Mideast situation/Palestine question – Ministerial meeting of the NAM Co-ordinating Bureau – Communiqué/Non-UN document (excerpts)

COMMUNIQUÉ

MINISTERIAL MEETING OF THE

CO-ORDINATING BUREAU OF THE

NON-ALIGNED MOVEMENT

DURBAN

29 APRIL 2002

INTRODUCTION

1. The Co-ordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement met at Ministerial level in Durban, South Africa on 29 April 2002, to prepare for the XIII Summit Conference of the Heads of State or Government and to review the developments and implementation of decisions of the Durban Summit, and to discuss matters of urgency.

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CHAPTER I:  GLOBAL ISSUES

Review of the International Situation

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73. The Ministers reiterated the support for the establishment in the Middle East of a zone free of all weapons of mass destruction.  To this end, they reaffirmed the need for the speedy establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East in accordance with Security Council resolutions 487 (1981) and  687 (1991) and the relevant General Assembly resolutions adopted by consensus. The Ministers called upon all parties concerned to take urgent and practical steps towards the establishment of such a zone and, pending its establishment, they demanded on Israel, the only country in the region that has not joined the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) nor declared its intention to do so, to renounce possession of nuclear weapons, to accede to the NPT without delay, to place promptly all its nuclear facilities under IAEA full-scope safeguards according to Security Council resolution 487 (1981) and to conduct its nuclear related activities in conformity with the non-proliferation regime. The Ministers expressed great concern over the acquisition of nuclear capability by Israel which poses a serious and continuing threat to the security of neighbouring and other States and we condemn Israel for continuing to develop and stockpile nuclear arsenals. The Ministers were of the view that stability cannot be achieved in a region where massive imbalances in military capabilities are maintained particularly through the possession of nuclear weapons which allow one party to threaten its neighbours and the region. We further welcome the initiative by H.E. Mr. Mohammed Hosni Mubarak, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, on the establishment of a zone free from weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East. The Ministers stressed that necessary steps should be taken in different international fora for the establishment of this zone. The Ministers also called for the total and complete prohibition of the transfer of all nuclear-related equipment, information, material and facilities, resources or devices and the extension of assistance in the nuclear related scientific or technological fields to Israel. In this regard, the Ministers expressed their serious concern over the continuing development whereby Israeli scientists are provided access to the nuclear facilities of one Nuclear Weapon State. This development will have potentially serious negative implications on the regional security as well as the reliability of the global non-proliferation regime.

74. The Ministers of the States Parties to the NPT welcomed the outcome of the 2000 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty. In this regard they reiterated their call and the firm commitment by all States parties to the Treaty and called for the full implementation of the unequivocal undertaking given by the Nuclear Weapons States to the total elimination of their nuclear arsenals. The Ministers expected that this undertaking be demonstrated without delay through an accelerated process of negotiations and through the full implementation of the thirteen practical steps to advance systematically and progressively towards a nuclear-weapon-free world. They took note of the First Preparatory meeting for the 2005 NPT Review Conference and emphasised the need for a substantive interaction beyond formal exchange of views between the States Parties at these meetings. The issues raised at the Preparatory meetings need to be addressed so as to continue strengthening the implementation of the Treaty and the undertakings agreed upon at the 2000 NPT Review Conference, and also to lay the necessary foundation for the development of recommendations at the Third Preparatory session for the 2005 Review Conference. They recalled that specific time was made available at the 2000 Review Conference and its Third Preparatory session for the discussion on and consideration of proposals on the provisions in Article VI of the NPT and in paragraphs 3 and 4 (C) of the 1995 decision on "Principles and Objectives for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament", dealing with nuclear disarmament, as well as on the Resolution on the Middle East adopted at the 1995 Review and Extension Conference. In this context, they reaffirmed the importance to establish at the 2005 Review Conference a subsidiary body to Main Committee I to deliberate on practical steps for systematic and progressive efforts to eliminate nuclear weapons, as well as a subsidiary body to Main Committee II to consider and recommend proposals on the implementation of the resolution on the Middle East adopted by the 1995 Review and Extension Conference of the NPT. In this regard, they emphasised the need for Preparatory Committee  meetings to continue to allocate specific time for deliberations on nuclear disarmament and the implementation of the 1995 resolution on the Middle East.

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CHAPTER II: ANALYSIS OF THE INTERNATIONAL SITUATION

PALESTINE AND THE MIDDLE EAST

Palestine

115. The Ministers expressed outrage and condemned the willful killing, vast destruction and other atrocities committed by the Israeli occupying forces against the Palestinian people, especially since the start of the Israeli military assault on Palestinian cities and the Palestinian Authority on 29th March 2002.  They expressed, in particular, grave concern about reports on war crimes and massacre committed in the Jenin refugee camp and in other Palestinian cities.  In this regard, the Ministers rejected what has become an Israeli culture of acting with impunity and with disregard for resolutions of the UN Security Council.  The Ministers stressed the need for full accountability and an end to the application of double standards.

116. The Ministers reiterated the traditional principled support of the Movement for the establishment of the independent State of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital and the support for an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land occupied since 1967, the dismantling of Israeli settlements, and a just solution of the Palestine refugee problem based on General Assembly resolution 194 (III) of 1948.  The Ministers once more called for the upholding of international law and international humanitarian law and the implementation of relevant United Nations resolutions and reaffirmed the permanent responsibility of the United Nations towards the question of Palestine until it is effectively solved in all its aspects.

117. The Ministers welcomed the reconvening of the Conference of High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention on 5 December 2001 in Geneva and supported the important declaration adopted by the participating High Contracting Parties.  The Ministers called for measures to be taken on the national, regional and international levels to fulfil the legal obligations of the High Contracting Parties to ensure respect by the occupying Power of the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including Jerusalem.  The Ministers also stressed the international liability regarding grave breaches of the Fourth Geneva Convention, and in this regard called for actions against the perpetrators by the United Nations system, including the Security Council or alternatively the General Assembly.  The Ministers reiterated that Israeli representation in the work of the General Assembly and international conferences must be in conformity with international law and called for ensuring that Israeli credentials do not cover the territories occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem.

118. The Ministers called for the intensification of efforts to end the current tragic situation in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and in the Middle East region as a whole towards the conclusion of a final peace settlement.  They reiterated their support for the establishment of a just and lasting peace in the Middle East based on Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973) and the principle of land for peace and the existence of two States as envisaged in Security Council resolution 1397 (2002).  The Ministers welcomed all efforts and positive contributions in that direction.  In this regard, the Ministers specifically welcomed the peace initiative adopted by the Arab Summit in Beirut and also welcomed other efforts, including that of the Quartet.  The Ministers stressed the need for a comprehensive approach in dealing with the situation, with a complete road map, including the final goal, mechanism and international presence on the ground.  The Ministers called for an increased role and full engagement of the Security Council and expressed their support for the efforts and initiatives of the United Nations Secretary-General in this regard.

Syrian Golan

119. The Ministers reaffirmed that all measures and actions taken, or to be taken by Israel, the occupying power, such as its illegal decision of 14 December 1981 that purports to alter the legal, physical and demographic status of the occupied Syrian Golan and its institutional structure, as well as the Israeli measures to apply its jurisdiction and administration there, are null and void.  The Ministers also reaffirmed that all such measures and actions constitute a flagrant violation of international law, international conventions, the Charter and decisions of the United Nations, particularly Security Council resolution 497 (1981), the Fourth Geneva Convention of 12 August 1949 on the protection of civilians in time of war, and the defiance of will of the international community.  The Ministers reiterated the Movement’s demand that Israel comply with Security Council resolution 497 (1981) and withdraw fully from the occupied Syrian Golan, to the lines of 4 June 1967, in implementation of Security Council resolutions 242 and 338, and that Israel adheres to the Madrid terms of reference based on the principle of  land for peace, which are in their entirety considered to be a primary and basic element in the negotiation process that should be adhered to, including the immediate commencement of the demarcation of the 4 June 1967 line.

120. The Ministers reaffirmed the NAM’s unwavering support and solidarity with the Syrian just demand and rights to restore the full Syrian sovereignty over the occupied Syrian Golan on the basis of the terms of reference of the Madrid peace process, the decisions of the international legitimacy, as well as the principle of land for peace.  They again demanded that Israel respect all commitments and pledges it entered into with the aim of laying down the basis for a substantive progress on the Syrian-Israeli track.

Lebanon

121. The Ministers reaffirmed Lebanon’s legitimate right to defend its territories and to liberate the remaining parts under Israeli occupation, and in light of the continuous Israeli threats, aggressions and violations of the Lebanese territories, air, space and territorial waters, they reiterated their support for Lebanon’s demand to maintain the peacekeeping mission deployed in Southern Lebanon (UNIFIL) without any reduction in the number of its troops, or change in the nature of its mandate.  They encouraged and supported all international efforts aimed at expediting the removal of land mines planted by Israel during its occupation of Southern Lebanon, and called on Israel to release all Lebanese prisoners in Israeli jails, detained in defiance of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 and its relevant protocols.

The Peace Process

122. The Ministers reaffirmed their support for the Middle East peace process based on Security Council Resolutions 242, 338, 425 and the principle of land for peace.  They reiterated the need for ending the Israeli occupation of all occupied territories since 1967 and the establishment of the State of Palestine with Jerusalem as its capital.  The Ministers welcomed and supported the Arab peace initiative adopted by the 14th Arab Summit in Beirut.  They urge the Security Council to act upon that initiative towards achieving just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East.

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Security and Co-operation in the Mediterranean

170. On developments in the Mediterranean region, the Ministers reiterated the Movement’s determination to intensify the process of dialogue and consultations in the promotion of comprehensive and equitable co-operation in the region towards resolving the problems existing in the Mediterranean region, in the elimination of the causes of tension and the consequent threat to peace and security.  Respect for the right to self-determination, elimination of foreign occupation and foreign bases and fleets, non-interference in the internal affairs and respect for the sovereignty of States are prerequisites for the establishment of peace and stability in the Mediterranean region.

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