Palestine question – CEIRPP programme of work for 1985

PROGRAMME OF WORK FOR 1985

1.  The Committee's mandate for the year 1985 is contained in General Assembly resolution 39/49 A and B, the relevant parts of which are paragraphs 3, 4 and 5 of resolution 39/49 A and paragraph 2 of resolution 39/49 B.

2.  In paragraph 3 of resolution 39/49 A, the Committee is requested to keep under review the situation relating to the question of Palestine as well as the implementation of the Programme of Action adopted by the International Conference on the Question of Palestine and to report and make suggestions thereon to the General Assembly or the Security Council, as appropriate.

3.  In paragraph 4 of resolution 39/49 A the Committee is authorized to continue to exert all efforts to promote the implementation of its recommendations, to send delegations or representatives to international conferences where it would consider such representation to be appropriate and to report thereon to the General Assembly at its fortieth session and thereafter.

4.  In paragraph 5 of resolution 39/49 A the Committee is requested to continue to extend its co-operation to non-governmental organizations in their contribution towards heightening international awareness of the facts relating to the question of Palestine.

5.  With regard to paragraph 2 of resolution 39/49 B, the Committee is expected to provide the Division for Palestinian Rights with the necessary guidance in discharging the tasks referred to therein.

E. Action considered by the Committee

6.  The Committee decided that during the year 1985 it would maintain its past activities and, in the light of experience gained and decisions taken in 1984, would increase its contacts and co-operation with Governments and with non-governmental organizations in intensified efforts towards greater and more positive international awareness of the facts relating to the question of Palestine.  In this regard, the Committee decided to consider sending delegations to selected capitals to discuss how best to promote progress on its recommendations for a peaceful solution as endorsed by the General Assembly at its latest session.

7.  As in the past, the Working Group was re-established to assist in the preparation and expedition of the work of the Committee.  Its membership is as follows: Afghanistan, Cuba, the German Democratic Republic, Guinea, Guyana, India, Malta, Pakistan, Senegal, Tunisia, Turkey, the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).  Meetings of the Working Group would be open to all members and observers of the Committee. At its 1st meeting, held on 18 January 1985, the Working Group unanimously re-elected H.E. Mr. Victor J. Gauci (Malta) as Chairman and Ms. Savitri Kunadi (India) as Vice-Chairman.

8.   In accordance with paragraph 3 of resolution 39/49 A, the Committee will continue to monitor events directly relating to the question of Palestine and to Palestinian rights and, through its Chairman, to convey its considered views on such developments to the General Assembly or the Security Council, as appropriate. As in the past, the bureau may, whenever urgent action is required, through its Chairman, draw the attention of the Secretary-General and the President of the Assembly or of the Security Council to developments affecting the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people.

9.   In response to paragraph 4 of resolution 39/49 A, the Committee decided to request that a letter should be addressed by the Secretary-General, emphasizing the need for positive action with regard to the holding of the proposed International Peace Conference on the Middle East and reiterating the receptiveness of the Committee to participation and suggestions by all Member States in carrying out its work.

10.  In accordance with General Assembly resolution 39/49 D, the Committee decided that, in its activities during 1985, it would continue, as a matter of priority, to exert all efforts to promote the early convening of the proposed international peace conference on the Middle East, while urging the understanding and further co-operation of all concerned for the resolution of a problem of such fundamental importance to the maintenance of international peace and security.

11.  In accordance with paragraph 2 of resolution 39/49 B, the Committee considered:

(a) Topics on which studies, if any, should be prepared by the Division;

(b)  Details of the seminars to be held in 1985;

(c) Arrangements for the international non-governmental organization meeting and symposia;

(d)  Arrangements for the observance of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.

1.  Seminars

12. The Committee has already decided that in 1985, seminars should be held in Latin America and Asia.

13. The Government of Guyana has kindly agreed to provide the venue for the Latin I American seminar and has suggested that the second part of June 1985 would be a I convenient period for it, with a preference for the week commencing 17 June 1985.

14. Arrangements are in the process of finalization regarding the seminar in Asia, for which the Government of China has kindly agreed to provide the venue. The dates suggested are for April 1985.

15. Provision is made for a North American seminar in accordance with General Assembly resolution 36/120 B. The Committee will decide at a later date the details for the holding of such seminar.

2.  Studies

16. The major topics of interest are largely covered in the studies prepared so far. The Committee decided that additional pamphlets should be prepared, inter alia, on:

(a)  Living conditions of the Palestinian people;

(b)  United Nations assistance to the Palestinian people;

(c)  Approaches for the practical attainment of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people;

(d)  Condensed paper bringing together conclusions reached by seminars on most important topics relating to the question of Palestine;

(e)  NGO activities on the question of Palestine.

In addition, selected pamphlets already prepared should be updated.  (The list of pamphlets prepared in 1984 is annexed hereto.)  Translation of existing studies into more languages may be considered according to demand.

3. Non-governmental organization ire e ting and symposia

17. It has been suggested by the Interim Co-ordinating Committee of NGOs that the International Non-governmental Organization Meeting be held in Geneva in the first week of September 1985. However, since 4 and 5 September are holidays in Geneva it was decided that the meeting should be held either in the last week of August or in the second week of September 1985, to be preceded by a preparatory meeting in March, at a date still to be specified, which would take the format of a symposium similar to that already held in Geneva in November 1984.

18. A decision has already been taken that a non-governmental organization symposium should be held in North America in 1985. This could take place at United Nations Headquarters in New York in the summer of 1985.

19. The Committee decided to hold symposia in Africa and Asia. Details as to the venues and the format for these two symposia will need to be considered in due course.

4.  International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People

20. The Committee decided that the International .Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People should be commemorated on Friday, 29 November 1985; that two meetings should be held/ and that programmes similar to those organized in the past be repeated in 1985.

21. The Committee also decided to invite PLO to provide an exhibit to be displayed at United Nations Headquarters during the week of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.

Annex

1984 PUBLICATIONS

1. Blue books and publications

The origins and evolution of the Palestinian problem, part III, 1978-1983

The Israeli settlements in Gaza and the West Bank (including Jerusalem), part II

2. Monthly bulletins

3. Seminar reports

Ninth United Nations Seminar on the Question of Palestine (Tunisia) (to be issued shortly)

4. Other publications

Special bulletin on the commemoration of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, 1983

Resolutions and decisions of the General Assembly and the Security Council on the Question of Palestine, 1983

North American NGO Symposium on the Question of Palestine, New York, June 1984

International NGO Meeting on the Question of Palestine, Geneva, August 1984 (to be issued shortly)

Compilation of statements made by eminent persons at the International Conference on the Question of Palestine.

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