabs and Moslems we hope that in fulfilling that mission you will show sense of responsibility demanded by its importance and gravity. God guides whoever He wishes.
The CHAIRMAN (interpretation from French): I thank the representative of Egypt for reading out the message of his President. I should like the comments following the messages from Heads of State to reflect as far as possible the fact that this is a Day of Solidarity, not a general debate, with all that that implies.
I call on the representative of China.
Mr. LING Qing (China) (interpretation from Chinese): First of all, I should, like to express my thanks to the Committee on the Exercise of the Ialienable Rights of the Palestinian People for inviting me to attend, this third special meeting to commemorate the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
I wish to read out the following telegram of support by Premier Zhao Ziyang of the State Council of the People's Republic of China addressed, to this special meeting of commemoration:
"On the occasion of the third special meeting to commemorate 'the International Day of Solidarity -with the Palestinian People', I wish to express, on behalf of the Chinese Government and people, our appreciation to the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People for the fruitful efforts it has made over the past year and to extend our high respects to the Palestinian people who are fighting for the restoration of their national rights and to their sole legitimate representative, the Palestine Liberation Organization.
"More and more countries have come to see the importance and urgency of reaching a just settlement of the Middle East question. The emergency special session of the United Nations General Assembly on the Palestine question, held last July, reaffirmed the Palestinian people's inalienable national rights and demanded Israel's withdrawal from the Arab territories it has occupied, since 1967, including Jerusalem. This just demand has won the support of all justice-upholding and peace-loving countries and peoples of the world.
"The Chinese Government and people have always sympathized, deeply with the Palestinian people and supported the just struggle of the Palestinian and other Arab peoples. We have attached great importance to the relevant United Nations resolutions and the related proposals advanced by all peace-loving and justice-upholding countries. We sincerely hope that those resolutions and proposals which may help to bring about peace in the Middle East will be implemented at an early date so as to put an end to the miseries and sufferings of the Palestinian people.
"I wish to take this opportunity to reiterate that the Chinese Government and people will, as always, support the Palestinian people in their efforts to regain their legitimate national rights, including the rights to return to their homeland, to exercise self-determination and to establish an independent State. We maintain that the PLO should take part in a comprehensive and just settlement of the Middle East question as a party concerned. I am convinced that with the full support of all peace-loving countries and peoples the Palestinian and other Arab peoples will make concerted efforts, surmount difficulties, eliminate the interference and meddling by foreign forces and attain the goal of recovering their lost territories and regaining their national rights.
"Zhao Ziyang, Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, Beijing, 28 November 1980."
The CHAIRMAN (interpretation from French): I thank the represent of China for reading out the message from his Prime Minister.
The next speaker is the representative of Greece, on whom I now call.
Mr. KATAPODIS (Greece) (interpretation from French): Mr. Chairman, I should like to read out a letter addressed to you by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece, Mr. Mitsotakis, on the occasion of the commemoration of the Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People:
spoke in English)
"Mr. Chairman, I take the occasion of the Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People to assure you of Greece's continued commitment to the recognition of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to establish their own State. The principle of self-determination is enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and constitutes one of its foundations. Since the end of the last war it has lighted the way to independence for many peoples. It is unthinkable that the noble people of Palestine, who for centuries have lived in that ancient land, should be deprived of the opportunity to determine their future and that of their children. The international community should spare no effort to enable the Palestinians to fulfil their destiny.
"Greece, for its part, will continue to support all such efforts, because it believes that the just settlement of the problem of Palestine is an essential prerequisite for a lasting peace in the Middle East which will benefit all the peoples of the area.
"Let me conclude, Mr. Chairman, by congratulating you and your Committee on your valuable, untiring and constructive work."
The CHAIRMAN (interpretation from French): I thank the representative of Greece and call next on the representative of Kuwait.
Mr. EL-JEAAN (Kuwait) (interpretation from Arabic): Mr. Chairman, I have the honour to read out the message of His Highness the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, addressed to the Committee on the occasion of this Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People:
"It is a pleasure for me to address these words, with my greetings, to you, Mr. Chairman, and the distinguished gathering participating in the meetings held at United Nations Headquarters to celebrate the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
"Indeed, this issue has not so far received the serious attention it deserves, nor has its nettle been grasped. Wherever we look we can find scarcely any other issue that so vividly demonstrates misfortune, gross injustice, distortion, prejudice and arbitrariness as does this issue connived at while the world conscience is deep in slumber and world public opinion is indifferent. Even so, our contemporary history has perhaps not witnessed any disaster of comparable dimensions and magnitude.
"All forces of evil, coercion, trickery, imposture seem to have conspired against these poor victims, to the extent that for years and years they have had to live a life of dispersion and bitterness, meanwhile seeing their homeland, the land of their fathers and forefathers, under the heavy burden of occupation by a people entirely alien to the region, which has robbed them of their own native soil in broad daylight and tried with extreme cruelty to deprive them of all their natural and legitimate rights, with utter contempt for United Nations resolutions.
"There is no doubt that to show indulgence to such aggressors by not preventing their transgressions but extending to them actual support and encouragement, condoning their acts of aggression, as do some big Powers, bound to undermine the prestige of the world body, its Charter, the ideals it espouses and the high hopes and expectations that humanity has of it.
"Therefore we call on all peace-loving people, supporters of right, justice and freedom, all conscientious people of noble sentiments and faith in moral values and high principles – we appeal to them all to make serious efforts to upholding the cause of these ill-treated people and to work to find a just solution of this problem, which if it is not solved on a just basis, will certainly constitute a threat to world peace.
"These people still cherish the hope that the United Nations, which embodies the will of the world community, will eventually do them Justice and restore to them their usurped rights.
"How long have they been looking forward impatiently to the dawn of that day on which their national aspiration to regain their land, their freedom and their right to self-determination will be fully realized.
"Let us hope that right and justice will triumph and that peace and prosperity will prevail throughout the world."
The CHAIRMAN (interpretation from French): I thank the representative of await for having read out to us the message of the Emir of Kuwait. The next speaker is the representative of Sudan.
Mr. BIRIDO (Sudan) (interpretation from Arabic); It is an honour for me to read out the following message from Mr. Gaafar Mohamed Nimeiri, President of the Democratic Republic of the Sudan, addressed to you, Sir, as Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People:
"The international community is today commemorating, through its representatives in the United Nations, the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, pursuant to a resolution of the United Nations adopted in 1977 in recognition of mankind's consciousness of the legitimate, inalienable right of the Palestinian people to return to its homeland, exercise self-determination and establish its own State under the leadership of the Palestine Liberation Organization, its sole legitimate representative.
"The Sudan, because of its history and civilization, belongs to the Arab nation and, in conformity with its consistent position at the side of the Palestinians in their struggle against the Zionist enemy, calls upon the world and the international community to exercise the necessary pressures to bring about the restoration of Justice, which would mean the elimination of aggression and the attainment by the heroic Palestinian people of their legitimate rights.
"The Sudan also calls upon the international community to deal with the intransigence of the Zionist entity and the challenge by that entity to our Organization's resolutions designed to bring about the attainment of that objective.
"In hailing the heroic Palestinian people on this Day, we wish to express our conviction that that people has the necessary will and the capacity to overcome all attempts to deprive it of all its strength and deny its existence by refusing to recognize its Just, legitimate and inalienable rights.
"In paying a tribute to the Palestinian people today we are convinced that right and Justice will triumph and that that will mean the triumph of Palestine."
The CHAIRMAN (interpretation from French): I thank the representative of Sudan for reading out that message.
The next speaker is the representative of Yugoslavia.
Mr. KOMATINA (Yugoslavia): I have the honour and privilege to read out the message that the President of the Presidency of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Cvijetin Mijatovic, has addressed to the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Bights of the Palestinian People at its special meeting on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. The message reads:
"On the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, the peoples and nationalities of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia pledge their full support for the heroic Palestinian people in its just struggle for the realization of its inalienable rights. He wish to reiterate, on this occasion also, our solidarity and our conviction that the Palestinians will achieve their freedom and independence, a heritage enjoyed by the other peoples of the world.
"In a situation characterized by ever more frequent recourse to the use of force, intervention and interference in the internal affairs of other States, when the danger of wider armed conflicts is increasingly hanging over the world, the international community, and the United Nations in particular, is duty bound to take resolute steps with a view to solving existing crises and preventing the emergence of new ones. In that respect, special attention should be devoted to the settlement of the Middle East problem and its fundamental issue, the realization of the inalienable national rights of the Palestinian people.
"I wish to emphasize the firm belief of the Presidency and of the Government of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia that there can be no just and lasting peace in the Middle East as long as the question of Palestine is not solved in a comprehensive manner. That means that the Palestinian people should be enabled to achieve its basic national and human rights: the right to return to its homeland and to the land from which it was expelled and the right to self-determination, including the right to establish its own State.
"The peoples of Yugoslavia have always resolutely opposed the illegal occupation by Israel of Palestinian and other Arab territories. The withdrawal of Israel from the territories occupied in the 1967 war is a basic pre-condition of the establishment of peace in the Middle East. At the same time, it is imperative that the inalienable national rights of the Palestinians should be fully achieved and that conditions should be created for the security and development of all the States and peoples in the region. All the parties to the conflict should take part in the search for such a solution, including the Palestine Liberation Organization as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. We are glad to note that that framework, advocated by the non-aligned countries, has recently been accepted by almost the entire international community, and in that we see a confirmation of the correctness of such a path.
"The Palestinian people has passed through great suffering and tribulations but it has remained inflexible, unflinching and firmly resolved to persevere in its just struggle. Led by the Palestine Liberation Organization, the Palestinian people is constantly asserting itself, not only in the fight for the liberation of its country but also as a prominent participant in many aspects of the activities of the international community. The Palestinian stands and their concrete action within the context of the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement illustrate in the best possible manner the important and responsible role played by the Palestinian people in the life of the international community, even in conditions in which it is prevented by force and egression from enjoying national freedom and independence.
"We are convinced, that the Palestinian people will pursue its struggle relentlessly and that there is nothing that can arrest its progress along this path as well as along the road of building peace and promoting peaceful co-operation among the peoples of the world. In this struggle, the Palestinian people can safely count on the support and assistance of the peoples and nationalities of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and other peace-loving forces in the world, which are aware that their own freedom and independence cannot be either lasting or secure unless all other peoples too enjoy these highest national values."
The message is signed by Cvijetin Mijatovic, President of the Presidency of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
The CHAIRMAN (interpretation from French): I thank the Ambassador for reading out to us the message from his Head of State.
The next speaker is the Permanent Representative of Senegal to the United Nations.
Mr. SARRE (Senegal): I have the honour to read out to the Committee a message from President Leopold Senghor of the Republic of Senegal on the occasion of the commemoration by the United Nations of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. It reads as follows:
"On the occasion of the commemoration by the United Nations of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, I should like, on behalf of the people and Government of Senegal and on my own behalf, to extend to you our warmest best wishes. The Government of Senegal attaches great significance to the celebration of this day of solidarity and it will continue to work for the achievement of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian People: its right to return to its homeland, its right to self-determination and. its right to establish an independent State in Palestine.
"Similarly, the Senegalese Government wishes to reaffirm its full support for the right of the Palestinian people and its legitimate representative, the Palestine Liberation Organization, to participate on an equal footing in all talks and, negotiations that seek to find a solution to the question of Palestine.
"The Day of Solidarity which is being celebrated today symbolizes the will of the international community to promote the restoration of the inalienable national rights of the Palestinians and to see to it that the United Nations continues to play an active and constructive role in the achievement of that aim. In this regard, I am especially pleased to pay a tribute to the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People for the remarkable Job it has done since its creation. By its sustained action, its dedication to the just cause of the Palestinian people and its faithfulness to the principles and decisions of our Organization, this Committee has helped to enhance the awareness of world public opinion with regard to the Palestinian question.
"This is the time to reaffirm the constant support of the Senegalese Government for the recommendations of the Committee with regard to the implementation of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people. The Government of Senegal and I myself wish to encourage the Committee to persevere, its efforts to continue to fulfil with the same dedication the mandate which the General Assembly has entrusted to it. Its contribution to the implementation of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people strengthens the ideals of justice, peace and solidarity of the United Nations and consolidates its moral authority among all peoples which aspire to see the reign of law replace the reign of force."
The message is signed "Leopold Sedar Senghor, President of the Republic of Senegal".
The CHAIRMAN (interpretation from French): I thank the representative of Senegal for having read out to us the message of his Head of State. I now call on the Permanent Representative of Romania.
Mr. MARINESCU (Romania) (interpretation from French): I have the honour to read out a message from the President of the Socialist Republic of Romania, Nicolae Ceausescu, addressed, to the President of the General Assembly the United Nations at its thirty-fifth session, Mr. Rudiger von Wechmar, to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Kurt Waldheim, on occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
"On the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, I should like to reaffirm the active support and Solidarity of Socialist Romania and the entire Romanian people with regard s to the Palestinian people's just struggle to achieve its legitimate right to develop in complete freedom and independence, within the framework of its own national State.
"The anniversary of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People is being celebrated this year against a background of marked deterioration in international relations in which conflicts, wars and new states of tension have arisen while others are continuing,thus creating grave dangers to the security, peace and independence all peoples.
"Remaining faithful to its consistent position, Romania is working unstintingly for a halt to the exacerbation of international tension v and for a resumption and continuation of the policy of detente, independence, peace and co-operation. In this spirit, we feel that at present the most resolute efforts of all States and all peoples should be oriented towards accelerating the settlement by political means of conflicts and possible sources of war, resolving all controversial problems solely by means of negotiations and bringing about the conditions necessary for all peoples to devote their creative capacities to their economic and social development.
"Romania is an active and consistent proponent of a comprehensive political settlement of the Middle East situation leading to the establishment of a just and lasting peace based on the withdrawal of Israel from Arab territories occupied after the 1967 war, including Arab Jerusalem, and the solution of the problem of the Palestinian people, in conformity with its right to self-determination and the establishment of its own State,, with guarantees of independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty for all States of the region.
"We feel that at present there is an overriding need to achieve, through broad-based consultations, an initiative which would lead to the creation of a new framework and a new basis for negotiation in the form of an international conference organized under the sponsorship of and with the active participation of the United Nations and the participation of all parties involved in the conflict, including the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, the Soviet Union and the United States, as well as other States which can make a positive contribution to the process of the peaceful settlement of the Middle East situation.
"I should like to stress on this occasion as well that Romania is convinced that the central problem in the Middle East consists in ensuring the necessary conditions in order that the Palestinian people can fulfil as quickly as possible its legitimate aspirations to live in undisturbed peace in its own independent State.
"We are of the view that a comprehensive settlement of the Middle East conflict would correspond to the interests of the peoples of that region, have a positive influence on the international climate as a whole and constitute a particularly important contribution to building confidence among States, enhancing the efforts designed to ensure the continuation of the policy of peace and detente and the free and independent development of all nations of the world.
"For its part, Romania will continue to do everything in its power to make its contribution to the just and lasting settlement of the problems of the Middle East, the establishment of a comprehensive peace in the region and the realization of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.
"Let me express the conviction that the United Nations can and should play an increasingly active role in the comprehensive settlement of the fiddle East conflict and the solution of all conflicts through political channels, thus responding to the hopes and expectations of all peoples to live in a climate of stability and international security [and co-operation."
The message is signed "Nicolae Ceausescu, President of the Socialist Republic of Romania".
The CHAIRMAN (interpretation from French): I thank the representative |of Romania for reading out the message of his Head of State. I now call on the Permanent Representative of the German Democratic Republic.
Mr. FLORIN (German Democratic Republic): I have the honour of reading out the message of the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany and Chairman of the Council of State of the German Democratic Republic, Erich Honecker, to the Secretary-General the United Nations, Mr. Kurt Waldheim.
"On the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, the German Democratic Republic reaffirms its close attachment to the just struggle waged by the Palestinian people and their ^ Ultimate representative, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), or for the implementation of their inalienable right to self-determination and to establish an independent and sovereign State of their own.
"In conformity with the decisions adopted by the United Nations, the German Democratic Republic proceeds from the fact that in the absence of the implementation the rights of the Palestinian people and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from all Arab territories occupied in 1907, including Jerusalem, there can be no peace, security or stability in the Middle East.
"The further intensification of tensions in the Middle East as a result of the.aggravation of the international situation underscores the necessity of seeking a comprehensive peace settlement. As a result of the separate agreements signed, Israel, enjoying the support of imperialist Powers, continues to pursue its policy of aggression and of denying the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, thus completely defying the decisions adopted by the United Nations General Assembly and the Security Council.
"In the face of that development, the German Democratic Republic accords particular significance to the resolution of the seventh emergency special session of the United Nations General Assembly, which emphatically demands the implementation of the right of the Palestinian people to establish a State of their own as well as the participation, on an equal footing, of the Palestine Liberation Organization in all negotiations dealing with issues that concern the interests of the Palestinian people.
"The German Democratic Republic will in the future also stand firmly by the side of the people of Palestine, who have been tried by afflictions, and of their representative, the Palestine Liberation Organization."
The message is signed "Erich Honecker, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany and Chairman of the Council of State of the German Democratic Republic".
The CHAIRMAN (interpretation from French): I thank the representative of the German Democratic Republic for reading out Mr. Honecker's message.
The next speaker is the representative of India.
Mr. MISHRA (India): On the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People the Prime Minister of India has sent a message to the Committee, and I have the great honour and privilege of reading it out. The message reads:
"On behalf of the people and Government of India, and on my own behalf, I offer our best wishes for the third annual observance of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
"The United Nations Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People has made a commendable contribution towards enlightening public opinion on the Palestinian cause. The resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in July this year is another affirmation of international support for the Palestinian people's just demand for the full restoration of its rights.
"As always, India considers the Palestinian question as central to the West Asian situation. Along with other Members of the United Nations we reiterate our support for the Palestinian cause. We are confident that the continued efforts of the United Nations will further strengthen the indomitable spirit of the Palestinian people to continue their struggle. The fulfilment of their aspirations is only a matter of time."
The message is signed "Indira Gandhi".
The CHAIRMAN: I thank the representative of India for reading out the message from his Prime Minister.continued in French; interpretation)
The next speaker is the representative of the United Arab Emirates.
Mr. AL-QASSIMI (United Arab Emirates) (interpretation from Arabic): I should like to read out the text of the message of His Excellency Sheikh Zahed Bin Sultan Al-Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, addressed to you, Mr. Chairman, on the occasion of the celebration of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People:
"In the name of the people of the United Arab Emirates, we wish to salute you and express our thanks for the laudable efforts you are making in helping and supporting the Palestinian people and doing everything possible to enable that people to enjoy its inalienable rights.
"We see in the present celebration and in the choice of the date of 29 November as the Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People a reflection of the awareness of the United Nations of its responsibility towards that people, which has been suffering its present plight since 1947.
"We see in that commitment a resolve on the part of the international community to eliminate injustice and to help the Palestinian people in its fight for the recovery of its rights.
"Moreover, we note with satisfaction the increase in the support of the international community for the struggle of that people, which is fighting to recover its rights and which is rejecting any agreements which do not take into account its inalienable rights or which will not enable the Palestinian people, represented by the Palestine Liberation Organization, to be recognized as the principal party in all efforts made to find a solution to the Palestinian problem. The Palestinian people have suffered all too long, and is still waiting for the restoration of its rights.
"We wish to urge the international community to increase its support of the Palestinian people by taking effective measures to punish the aggressor and restore the rights of the people to those to whom they belong.
"Once again, Mr. Chairman, I should like to emphasize that we shall spare no effort in the support we give to this fighting people in its struggle to recover its rights."
The message is signed "Sheikh Zahed Bin Sultan Al-Nahyan, President of the I,United Arab Emirates".
The CHAIRMAN (interpretation from French): The next speaker is the representative of the Maldives.
Mr. ZAKI (Maldives): I have the honour and privilege to read out a message I received this morning from the President of my country, His Excellency Mr. Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom:
"On this important occasion of the commemoration of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, I extend, on behalf of the Government and people of the Maldives, warm and sincere greetings to all the participants in this significant United Nations meeting held to declare support for the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people. I take this opportunity to reaffirm our full solidarity with the Arab Palestinian people and our unwavering support for the realization of their legitimate rights, which have been denied them for more than three decades.
"As the Moslem world takes the initial steps into a new century of the Islamic calendar, the Maldives, as a small but sincere component of that world, once again expresses its support for the lawful struggle of the Moslem Arab people of Palestine to regain their inalienable rights, including their right to establish a homeland on their national soil, Palestine. The momentum of the international efforts now being exerted to aid and uphold the Palestine cause should be reinforced on all fronts in order to assist this heroic people to achieve its legitimate aspirations to independence and self-determination.
"The Maldives strongly condemns the criminal and inhuman acts of murder, torture and mass destruction carried out by the Israeli occupation forces in Arab Jerusalem, the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, the Golan Heights and southern Lebanon. The immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Israeli forces from these Arab territories is essential for the establishment of a just and durable peace in the Middle East. We are firmly convinced that the sole and lawful representative of the Palestinian people, the Palestine Liberation Organization, must be allowed to participate fully and in its own right in any effort aimed at securing a lasting peace in this troubled area which has seen four wars in the past three decades.
"The people of the Maldives are fully confident that a day will dawn when the Palestinians, with their heroic struggle on the battlefront as well as on the political front, and supported and assisted by the international community, will achieve their just aspiration to live in their own homeland as an independent and free people."
The CHAIRMAN: I thank the representative of the Maldives for reading the message sent to us. (continued in French; interpretation)
The next speaker is the representative of Bulgaria, upon whom I now call.
Mr. TSVETKOV (Bulgaria) (interpretation from French): I have the honour Md privilege to read a message from Mr. Todor Zhivkov, President of the Council Of State of the People's Republic of Bulgaria and First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Bulgarian Communist Party, on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People:
"On behalf of the Central Committee of the Bulgarian Communist Party and the Council of State of the People's Republic of Bulgaria, and on my own behalf, I wish to convey to you, Mr. Chairman and to Mr. Yasser Arafat, the Chairman of the Executive Council of the Palestine Liberation Organization, as well as to the valiant Arab people of Palestine, our warmest congratulations on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
"On that day, 29 November, in close concert with all progressive and democratic forces in the world, we reaffirm our resolute support for the brave struggle of the Palestinian people in the defence of its inalienable national rights, including its right to self-determination and to establish its own independent State. We categorically condemn those in Israeli ruling circles for their increasing acts of aggression and expansion in the occupied Arab territories, and we declare our firm opposition to the illegitimate annexation of East Jerusalem and to the proclamation of that city as the 'eternal and indivisible' capital of the Israeli State, in flagrant contempt for United Nations resolutions and particularly the decisions taken at the seventh emergency special session of the United Nations General Assembly.
"The People's Republic of Bulgaria stands resolutely against the plans of imperialism, Zionism and reaction that seek to eliminate Palestinian resistance and to destroy the Arab national liberation movement in order to restore imperialist domination and control over the natural wealth of the countries of the Near and Middle East. Our country fully supports the just struggle to thwart the separist Camp David accords, and the current so-called Palestinian autonomy talks and to eliminate the harmful consequences of the so-called Israeli-Egyptian peace agreement.
"The People's Republic of Bulgaria has repeatedly made known its view that a just and lasting solution of the Palestinian problem must be reached with the framework of a comprehensive settlement of the Middle East conflict, on the basis of the complete and unconditional withdrawal of Israeli troops from all Arab territories occupied in 1967, including East Jerusalem, and the attainment by the Palestinian people of its inalienable national rights, including its right to self-determination and to establish its own independent State, with the restoration of all Palestinian property, in accordance with United Nations resolutions.
"Such a just solution can be achieved only with the participation of all the parties concerned, including the Palestine Liberation Organization as the sole legitimate representative of the Arab people of Palestine.
"I should like to emphasize once again that the just and valiant struggle of the heroic Arab people of Palestine against imperialism, Zionism and reaction will always enjoy the full and unreserved support of the People's Republic of Bulgaria."
The message is signed by Todor Zhivkov, President of the Council of State of the People's Republic of Bulgaria and First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Bulgarian Communist Party.
The CHAIRMAN (interpretation from French): I thank the representative of Bulgaria for reading out to us the message from President Todor Zhivkov. (continued in English)
I now call upon the representative of Indonesia.
Mr. KAMIL (Indonesia): Today we meet to mark another milestone in long struggle for freedom from alien occupation and for the establishment of the State of Palestine. We also pause for a moment to render homage to those who have fallen for the freedom of their fatherland, Palestine. For Indonesia this also represents an occasion for reaffirming its solidarity with our t Palestinian brothers in their struggle. I wish to take this occasion also to pay a tribute to you, Mr. Chairman, for your unflinching efforts in leading and guiding this Committee for the past year.
Permit me now to read the message issued by my Foreign Minister to mark International Day we are commemorating. The statement, which my delegation has transmitted to the Committee, is as follows:
"On the occasion of the commemoration of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, the Government and people of Indonesia Join the other members of the international community in extending their unfaltering support for the determined effort of the Palestinians to achieve their noble aims and aspirations. Coming as it does at this crucial juncture in their struggle for the achievement of their inalienable rights, which were reaffirmed by the special session of the United Nations General Assembly on the question of Palestine, this act of solidarity on the part of the international community can go a long way towards transforming their aspirations, for which they have struggled so long and hard, into a reality.
"Indonesia has always maintained that the question of Palestine is at the heart of the Middle East conflict. Pursuant to that policy, Indonesia has always been consistent in its support for the cause of the Palestinians and has pointed out that the solution of the Middle East conflict cannot be separated from the elimination of the injustices and humiliation inflicted upon the Palestinians. Furthermore, such injustices and humiliation cannot be redressed as long as the territories belonging to the rightful owners are under continued occupation by force of arms. Indonesia has therefore unwaveringly supported the struggle of the Palestinian people to regain their inalienable right to self-determination and for the right to decide their own future, including the establishment of their own State.
"I am pleased today to reaffirm our support for the people of Palestine and to express the belief that their efforts will inevitably result in the attainment of their sacred goals. On behalf of the Indonesian Government and people, as well as on my own behalf, I reiterate our historic commitment to the cause of freedom and justice. Indonesia's solidarity with the Palestinian people in the struggle for the restitution of their legitimate rights and the restoration of freedom and justice in the Middle East is a matter of pride to us. On this occasion of solidarity with the Palestinian people, it is my earnest hope that the day when all Palestinians will enjoy freedom and liberty and take their place in the comity of nations is not far away."
The message is signed by Mr. Mochtar Kusumaatmadja, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia.
The CHAIRMAN: I thank the Permanent Representative of Indonesia for the massage he has just read out and for the kind words he addressed to me Personally.
The next speaker is the Permanent Representative of Cyprus.
Mr. MAVROMMATIS (Cyprus): I have the honour on the occasion of the commemoration of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People – 29 November – to read out the following message addressed to His Excellency Mr. Kurt Waldheim, Secretary-General of the United Nations, from His Excellency Mr. Spyros Kyprianou, President of the Republic of Cyprus:
"On the occasion of the observance of 29 November as the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, I wish to stress once again the necessity for the application of all relevant United Nations resolutions on Palestine in order to ensure peace and stability in the area and bring an end to the suffering of and the injustice against the Palestinian people. It remains imperative that the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people should be thoroughly respected, including the right to establish their own independent, sovereign State.
"Cyprus, together with all other countries dedicated to the ideals of peace, freedom and justice, will continue to offer its co-operation to the United Nations for the solution of the Palestinian problem, which could be achieved through negotiations, with the equal participation of the PLO, the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people."
I should like to add that Cyprus has been commemorating the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People in a number of ways and through a number of activities, including the issuance of commemorative stamps for the occasion. We have had celebrations and lectures in all the secondary and elementary schools. Furthermore, there have been speeches on radio and television, and programmes organized by the Cypriot Organization for the United Nations. Also a communique from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to be issue tomorrow, expressing the solidarity of the people and Government of Cyprus with the struggling Palestinian people and reiterating the Government's support for the efforts towards a just and peaceful solution of the Palestinian question, in accordance with United Nations principles and resolutions, and, of course, with the participation on an equal footing the Palestine Liberation Organization, the sole,legitimate representative the Palestinian people.
I would end this brief statement by saying that we have all gathered here today – the members of our Committee as well as representatives of the vast majority of the people of the world – not only to reiterate solidarity with the Palestinian people and its leadership, but also to renew our commitment and our pledge that we shall be with that people all the way in its struggle for vindication.
The CHAIRMAN: I thank the Permanent Representative of Cyprus for the message he has read out and also for informing us of all the action taken by his country to commemorate this Day of Solidarity.
The next speaker is the representative of Pakistan.
Mr. AHMAD (Pakistan): I have the honour to read out the following message from the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Gentral Mohammad Zia-Ul-Haq, sent to you, Mr. Chairman, this morning, on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people:
"Pakistan today joins the international community in observing the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People with profound emotion. The denial of the legitimate and inalienable rights of the valiant Palestinian people has led to the creation of an explosive situation constantly imperilling peace not only in the Middle East but in the world as a whole. The international community has a vital stake in ensuring that Justice is done to the Palestinian people by enabling them to exercise their inalienable right to establish a sovereign State in their homeland under the leadership of their sole, legitimate representative, the Palestine Liberation Organization.
"The annual observance of the International Bay of Solidarity with the Palestinian People under the aegis of the United Nations is an event of great significance as it symbolizes the ever-increasing recognition by the international community of the Justness of the cause of the Palestinian people.. This is a triumph which strengthens our belief that despite all the present adversities and odds, the just struggle of the Palestinian people will be crowned with success.
"The people of Pakistan are bound to their Palestinian brethren by indissoluble ties of culture, history and religion. Our consistent and resolute support for them is, however, based not on these considerations but on our faith in the principle that force and coercion should not be allowed to trample over the rights and aspirations of peoples and nations and that justice must prevail. The brave people of Palestine continue their quest to regain their homeland and are making countless sacrifices in their struggle to maintain their identity. Moved by a deep conviction of the justness of their cause, Pakistan has always given its full support to the just cause of the brotherly Palestinian people and will continue to do so till their aspirations to a sovereign homeland of their own are realized."
The CHAIRMAN: I thank the representative of Pakistan for the message he has just read out.
The next speaker is the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka.
Mr. BALASUBRAMAMIAM (Sri Lanka): On the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, the President of Sri Lanka has sent the following message, which I have the honour to read out:
"I welcome this opportunity to convey a message on behalf of the Government and people of Sri Lanka to commemorate the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
"The Palestinian people continue to be denied, their inalienable national rights. This Day of Solidarity organized by the United Nations Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian people calls attention to this grave injustice. On this day we must consolidate our support for the Palestinian cause.
"The Middle East, which has been the cradle of some of the world's great religions, is tragically today a scene of bitter strife, unrest and suffering. The question of Palestine lies at the core of what is called the Middle East problem. The international community must vigorously pursue its efforts to effect a just and lasting settlement of this issue in all its aspects. Failure to do so would have grave repercussions not only on regional peace and stability, but on the peace and stability of the entire world.
"The inalienable national rights of the Palestinian people to return to their homeland, to self-determination and independence, and their struggle for the realization of these rights, under the leadership of the Palestine Liberation Organization, have the full support and solidarity of the Government and people of Sri Lanka."
The CHAIRMAN (interpretation from French): I thank the representative or Sri Lanka for reading out the message of his Head of State.
The next speaker is the representative of Lebanon on whom I now call.
Mr. FAKHOURY (Lebanon) (interpretation from Arabic): It is an honour for me to read out the following message from His Excellency the President of the Republic of Lebanon on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the brother Palestinian people:
"To the Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People: 29 November was chosen by the General Assembly for a re-examination of the injustice and deprivation that have been the lot of the Palestinian people, with a demonstration of a responsible determination to eliminate them, and for a recognition of that people's inalienable right to self-determination and the establishment of its own State on its own land.
"Lebanon has always been committed to standing in solidarity with those defending the rights of oppressed peoples and is so committed because it is convinced of the principles on which the United Nations is based: freedom. Justice and equality.
"What Lebanon and the Lebanese have given to the Palestinian cause and what they have endured as a result of the injustices committed in connexion with this question go far beyond anything that any other people or State may have given or endured notwithstanding the continued ramifications of this cause, its dangerous repercussions and the direct threat it poses to stability and peace not only in the Middle East but also in the world as a whole.
"The Palestinian cause has become a burden upon the universal conscience. The time has come for good intentions to be expressed, in the form of practical measures capable of containing the acuity of the emotional turmoil that is shaking the Middle East and Lebanon and halting the whirlpool of violence in which we are living.
"Precisely on this day I call for solidarity in supporting the right and in endeavouring to achieve a just and lasting peace.
The message is signed "Elias Sarkis, President of the Republic of Lebanon".
The CHAIRMAN (interpretation from French): I thank the representative of Lebanon for the message he has just read out from his Head of State. The next speaker is the representative of Libya on whom I now call.
Mr. MUNTASSER (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya) (interpretation from Arabic): Allow me, Mr. Chairman, to read out the following message from Dr. Al-Treiki, Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, addressed to Mr. Waldheim, Secretary-General of the United Nations:
"On the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People which is being commemorated today at the United Nations and throughout the world and is so celebrated on 29 November each year in conformity with General Assembly resolution 32/4O B, I should like to take this opportunity to remind Your Excellency of the suffering of the Palestinian people for three decades now and the racial practices from which it has suffered at the hands of the Zionists, in addition to the plots directed against it by zionism and its allies. The latest of these are the so-called Camp David agreements, which deny the rights of the Palestinian people and aim to liquidate the Palestinian cause and condemn the Palestinians to live for ever as refugees.
"The celebration by peace-loving and freedom-loving peoples throughout the world of the International Day of Solidarity is the best evidence of the international community's recognition of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people. This universal solidarity with the Palestinian people bears witness against those outside the United Nations who are plotting against the Palestinian people. They are mere plotters in an issue of right and peace, and this Day of Solidarity is unmasking their inhuman attitude.
"The dedication of 29 November to solidarity with the Palestinian people, after the international community represented by the United Nations has recognized the inalienable rights of that people and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as its sole legitimate representative, is a confirmation of the will of the international community as represented by the United Nations to eliminate the injustice to which the Palestinian people continues to be exposed by racist zionism, supported by the United States and its allies. This solidarity also confirms the determination of peace-loving and Justice-loving peoples to support the Palestinian people in its legitimate struggle to recover its usurped rights.
"The Libyan Arab Jamabiriya reaffirms its support for the heroic struggle being waged by the Palestinian people to recover its rights and its usurped homeland.
"I salute you and hail the sincere efforts that you are exerting to establish right, peace and Justice. I wish you all success in your noble mission."
The message is signed "Ali Al-Treiki, Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya".
The CHAIRMAN (interpretation from French): I thank the representative the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya for the message he has just read. The next speaker is the representative of Bangladesh on whom I now call.
Mr. KAISER (Bangladesh): I have the privilege of reading out the text a message on this auspicious day from His Excellency President Ziaur Rahman Bangladesh on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people.
"Bangladesh joins other nations of the world, in observing the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. On this solemn occasion, the people of Bangladesh would like to reaffirm once again their total support for the exercise of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people and the need for a Just and lasting peace in the Middle East. We take this opportunity to repeat that any comprehensive settlement in the area must take into account the question of Palestine which lies at the very heart of the Middle East problem.
It is a blot on the conscience of the civilized world that Israel continues to violate with impunity the various resolutions adopted by the United Nations and in other international forums calling for the restoration of the inalienable rights of the Palestinians, including their right to have a State of their own. As a Member of the Jerusalem Committee and also of the Co-ordination Committee on Jerusalem of the United nations, Bangladesh's stand regarding complete solidarity with its Arab and Palestinian brethren is well known. Bangladesh believes that peace through justice alone can endure. In the Middle East such a peace has yet to be won. The components of any settlement that could guarantee a just and lasting peace in the Middle East must embrace the following essentials: acceptance of the fact by all parties that the question of Palestine lies at the heart of the Middle East problem; that no solution can be envisaged without the restoration of the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to return to their homeland, as well as to self-determination;, independence and territorial sovereignty that the participation of the Palestine Liberation Organization., the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, on an equal footing with all other parties, is indispensable in all efforts towards a solution-that the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by force imposes an obligation on Israel, under international law, to withdraw completely and quickly from all the territories it has occupied since 1967, including the Holy City of Jerusalem.
I hould also take this opportunity to convey the deep appreciation of the Government and the people of Bangladesh to the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People for its commendable efforts in projecting the just cause of the Palestinian people."
The message is signed "Ziaur Rahman, President of the People's Republic of Bangladesh".
Before concluding, may I express to you, Mr. Chairman, on behalf of my delegation, our deepest sense of respect and admiration for the high level of efficiency with which you have discharged your responsibilities. I also wish to express to you and to the fraternal people of your great country our solidarity in combating with all our strength the problems of injustice that beset the world, today.
The CHAIRMAN: I thank the representative of Bangladesh for the message of his Head of State that he has read to us, and thank him as well for the kind words he has addressed to me and to my country.
The next speaker is the Permanent Representative of Bahrain.
Mr. AL-SAFFAR (Bahrain) (interpretation from Arabic): Mr. Chairman, may I first of all express my delegation's appreciation for the efforts made by the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People under your leadership. We support the struggle of the Palestinian people to recover its right to self-determination and to the creation of an independent State in its own homeland.
It is an honour for me to read out to you the following message sent by His Highness Sheikh Isan bin Sulman Al-Khalifa, Emir of the State of Bahrain; on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People:
"Excellencies, Ambassador Falilou Kane, Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People:
"The question of Palestine, as well as of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, is one of the most serious questions that the international community has to deal with. The persistent tensions in the Middle East have been increasing in gravity from year to year ever since the General Assembly's adoption of the partition resolution on 29 November 1948. Since that date the Middle East region has known no peace. On the contrary, that region, over the last 30 years, has seen wars and other events that have involved the shedding of blood.
"Today, more than 30 years have elapsed since the occupation of Palestine and the expulsion of its people: yet the greater portion of that people still remain expelled and are living outside their own homeland. The other part of that nation is living under the yoke of occupation, domination, terrorism and Zionist torture. Israel continues to apply its annexationist and aggressive policy against the Palestinian people, having expelled them from their land and having despoiled them of that land and of their property, aided and abetted by world-wide colonialism and Zionism.
"Promulgation of the law on the annexation of Jerusalem – a law which claims that city as the eternal capital of the Zionist entity -is flagrant evidence of the policy of annexation and aggression pursued by Israel, and of Israel's defiance of United Nations resolutions and of the international will as expressed through them.
"There is no need to recall that the rights of the Palestinian people are at the very core of the Middle East conflict. Many years have elapsed since the General Assembly's recognition of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people through its resolution 3236 (XXIX) dated 22 November 1974, and subsequent resolutions. In spite of international recognition of the rights of the Palestinian people, -which are legitimate and no longer the subject of any controversy or doubt, needing no further demonstration, Israel, in its perpetual defiance of the international will, is denying those rights, in particular the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, their right to return to their homes, their right to independence and to the establishment of their own State on Palestinian soil.
"There is no doubt that Israel's defiance of United Nations resolutions and the international will is the cause of the deterioration of events in the Middle East. As long as the international community, represented by this Organization, is unable to put an end to Israeli intransigence and cannot cope with its defiance of United Nations resolutions, the international community's efforts to achieve a lasting peace will not be crowned with success. The State of Bahrain, basing itself on its conviction of the principle of the right of peoples and nations to self-determination pursuant to United Nations resolutions, declares that it stands with all the countries and peoples of the world in the celebration of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. We wish to declare our full and undivided solidarity with the just struggle waged by the Palestinian people under the direction of the Palestine Liberation Organization in order to regain their lawful right to self-determination, to return to their homeland and to establish an independent State on their own soil, in the hope that the United Nations, which has a special responsibility towards the Palestinian people, will stretch out its hand to them and help them to assert their legitimate rights as recognized by the international Organization itself on a number of occasions.
The message is signed "Isan bin Sulman Al-Khalifa, Emir of the State of Bahrain".
The CHAIRMAN Interpretation from Arabic): I thank the representative of Bahrain for reading out the message of his Head of State.
The next speaker is the representative of the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen.
Mr. BA-ISSA (Democratic Yemen) (interpretation from Arabic): It is an honour for me, Mr. Chairman, to convey to you on this occasion a message from our brother, Alt Nasser Mohammed, Secretary-General of the Central Committee for the Yemeni Socialist Party and Chairman of the Presidium of the People's Supreme Council of the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen. The message reads as follows:
"I am pleased, on behalf of the Central Committee for the Yemeni Socialist Party and on behalf of the Presidium of the People's Supreme Council, the Council of Ministers and the people of the Democratic Republic of Yemen, to convey to you our warn greetings on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
"The Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People has been organized under the aegis of the United Nations to focus international support for the Just cause of the Palestinian people. It confirms the justice of that struggle of the Palestinian people to return to its homeland and to build an independent State of its own, and clearly demonstrates that the Zionist occupation forces do not have the respect of the international community and are indeed isolated.
"At a time when peoples throughout the world are expressing their solidarity with the Palestinian people in their struggle, under the aegis of the United Nations, the parties to the Camp David agreements are pursuing the implementation of their plans, contrary to the will of the Arab people and in the first place of the Palestinian people. The Zionist occupation forces, with the support and encouragement of the United States of America, are pursuing their policy of aggression, annexation and expansion against the Arab peoples.
"Democratic Yemen, in paying a tribute to the United Nations for its action in support of the Palestinian people, wishes to reaffirm that the establishment of peace and stability in the Middle East can only "be achieved through the withdrawal of the Zionist aggressors from occupied Arab territories and the recognition of the legitimate right of the Palestinian people to return, to self-determination and to build an independent State, under the guidance of the Palestine Liberation Organization.
"We wish once again to express our full confidence that the cause of the Palestinian people, which enjoys the support of the United Nations will be crowned with success. That will mean victory in the struggle that the Palestinian people is waging today at the side of its Arab brothers and peoples against imperialism, Zionism and racism.
"I extend to the Committee all our good wishes for success in its efforts in support of the Palestinian cause.
The message is signed by Ali Nasser Mohammed, Secretary-General of the Central Committee and Chairman of the Presidium of the People's Supreme Council of the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen.
The CHAIRMAN (interpretation from French): I thank the representative of Democratic Yemen for reading our that message.
The representative of Jordan will be the next speaker.
Mr. BURAYZAT (Jordan) (interpretation from Arabic): I should like to thread out the text of the cable sent by His Excellency Mr. Marwan Kasim, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, in connexion with the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. The cable is addressed to the Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People and reads as follows:
"I have the honour to welcome the commemoration of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People on 28 November 1980. Jordan, which considers the cause of Palestine its first cause, as it is the cause of the Arab world in its entirety, is taking this opportunityto express its absolute solidarity with the people of Palestine in its struggle to regain all its usurped rights. Jordan also joins with the Palestinian people and with all peace-loving States to stop the aggression against the people of Palestine, inspired by our faith in the natural right of the Palestinian people.
"I -wish to take this opportunity to express our conviction that the rights of the Palestinian people will be restored, thanks to the solidarity of all the peoples of the world that love peace and Justice.
"Lastly, I should like to express to you, Mr. Chairman, and to the other members of the Committee on this occasion our appreciation of your efforts to make it possible for the Palestinian people to exercise its inalienable rights in its homeland.
"The message is signed "Marwan Kasim, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan".
The CHAIRMAN (interpretation from French): I thank the representative of Jordan for reading out that message.
The Permanent Representative of Viet Ham is the next speaker.
Mr. HA VAN LAU (Viet Nam) (interpretation from French): I have the honour to read out the following message from our Prime Minister on the occasion of the commemoration of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
The message is addressed to His Excellency Mr. Kurt Waldheim, Secretary-General of the United Nations and to His Excellency Mr. Falilou Kane, Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, and reads as follows:
"On the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, 29 November 1980, I should like, on behalf of the people and Government of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and on my own behalf, to convey to you. Sirs, and through you to the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, my warm greetings.
"Together with the progressive people of the world, the Vietnamese people warmly welcome the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, who, having undergone tremendous sufferings, have persistently and indomitably resisted the yoke of occupation by Zionist Israeli aggressors. The Vietnamese people and the Government of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam reaffirm once again their militant solidarity with the Palestinian people and their resolute support for its just struggle, under the leadership of the Palestine Liberation Organization, for the recovery of its sacred and inalienable national rights, including the right to establish an independent and sovereign State of Palestine.
"We severely condemn the Camp David agreements, the separate Egypt-Israel treaty and the policy of repression and expulsion of the Palestinian people pursued by Zionist Israeli aggressors, supported by the United States, in an attempt to achieve their expansionist ambition of invasion of Palestinian and Arab territory.
"We believe that any solution genuinely aimed at bringing a just and lasting peace to the Middle East must ensure Israeli withdrawal from all occupied Arab territories, respect for the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people and the indispensable participation of the Palestine Liberation Organization, the only authentic representative of the Palestinian people."
The message is dated Hanoi, 28 November 1980, and signed by Pham Van Dong, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam.
The CHAIRMAN (interpretation from French); I thank the representative of Viet Nam for reading out the message from his Prime Minister. I now call on the representative of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
Mr. TROYAWOVSKY (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) (interpretation from Russian): I have been instructed to transmit to you, Mr. Chairman, and to all the members of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People congratulations on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Arab People of Palestine and to communicate to you the message of the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, Leonid Ilyich Brezhnev, in which congratulations are extended to the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), the leadership of the organization and the entire Arab people of Palestine in connexion with the celebration of this Day.
The communication further states that:
"The celebration of this Day reflects the growing support throughout the whole world for the dauntless struggle of the Arab people of Palestine for the exercise of its legitimate national rights and, first of all, for the right to self-determination and the establishment of its own independent State. Marching in the vanguard of that struggle, the Palestine Liberation Organization has acquired genuine international recognition and respect as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people and has become one of the leading mass units of the Arab national liberation movement and an active participant in the Non-Aligned Movement.
"True to the Leninist principle of solidarity with peoples fighting for their freedom, independence and social progress, the Soviet Union unswervingly supports the Just cause of the Palestinian people. We shall continue to be on the side of the Palestinian and other Arab peoples in their struggle against Israeli aggression and the machinations of imperialism, to frustrate the anti-Arab policy of separate deals and to achieve a comprehensive settlement of the situation in the Middle East.
"We wish the friendly Palestinian people and its political vanguard, the Palestine Liberation Organization, further successes in the struggle for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East and in the struggle to achieve national independence and establish its own State. The message is signed: "Leonid Brezhnev, Moscow, Kremlin, 28 November 1960".
The CHAIRMAN (interpretation from French): I thank the representative of the Soviet Union for the message from President Brezhnev, which he has just read out to us. I now call on the representative of Spain.
Mr. XIFRA (Spain) (interpretation from Spanish): Spain has always supported the Palestinian cause firmly and unequivocally, with its arguments in the debates, with its votes when decisions were taken, with contributions to the agency responsible for its refugees, and on other occasions such as today with its moral support through its presence at this commemoration.
As the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Spain stated in his speech before the General Assembly at its thirty-fifth session, we must seek a Just and comprehensive peace which will provide a definitive solution to the historical tragedy of the Palestinian people by recognizing and implementing its legitimate national rights, including the right to a homeland.
The CHAIRMAN (interpretation from Spanish): I thank the representative of Spain for his statement. (continued in English)
The next speaker is the representative of Afghanistan on whom I call.
Mr. HAKIM (Afghanistan): I have the honour of reading out a message from Babrak Karmal, the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the People Democratic Party, President of the Revolutionary Council and Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan addressed to His Excellency, Mr. Kurt Waldheim, the Secretary-General of the United Nations on the occasion the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people.
"The progressive and peace-loving peoples all over the world are observe 29 November as the International Day of Solidarity with the heroic Palestine people. I should like to take the opportunity in reiterating the well-known stand and firm support of the people and the Government of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan to the liberation struggle of the heroic Palestinian people under the leadership of the Palestine Liberation Organization for the restoration of their national inalienable rights.
"The world-wide support and solidarity extended to the continued struggle of the Palestinian people by peace-loving people and progressive countries and forces confirms the legitimacy of the struggle of the Palestinians.
"It is an undeniable fact that no solution can be envisaged in the Middle East until the legitimate right of the Palestinian people is taken fully into account.
"The Government of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan believes that a just and lasting peace in the Middle East can be achieved only when all Israeli troops are totally, immediately and unconditionally withdrawn from the Arab and Palestinian occupied territories, including Jerusalem.
"It is the inalienable, legitimate national right of the Arab people of Palestine to establish their own independent and sovereign State, under the leadership of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), and to participate as the sole legitimate representative of the Arab people of Palestine in all negotiations on the problem of the Middle East settlement.
"Reaffirming our firm and all-round support to our Palestinian brothers, we are confident that their cause will triumph and soon they will achieve their rightful goals."
The message is signed: "Babrak Karmal, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the People's Democratic Party, President of the Revolutionary Council and Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan".
The CHAIRMAN (interpretation from French): I thank the representative of Afghanistan for reading out the message of his Head of State.
The next speaker is the representative of Saudi Arabia, on whom I call.
Mr. ALLAGANY (Saudi Arabia) (interpretation from Arabic): I have the honour, on behalf of his Royal Highness, Emir Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz, Prince of Saudi Arabia and Vice Chairman of the Council of Ministers, to transmit to you, Sir, the message sent by His Highness in connexion with the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
"I am pleased, on the occasion of the celebration of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, to pay a tribute to the Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People and express our appreciation of the work done by your Committee for the benefit of the Palestinian people to enable it to exercise its inalienable rights."
"I should also like to take this opportunity to reaffirm the position of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This is a steadfast position. We support the Palestinian people in its attempt to recover and exercise its legitimate rights, including the right to return to its homeland and the right to self-determination, in freedom, in its national homeland. We should like to thank all States that have always supported law and justice and shown respect for the principles of international law, and that supported Security Council resolution 478 (1980), which calls upon those States that have established diplomatic Missions in Jerusalem to withdraw such Missions from the Holy City, and declares illegitimate and unlawful the Israeli decision to annex Jerusalem and convert it into its reunited capital. This act and this conduct clearly show the intransigence of Israel in persisting in its expansionist plans, in defiance of United Nations resolutions and of international instruments which declare the annexation of territories by force and actions such as those of Israel in attempting to eliminate the Arab characteristics of cities in the occupied Arab territories to be illegal.
"I should like to appeal to all friendly States to counteract the Zionist plots against the Palestinian people in the occupied territories and outside, which constitute a serious threat not only to the stability of the Middle East region but also to international peace and security. That is why Saudi Arabia is fully convinced that a just and lasting peace in the Near East can be achieved only through the total withdrawal by Israel^ of its forces in all occupied Arab territories and, in the first place, Arab Jerusalem, and through recognition of the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, independence and national sovereignty.
"Saudi Arabia is firmly convinced that this question is properly understood by all friendly States and all peoples that love peace and Justice. The people of Palestine, under the leadership of the Palestine Liberation Organization, is thus receiving ever greater support. This International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people is the proper occasion for peace-loving States and peoples to show their solidarity in desiring all people under foreign domination to lie able to exercise their right to self-determination, independence and freedom, in conformity with the United Nations Charter."
The message is signed by Crown Prince Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy rime Minister.
The CHAIRMAN (interpretation from French): I thank the representative Of Saudi Arabia for reading out to us the message from the Crown Prince. The next speaker is Ambassador Doukoure of Guinea.
Mr. DOUKOURE (Guinea) (interpretation from French): I have the honour to read out a message addressed to you, Mr. Chairman, by His Excellency Ahmed Sekou Toure, President of the People's Revolutionary Republic of Guinea, on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People:
"On the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, we are pleased to reaffirm on behalf of our people, its State party, the Democratic Party of Guinea, and on my own behalf our militant and active solidarity with the Palestinian people in its legitimate struggle under the guidance of the Palestine Liberation Organization, the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, to liberate its homeland and recover its inalienable rights. In this regard, we feel that the international community should spare no effort to recognize and restore to the Palestinian people all its inalienable rights, including the right to a homeland in Palestine, the right to return to that homeland, the right to self-determination, the right to establish in its territory an independent national State under the guidance of the PLO and the right to exercise its sovereignty over that territory without any foreign interference or intervention.
"Having condemned the refusal of Israel to recognize those rights, the international community, and the United Nations in particular, should now be able to compel Israel to withdraw from the occupied Arab territories, including Jerusalem, and apply the relevant resolutions of our Organization."
Mr. Chairman, let me take this opportunity to address to you our warm congratulations on the very praiseworthy efforts that you personally and your country, the Republic of Senegal, have constantly exerted in the Just cause of the Palestinian people.
The CHAIRMAN (interpretation from French): I thank the representative of Guinea for reading out to us the message from his Head of State. The next speaker is the Permanent Representative of Mauritania.
Mr. HAMODY (Mauritania) (interpretation from French): Mr. Chairman, I should like to read out the message addressed to you by Lieutenant Colonel Mohamed Khouna Quid Haidalla, President of the Military Committee for National Salvation and Head of State and Government of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania. It reads as follows:
"On the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, may I first of all express to you personally and to the other members of your Committee our profound gratitude for and our heartfelt congratulations on the remarkable work that you are doing to ensure the victory of Justice and truth in the greatly suffering land of Palestine.
"On this solemn occasion the Islamic Republic of Mauritania reaffirms the unflagging support of its people and its leaders for the sacred cause of the brother Palestinian people for the liberation of its plundered homeland and the recovery of all its inalienable and incontrovertible national rights. Our total commitment, which is that of our entire Arab nation, on the side of the Palestinian revolution is undoubtedly gaining increasing support every day from the international community.
"The last emergency special session of the General Assembly devoted to Palestine made possible the overwhelming reaffirmation of this truth. This session has demonstrated with the same clarity that there can be no solution of the Palestine problem without the full and entire participation of the only authentic representative of its people, namely, the Palestine Liberation Organization.
"The Islamic Republic of Mauritania is convinced today, as ever, that under the enlightened and responsible leadership of its liberation organization and thanks to the determination of its gallant people Arab Palestine will be reborn, free and prosperous.
"Neither the desperate attempts of the Zionists to defy history by trying to change the Islamic-Christian character of the occupied land, nor its suicidal policy of faits accomplis, which it wishes to be eternal, nor its racist contempt for the values of Arab civilization in Palestine, nor its terrorism set up as a State system and directed particularly against Arab elected officials, nor the astonishing complicity with the Israeli aggressor in consolidating its faits accomplis, can for ever thwart the popular will and the national conscience of Arab Palestine.
The CHAIRMAN (interpretation from French): I thank the representative of Mauritania for reading out the message addressed to the Committee by his Head of State.
The next speaker is the representative of Poland.
Mr. TURBAMSKI (Poland): .I have the honour of conveying to the Committee the message of the President of the Council of State of the Polish People's Republic and Chairman of the All-Poland Committee of the National Unity Front, Mr. Henryk Jablonski, on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. The message reads as follows:
"On the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, on behalf of the supreme authorities of the Polish People's Republic and on my own behalf I wish to extend to you, Mr. Chairman, expressions of sympathy and support for the Arab people of Palestine and its leading force, the Palestine Liberation Organization.
"Our support for the strivings and aspirations of the Palestinian people stems from the national tradition of the Poles and the fundamental principles of foreign policy pursued by the Polish People's Republic, which always extends its helping hand to nations struggling for dignity and the right to make unrestrained decisions concerning their fate.
"The Polish People's Republic insists on the realization of the well-known resolutions on the unconditional withdrawal of Israeli troops from all the Arab territories occupied since 1967 and restoration to the Palestinian people of all their inalienable rights, including the right to form their own independent State. We demand too that the Israeli aggression against Lebanon, the brutal violation of the fundamental human rights of the Palestinian people in the occupied territories, the construction of Jewish settlements in those territories and the unlawful annexation of the Arab land by Israel be put to an end.
"Firmly and consistently we maintain that the settlement of the Mid-East conflict should be peaceful and global, in accord with the relevant United Nations resolutions. This can be worked out only if all parties concerned participate, including the Palestine Liberation Organization as one of the factors enjoying the recognition of a majority of States and with the mandate to speak on behalf .of the Palestinian people.
"The International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People celebrated under the auspices of the United Nations, is an explicit confirmation of the popular recognition and growing support from the States and nations of the world for the Just demands of the Palestinian people. Seizing this solemn opportunity, once more, I wish the Palestinian people further success in their Just struggle and, at the same time, I reaffirm our confidence that it will bring complete victory.
" The message is signed: "Henryk Jablonski".
That message has also been sent directly to Chairman Arafat.
The CHAIRMAN (interpretation from French): I thank the representative of Poland for reading out the message from the Chairman of the Polish Council of State. The struggle of the Polish people, who have in their history on four occasions resisted partition, should serve as a source of pride for us all and encourage us in the struggle that we are pursuing. Poland's support for the Palestinian people is very eloquent.
I now call upon the representative of Morocco.
Mr. MRANI ZENTAR (Morocco) (interpretation from Arabic): The General Assembly resolution declaring 29 November of each year an International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People is the most eloquent proof of the growing and deepening awareness within our Organization of its historical responsibility a people that has suffered the greatest injustice in history, a people taken from its land and dispersed throughout the world. The decision made by this Organization to hold this commemoration on 29 November reflects the will of the United Nations that has become increasingly apparent since 197^ fully to carry through its role to enable this valorous people to enjoy its inalienable rights, and in particular the right to return to its homeland, the right to self-termination and the right to sovereignty, national independence and the building of its State in its national homeland on its own territory.
On this occasion, I should like to pay a tribute to the effective contribution made by this Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Bights of the Palestinian People, which, under the Chairmanship of our brother from Senegal has since its creation constantly given its support. I wish to reaffirm the will of the people, the Government and the King of Morocco to continue to support the Palestinian people under the guidance of its sole legitimate representative, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and to exert every effort to achieve the objectives set forth in United Nations resolutions, particularly resolution ES-7/2 adopted at the seventh emergency special session of the General Assembly devoted to the question of Palestine last July.
The Kingdom of Morocco is firmly convinced that the Palestinian people's enjoyment of its inalienable rights will open the way to the establishment of a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East region which, in turn, will enable that region to devote all its energies to the good and the well-being of the peoples of that region.
The best way for me to conclude this brief statement is to quote a paragraph from the message sent by His Majesty the King of Morocco on the occasion of the first commemoration of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. On that occasion. His Majesty said:
"The Kingdom of Morocco considers the cause of the Palestinian people a sacred cause. It has supplied and will continue to supply every possible means of support to the Palestinian people in its heroic struggle to recover its legitimate rights, to return to its homeland and to build its independent State in its territory. The Kingdom of Morocco reaffirms its conviction that the question of Palestine is at the heart of the Middle East problem and that the establishment of peace in that region can be achieved only by enabling the Palestinian people to exercise its legitimate national rights and to participate in every effort made to seek a just and lasting peace under the leadership of the Palestine Liberation Organization."
The CHAIRMAN (interpretation from French): I thank the representative of Morocco, particularly since his country is presiding over the Al-Quds Committee of the Islamic Conference, which is under the very distinguished chairmanship of His Majesty, the King of Morocco. I now call upon the representative of Hungary.
Mr. RACZ (Hungary): The annual observance of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People clearly indicates the ever-increasing interest, sympathy and solidarity of the world community in connexion with the long-suffering people of Palestine. This increase can be easily understood for two reasons. On the one hand, it is the expression of the sympathy the progressive peoples of the world feel in respect to this people with their long tradition who have been displaced and uprooted from their own motherland and deprived of all fundamental human rights. On the other hand, this increased solidarity is a reflection of the perception that the question of Palestine is one of the basic factors in the Middle East crisis and that the elimination of this hotbed of tension that has so long threatened world peace and international security is impossible unless the Palestinian issue is settled.
The Hungarian Government has repeatedly stated, on various occasions, that respect for and the exercise of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including the right to self-determination, the right to return, the right to national independence and sovereignty and the right to establish a State of its own, are among the essential preconditions of the comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the Middle East problem.
It is our firm conviction that the fate of the Palestinian people can be decided only with the direct participation of its sole, legitimate representative, the Palestine Liberation Organization.
I should like to inform you, Mr. Chairman, and the representatives present here that several Hungarian organizations and societies, including the National Council of the Patriotic People's Front, the National Council for Peace and the Hungarian Committee for Solidarity, have issued statements on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. All those statements clearly express and manifest the thought that was the main idea of the message of the Presidential Council of the Hungarian People's Republic en this occasion.
"The Hungarian people pledges solidarity with and support for the Palestinian Arab people in their struggle for their inalienable rights and for the establishment of their independent, sovereign State. We are confident that their just struggle will soon be crowned by success."
That message was signed by Mr. Pal Losonczi, President of the Presidential Council of the Hungarian People's Republic.
The CHAIRMAN (interpretation from French): I thank the Permanent Representative of Hungary for reading out the message from his Head of State. The next speaker is the Permanent Representative of Madagascar.
Mr. RABETAFIKA (Madagascar) (interpretation from French): Mr. Chairman, I have the honour of reading out to you the following message sent today by his Excellency Mr. Didier Ratsiraka, President of the Democratic Republic of Madagascar, to the Secretary-General of the United Nations:
"This International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People gives us the opportunity to express to you, on behalf of our people, the Supreme Council of the Revolution, and the Government of Madagascar,our warmest congratulations on the unstinting and devoted efforts you have always made in support of the inalienable rights of the Palestinians, and particularly their rights to self-determination, national sovereignty and independence and their right to establish an independent Palestinian State.
"The active participation of the Democratic Republic of Madagascar in the important work of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People is but the expression of the deep conviction of the Malagasy people that a just and lasting peace cannot be established in the Middle East without the effective participation of the Palestinian people, under the leadership of the Palestine Liberation Organization, its sole and authentic representative, in all the negotiations concerning the Middle East.
"We should like also to express to you on this occasion our great appreciation for the way in which you have carried out the noble and very delicate tasks in this field entrusted to you by the international community as a whole.
"May the commemoration of this memorable day give new impetus to the recognition of all the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people -the only condition for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East." In our capacity as a member of the Committee, we feel obliged to refer to the serious events which have taken place this year and to which the Commnittcee, under your leadership, Mr. Chairman, has reacted promptly. We are referring to, among other things, the annexation of Jerusalem by the Zionist entity, to the expulsion and deportation of certain elected officials, and to the armed, confrontations between elements of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and certain Southern Lebanese forces, acting in collusion with Israel. In regard to those events – as well as in regard to the preparation for the emergency special session of the General Assembly held in conformity with the decision of the Sixth Summit Conference of the non-aligned countries – the Committee, thanks particularly to your personal contribution, Mr, Chairman, lived up to its responsibilities.
Hence, it seems appropriate for us to pay a well-deserved tribute to you for all you have done for the achievement of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, for the strengthening of our Committee's recommendations and, finally, for the just promotion of international solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
The CHAIRMAN (interpretation from French): I thank the representative of Madagascar for the message he has read out from President Didier Ratsiraka and for his kind words about me. I must say that if the Committee and its Chairman have been able to accomplish so much, it is because of the participation of all the members of the Committee, and because of the advice that I have personally received from the representative of Madagascar, which has enabled me to benefit from his solid experience in United Nations affairs.
The next speaker is the representative of the Syrian Arab Republic.
Mr. SIAGE (Syrian Arab Republic) (interpretation from Arabic): I have the honour to read out the following message to the Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, from the President of the Syrian Arab Republic, Mr. Hafez Al-Assad, on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People:
"It is a pleasure for me, on this International Day of Solidarity with the Arab people of Palestine, to extend to you, Mr. Chairman, and to the participants in the commemorative meeting, our sincere greetings on behalf of the people of the Syrian Arab Republic and on my own behalf. I take this opportunity to welcome the efforts made by your Committee, which expresses the will of the international Organization and of the international community.
"I think that the choice of this day to hold a meeting of solidarity with the Palestinian people is designed to remind us of the injustice suffered by the Palestinian people on 29 November 1947, when the United Nations General Assembly adopted the resolution to partition Palestine. It should also be recalled that the time has come to put an end, once and for all, to this injustice.
"The decision taken by the United Nations to devote an international day to solidarity with the Palestinian people reflects the growing awareness of the international Organization of its responsibilities vis-a-vis the question of Palestine and the Palestinian people.
"No one can be unaware that injustice has been the fate of the Palestinians since the very first plans that Zionist colonialism made to usurp the land of Palestine. Those plans affected the Arab nation as a whole, for they were developed for the purpose of dividing the Arab world and obstructing Arab unity. That is why the question of Palestine and its consequences – namely, the occupation of the neighbouring lands – are the focal point of the struggle of the Syrian Arab people, who are living through this tragedy every day.
"What links our people to the question of Palestine is deeper than mere solidarity: it is our common destiny. For Palestine is a part of our Arab world and its people is a part of the Arab nation.
"The Arab people of Palestine has resisted and with it the masses of the Arab people have resisted the Zionist, colonialist plans in the Camp David agreements. The conspiracy of so-called autonomy is the last link in this chain of designs to usurp Palestine and liquidate the Palestinian cause. This resistance will continue and increase until the Palestinian people has fully recovered its rights to return, to self-determination and to build an independent State on its national territory.
"In working for the realization of a just peace in our region, we are confident that the international community represented by the United Nations is aware that such a peace can be achieved only on the basis of the restoration and recognition of the inalienable national rights of the Palestinian people and the unconditional withdrawal by Israel from all occupied Arab territories.
"We appreciate the support given by the United Nations to the Palestinian cause, and we hope that the United Nations will adopt the correct position, that dictated by its responsibility to the Palestinian people and the tragedy of that people, while also adopting a correct attitude vis-a-vis Israel which continues to refuse to comply with relevant United Nations resolutions and the will of the international community and violates the United Nations Charter and its relevant resolutions, thus bringing about instability of the region and threatening international peace and security.
"I wish to reaffirm our warm greetings from the Syrian Arab Republic and to wish you all success."
This message is signed "Hafez Al-Assad, President of the Syrian Arab Republic, Damascus, 28 November 1980".
The CHAIRMAN (interpretation from French): I thank the representative lot the Syrian Arab Republic for reading the message from his President. The next speaker is the representative of Nicaragua.
Mr. TINOCO (Nicaragua)(interpretation from Spanish): I have the honour to read the following message which the Board of Government of my country has sent for the occasion of the commemoration of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People:
"The Board of Government of National Reconstruction of the Republic of Nicaragua greets the heroic people of Palestine on this day.
"The struggle for the liberation of the Palestinian people against foreign occupation and for its inalienable rights to self-determination and independence is a struggle of historic scope and impact; it has marked and epitomized this century as a century of stubborn struggle against colonialism and racism and for independence.
"The inalienable rights of the Palestinian people certainly call for the establishment of a functioning Palestinian State and its universal acceptance as the tangible political embodiment of a nation now enslaved and tormented but full of hope and determined to fight.
"Through us, the revolutionary people of Nicaragua sends to the heroic people of Palestine its revolutionary greetings and solidarity. This message is signed "Sergio Ramirez Mercado, Moises Hassan Morales, Daniel Ortega Saavedra, Rafael Cordova Rivas, Arturo J. Cruz, 28 November 1960".
The CHAIRMAN (interpretation from French): I thank the representative of Nicaragua for reading out the message from the Board of Government of National Reconstruction of Nicaragua.
The next speaker is the representative of Malaysia.
Mr. SULONG (Malaysia): I have the honour to read out the following message from the Foreign Minister of Malaysia on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People:
"On the auspicious occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, I should like, on behalf of Malaysia, to extend special greetings to our Palestinian brothers and to congratulate them on their indefatigable and courageous efforts to secure their inalienable rights. I also wish to congratulate the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People for the excellent work it has done to promote greater understanding of the Palestinian cause.
"The struggle of the Palestinian people to achieve self-determination and independence and to redress the iniquities perpetrated on the Palestinian people is one of the greatest challenges of our time. Despite the negative and belligerent attitudes of the Israeli authorities, the Palestinian cause has gained cumulative momentum and recognition. There has been deeper understanding, appreciation and support for the issues concerned.
"Malaysia continues to give the highest priority to supporting the just struggle of the Palestinian people. It recognizes the intrinsic role of the Palestine Liberation Organization which spearheads the struggle. The world has recognized that durable peace and stability in the Middle East demands a just solution of the Palestine question.
"I wish to pledge once again Malaysia's full support to the Palestine Liberation Organization in its struggle for such a solution as a result of which the people of Palestine could exercise their inalienable rights. I am confident that the indomitable spirit of the Palestinian people will prevail, ensuring for them their rightful place in the community of nations."
The CHAIRMAN (interpretation from French): I thank the representative of Malaysia for reading out the message from his Minister for Foreign Affairs. The next speaker is the representative of Iran on whom I now call.
Mr. SHEMIRANI (Iran): I should like to express our deep appreciation to the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, under the chairmanship of Ambassador Kane, for its valuable contribution and untiring efforts to mobilize the political and moral support of the international community for the noble cause of the people of Palestine.
On the occasion of the third anniversary of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People I should like to take this opportunity to renew the firm commitment of the Islamic Republic of Iran to continue support for the struggle of the Palestinian people for the realization of its legitimate rights to self-determination and independence under the leadership of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).
Our support of the legitimate struggle of the Palestinian people has found concrete expression since the victory of the Iranian revolution and the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and we will continue to be committed to the full and complete achievement of the inalienable right to self-determination and justice of the oppressed yet courageous people of Palestine in the form of the creation of an independent and sovereign State.
The Palestinian issue lies at the very heart of the Middle East conflict. There can be no hope of arriving at a just and lasting peace in the Middle East without the Palestinian issue being successfully resolved.
The Camp David agreements constitute yet another onslaught upon Palestine and the Moslem world. The struggle to free the Palestinian people should be waged by the whole Moslem community, and one united Moslem front should be formed to challenge the Israeli usurpers. It is only in this fashion that our struggle will transcend national and racial boundaries and thereby become worthy of this great cause, the Palestinian cause.
At a time when we meet to express and renew our solidarity with the Palestinian people in their noble cause, it is indeed ironic that a Head of State who has done more than anybody else to harm Islamic solidarity by launching a blatant war of aggression against Iran – which is an Islamic country and a staunch defender of the legitimate struggle and rights of the people of Palestine – should abuse this auspicious occasion to attack my country, using arguments whose fallacy has already been made abundantly clear to the whole international community by Iran on various occasions.
Respectful of the solemnity of this occasion which is designed to strengthen international solidarity with the Palestinian people in their cause, and following your appeal, Mr. Chairman, I will refrain from engaging in polemics and mailing a statement to refute the baseless allegations contained in the message which was read out today in the meeting.
However, I cannot fail to express our astonishment at the fact that a regime which claims to be Moslem and non-aligned should use the same arguments that Israel used in justifying the 1967 aggression against the Arab and Palestinian peoples.
Iraq, by endorsing the argumentation of Israel to justify its blatant aggression, has provided moral backing for those arguments and has thus strengthened the position of the enemy of the Moslem and Palestinian peoples.
It is a well known and established fact that the aggression Baathist regime of Baghdad was in collusion with American
The CHAIRMAN (interpretation from French): I wish to apologize to the representative of Iran, but as he himself has said, this is a day to commemorate solidarity with the Palestinian people. It is not the usual practice at the United Nations to respond to messages of Heads of State. Such messages are merely read as written.
Out of courtesy I have let the representative of Iran continue his statement, but I must say that this subject is not before this Committee but before the Security Council. Hence I should be very grateful to him if he would kindly confine himself to keeping the promise he made a while ago.
Mr. SHEMIRANI (Iran): As I was saying, it is a well known and well-established fact that the aggression of the Baathist regime of Iraq –
The CHAIRMAN (interpretation from French): I really had hoped that after my suggestion there would have been no need for any further points of order or exercise of the right of reply. This is the first time that these matters have been-raised in this Committee. I appeal to our brothers from Iran and Iraq to help us maintain the solemnity which has characterized meetings of our Committee each time we have commemorated the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
The representative of Iraq has asked to speak on a point of order, and pursuant to the rules of procedure I call on him. However, I appeal to him to avoid polemics. I know that both he and the representative of Iran are in a delicate position, but I appeal to the men to show courtesy and understanding to the members of this Committee and not abuse their patience.
Mr. BAFI (Iraq): The Permanent Representative of Iraq this morning read a message addressed to you, Mr. Chairman, from the President of the Republic of Iraq. It was a six-page message, only about five lines of which addressed the Iraqi-Iranian conflict. To give the Charge d'Affaires of Iran this opportunity to take advantage of this solemn occasion to make a slanderous attack against my country would be, I think, unfair if I were not granted the right of reply.
The CHAIRMAN (interpretation from French): The representative of Iran may continue.
Mr. SHEMIRANI (Iran): As I said at the beginning, it is not my intention to engage in polemics, but I also fully agree with you, Mr. Chairman, that nobody should try to use this kind of occasion for purposes other than those for which it is intended. Unfortunately, this occasion has already been abused; therefore, it is my duty to express the position of my country with respect to the statement which has been made here.
Following your appeal, Mr. Chairman, I will finish my statement by saying that I most emphatically reject and refute the deceptive arguments and all the allegations contained in the message of Saddam Husayn regarding the war of aggression which has been imposed on my country by Iraq.
The CHAIRMAN (interpretation from French): I thank the representative of Iran and I now call on the Permanent Representative of the Congo.
Mr. MONDJO (Congo) (interpretation from French): I should like to preface my statement by associating my delegation with other delegations which have preceded me in extending to the delegation – the Government and the people of Italy the sorrowful condolences and sympathy of Congo in the terrible catastrophe that has stricken their country. The People's Republic of the Congo maintains excellent relations of co-operation and friendship with Italy and we should like to assure the delegation of Italy that we feel for them in this time of distress.
My Government has instructed me to make the following statement on the occasion of the commemoration of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
I must first of all make it clear that we are not dealing with a philosophical or religious question; such a question would be outside our competence. My country, the People's Republic of the Congo, as is proclaimed in our Constitution, is a secular State and neither religious nor philosophical discrimination is tolerated. Moreover it is not permissible in our view for religion to be used for political ends.
This prefatory digression on the constitutional texts of Congo was necessary to explain why my delegation can in no way give its support to a theocratic State which uses Judaism to inflict on the Palestinian people the martyrdom of which we are all aware. The message of our President reads as follows:
"The Palestinian people is at home in Palestine and the struggle it is waging to recover its occupied homeland deserves our full support because its cause is a just one based on an inalienable right. The international community has the duty to assist in the settlement of the dispute in the Middle East, through the recovery of the occupied Arab territories from the Zionist entity and the restoration of Palestine to the people of that country, without regard to religious faith or denomination. The community of States must now go beyond the stage of generous but ineffectual resolutions to give meaning to the life of the Palestinian people, which is constantly subjected to humiliation, brutality and repression by the Zionist entity of Israel.
"Our Organization should in future resist the temptation of the easy solution, illegal agreements which contribute only to infringing the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people and which can in no way lead to a settlement of the conflict.
"The commemoration of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People represents an opportunity to make the international community aware of the urgent, need to arrive at a just settlement of this problem, which is jeopardizing relations among States, is maintaining an atmosphere of tension in a part of our world and will ultimately lead us away from the goals the United Nations has set for itself.
"That was the message which the President of the People's Republic of the Congo, His Excellency Mr. Denis Sassou Nguessou, asked me to transmit to the Committee, because the People's Republic of the Congo believes that the Palestine Liberation Organization, which is represented in our country, is the sole representative of the Palestinian people and that Palestine must be at the core of the preoccupations of this Organization.
The CHAIRMAN (interpretation from French): I thank the representative of the Congo for reading out to us the message from his President.
I now call on the Permanent Observer of the League of Arab States.
Mr. MAKSOUD (League of Arab States) (interpretation from Arabic): I should like to take this opportunity at the international level to extend to you. Sir, our deep gratitude for the way in which you have guided the work of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People.
At the same time I should like to express our thanks to all the countries whose representatives have spoken today on behalf of their Governments or their Heads of State and have demonstrated their support and assistance for the struggle of the Palestinian people for the restoration and exercise of its right to self-determination and to establish independent State in its homeland. The League of Arab States, which consideers Palestine part of our nation and the Palestinians part of our people, believes at it bears an organic responsibility with regard to those rights. It also considers that the solidarity of peoples with the Palestinian people in their struggle has historical significance for the future.
Solidarity with the Palestinian people is the common denominator of the commitment of the international conscience not only to the struggle of the Palestinian people but also to the values embodied in that struggle, namely, freedom; justice, equality;, the dignity of the human being and his ability to determine his future. This International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people also shows the growing conviction regarding the aggressive, racist and fascist character of the Zionist entity. It is also an affirmation that the United Nations and all mankind intend to stop the violation of the rights of the Palestinian people and to prevent the continuance of the actions of that aggressive entity.
Solidarity with the Palestinian people acts as a deterrent to the intellectual terrorism practised by Israel and by the Zionist movement which are seeking today to persuade public opinion, particularly in the Western countries, that support for Palestine and the Palestine Liberation Organization will encourage the growth of anti-Semitism.
This devious manoeuvre of Israeli and Zionist propaganda is the severest blow aimed at depriving people of the power of understanding that anti-Semitism-:^ and Zionism are similar because they proceed from the same philosophy, the awareness of the fact that the Jew is incapable of integration.
For this reason this third anniversary of the Day of International Solidarity confirms the unity of commitment and the growing conviction of the world's nations and peoples that the struggle of the Palestinian people is a rightful struggle; a struggle that liberates the Jews from the possibility of Zionist domination and hegemony through the imposition of irrational and racist tendencies. In this connexion we should like to affirm that the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), an important member of the League of Arab States, is not only the sole, legitimate representative of the Palestinian people but also the framework for the national unity of that people. It represents furthermore the state of mind of the whole Palestinian people and the entire Arab nation. Our commitment to the PLO is an affirmation not merely of its capacity to represent the Palestinian people but also of the fact that it is part and parcel of Arab convictions and desires.
In this connexion we wish to affirm that the commitment of the League of Arab States to all the resolutions that uphold the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination is both legal and national, related to the destiny of a people,because the people of Palestine is an Arab people whose rights have been usurped by Israeli settler colonialism and racism and because it is the right of the entire Arab nation to see Palestine an independent State.
Therefore we consider this international solidarity as proof of a rapprochement of nations and the transcending of their disagreements. It confirms the unity of their commitment to this cause of destiny which is an instrument of and a key to a comprehensive and just peace in our part of the world.
The CHAIRMAN (interpretation from French): I thank the Observer of the League of Arab States. The next speaker is Ambassador Sylla, the Permanent Observer of the Organization of the Islamic Conference.
Mr. SYLLA (Organization of the Islamic Conference) (interpretation from French): I wish to make the following statement on behalf of the Islamic Conference.
If we look at resolution 273 (ill) of 11 May 1948, we see that the General Assembly linked the admission of Israel to two essential conditions: the commitment by Israel to respecting the Charter and the obligations contained therein and acceptance of resolution l8l (II) of 29 November 1947, which sanctions the lawful existence of the Arab Palestinian State.
Through a bitter irony of fate, we have learnt over the past 30 years what price Israel attaches to that solemn commitment. Of Arab Palestine, whose existence in 1947 the United Nations had just decided on simultaneously with that of the Hebrew State, we see now only the dislocated and divided territories which are occupied by Israel. During this long period, the Palestinians have suffered oppression in the occupied territories, an oppression practised in disregard for the international conventions on the protection of civilians during times of war. In addition to this oppression, they have suffered the plunder of their lands, looting of their properties and expatriation.
Zionism has thus been applying a policy whose foundation it defined many years ago. Even before the establishment of the State of Israel, Ben Gurion did not hesitate to state:
"We can accept the establishment of a Jewish State on part of Palestine in an initial phase so as later to establish the Great Israeli Nation. We shall later occupy the entire region, which will represent our aspirations to the land of Israel. The land of Israel includes all of the West Bank, and north of the Jarmuk river to the Litani river in the south of Lebanon."
We know that more than 20,000 people have been evicted during a single year. Furthermore, we are daily witness to the establishment of new Jewish settlements in the occupied territories and the very heart of Jerusalem. Thus, the number of Jews in Jerusalem, which amounted to 10,000 in 1918, reached 290,000 in 1967 and 390,000 in 1976, and the Israeli authorities estimate the figure to be 500,000 this year. And thus, by the progressive establishment of Jewish colonies in adjacent areas they have ensured the growth of a geopolitical framework which they would use to justify seeking a new frontier.
The International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, which the international community is celebrating together with us today, 28 November 1980, has thus become the day of law and justice, of the affirmation of law over force, and the prevalence of justice and law.
In this connexion, the United Nations Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People has admirably analysed the decisive phases leading to the establishment in the Middle East of a sound peace based on respect for the legitimate and inalienable rights of the Palestinian people. The Committee recommends that
"…the United Nations in co-operation with the States directly involved, and the Palestine Liberation Organization as the interim representative of the Palestinian entity, should proceed to make the necessary arrangements to enable Palestinians displaced between 1948 and 1967 to exercise their right to return to their homes and property, in accordance with the relevant United Nations resolutions, particularly General Assembly resolution 194 (III)" (A/31/35. para. 69 (i)) The Committee continues:
"…upon the return of the Palestinians to their homes and property and with the establishment of an independent Palestinian entity, the Palestinian people will be able to exercise its rights to self-determination and to decide its form of government without external interference." (ibid., para.70)
In brief, it is a matter once more, and. once and for all, of granting to the Palestinian people their inalienable national rights to return to Palestine and, above all, to self-determination, and national independence and sovereignty. These are the principles which have always guided the Islamic Conference, from the first summit meeting at Rabat in 1969 to the tenth Conference which was held at Fez from 12 to 19 May 1979. They have already been affirmed with equal force at all the sessions of the Committee on Jerusalem of the Islamic Conference.
The use of brutal force for the last 30 years against the Arab peoples of the region, and particularly against the Palestinian people, will never blot out the traces of a long Moslem and Arab history, with which Arab Palestine and El Quds will always be identified.
The desperate headlong rush of the Zionist authorities in their policy concerning the Palestinians cannot lead to a constructive solution of the problems of Jerusalem, Palestine and the occupied territories, much less conceal the 30-year-long tragedy of the Palestinian people. It cannot .overcome the resistance of a people conscious of its rights and its identify. It cannot alter the faith of a people fighting for its survival.
In celebrating the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, we celebrate also the common destiny of the Governments of the member States of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, a common destiny which binds all peoples and men that love peace and Justice. For the Islamic peoples and communities throughout the world the Palestinian question is the crux of the problem of the Middle East. For the Governments of the Islamic States,as for the international community, failure to recognize that fact jeopardizes the peace and security of the Middle East region. Jerusalem and the Palestinian question have always constituted, in the eyes of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the fundamental problems to be faced. Any concession as regards these problems would be an inexcusable contradiction of the principles and purposes on which the Organization of the Islamic Conference is based.
For us, the commemoration of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People is the reaffirmation, with the calm assurance that inspires all just causes, that in every case in which an entire people is engaged in a struggle for national liberation it prevails over domination based on violence and force. That is the case today as regards Arab Palestine and the Palestine Liberation Organization. It is also the message which the Organization of the Islamic Conference addresses to the Palestine Liberation Organization, to occupied Palestine, on this International Day of Solidarity With the Palestinian People, the .entire Palestinian people.
The CHAIRMAN (interpretation from French): I thank the Observer of the Organization of the Islamic Conference.
The next speaker on my list is the representative of the South West I Africa People's Organization.
Mr. MUESHIHAMGE (South West Africa People's Organization): Mr. Chairman, the South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) is gratified to see you preside over this solemn meeting.
I have pleasure, on behalf of the Central Committee of SWAPO and in the name of the People's Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN), in addressing the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People.
SWAPO identifies itself fully with the legitimate aspirations and just demands of the people of occupied Palestine, under the leadership of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) for self-determination, political emancipation and national independence.
The tragic history of Palestine and the prolonged struggle of its people against racism and colonialism are in many ways very similar to our own. Like that of Namibia, the question of Palestine is one of decolonization and self-determination.
On this International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, and. the PLO, their sole and authentic representative, I bring revolutionary greetings and comradely felicitations from all the Namibian people, who are waging a war of national liberation, under the leadership of SWAPO, their sole and authentic representative.
I pledge once again in their name and in memory of all our fallen heroes and martyrs, our unswerving support for and complete solidarity with our comrades of the PLO, whose struggle for the full restoration of their national rights by the Palestinian people is our own cause, because Zionist Israel and , Apartheid South Africa are bound together against them and us in multifarious ways to maintain the status quo and hegemonism in their respective regions.
Both those fascist States base their policies and practices on the ideology of racial superiority as far as the Palestinian Arabs or the indigenous Africans are concerned. It must, however, be pointed out that Zionist Israel and apartheid South Africa are able to sustain themselves and to perpetuate suppression of the human and political rights of the peoples of colonized and occupied Palestine, Namibia and South Africa because of the generous assistance and co-operation which they receive on a permanent basis from the major imperialist Powers.
We in SWAPO are not unmindful of the critical geo-political interests and the high economic and strategic stakes involved in the conflicts in the Middle East and in southern Africa. In this context we know that the struggling peoples in those regions will be forced to endure even more suffering and sacrifice than past generations have already endured. But we also know that they will .persevere and intensify resistance against colonial domination and foreign occupation until the final victory.
These are difficult times for the national liberation movements. The primary enemies and their allies have launched new campaigns on a world-wide scale of aggression and intimidation against those who denounce, condemn and reject injustice, repression and inequality, which racism, imperialism and oppression breed. But, strangely, there is vacillation even among some of our friends on the critical issues of freedom, human rights, self-determination and liberation. Enemy propaganda is making a major breakthrough within the ranks of our traditional friends. This creeping appeasement of the enemy must be exposed and rejected. The situation calls for renewed vigilance.
SWAPO Joins the PLO in denouncing and rejecting the so-called Camp David accords and the bogus self-rule plan. We hail the decision of the General Assembly to declare those fraudulent agreements invalid and to condemn them on that basis; the accords and the so-called framework for peace nullify the national, rights of the Palestinian people and consequently nullify the basis for peace in the Middle East. SWAPO supports the PLO's commitment to a democratic, secular and peaceful State in Palestine for all its citizens.
In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, I thank you and the Committee for inviting SWAPO to speak on this Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People and the vanguard of their revolution, the PLO.
Long live the PLO, the sole and authentic representative of the Palestinian people. SWAPO reaffirms its steadfast solidarity with and support for not only the PLO but also the other fraternal national liberation movements, which authentic representatives are a spearhead, a vanguard, in the struggles of their countries and peoples: the African National Congress of South Africa, the POLISARIO Front of Western Sahara and FRETILIN of East Timor.
The struggle continues: victory is certain.
The CHAIRMAN: I thank the Secretary for Foreign Relations of SWAPO for his statement. The next speaker on my list is the representative of the African National Congress of South Africa, upon whom I now call.
Mr. MAKATINI (African National Congress of South Africa): We thank you, Sir, for inviting us to speak on this important and historic occasion. In the name of the National Executive Committee of the African National Congress, a vanguard movement that spearheads the struggle for the total eradication of apartheid and the establishment of a democratic State in South Africa, we warmly salute the valiant brotherly people of occupied Palestine, whose heroic struggle under the leadership of their sole authentic representative, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), continues to gather global momentum despite endless manoeuvres by the Zionist regime and some of its collaborators.
In so doing, we reaffirm our active solidarity with our comrades in arms, the PLO, headed by Chairman Arafat. The solidarity between our two peoples stems from the universally acknowledged fact that Just struggles, from time immemorial, have always been mutually supportive. The ANC hails every active support given to the Palestinian people. It considers every victory registered by this brotherly people as a direct contribution to and advancement of the irresistible march by our two peoples to final victory.
This normal state of affairs is further made necessary by the striking similarities in the historical, political and racial character of the problems resulting from the existence of Zionist and apartheid police and fascist States that have, thanks to imperialist political, economic, military and nuclear collaboration usurped the inalienable rights of our two peoples. In expressing our sincere appreciation of your indefatigable efforts as the head of this Committee, Mr. Chairman, and in putting on record our appreciation of all the messages of solidarity, emanating from various Heads of State and Government as well as from nongovernmental organizations, we wish to add the voice of the African National Congress to the position recently taken by the international community, namely, that agreements concluded without the active participation on an equal equal footing of the PLO must be condemned and rejected as null and void, until the unconditional withdrawal from all occupied Arab territories and the restoration of the Palestinians' inalienable rights, including their right to the establishment of an independent Palestinian State, are achieved.
Finally, we of the ANC pledge to remain in the same trench with the PLO at all times and to intensify the armed struggle for the overthrow of the apartheid regime, for the seizure of power by the people and for the establishment of a democratic State in South Africa on the basis of the South African Freedom Charter, whose principles, ideals and purposes are in strict conformity with the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The CHAIRMAN: I thank Mr. Makatini, member of the Central Committee of the ANC, for his statement.
I now call on the representative of the Pan-Africanist Congress of Azania.
Mr. MAFOLE (Pan-Africanist Congress of Azania): The Pan-Africanist Congress of Azania wishes to express its gratitude to the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People for having invited us here on this occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, whose situation does not differ from that of the Azanian people, the victims of apartheid colonialism, the twin sister and ally of Zionism.
The Pan-Africanist Congress of Azania, the genuine liberation movement of the dispossessed, oppressed and exploited people of Azania suffering from racial discrimination, his from its very inception firmly adhered to the fundamental Principle that it is the inalienable right of all colonized and subject peoples fully exercise their right of self-determination. In the view of the PAC, anything Short of the full exercise of that fundamental right constitutes a blatant and flagrant violation of that sacred and inalienable right and principle.
Hence, the participation of the PAC of Azania in this International Day of solidarity with the Palestinian People stems from our strong and unshakable Inherence to that universal principle.
Moreover, the common colonial fate suffered by the Azanian and Palestinian peoples makes it all the more imperative that the two struggling and revolutionary peoples not only show but also extend full solidarity in each other's struggle. Apartheid and Zionism are two faces of the same coin. But the racist rulers of South Africa and the Zionists claim that the respective territories they now occupy are the so-called Biblical Promised Land, that they are both the so-called chosen people of God, and that the indigenous people of the two territories have been eternally condemned to be "the hewers of wood and drawers of water". While the South African racists plan to herd the indigenous population,which makes up four fifths of the total population into so-called bantustans, the Zionists have driven the indigenous Arabs of Palestine into the Middle East's equivalent of the bantustan, namely the United Nations Relief and Works Agency refugee camps.
To God have been attributed, many qualities, but never that of a real-estate agent dishing out "promised lands" here on earth to a supposedly chosen few. And this is attested to by the fact that God had nothing to do with the British Parliament's passing in 1910 the so-called South Africa Act which handed the territory of Azania to the colonial settlers, with the total exclusion of the indigenous people of Azania. Similarly, it was the same British Government that in 1917 issued the now infamous Balfour Declaration that gave mandated Palestine to international Zionism as a homeland for Jews. Palestine, historians will recall, was mandated to Britain after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire following the First World War, just as Namibia came under South Africans Mandate.
Britain, under the mandate, had the obligation to prepare the people of the Territory for independence but, instead, the British Government, in pursuance of its imperial policies, worked out a deal with international zionism to establish a permanent Western outpost in that strategic part of the world. Thus, in both South Africa and mandated Palestine the British put imperial interests first and deliberately chose to ignore totally the inalienable rights of the indigenous peoples of those two Territories.
On the question of Palestine, the Nazi persecution of Jews is too often cited to "justify" the establishment of a "Jewish homeland" in Palestine. The Pan Africanist Congress of Azania, we should like to stress here, is vehemently opposed to any form of oppression, exploitation and persecution, and consequently stands firmly opposed to nazism. We have also condemned Nazi persecution of people who profess to be followers of Moses.
However, what we find most revealing is that rulers of Israel, the "State" supposedly created for Jews seeking refuge from Nazi persecution, have the most intimate relations with the South African racists, who were open allies of Hitler's fascism during the Second World War. Many of the present leaders in apartheid South Africa – in particular, the former Prime Minister, John Vorster – were imprisoned during the war years for open pro-Nazi activities. This open collaboration between the South African racists and Zionists, in the military, political, economic and other fields, gives a clear indication that nazism and zionism are bedmates today.
The collaboration between the apartheid rulers of South Africa and the Zionist occupiers of Palestine poses a grave threat not only to the Peoples of those two occupied Territories, but to the whole world. In this respect we should like to draw the attention of this gathering to the Joint military ventures undertaken by these two racist-colonial regimes. Last year, it will be recalled, an explosion was recorded by orbiting satellites somewhere in the South Atlantic. At first it was believed that the South Africans had carried out a nuclear test in the area, but since no nuclear fallout was registered, some doubt was subsequently expressed.
However, facts are now gradually coming out that indicate that in fact the recorded blast was a neutron bomb being tested jointly by Israel and South Africa. The testing and subsequent possession of this dangerous, indeed lethal, weapon pose, needless to say, a grave threat to world peace and security, and of course to the peace and security of the region – all the more because this dangerous weapon is now in the hands of racists who regard themselves as '''chosen people".
The international community must act immediately if the world is not to face another international holocaust; and the only effective way of acting is to give all possible material, political, economic and other aid to the peoples of Azania and Palestine to liberate their respective countries from the clutches of apartheid and zionism. Only when the people of Azania and Palestine exercise their right to self-determination will the international community be saved from the impending disasters planned by these two racist and colonialist regimes:
In conclusion, we should like to place it on record that the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania has consistently supported the Just struggle of the people of Palestine and will continue to do so until that people, under the leadership of its genuine vanguard of struggle – the Palestine Liberation Organization – wins final victory, until a Palestine National State is established, within which the Palestinian people will be able to exercise its inalienable rights to self-determination, independence and international sovereignty.
The CHAIRMAN: I thank the representative of the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania for his statement. (spoke in French; interpretation)
I now take great pleasure in calling on Mr, Kurt Seibt, the Chairman of the Committee of Solidarity of the German Democratic Republic.
Mr. SEIBT (Chairman, Committee of Solidarity of the German Democratic Republic) (spoke in German; English interpretation from French text furnished by the delegation): I should like first to express my sincere thanks to you, Mr. Chairman, and to the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People for having made it possible for the Committee of Solidarity of the German Democratic Republic and for me, as Chairman of that Committee, to commemorate with you the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. At the very time that we are gathered here, and for the very same reason, a ceremony is taking place in our Republic in one of the recently constructed industrial facilities, inaugurating a week of solidarity of the German Democratic Republic with the Palestinian people.
We are well aware of the great activity that the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People has demonstrated since its establishment in defence of the just cause and the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people. It was undoubtedly not an accident but, rather, the result of the Committee's activities, as well as the solidarity of the peaceful forces throughout the world, that the emergency special session held by the United Nations General Assembly in July this year adopted by an impressive majority a resolution calling for the achievement by the Palestinian people of their legitimate right to national self-determination and the creation of its own Palestinian State. We the people of the German Democratic Republic and our Government fully support the demands of that resolution.
I would venture to recall that the German Democratic Republic has always advocated the view that the Middle East question, of which the Palestine problem is the essential point, must have an over-all solution. That solution must include the withdrawal of all Israeli military units from the territories occupied in 1967; the guaranteeing of the inalienable sights of the Palestinian people, including its right to establish its own independent State, under the leadership of the Palestine Liberation Organization; and the safeguarding of the security of all the States and Peoples of the region.
The President of the Council of State of the German Democratic Republic, Erich Honecker, sent a message of greetings to the Palestine National Council when it met in Damascus in 1979. In that message he said, among other things:
"An over-all and just solution of the Middle East conflict can be achieved only on condition that there is participation, on an equal footing, of the Palestine Liberation Organization, the sole legitimate representative of the Arab people of Palestine."
The message of greetings sent here today by the President of the Council of State of the German Democratic Republic repeats that assurance and emphasizes that the German Democratic Republic will in future also stand resolutely at the side of the Palestinian people.
At this very time, events are taking place in that region which jeopardize world peace. The Camp David agreement, which its authors have misleadingly called a "peace agreement", is in fact the expression of the aspiration of aggressive elements who are endangering peace. The agreement is meant to serve to split the Arab peoples' front, in order to support Israel's expansionist policy, with the adventurous goal of creating Greater Israel. Finally, the agreement is meant to serve the purpose of establishing for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) a new military base to threaten the entire world. We have noted especially in recent times the extent to which the encouragement of reactionary forces is egging on the leading circles of Israel in carrying out their abusive policy towards the Arab people and world peace. The whole world remembers the illegal declaration by which Jerusalem was designated the capital of Israel – action against international law and all the relevant resolutions of the United Nations.
At the same time we note large-scale war manoeuvres by United States "rapid deployment forces" in the Middle East region. These rapid deployment forces, made up of 100,000 men, are to guarantee the vital interests of the United States, that is to say, they are an instrument of intervention in the affairs of other peoples. No people wedded to peace can take note of this without very great concern.
The socialist German Democratic Republic, together with other socialist States and progressive forces the world over, is among the most faithful allies of the Arab people of Palestine and has always supported the harsh sacrifice-ridden struggle of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).
Seven years ago an official delegation of the PLO began its activities in the capital of the German Democratic Republic. Contacts with leading Palestinian political circles are part of our daily activities. A cultural agreement has been signed. These deep-rooted relations have been expressed by, among other things, an exhibition of Palestinian painting and graphic art recently shown in Berlin and veil attended by the population of our capital.
Every year the Solidarity Committee of the German Democratic Republic organizes a solidarity week for the struggle of Arab peoples, especially the Palestinian people. High-level delegations of the PLO have always participated in them. Thus, on such an occasion, we received the President of the Executive Committee of the PLO, Yasser Arafat.
This year, we took pleasure in welcoming for our Solidarity Week the Vice-President of the Committee to the United Nations, our friend Mohamed Farid Zarif.
The solidarity of the people of the German Democratic Republic is expressed in the broad political and material support that has been extended to the Palestinian people for many years now. In the United Nations and its specialized agencies, other international committees and through contacts with representatives of other countries, the German Democratic Republic has always supported the Just cause and national rights of the Palestinian people.
We can give material assistance and support thanks to the large contributions made by the people of the German Democratic Republic, assistance -which has brought a medicines, food, clothing, tents, bedding and other equipment especially designed for Palestinians expelled by the Israelis.
Hundreds of Palestinian children coming from refugee camps every year take vacations in Solidarity Committee camps in the German Democratic Republic and many wounded PLO fighters have received treatment and recovered in hospitals of our country. Many representatives of the Arab people of Palestine are pursuing specialized studies in higher schools and colleges of the German Democratic Republic. Our Republic gradually offers assistance to the Palestinian people as it fights for its rights and it will always be in solidarity with a people fighting for its freedom. That is because in our country anti-imperialism and international solidarity have and will always be the policy of the Party and State and will remain a cause dear to the heart of all our citizens.
The CHAIRMAN (interpretation from French): I thank Mr. Seibt for having come all the way from Berlin to New York to participate in the International Day of Solidarity. We are also very grateful for everything that his Committee is doing for the common cause and the ideals which we are defending here. I call on Ms. Karen Talbot, representative of the World Peace Council.
Ms. TALBOT (World Peace Council): On this historic occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, I have the honour of transmitting to this Committee the following message from Mr. Romiesh Chandra, the President of the World Peace Council:
"The World Peace Council welcomes the opportunity to express once again its unconditional and unremitting support for the heroic and long-suffering Palestinian people on this International Day of Solidarity.
"We recently concluded the World Parliament of Peoples for Peace, organized by the World Peace Council and held in Sofia, Bulgaria, 23 to 27 September. It was a massive gathering of some 2,260 elected 'deputies' from 137 countries, 330 political parties from a vast array of trade unions, churches, mass organizations, international organizations – a rich tapestry of diverse philosophical, political and religious beliefs truly reflecting the will of hundreds of millions of people.
"The Parliament was profoundly privileged and honoured to be addressed by Yasser Arafat, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), and to be guided in its deliberations by his inspiring words; as well as by the outstanding statement that you, Mr. Chairman, delivered to that World Parliament on behalf of the Special Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People.
"From that World Parliament an urgent call was issued for a world-wide campaign to achieve the immediate implementation of resolution ES-7/2 of the seventh emergency special session of the United Nations General Assembly as 'vital for the attainment of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people and for a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East'. The call went out to all 'who cherish peace and justice and freedom to intercede with their Governments to put pressure for the immediate implementation of that resolution of the seventh emergency special session on the question of Palestine'.
"The World Parliament clearly delineated the conditions for a comprehensive and Just peace in the Middle East which are in line with, and fully supportive of. United Nations resolutions;
'Complete and unconditional withdrawal of Israel from all Palestinian territory and other Arab territories occupied since 1967 including Jerusalem.
'Achievement of a Just solution of the problem of Palestine based on the attainment of the inalienable national rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to return to their (Ms. Talbot, World Peace Council homeland, self-determination and establishment of their own independent and sovereign State in Palestine, without any outside interference.
'Recognition of the PLO as the sole, legitimate representative of the Palestinian people "by all Governments which have not accorded such recognition and granting of full diplomatic recognition without delay.
'Acceptance of the fact that the Palestinian people inside and outside the occupied territories are one and indivisible.' "The World Peace Council is deeply concerned that the Middle East continues to he the most dangerous hotbed of tension, posing a grave threat to international peace and security. He assert that there can be no peace without Palestine. There can be no peace without the unconditional withdrawal of Israel from occupied Arab territories. There can be no peace without the establishment of an independent Palestinian State. There can be no peace without the PLO. Any so-called peace plan, be it the Camp David agreements, the Washington accords, autonomy plans or any initiative purportinf to solve the Palestinian question, which merely puts a new disguise on those rejected and discredited schemes, must be measured first and foremost against the key word 'peace'.
"Those initiatives clearly are not for peace. They are clearly not in the interest of justice and the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people Rather their ultimate objective is to perpetuate the plundering of the national resources of the countries of the Arab region, the Middle East and the Gulf area. Entrenched exploitation by the transnational corporations safeguards the imperialist oil interests and ensures the continuous cycling of the petro-dollar to the Western banks.
"The World Peace Council stands with the overwhelming majority of the peoples of the world and the overwhelming majority of the Governments of the world. We stand with the United Nations itself to achieve peace and Justice in the Middle East. We stand with and offer our great admiration and congratulations to the United. Nations Special Committee on the Exercise of Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People and to you, personally, Mr. Chairman, on the outstanding work which is being done.
The World Parliament of the Peoples for Peace resolutely called for the broadest world-wide observance of 29 November as the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People and for the convening, on the most far-reaching scale possible, of an international conference in solidarity with the Palestinian people as a culminating event of a series of national and regional activities in support of United Nations resolutions on Palestine. It pledged all-out support for the International Committee of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, in which the World Peace Council plays an active part.
The World Peace Council regards the heroic Palestinian people, under the leadership of their sole legitimate representative, the PLO, as being in the very front line of a common struggle of peoples everywhere against the dangerous new arms build-up and other imperialist machinations, against colonialism and neo-colonialism, racism, apartheid, fascism, and- zionism and for national liberation, for social and economic progress to overcome hunger and deprivation, and to achieve a new international economic order.
On this auspicious occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, the World Peace Council reaffirms its continuing unconditional and active support for the Palestinian people and for the Palestine Liberation Organization. The great cause of the Palestinian people is a cause of the World Peace Council. We are confident that they shall soon achieve victory – a victory that will mean a giant advance for all of humankind.
The CHAIRMAN (interpretation from French): I thank Ms. Talbot for her statement. The World Peace Council has long been co-operating with our Committee, which is why I was invited to take part, on behalf of the Committee, in the meeting held in Sofia last September.
I take pleasure now in calling on the President of the International Pogress Organization.
Mr. KOECHLER (International Progress Organization): The International Progress Organization (IPO) has devoted its activities to the promotion of peaceful-co-existence and international understanding through broadening the horizons of national self-comprehension. The realization of human rights constitutes, therefore., one of the main points of concern of the IPO.
We try to contribute to a self-critical and rational dialogue between the various political systems and ideologies 3 insofar as each system respects the freedom to independent existence of the other. Therefore, the negation of tolerance will not be accepted by us. This would mean self-negation of the democratic principle of dialogue. And that, we think, applies also to the entire Middle East question.
For several years we have been working for a more just and better balanced evaluation of the whole Middle East question on the part of international public opinion, especially in the Western world. We believe that a legal and scientific approach may be helpful for an objective, non-partisan judgement of this complicated problem. This was the reason why the IPO recently convened an international conference of experts in international law and human rights on the legal aspects of the Palestine problem, with special regard to the question of Jerusalem".
As a consultative organization of the United Nations and of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), we want to emphasize that a solution of the Palestine problem may only be achieved within the framework of United Nations resolutions, recognition of the PLO as the sole., legitimate representative of the Palestinian people being one of the fundamental conditions for a realistic solution. According to the principles of international law, current bilateral agreements have no significance because one of the parties concerned -the Palestinian people – did not take part in the negotiations.
The IPO respects and. appreciates the endeavours of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People for a peaceful – that is, comprehensive – solution of the conflict. We think that the rule of law has to be restored over the whole territory of Palestine. The international community can never accept the right of the conqueror. Armed forces can never be the instrument of creating claims of sovereignty. The rules of international law – which, according to United Nations declarations, have to be in conformity with the fundamental principles of human rights -must never be neglected by referring to certain religious traditions. Zionism, understood in this sense – meaning that Zionism, which considers its territorial claims as being above or as being more fundamental than individual human rights – will always be rejected by peace-loving people.
It should be made very clear: it is not the community of people believing in the Jewish religion we criticize; it is only this amalgam of religious, historical and political claims that is in contradiction to the rules of conduct of the international community, insofar as it leads to the negation of the individual human rights of the people living in the area.
The IPO considers it a sign of real hope that so many prominent Jewish personalities inside and outside Israel are ready to recognize the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and to accept Palestinians as partners on an equal level. Our recently-held international conference has strengthened this hope: prominent Israeli participants were discussing a possible solution with experts and representatives of Arab countries and of the PLO. As one of our lecturers – Ramsey dark, from the United States – has said we must never give up working for the realization of human rights, and we cannot discriminate in that field. It means we cannot exclude a certain people from our human rights considerations. This was also stated in the message which participants in our conference have sent to President-elect Ronald Reagan, warning him of the dangerous consequences of his one-sided anti-PLO declarations which are, frankly speaking, a negation of the basic human rights of the Palestinian people.
We hope to present our message to the political leaders and to public opinion, especially in the Western world, where one-sided judgement still prevails. Initiatives taken by Western leaders, such as that of Austrian Chancellor Bruno Kreisky, are most promising, in our view. We also hope that the sense of Justice and fairness displayed by the Austrian Chancellor will have its impact on the Governments of the United States of America and Europe.
The IPO will continue to strive for the realization of human rights in all regions of the world, without any discrimination. Palestine will therefore have a prominent place in our activities. He are glad to render the limited services we can offer to the United Nations and its Palestine Committee.
Let me express the hope that the Palestine Liberation Organization will gain final victory in building a sovereign, democratic and secular State on Palestinian soil. This, in our view, does not mean destruction, as the enemies of a peaceful solution declare; it just means restoration of a state of peace and respect for the individual human rights of all citizens living in the area.
Only the United Nations, with its multilateral structure and not any kind of bilateral agreement – can be the framework for these legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people and its sole, legitimate representative, the Palestine Liberation Organization.
The Chairman (interpretation from French): The International progress Organization enjoys consultative status with the United Nations and therefore shares its ideals, as has just been stated by Mr. Hans Koechler.
The sound relations between this Committee and the International Progress Organization have been demonstrated by my presence at the meeting called by Mr. Hans Koechler, at which I was able to meet with experts from more than 30 countries, including an expert from Israel who agrees completely with the ideals just stated by Mr. Koechler.
I now call on the representative of the Afro-Asian Peoples' Solidarity Organization.
Mrs. DUNBAR ORTIZ (Afro-Asian Peoples' Solidarity Organization): The Afro-Asian Peoples' Solidarity Organization takes this opportunity to congratulate the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People on its work and to express solidarity and support for the Palestinian people and the Palestine Liberation Organization, on the occasion of the commemoration of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
The Afro-Asian Peoples' Solidarity Organization, which includes within its ranks national committees, movements and organizations from over 70 countries in Africa and Asia, some of which are still under the yoke of imperialism and colonialism and undergoing racist discrimination in various forms, has firmly and consistently defended and promoted the cause of human rights and has always committed itself to support the struggle of peoples for freedom, national independence and the right to self-determination.
For many years the Middle East has been the scene of gross violations of human rights. That is strikingly manifested in the continued Israeli degression and occupation of Palestine and of vast Arab territories.
In defiance of the resolutions of all international organs, especially those of the United Nations, Israel has continued its aggressive policy based on depriving the Arab Palestinian people of its rights and denying its right to self-determination and the setting up of its independent State in its own homeland. Israel has continued its expansionist and annexationist policies against Arab countries and has been rejecting world-wide demands to withdraw its troops from the occupied territories.
Israel, furthermore, has intensified its efforts to build up new Zionist settlements in the occupied territories and has been persecuting and oppressing Arab people. It has arrested and gaoled, over the last years alone, thousands of Arab and Palestinian citizens as punitive measures against their legitimate demands for Palestinian rights.
It is a widely noted and condemned fact that the Zionist occupation authorities have destroyed homes of Arab inhabitants in the West Bank and other parts of occupied Arab and Palestinian lands, acts which in themselves constitute flagrant violations of human rights.
The policy of aggression, occupation and racial discrimination pursued by Israel and backed by imperialism not only violates the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations but creates a dangerous hotbed of tension and threat of war which are endangering peace and security in the region and in the world as a whole.
The Afro-Asian Peoples' Solidarity Organization therefore strongly condemns the Israeli policy of aggression, occupation and racial discrimination and stands firmly for the heroic struggle of the Palestinian and Arab people for their legitimate right to liberate their homeland and to liquidate the Zionist occupation.
The Afro-Asian Peoples' Solidarity Organization, basing itself on anti-imperialist and anti-Zionist principles, has always called for a just and lasting settlement of the Middle East problem, which would provide for: first, the total withdrawal of all aggressive Israeli troops from the occupied Arab territories, secondly, enabling and ensuring the exercise by the Palestinian Arab people of its national rights, particularly its right to self-determination and the setting up of its own national and independent State on its homeland.
Taking into account those genuine objectives and having in mind the recently increasing plots and dangers against the just Arab and Palestinian cause, the Presidium of the Afro-Asian Peoples' Solidarity Organization, at its seventh session, rejected and condemned the Camp David accords on the Middle East problem, which contradict the basic interests of the Palestinian and Arab peoples.
As in the past, the Afro-Asian Peoples' Solidarity Organization will continue to support the courageous struggle of the Palestinian and Arab people for their noble and just cause and will do its best to widen and strengthen the world-wide campaign against flagrant violations of human rights in that region.
The Afro-Asian Peoples' Solidarity Organization calls upon and urges the United Nations to take the actions required to put an end to the tragic course of events in the occupied Arab territories and Palestine, caused by the Israeli occupation, and to promote and safeguard Palestinian rights in the area.
The CHAIRMAN (interpretation from French): I thank Mrs. Dunbar Ortiz for her statement on behalf of the Afro-Asian Peoples' Solidarity Organization.
I I now call on Mr. Kikhia, who will make a statement on behalf of the Union of Arab Jurists.
Mr. KIKHIA (Union of Arab Jurists) (interpretation from Arabic): I have the honour of participating, on behalf of the Union of Arab Jurists, in the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, which represents jurists in 22 Arab States, including occupied Palestine. The union is a non-governmental organization having consultative status with the Economic and Social Council. Among its main objectives are the protection of human rights in the Arab nation, the provision of legal guarantees to Arab individuals and active participation in the struggle for and defence of human rights and the rights of peoples, in conformity with the rights embodied in the Charter of the United Nations and its noble purposes and principles.
On behalf of the association and its Secretary-General, Mr. Shahib Lazem Al-Maaleki, I should like to salute and commend the activities the Committee en the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian people. The activities of the Committee are among the most positive steps in increasing public awareness of the tragedy of the Palestinian people and in unmasking the Israeli regime, which the General Assembly considered to be a racist regime, which has violated the most basic human rights.
The continual brutal, racist, imperialist and Zionist aggression against the Palestinian people is a stigma in the history of mankind in the twentieth century and a threat to peace and an impediment to progress in the area and throughout the world. To remain silent in the face of this aggression or to leave the Palestinians to be sacrificed as victims to this aggression by the Zionists and their anti-humanist allies threatens the rights of all peoples and the citizens of Jewish faith of other countries, as well as the interests of the American people, whose leaders and leading organizations constantly without cause or reason, and support the Zionist aggression against the Palestinian peoples.
In the words of Martin Luther King, himself a victim of racism:
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."
It has become obvious to all that there is no hope for attaining peace in the area or resolving what is called the Middle East question without the following: recognition of the right of the Palestinian people to exercise the right to self-determination, and implementing that right; recognition of their right to establish the Palestinian State and to liberate themselves from Zionist occupation; recognition of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as the sole, legitimate representative of the Palestinian peoples; and the declaration as null and void of any agreements or plans to solve the Palestinian problem without the effective participation of the Palestinian people and its acceptance of them as represented by the Palestine Liberation Organization.
In conclusion, let me once again extend to you. Sir, the greetings of the Union of Arab Jurists and express our admiration for the effective role that you play and the role of the sister African country in support of the Palestinian cause. I should also like to affirm the solidarity of the Arab jurists with the forces of progress. Justice and peace in their decisive struggle against the forces of imperialism, colonialism, injustice, zionism and racism, from our belief that our just struggle will continue and grow until we achieve victory.
The CHAIRMAN (interpretation from French): Thank you for your statement.
We have now completed the list of speakers for the Day of Solidarity. Before closing this meeting, I give the floor now to Mr. Shawfik El-Hout, member of the Central Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).
Mr. EL-HOUT (Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)) (interpretation from Arabic): It has been an honour for me today to celebrate for the third time at this high international level the Day of International Solidarity with our peoples, the people of Palestine. I should like to thank all here for their participation, demonstrating as it does the most magnificent form of solidarity of the world's peoples and States with the legitimate struggle;! to uphold justice and peace.
This period of the thirty-fifth session of the General Assembly also coincides with the sixth anniversary of the resolutions adopted by the General Assembly with regard to the Palestinian cause, which we consider to be of historic importance due to their great significance to our Arab Palestinian peoples and their sole, legitimate leadership, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). Through those resolutions the General Assembly recognized the right of our people to self-determination without any external interference, our right to sovereignty and national independence and our legitimate right to return to our homelands and to our properties which were usurped by the Israeli invaders. At the same time, the Palestine Liberation Organization was granted Permanent Observer status at the United Nations, with the right to participate in the work of the General Assembly and all conferences held within the United Nations system. This meant that our people, after having suffered for over half a century, were able to achieve international recognition of the legitimacy and justice of their cause.
The legal recognition by the United Nations of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as the sole, legitimate representative of the Palestinian peoples has put an end forever to this illegitimate domination of our people and has made it known that whoever wishes to deal with the Palestinian cause must do so through the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) alone and that any other path leads to a dead end.
With -the completion of the sixth year since those historic resolutions were adopted, we have also completed the total unmasking of the Zionist enemy. The Committee's constant condemnation of Zionists as settlers imbued with imperialist beliefs, as practitioners of expansionistic imperialism, and as an occupation force which usurps both land and rights has been very clear. This has embarrassed the enemy in its isolation from the entire world. Had it not been for the well-known and continued support by imperialist America and those who speak of the need to respect human rights, Israel's isolation would have been total, and it would have had to submit to the international logic which all of us defend today and celebrate on this Day of International Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
I do not wish to take a great deal of the time of this meeting. I prefer to listen rather than speak on this Solidarity Day. But I should like to affirm that our people is deeply appreciative of the efforts, attitudes and positions of this Committee. As they wage its battles within and beyond the occupied homeland and in spite of all the bitterness from which they suffer as a result of the failure to implement the resolutions of the General Assembly, our peoples announce their determination to stand fast in the trenches of progressive forces and refuse to fall into the trap of bias and racism, until we achieve our rights and our just goals.
Before concluding, I should like to make an observation. In compliance with the guidelines of this Committee, and in order to maintain this atmosphere of solidarity, I chose not to answer the representative of the Egyptian Government. On the contrary, I should like to seize this opportunity to express to him through you, Mr. Chairman, that the feeling of love, brotherhood and appreciation that our Arab Palestinian peoples have for our Arab brothers, the people of Egypt, will not be shaken by temporary and transitory attitudes. Our peoples in their liberation struggle are still motivated by the revolution of 23 July which was started by the great, heroic Egyptian army. As a representative of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), I would be the happiest of men to find that what we said about military alliances is not true and that what we heard from the responsible authorities in Egypt and what we have seen through the mass media in Egypt with regard to joint manoeuvres is a long American film, or just merely an illusion.
As regards the war between Arabs and Moslems, the representative of Egypt knows the attitude of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) towards that war and the efforts of its leader to put an end to the war and to prevent bloodshed. He also knows who it was that expressed regret that the United States did not seize the opportunity of this war to impose its force and domination on the area.
In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, I should like to repeat to you our gratitude for your participation with us on this day, and we should also like to extend our thanks to all those who have expressed their solidarity with us: representatives of States, liberation movements and international organizations who have read out messages from leaders, Presidents, and so on. I should also like to thank you personally for the efforts you have made, Mr. Chairman, and the wisdom you have shown in order to make this a successful day. We pledge to all that we shall continue our struggle until victory is achieved.
The CHAIRMAN (interpretation from French): I deeply regret that I have to say once again that from the outset we have avoided any statements in exercise of the right of reply, any polemics. Some representatives have asked to speak to exercise their right of reply. I have refused those requests. Thus, it is difficult for me now to overturn my own ruling. There is no doubt that remarks have been made which do not please some representatives. However, this is a solemn occasion to celebrate the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. On Monday the discussion of this question will begin in the General Assembly and every delegation will have the right to say whatever it pleases. The rules of procedure of the General Assembly allow for the exercise of the right of reply at any time. Those who wish to exercise their right of reply may do so at the time of the debate on the substance of this question but today I would urge that we maintain this solemnity and solidarity that I have observed all day for the cause of the Palestinian people. I therefore ask members not to insist on exercising their right of reply. If I were to accede to one such request, I would have to accede to all. I promised to end this meeting at 7.30 this evening, and if you look at the clock you will see that we have considerably exceeded that time.
On behalf of the Committee, I would express to the representative of Italy who is with us this evening our heartfelt condolences at the earthquake which has afflicted part of his country. The Committee weeps with the people of Italy for the dead and deplores all the destruction caused by this earthquake.
We have received important messages from Heads of State, Heads of Government, Ministers of Foreign Affairs and heads of non-governmental organizations. These messages will be published in due course. As I said this morning, we hoped that the celebration of this solemn Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People would be a success. In my opinion it has indeed been successful because of the wide range of participation this year. I shall not revert to the essence of the messages. What is certain is that the cause of the Palestinian people is gaining an ever wider circle of friends. Our Committee is making itself known and appreciated throughout the world. This is more than abundant proof that the solution which will certainly come one day must be found within the United Nations, with respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter, Security Council and General Assembly resolutions, and of course international law and international practice.
Having said that, I would now express my most heartfelt gratitude to those behind the glass in their booths, whom we usually hear rather than see – the interpreters – and to the verbatim reporters, the conference officers, the secretaries and all those who have made possible the commemoration of important International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
I am very patient and courteous – perhaps because I participate in many sports, and in sports we have to learn to smile, win or lose. Therefore, I shall now call on the representative of Egypt, who insists on speaking. I would ask him to bear in mind what I have just said.
Mr. EL SAID (Egypt): My delegation had no intention of asking to speak in exercise of our right of reply, but the representative of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) used his second statement to reply to what was said by my Permanent Representative this morning. I am very sorry that the representative of the PLO did not respect your appeal, Mr. Chairman, to maintain the solemn nature of this International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, but rather chose to enter once again into a campaign of slander and even flagrant interference in the internal affairs of my country. I shall not indulge in polemics; I shall leave that to him.
The CHAIRMAN (interpretation from French): According to tradition, before the end of the meeting an opportunity is given to the representative of the PLO to thank those who have participated in this Day of Solidarity. That opportunity was given to him, not in exercise of the right of reply but rather in accordance with an established practice.
I now call on the representative of Italy.
Mr. MIGLIORINI (Italy): Mr. Chairman, allow me to express to you, to the Committee and to the delegation of the People's Republic of Congo the deep gratitude of my delegation for the words of sympathy and condolence in connexion with the earthquake that struck the south of Italy. I wish to assure you, Mr. Chairman, and the delegation of the People's Republic of Congo that we are particularly sensitive to these expressions of friendly solidarity, and we feel encouraged by them at a time of grief and sorrow for the whole Italian people.
The CHAIRMAN (interpretation from French): I believe the time has come for us to part. Once again I thank you all for your participation and your close attention and for remaining with us until 8 o'clock on a Friday evening. That is proof of your devotion to the cause we are all defending. It is also proof that your heart is really in what you are doing at the United Nations.
The meeting: rose at 8 p.m.
Document Type: Document, Meeting record, Verbatim Record
Document Sources: Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People (CEIRPP), General Assembly
Subject: Inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, Palestine question, Solidarity day
Publication Date: 28/11/1980