Letter dated 18 November 1999 from the Permanent Representative of Burkina Faso
to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General
I have the honour, in my capacity as Chairman of the Islamic Group, to enclose herewith the final communiqué of the Annual Coordination Meeting of the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of States members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, held at United Nations Headquarters in New York on 1 October 1999 (see enclosure).*
I should be grateful it the present letter and its enclosure could be circulated as a document of the General Assembly under agenda items 10, 29, 38, 42, 43, 44, 49 (a), 50, 53, 56, 59, 60, 61, 63, 88, 89 and 115, and of the Security Council.
(Signed) Michel KAFANDO
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* The enclosure is being circulated in the languages of submission only.
Enclosure
[Original: Arabic, English and French]
FINAL COMMUNIQUE OF THE ANNUAL COORDINATION MEETING OF THE
MINISTERS FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF STATES MEMBERS OF THE
ORGANIZATION OF THE ISLAMIC CONFERENCE
UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK
21 JUMADA AL-THANI, 1420H (1 OCTOBER 1999)
The Annual Coordination Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the OIC member States was held on Friday 21st Jumada Al-Thani 1420H, corresponding to 1st October 1999, at the UN Headquarters in New York. Under the Chairmanship of His Excellency Youssouf Ouedraogo, Minister of State and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Burkina Faso and Chairman of the Twenty-sixth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.
2. The Meeting was attended by His Excellency Ibrahima Fall, Representative of the UN Secretary-General and His Excellency Ambassador Hussein Hassouna, Representative of the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States.
3. The Meeting noted with utmost appreciation the reports submitted by the Secretary General on the items of the Agenda.
Question of Palestine, Al-Quds Al-Sharif and the Arab-Israeli Conflict:
4. The Meeting approved the report adopted by the meeting of the Six-Member Committee on Palestine (Annex No. 1), held on 14 Jumada Al-Thani 1420H, corresponding to 24th September 1999.
5. The Meeting reaffirmed that the cause of Al-Quds Al-Sharif and Palestine is the prime cause of Muslims and expressed its full solidarity with the Palestine Liberation Organization in its just struggle for removing the Israeli occupation and realizing the imprescriptible and inalienable national rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to return, to self-determination and to the establishment of their independent State on their territory , with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
6. It called upon the States of the world to recognize the State of Palestine upon its declaration on the Palestinian land, and to extend all forms of support to the Palestinian people to enable them to exercise their sovereignty over their land in accordance with the resolutions of the international legitimacy.
7. It reaffirmed that Al-Quds Al-Sharif is an integral part of the Palestinian territory occupied in 1967, and whatever is applicable to other occupied Palestinian territories also applies to it, pursuant to the resolutions of the UN Security Council and the General Assembly; and requested action to stop the violation of Islamic and Christian holy places, and also to stop all measures and practices carried out by the Israeli occupation authorities in the City aimed at changing its geographical and demographic status with a view to judaizing it, and called for combining efforts to restore Al-Quds Al-Sharif to Palestinian sovereignty as the capital of the State of Palestine.
8. It expressed optimism over the positive steps which have been recently realized in the context of the peace process by the signing of Sharm Al-Sheikh agreement by the Palestinian and Israeli sides. It called upon Israel to translate the agreement into a practical reality in order to ensure a meaningful atmosphere for confidence-building.
9. It reaffirmed its support to the peace process in the Middle East in accordance with the basis of the Madrid Conference and consistent with the UN Charter and resolutions, in particular Security Council Resolutions 242, 338 and 425, and the "Land-for-Peace" formula which calls for Israeli withdrawal from all the occupied Palestinian and Arab territories, including Al-Quds Al-Sharif, and realization of the inalienable national rights of the Palestinian people, and also total withdrawal from occupied Syrian Golan to the 4th of June 1967 line, and from the occupied Lebanese territory to the internationally-recognized borders. It called for strict and sincere implementation of all agreements signed in this context between the concerned parties as well as of all commitments and obligations.
10. It called upon the member States to act to block Israel's bid to join the Asian Group, within the framework of the United Nations, its Agencies and other international institutions until Israel abides by implementing all international resolutions, and until a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East is achieved.
11. It urged also the international community and all States of the world to boycott the products and commodities produced by colonial settlement in the occupied territories, and called to refrain from undertaking any projects in these settlements, pursuant to the resolutions of the international legitimacy which consider these settlements as illegal, and that the products and commodities pertain to illegal colonial settlements.
12. It welcomed the holding of the Geneva Conference of the High Contracting Parties on 15 July 1999 in Geneva, with OIC participation; the Conference approved the applicability of the Geneva Convention to the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Al-Quds (East Jerusalem), and demanded Israel "the occupying power" to apply the provisions of the Convention to the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Al-Quds (East Jerusalem).
13. It emphasized the continued responsibility of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) to carry on fulfilling the tasks assigned to it for the benefit of the Palestinian people wherever they may be living in accordance with the relevant resolution of the UN General Assembly and called upon the Member States to request the UN Secretary-General to see to it that the Conciliation Committee undertakes in collaboration with the Relief Agency and the concerned States the preparation of a comprehensive listing of Palestinian refugees and their properties and elaboration of a comprehensive conception for the settlement of their problem on the basis of their right to return to their homeland, Palestine, in accordance with the UN General Assembly Resolution No. 194. It further called upon all States to provide further assistance towards the Agency's budget so as to enable it to continue providing its prescribed services.
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Annex I
REPORT OF THE MEETING OF THE O.I.C. SIX-MEMBER COMMITTEE
ON PALESTINE HELD ON 14/6/1420H (24/9/1999) TO THE ANNUAL COORDINATlON
MEETING OF FOREIGN MINISTERS OF THE O.I.C.MEMBER STATES
(UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS – NEW YORK)
21 JUMADA AL-THANI 1420H (1 OCTOBER 1999)
I. The OIC Six-Member Committee on Palestine held a meeting at the U.N. Headquarters In New York, on 14/6/1420H (24/9/1999) under the Chairmanship of His Excellency Dr. Azeddine LARAKI, OIC Secretary General
II. The meeting was attended by the representatives of the following Member States of the Committee except for the Republic of Guinea:-
A representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran also attended the meeting.
III. The Secretary General opened the meeting with a speech in which he expressed optimism for the positive steps recently made in the peace process involving the signing of Sharm Al-Sheikh agreement by the Palestinian and Israeli sides, and called on Israel to translate the accord into a practical reality in order to ensure a meaningful atmosphere for confidence-building in the region. He demanded Israel to stop giving "No" as a response relating to substantive issues submitted for final status negotiations.
IV. The Foreign Minister of the State of Palestine delivered a statement which included a meticulous evaluation of the situation in Al-Quds Al-Sharif and the occupied Palestinian and Arab territories as well as a detailed review of the phases already covered and those waiting to be negotiated. This was followed by interventions by the representatives of participating states reiterating the supportive positions of their states of the Palestine cause and highlighting the recent positive developments on the peace process which involved the signing of Sharm Al-Sheikh agreement by the Palestinian and Israeli sides. They also called on Israel to abide by the genuine implementation of the agreement.
V. The Committee decided to submit the following recommendations to the OIC Annual Coordination Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the OIC Member States:-
8. Requesting States as well as international institutions and organizations to abide by the international resolutions on Al-Quds Al-Sharif being part of the Palestinian and Arab territories occupied in 1967; and calling on them not to participate in any meeting or activity which may serve the objective of Israel of consolidating its occupation and annexation of the Holy City.
9. Calling on the Security Council to revive the International Supervision and Monitoring Committee to Prevent Settlement in Al-Quds and the Occupied Palestinian and Arab Territories, pursuant to Resolution 446, and also calling for continuation of efforts and contacts with the States of the world in order to carry out the decisions of the international legitimacy , in particular Security Council Resolution No. 465 (1980), which considered the settlements as illegal and demanded the dismantling of existing ones.
10. Calling on the international community, in particular the two Co-Sponsors of the peace process, to compel Israel not to effect any geographical and demographic changes in Al-Quds Al-Sharif and to refrain from any action or procedure which may prejudice the results of the negotiations on the final status of the city, and to abide by the relevant international resolutions; lift the blockade on Al-Quds Al-Sharif; ensure freedom of worship therein; desist from demolishing houses, withdrawing identities of Palestinian citizens and emptying the city of Al-Quds Al-Sharif of its Arab inhabitants.
11. Strongly condemning Israel's persistence in the excavation works under the foundations of the archaeological, cultural and religious landmarks in East Al-Quds (East Jerusalem), especially under the foundations of the Blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque and the holy Mosque of the Dome of the Rock, in particular the opening of a tunnel in Al-Quds Al-Sharif which endangers the Islamic and Christian holy shrines. Requesting the international community and the Security Council to implement the latter's resolutions on the protection of the status of Al-Quds including establishing a mechanism for the implementation of its latest Resolution No. 1073 of 1996 concerning closure of the tunnel and taking appropriate measures to ensure that the Security Council will follow up the implementation of the Final Statement of its Chairman adopted by the Council on 13.7.1998, including the adoption of appropriate decisions and measures thereon in accordance with the UN Charter, as the actions undertaken by Israel in Al-Quds constitute a violation of the basis of peace in the Middle East, a threat to international peace and security, and an act of aggression.
12. Requesting the international community to abide by Security Council Resolution No. 478 (1980) which calls upon Member States to uphold the provisions of the said Resolution and refrain from transferring their diplomatic missions to the city of Al-Quds. Taking note with appreciation of the general response of most of the States of the world to this resolution.
13. Urging the international community and all States that extend economic and financial assistance to Israel, in particular the United States of America, States of the European Union, as well as international donor institutions and funds, to cease assistance which is used by Israel to implement its colonialist and settlement designs in the occupied Arab territories in Palestine and the Syrian Golan.
14. Urging also the international community and all States of the world to boycott the products and commodities produced by settlement colonies in the occupied territories, and to refrain from undertaking any projects in these settlements, pursuant to the resolutions of the international legitimacy which consider these settlements as illegal, and that the products and commodities pertain to illegal colonial settlements.
15. Calling for continued action to implement Security Council Resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973) and the relevant UN resolutions concerning the repatriation of displaced people, in particular Resolution No. 237 (1967).
16. Requesting the UN to dispatch a fact-finding mission to investigate conditions in the Palestinian lands, their uses and proceeds as well as violation of ownership rights and their misuse, and to obtain complete copies of all documents and maps of lands which are in the possession of the Israeli administration, and to exert efforts to implement UN General Assembly Resolution No. 43/57, dated 6.12.1988 on the proceeds of the properties of Palestinian refugees which stipulates that "(the Secretary General) shall take the appropriate steps, in coordination with the UN Conciliation Committee concerned with Palestine, to protect and administer Arab properties, assets and Arab ownership rights in Israel, and to set up a fund to receive their proceeds on behalf of their owners." And also requesting the UN to appoint a permanent official in charge of these properties to submit a regular report to the UN on the conditions and protection of these properties pending the return of their owners.
17. Calling for a more effective UN involvement to ensure the success of the Middle East process and reiterating continued UN responsibility for the cause of Palestine until a just and comprehensive solution to all its aspects is reached, providing for an end to the Israeli occupation, and enabling the Palestinian people to exercise their imprescriptible and inalienable national rights, including their right to return, to self-determination and the establishment of their independent State on their national soil with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
18. Calling for action at the UN and all international institutions in order to compel Israel to release the detainees, return the deportees, halt the method of mass punishment, cease the confiscation of land properties, and the demolition of homes, also cease any action that threatens life and the environment in the occupied Palestinian and Arab territories, including Al-Quds Al-Sharif.
19. Emphasizing the continued responsibility of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) to carry on fulfilling the tasks assigned to it for the benefit of all the Palestinians wherever they may be living in accordance with the resolution of the UN General Assembly in this regard, and calling upon the Member States to request the UN Secretary-General to see to it that the Conciliation Committee undertakes in collaboration with the Relief Agency and the concerned States the preparation of a comprehensive inventory of Palestinian refugees and their properties and elaborate a comprehensive conception for the settlement of their problems on the basis of their right to return to their homeland, Palestine, in accordance with the UN Resolution No.194. Further calling on all states to provide more assistance towards the Agency's budget so as to enable it continue providing its prescribed services.
20. Calling for convening an international symposium on the question of Palestinian refugees during the year 2000, in coordination with the UN Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, the League of Arab States and the State of Palestine.
21. Calling for international participation in the celebrations of the (Bethlehem 2000), extending necessary assistance to ensure success of this important international event, and underlining the valuable efforts exerted by H.E. President Yasser Arafat to ensure the success of these celebrations.
22. Strongly condemning Israel's continuing occupation of parts of southern Lebanon and its Western Biqa'a region, its arbitrary practices and military acts of aggression against the Lebanese citizens and against the Palestinian refugees in their camps in Lebanon; calling upon the UN Security Council to take the necessary measures to put an immediate end to these acts of aggression; requesting the implementation of the Security Council resolution on Lebanon, especially Resolution 425 (1978), Israel's immediate, total and unconditional withdrawal from the Lebanese territory. Affirming its resolve to maintain the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon within its internationally recognized borders.
23. Condemning the policy of Israel in refusing to comply with Security Council resolution 497 (1981), and in imposing its jurisdiction and its administration on the occupied Syrian Golan, as well as Israel's policies of annexation, establishment of settlements, expropriation of lands, diversion of water resources and imposition of Israeli nationality on Syrian citizens; affirming that all those measures are null and void, and constitute a violation of the rules and principles of international law, relating to occupation and war and particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949; demanding the complete withdrawal of Israel from the entire occupied Syrian Golan to the lines of 4 June 1967.
24. Urging Islamic States which have begun to take steps towards establishing relations with Israel within the framework of the peace process to reconsider their relationships with Israel, including the closing of missions and offices until Israel abides by the UN resolutions and implement the agreements, obligations and commitments arrived at by the parties to the peace process, in accordance with the principles adopted by the Madrid Conference, the OSLO Accord and the other agreements concluded with the PLO, as well as obligations and commitments arrived at with the Arab parties on all tracks during the peace talks.
25. Calling upon the member States to act to block Israel's bid to join the Asian Group or the Middle East Group in the framework of the United Nations and its organizations as well as other international institutions until Israel commits itself to implement all the international resolutions and until the achievement of a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East region.
26. Requesting the international community and the Security Council to compel Israel to comply with UN Resolutions, particularly Security Council Resolution 487 (1981), to accede to the treaty of Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, to implement General Assembly and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) resolutions calling for the subjection of all Israeli Atomic facilities to the IAEA Comprehensive Safeguards System to obtain Israel's renunciation of nuclear armament, and to submit a comprehensive statement on its capabilities and stockpile of nuclear weapons and ammunition to the Security Council and the International Atomic Energy Agency as an indispensable step for the establishment of a zone free from weapons of mass destruction, and primarily, nuclear weapons in the Middle East region, and for the establishment of a just and comprehensive peace in the region.
27. Entrusting the Secretary General with taking the necessary measures for the continuation and promotion of contacts and coordination on the Cause of Palestine and the Arab-Israeli Conflict, between the OIC and the League of Arab States, OAU, the Non-Aligned Movement, the European Union, the UN and its specialized agencies. Expressing its appreciation of the supportive stands and assistance of these institutions to the just struggle of the Palestinian people
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Document Type: Communiqué, Letter
Document Sources: General Assembly, Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), Security Council
Subject: Golan Heights, Jerusalem, Refugees and displaced persons
Publication Date: 23/11/1999