HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE NOON BRIEFING
BY FRED ECKHARD
SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS
UN HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK
Tuesday, September 24, 2002
SECURITY COUNCIL ENDS MIDDLE EAST MEETING WITH RESOLUTION
- Just after 2:00 this morning, the Security Council ended its day-long formal meeting on the Middle East by voting on a resolution that reiterated the Council’s demand for the complete cessation of all acts of violence, including all acts of terror, provocation, incitement and destruction.
- The resolution demanded that Israel immediately cease its measures in and around Ramallah, including the destruction of Palestinian civilian and security infrastructure, and withdraw its occupying forces expeditiously from Palestinian cities, towards the positions held prior to September 2000. The Council also called on the Palestinian Authority to meet its expressed commitment to ensure that those responsible for terrorism are brought to justice.
- The resolution, submitted by the Council’s five European members, received 14 votes in favor and one abstention, from the United States. It was adopted after several sessions of consultations, in which drafts submitted by the United States and Syria were also considered, and an open debate that began Monday morning, following a request from the Arab Group.
- Secretary-General Kofi Annan opened the debate on Monday morning, saying that, less than a week ago, the Quartet dealing with the Middle East had agreed on the need for a process driven both by performance and by hope. But the events of the past few days, he warned, “represent a tragic step in the opposite direction.”
- The Secretary-General noted the systematic grinding down of the Palestinian Authority’s headquarters in Ramallah, in which 10 Palestinian civilians have been killed, and the mass protests in Palestinian cities against it.
- The Secretary-General warned that any policy built on forcing the other side to capitulate “is not working, and will never work,” and added that a policy of concentrating on security first had failed, since “there will be no lasting security without a political settlement.” The Palestinians, he added, need to recognize that there will be no political settlement without security for Israel.
UNRWA FACING $17 MILLION DEFICIT, DONORS TOLD
- Today in Amman, Jordan, the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East(UNRWA)said at a meeting of donor countries that it faces a budget deficit of 17 million dollars for this year, even as it is trying to cope with the worst humanitarian crisis in the West Bank and Gaza Strip since 1948.
- The Agency’s Commissioner-General, Peter Hansen, said that in addition to that deficit, half of the Agency’s emergency appeal, amounting to $173 million, for this year remains unfunded, and less than $47 million of that appeal has actually been received so far. The shortfall will force the Agency to cut back on food and other emergency aid for Palestinians, despite recent studies showing growing malnutrition among Palestinian children.
- Hansen said that the challenges UNRWA faces are as great as any in its long and turbulent history, and added, “We have to wonder at the ability of the Palestinian population to continue coping.” The breaking point for the Palestinians, he warned, “must be somewhere close.”
- Also, today is the second and final day of an International Conference of Civil Society in Support of the Palestinian People, being held at Headquarters with the theme, “End the Occupation!” This afternoon, the groups in attendance will present a plan of action.
- On Monday, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Kieran Prendergast addressed the Conference to deliver a message from the Secretary-General that “the essential objectives of security and humanitarian relief cannot be achieved in isolation. We must return to the search for a just and comprehensive solution, which alone can bring security and prosperity to both peoples, and indeed to the whole region.”
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OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Asked about the dispute between Lebanon and Israel over the Wazzani River, the Spokesman said that the Secretary-General supports US efforts to mediate between the two countries, and noted that the United States has sent water experts to the area. The Spokesman added that there was an erroneous report that the United Nations would send water experts as well, which is not the case. The Secretary-General, he said, hopes tensions on the issue would be calmed.
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Document Type: Briefing
Document Sources: Secretary-General, Security Council
Subject: Assistance, Middle East situation, Occupation, Peace proposals and efforts, Situation in Lebanon
Publication Date: 24/09/2002
Document Sources: Secretary-General, Security Council
Subject: Assistance, Middle East situation, Occupation, Peace proposals and efforts, Situation in Lebanon
Publication Date: 24/09/2002