Palestine question/Medium-term plan 2002-2005 – Fifth Cttee – Letter from Israel

Letter dated 9 November 2000 from the Chairman of the

Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee)

addressed to the Chairman of the Fifth Committee

I am forwarding herewith, for your attention, a written communication addressed to me from the Permanent Representative of Israel concerning the proposed medium-term plan for the period 2002-2005 (see annex).

(Signed) Matia Mulumba Semakula Kiwanuka

Chairman

Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee)

Annex

Letter dated 20 October 2000 from the Permanent Representative

of Israel to the United Nations addressed to the Chairman of the

Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee)

May I make reference to your request dated 19 October 2000 to all member delegations of the Fourth Committee, in which you asked delegations who wished to submit comments or suggestions to the relevant chapters of the medium-term plan for the period 2002-2005, to kindly submit them no later than Friday, 20 October, for transmission to the Chairman of the Fifth Committee.

I am sure you are aware that such a weighty subject merits careful and unhurried consideration. Our Mission, as I am sure have many others, has referred the document in question for study and comments to our capital. It is unrealistic to expect that detailed comments or suggestions could be submitted within the very short time frame allotted for the purpose. More time is therefore needed and we would appreciate it very much if the deadline could be extended by several weeks, if not longer.

Beyond that technical reservation which applies, we feel sure, to most, of not all, members of the Fourth Committee, may we note that in anticipating further detailed discussion over the next five years of a variety of topics connected with the Arab-Israeli dispute and the Palestine question, the medium-term plan may be seen to prejudge the issues, in assuming that all these problems will still be with us in 2005.

As you are aware, Israel and her neighbours have been involved in a highly complicated and delicate peace process, notwithstanding setbacks which have occurred. Israel remains committed to the cause of peace and will continue to work for the conclusion of peace agreements with all of her neighbours. In so doing, we hope to see the eventual deletion from the United Nations agenda of the many assorted items that pertain to the absence of peace in our region. It is therefore suggested that the language of the draft plan be modified clearly to indicate that the United Nations will not — perhaps inadvertently and as a result of sheer force of habit — become itself a party to the perpetuation of strife in the Middle East, and that planned steps will be taken to encourage the early deletion of Palestine-related subjects from the United Nations agenda as the result of a hopefully successful peace process.

(Signed) Yehuda Lancry

Ambassador

Permanent Representative