Palestine question/Mideast situation – Final Declaration of the Extraordinary Arab Summit – Letter from Jordan

Letter dated 17 November 1987 from the Permanent Representative of

Jordan to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General

On instructions from my Government, which hosted the Extraordinary Arab Summit Conference held at Amman from 17 to 20 Rabi' I A.H. 1408, corresponding to 8 to 11 November A.D. 1987, I have the honor to transmit herewith the official Arabic text of the Final Declaration issued by the Conference. I should be grateful if you would have this letter and its annex circulated as an official document of the General Assembly, under agenda items 23, 33, 36, 38, 39, 47, 75 and 126, and of the Security Council.

ANNEX

Final Declaration issued by the Extraordinary Arab Summit

Conference held at Amman, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan,

from 17 to 20 Rabi' I A.H. 1408, corresponding to

8 to 11 November A.D. 1987

In response to the wish expressed by the leaders of the Arab States, which formed the basis of the resolution adopted by the Council of the League of Arab States at its resumed emergency session held at Tunis on 29 Muharram A.H. 1048, corresponding to 20 September A.D. 1987, and at the invitation of His Majesty King Hussein Bin Talal of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Jordanian capital, Amman, hosted the Arab Summit Conference meeting in extraordinary session from 17 to 20, Rabi' I A.H. 1408, corresponding to 8 to 11 November A.D. 1987.

The subject of Arab solidarity was the chief preoccupation of the Arab leaders, proceeding as they were from a position of historical responsibility, on the basis of the principles of Arab nationalism and in accordance with their fraternal relations, the convergence of their security, political and economic interests and the bonds formed by culture and history, being aware of the delicate and crucial stage through which the Arab world is passing and of the challenges confronting its present situation and its future and placing its existence in jeopardy, and being conscious of the weakness caused by a state of disunity and cleavage which undermines the capacities of the Arab nation and dissipates its capabilities. The leaders examined the various aspects of Arab solidarity, exposed its points of weakness and its deficiencies and stressed the need to promote and strengthen it as a priority on which their views were unanimous. They agreed that Arab solidarity was the only way to ensure the honor and dignity of the Arab nation and ward off injury and harm. The leaders were unanimous that differences should be transcended and causes of weakness and factors making for fragmentation and division eliminated. Proceeding from loyalty to the Arab homeland and from a genuine commitment to their nation, they decided to adopt solidarity as a basic pillar of joint Arab action aimed at giving concrete expression to their common position, augmenting the capabilities of the Arab nation and providing it with the elements of strength and vigor. After hearing the address made by His Majesty King Hussein at the first closed meeting of the Summit, in which he proposed "Harmony and Accord" as the theme of the Conference, the leaders decided to adopt the address as an official document of the Conference. They renewed their commitment to the need to promote Afro-Arab co-operation, their condemnation of the terrorism and racial discrimination practiced by the racist régime in South Africa and their support for the struggle of the peoples of South Africa and Namibia.

In compliance with the Pact of the League of Arab States, the Joint Defense Treaty and the Arab Solidarity Pact, in reaffirmation of the determination to safeguard Arab national security and to protect Arab territory and in the atmosphere of fraternity and amity which prevailed at the Amman meeting, the subject of the war between Iraq and Iran and the situation in the Gulf region headed the Conference's agenda. The leaders expressed their anxiety at the continuation of the war and voiced their indignation at the Iranian régime's insistence on prolonging it and its persistence in provoking and threatening the States of the Arabian Gulf. The Conference condemned Iran for its occupation of a part of Iraqi territory and its procrastination in accepting Security Council resolution 598 (1987). They called upon Iran to accept the resolution and to implement it in full in accordance with the sequence of its operative paragraphs. They appealed to the international community to assume its responsibilities, to make effective efforts and take appropriate measures to prevail upon the Iranian regime to respond to the calls for peace. The Conference declared its solidarity with Iraq and its appreciation of Iraq's acceptance of Security Council resolution 598 (1987) and positive response to all peace-initiatives. The Conference also affirmed its solidarity with and its support for Iraq in protecting its territory and its territorial waters and in defending its legitimate rights.

The leaders reviewed developments in the situation in the Gulf region and the dangerous consequences of the Iranian threats, provocations and acts of aggression. The Conference declared its solidarity with Kuwait in confronting the aggression of the Iranian régime and its grief at the bloody, criminal acts perpetrated by the Iranians in the precinct of the Holy Mosque at Makkah. The Conference affirmed its support for Kuwait in all the measures it had adopted to protect its territory and its territorial waters and to safeguard its security and stability. It declared its support for Kuwait in resisting the threats and acts of aggression of the Iranian régime. The Conference further affirmed its complete solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its full support for the measures it was taking to ensure a fitting atmosphere in which pilgrims to the Holy Kaaba might perform the rites of the Pilgrimage in tranquility and piety and to prevent any violation of the sanctity of the holy places and any offence to Muslim sentiment. The leaders affirmed their rejection of any disturbances in the holy places which were prejudicial to the security and safety of pilgrims and to the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The Conference called upon Islamic States and Governments to adopt the same position and to oppose wrongful practices that were incompatible with the teachings of Islam.

The Conference discussed the subject of the Arab-Israeli conflict and reviewed the developments that had taken place at the Arab and international levels. It reaffirmed that the question of Palestine was the core and basis of the conflict and that peace in the Middle East region would only be achieved through the recovery of all the occupied Arab territories, foremost among them the Holy City of Jerusalem, the restoration of the inalienable national rights of the Palestinian people and the resolution of the Palestine issue in all its aspects. The Conference declared that the consolidation of the power, inherent strength and solidarity of the Arabs and an effective common stand were basic elements for tackling the Israeli danger, which threatened the entire Arab nation, affronted it and placed its existence and future at risk.

In the context of promoting peaceful efforts and endeavors seeking to achieve a just and durable peace in the Middle East region in accordance with international legality and the resolutions of the United Nations and on the basis of the return of all the occupied Palestinian and Arab territories and the restoration of the national rights of the Palestinian Arab people, the leaders supported, as the only appropriate means of settling the Arab-Israeli conflict in a peaceful, just and comprehensive manner, the convening of the international peace conference under the auspices of the United Nations and with the participation, an equal footing, of all parties concerned, including the Palestine Liberation the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian Arab people and the permanent members of the Security Council. They saluted the Palestinian people in the occupied Arab territories, commending its steadfastness, sanctioning its struggle and its adherence to its land and renewing their commitment to its support and assistance.

The leaders considered the Lebanese crisis and its harrowing complications for the fraternal Lebanese Arab people. They stressed their desire for the preservation of the national unity, Arab character and territorial integrity of Lebanon and for action to help it overcome the crisis and to restore its vigor and sovereignty.

The leaders considered the subject of international terrorism and declared their condemnation thereof in all its forms, whatever methods it used and whatever its source might be. They affirmed their belief in the just struggle of peoples to attain independence and sovereignty and to regain their freedom and legitimate rights.

The leaders, believing that all the elements necessary for Arab national security could be ensured and its pre-conditions and requirements met only through the fullest solidarity throughout all parts of the Arab world, thereby making it possible to mobilize the potential and capabilities of the Arab nation in order to achieve its national objectives, and out of a conviction that there existed a unity of hopes and aspirations and a common outlook on the malicious and hostile designs that threatened the existence and future of the Arabs, decided that diplomatic relations between any State member of the League of Arab States and the Arab Republic of Egypt was a sovereign matter to be determined by each State in accordance with its constitution and laws.

The Conference reviewed the historical relations between Islam and Christianity, the two revealed religions, as embodied in the city of Jerusalem, the symbol of peace. It further reviewed the practices of Israel and its infamous attempts at blackmail. It invited member States to intensify the dialogue with the Holy See with a view to acquiring its support and called upon His Majesty King Hussein, the Chairman of the Conference, to establish contact with it on behalf of the Arab leaders.

The leaders expressed their gratitude to the people of Jordan and to its King for their generous hospitality, warm reception and thorough preparations. They registered their appreciation for the wise leadership of His Majesty King Hussein, which had created a candid and fraternal atmosphere for the Conference and had ensured the means for the successful outcome of its work.

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