DPR Monthly Bulletin, Vol. XIV, No. 9 – CEIRPP, DPR bulletin (September 1991) – DPR publication

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Contents

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I.  EXCERPT FROM FINAL COMMUNIQUE OF THE TWENTIETH

   ISLAMIC CONFERENCE OF FOREIGN MINISTERS, HELD AT

    ISTANBUL FROM 4 TO 8 SEPTEMBER 1991

"The Conference affirmed its active solidarity and total support for the just struggle of the valiant Palestinian people. It saluted with great pride the heroic steadfastness and immense sacrifices of the Palestinian people, the continuation and escalation of their blessed intifadah against the repressive practices of the Israeli forces of occupation, and their valiant resistance to its brutal and barbaric methods.  It called on Member States to extend all forms of political and economic support to the Palestinian people.

"The Conference strongly condemned the continuation of the policy of establishment of settlements and expansionism of the Israeli Government, and its expulsion of Arab citizens in violation of fundamental human rights and all international treaties and covenants, considering that the establishment of settlements in the occupied territories constitute a major obstacle in the way of the international efforts being exerted to bring about a just and comprehensive peace in the region.

"The Conference called on the international community to promptly provide urgent international protection to the Palestinian people under Israeli occupation, to force Israel as the occupying and aggressor State to implement all articles of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 relative to the protection of civilian persons in time of war.

"The Conference also urged the United Nations Secretary-General to call a meeting of the States signatories to the Fourth Geneva Convention to promptly take the necessary measures in order to force Israel to comply with the clauses of the said Convention in keeping with its international obligations.

"The Conference expressed its deep concern at the persistent implementation of the scheme of transferring Soviet, Falasha, and other Jews to Israel and settling them extensively in the occupied Palestinian and Arab territories including Al-Quds Al-Sharif and occupied Syrian Golan, which will pave the way for world zionism to carry out its colonialist design aimed at establishing the so-called "Greater Israel" which constitutes an immense danger to the historical rights of the Palestinian people and threatens the security of Arab and Islamic States.  It also called upon the Security Council to set up an international observer force to supervise and monitor the non-settlement in the occupied Palestinian and Arab territories including Al-Quds Al-Sharif and occupied Syrian Golan and reaffirmed the right of the Palestinian people to return to their occupied territory and homeland, a right that the United Nations General Assembly acknowledged in its resolution 194 (III).

"The Conference, in this regard, appealed to the Governments of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the United States of America, and the friendly countries concerned, to desist from according facilities, assistance and loans to Israel, until it complies with and implements the resolutions of international legitimacy regarding the settlement of the Palestine question and the Arab-Israeli conflict.

"The Conference emphasized that the Palestinian question is the prime cause of all Muslims and the core of the Arab-Israeli conflict.  It supported all the efforts being exerted to realize a just and comprehensive peace in the region of the Middle East, based on the resolutions of international legitimacy and called for the speedy convening of the International Conference on Peace in the Middle East under the auspices of the United Nations, with the participation of the permanent member States of the Security Council as well as all concerned parties including the PLO, on an equal footing with other parties, in accordance with all relevant United Nations resolutions including resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973) of the United Nations Security Council so as to guarantee the total Israeli withdrawal from all the occupied Palestinian and Arab territories and the exercise of the inalienable national rights of the Palestinian people, including their rights to return and to self-determination and their right to establish their own independent State on national soil with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

"The Conference reaffirmed that the Palestine Liberation Organization is the sole and legitimate representative of the Palestinian people and that it alone has full right to represent them in all conferences and activities relating to the Palestine question and the Arab-Israeli conflict.

"The Conference expressed its deep concern at the agreements concluded between the United States and Israel regarding strategic cooperation between them, which provides for stockpiling United States weapons in Israel, which will encourage its policy of annexation and settlement to the detriment of the Arab territories.  It reiterated its condemnation of Israel for its continuing refusal to implement the resolutions of the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency calling for submission of its nuclear facilities to international control and inspection.

"The Conference urged the Member States to continue their efforts to oppose current attempts at rescinding the General Assembly resolution 3379 (XXX) of 1975 which considers zionism as a form of racism.

"The Conference strongly condemned Israel for its refusal to abide by United Nations Security Council resolution 497 (1981) and forcefully applying its guardianship, laws and administration on the occupied Syrian Golan as well as for its annexationist policy and practices for implanting settlements, for seizing land.  It considered all the foregoing measures null and void and viewed them as a violation of the principles and norms of international law relating to occupation and war, in particular the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949.

"The Conference declared the Islamic Ummah's commitment to liberate the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, first Kibla and Third Holy Shrine and reaffirmed that Al-Quds Al-Sharif is part of the Palestinian territories occupied in 1967 and is the capital of the Palestinian State and reiterated its commitment to strengthen Islamic solidarity for liberation of Al-Quds Al-Sharif and to preserve the Arab Islamic character of the holy city.

"The Conference expressed its strong condemnation of Israel for its plans of settlements particularly in Al-Quds Al-Sharif. It reaffirmed that all the measures taken to annex Al-Quds Al-Sharif and impose Israeli laws on its Arab Palestinian inhabitants are null and void and called on the international community to condemn the continuing criminal acts against Al-Aqsa mosque and other Islamic and Christian Holy Places, and to force it to comply with all international resolutions, the latest of which are Security Council resolutions 672 (1990) and 681 (1990) which provide for the sending of a Committee by the United Nations Secretary-General to investigate the situation in Al-Quds Al-Sharif, and provide the necessary protection to the Palestinian people and the Holy Places.

"The Conference called on all States of the world to refuse to locate their Embassies and Missions in the City of Al-Quds Al-Sharif, thus expressing their non-recognition of the annexation by Israel of this Holy City.

"The Conference expressed its appreciation of the efforts made by Al-Quds Committee under the chairmanship of His Majesty King Hassan II of Morocco, and took note of all the recommendations made by the Committee at its thirteenth session in Rabat on l5 October 1990.  The Conference called for the convening of an Islamic-Christian meeting in coordination with the Vatican and with the participation of other, eastern churches with a view to preserving the identity of that holy city and to preserve its religious and historic character.

"The Conference expressed its appreciation to the United Nations, the League of Arab States, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Organization of African Unity, the European Economic Community, and the Vatican for their constant support for the cause of Palestine, of Al-Quds Al-Sharif and the inalienable national rights of the Palestinian people.

"The Conference, once again, affirmed the importance of the vital role played by Al-Quds Fund and its Waqf for the support of the struggle and jihad of the Palestinian people and their valiant intifadah inside their occupied homeland and particularly the City of Al-Quds Al-Sharif; called on Member States to commit themselves to covering the Fund's approved budget and collecting donations for the Fund and its Waqf." (see A/46/486-S/23055)

At the Conference, the following resolutions relative to Palestine were adopted:

"Resolution No. 1/20-P on the Palestine Cause and the

Arab-Israeli Conflict

"Having considered the report of the Secretary-General on the Palestinian cause and the Arab-Israeli conflict contained in document ICFM/20-91/QP/D.1,

"Proceeding from the principles and objectives of the Charter of the Organization of the Islamic Conference,

"Pursuant to the resolutions of the Islamic Summit and Foreign Ministers Conferences on the cause of Palestine and the Arab-Israeli conflict,

"Recalling also all the resolutions of the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Organization of African Unity and the League of Arab States on the question of Palestine and the Arab-Israeli conflict,

"Reaffirming that the Palestine cause is the core of the Arab-Israeli conflict and that Israel's continued occupation of Palestinian and Arab territories, its annexation of Al-Quds Al-Sharif and the Syrian Golan and its denial of the inalienable national rights of the Palestinian people constitute a flagrant violation of international legitimacy and the principles of international law as well as the United Nations Charter and the relevant United Nations resolutions,

"Noting with deep concern the critical situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, the Syrian Golan and the other occupied Arab territories resulting from continued Israeli occupation and Israel's persistence in its racist and expansionist practices and in escalating its acts of terrorism and repression against Arab citizens,

"Affirming that the Geneva Convention of 1949 relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War applies to the occupied Arab territories including Al-Quds Al-Sharif,

"Affirming also that the danger of Zionist aggression and expansionism is aimed at not only the Arab frontline States, but also seeks to destabilize the Islamic countries thereby threatening international peace and security,

"Reaffirming the legitimacy of the struggle of the Palestinian people under the leadership of the Palestine Liberation Organization, their sole legitimate representative, to regain their territories and exercise their inalienable national rights,

"Following with interest the continuation of the Palestinian intifadah in the occupied Palestinian territories for the fourth year, aimed at putting an end to Israeli occupation and restoring the inalienable national rights of the Palestinian people,

"Reaffirming all Islamic resolutions on the Islamic Bureau for Military Coordination with Palestine,

"Noting with deep concern that collusion between Israel and the regime of South Africa leads to the encouragement of the policy of terrorism and physical liquidation against Palestinians and Arabs in the occupied territories on the one hand, and the black majority in South Africa on the other,

"1. Reaffirms all the resolutions of the Islamic Conferences relating to the Palestine cause and the Arab-Israeli conflict; expresses pride in the blessed intifadah of the Palestinian people, and calls upon all Member States to continue to enhance their solidarity and support to their just and legitimate struggle against Israeli occupation until they have fully attained their objectives of freedom and independence;

"2. Reaffirms its support of the independent State of Palestine and the right of Palestinian people to exercise sovereignty over their territory in their State of Palestine with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital;

"3. Reaffirms also that the Palestine question is the primary cause of Muslims and constitutes the core of the Arab-Israeli Conflict and that a just and comprehensive peace in the region can only be established on the basis of total and unconditional withdrawal of Israel from all occupied Palestinian territories and the occupied Syrian Golan and other occupied Arab territories, and the exercise of the inalienable national rights of the Palestinian people including their right to return, to self-determination, and to the establishment of their Palestinian State on their national soil with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital;

"4. Further reaffirms that the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) is the sole and legitimate representative of the Palestinian people and that the PLO alone has the full right to represent them in all conferences and activities relating to the Palestine question and the Arab-Israeli conflict;

"5. Supports the efforts being exerted to realize a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East region based on international legitimacy and calls for the speedy convening of the International Conference on Peace in the Middle East under the auspices of the United Nations, with the participation of the permanent member States of the Security Council as well as all concerned parties including the PLO, on an equal footing with the other parties, in accordance with all relevant United Nations resolutions including resolutions 242 (l967) and 338 (l973) of the United Nations Security Council;

"6. Demands the immediate and unconditional Israeli withdrawal from all occupied Palestinian territories, the Syrian Golan and other occupied Arab territories and calls upon the United Nations to take all necessary measures to ensure the termination of the Israeli occupation of Palestinian and Arab territories and to provide protection for the Palestinian people by placing the occupied Palestinian territories under interim international supervision in preparation for the realization of a just and comprehensive peace in the region;

"7. Strongly condemns the continuing Zionist barbaric and racist practices against the citizens of the occupied Palestinian territories and Syrian Golan and other occupied Arab territories, and appeals to international organizations to intervene in order to stop such inhuman practices which constitute a flagrant violation of human rights;

"8. Strongly condemns the Israeli Zionist enemy's policy of establishing settlements and settling of Soviet and other Jewish immigrants in the occupied Palestinian and Arab territories, including the city of Al-Quds Al-Sharif as this policy constitutes a flagrant violation of the principles of human rights and the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949;

"9. Condemns the transfer of the Soviet, Falasha and other Jews to the occupied Palestinian and Arab territories including Al-Quds Al-sharif and the Syrian Golan, and emphasizes that this scheme leads to the coercive emigration of the Palestinian people from their land and to a similar emigration of the other Arab citizens with a view to executing the Zionist design of establishing "Greater Israel" which poses a serious threat to the safety and security of the Palestinian people, Arab and other Islamic States;

"10. Appeals anew to the Government of the Soviet Union to reconsider the transfer of the Soviet Jews to Israel in view of Israel's non-compliance with the resolutions banning Israel from settling them in the occupied Palestinian and Arab territories including Al-Quds Al-Sharif;

"11. Appeals to the Government of the United States of America and the European Community States in conformity with their declared stands, to stop their financial assistance to Israel in order to compel it to stop settlement operations in the occupied Palestinian and Arab territories, and to implement all resolutions of international legitimacy on the Palestinian question and the Arab-Israeli Conflict;

"12. Invites the Member States to continue approaching influential world powers to point out to them the serious negative effects of the transfer of Soviet and other Jews to occupied Palestine and other Occupied Arab Territories, and to urge them to oppose such transfer with all possible means as well as Invites Member States to encourage the return of Jews from the occupied Arab territories to their countries of origin.

"13. Affirms the relevant United Nations resolutions, in particular Resolution 465 (1980) of the Security Council and calls upon the Member States to request the Security Council to form an International Monitoring Committee to prevent and control settlement in the occupied Palestinian territories including Al-Quds Al-Sharif and the occupied Syrian Golan;

"14. Reaffirms the right of the Palestinian people to return to their occupied territories, which was recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution 194 (III);

"15. Expresses its deep concern over the situation in the Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon resulting from the continued Israeli aggressions and calls for sustained action to give the necessary support for their reconstruction under the supervision of the Lebanese Government, the holder of legitimate sovereignty over all its territory, in accordance with its regulations, the PLO being informed of the action taken in this respect and expresses its condemnation of the barbaric raids and repeated aggressions perpetrated by Israel against these camps;

"16. Demands the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Israeli forces from Southern Lebanon in compliance with United Nations Security Council resolution 425 (1970);

"17. Reiterates its condemnation of Israel for its persistent refusal to implement relevant resolutions of the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) which call for placing all Israeli nuclear installations under the IAEA system of safeguards.  It calls upon Member States to continue their cooperation within the framework of the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency and other relevant international forums in order to ensure Israel's compliance with international resolutions particularly those calling for subjecting its nuclear installations to international inspection and submitting a full statement on its stock of nuclear materials to the Security Council and the International Atomic Energy Agency;

"18. Strongly condemns Israel for refusing to conform with Security council resolution 497 (1981); for the imposition of its jurisdiction, laws and administration on the occupied Syrian Golan and the annexation policies and practices it pursues there, the establishment of settlements, the confiscation of lands, the diversion of water resources, and the imposition of Israeli citizenship on Syrian citizens; and considers all the rules and principles of international law, pertaining to occupation and war, in particular the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949;

"19. Considers the agreements concluded between the United States and Israel on strategic cooperation and the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Joint Action for the Establishment of Israeli Defence System against Ballistic Tactical Missiles, the continuing United States' supplies of weapons and modern equipment to Israel, the United States' practice of storing weapons in Israel, as well as its substantial economic aid to Israel are all aimed at increasing the military and economic capability of Israel which would enable and encourage it to persist in its aggressive and expansionist policies and practices in the occupied Palestinian and other Arab territories including Al-Quds Al-Sharif, and would pose a threat to the peace and security of the region and the world;

"20. Invites the Member States to act within and outside the framework of the United Nations to foil the attempts aimed at annulling General Assembly resolution 3379 (XXX) of 1975 which considers zionism as a form of racism;

"21. Decides to continue military cooperation and coordination between the Member States and the State of Palestine (PLO) and stresses the important role of the Islamic Bureau for Military Coordination with Palestine;

"22. Expresses its appreciation to the States of the European Community and the Vatican for their positive role towards convening the International Conference on Peace in the Middle East and their supportive stands vis-à-vis the Palestinian cause, and their support for the PLO's peace initiative;

"23. Expresses appreciation for the supportive stands by the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Organization of African Unity and all the peoples and international forces vis-à-vis the Palestine question in the international forums, and their support to the Palestinian people and their blessed intifadah;

"24. Commends the efforts made by the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, chaired by the Republic of Senegal, to fulfil the tasks entrusted to it by the United Nations General Assembly;

"25. Invites the Secretary-General to follow up the implementation of this resolution and to submit a report thereon to the Twenty-first Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers."

"Resolution No. 3/20-P on the Blessed Intifadah

of the Palestinian People

"Having considered the report of the Secretary-General on the blessed Palestinian intifadah contained in document No. ICFM/20-91/QP/D.2,

"Proceeding from the principles and objectives of the Charter of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference,

"Pursuant to all relevant Islamic resolutions,

"Recalling the resolutions adopted by the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council on the situation in the occupied Palestinian and Arab territories, including Al-quds Al-Sharif,

"Proceeding from the United Nations General Assembly resolutions and in particular United Nations Security Council resolution 681 (1990) which stresses the applicability of all the provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention on the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, signed on 12 August 1949, to the Palestinian people in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, including Al-Quds Al-Sharif,

"Expressing its deep concern over the serious situation prevailing in the occupied Arab and Palestinian territories as a result of continued Israeli occupation, and of Israel's arbitrary practices, repressive measures, continuing confiscation of Arab land and property to build new settlements, escalation of the policy of deportation, demolition of houses and imposition of collective sanctions on the inhabitants, and desecration of Islamic and Christian holy places,

"Expressing its deep concern over the continuing immigration and settlement of hundreds of thousands of Soviet Jewish immigrants and others in the occupied Palestinian territories and occupied Syrian Golan, which constitutes a flagrant violation of the inalienable national rights of the Palestinian people and Syrian citizens in the occupied Golan, and undermines the efforts exerted towards establishing a just and comprehensive peace in the region,

"Taking into account the deteriorating economic situation in the occupied Palestinian and Arab territories and the necessity of extending every kind of material and political support to strengthen the steadfastness of the Palestinian people and continuation of their blessed intifadah,

"Commending the growing unanimous international opposition to the Israeli Government's policy of expansion and settlement, and the international community's support of the Palestinian intifadah and the legitimate struggle of the Palestinian people,

"1. Reaffirms all previous relevant resolutions of the Islamic Conferences and confirms the necessity of providing all forms of support to the blessed intifadah to enable it to continue until it achieves its objective;

"2. Reaffirms also that the anticipated peaceful solution of the Palestinian cause and the Arab-Israeli conflict is based on the relevant United Nations resolutions which demand the unconditional withdrawal of Israel from the occupied Palestinian and Arab territories, including Al-Quds Al-Sharif, through convening an International Conference for Peace in the Middle East, under the auspices of the United Nations, and with the participation of the permanent members of the Security Council and all parties to the conflict, including the PLO, on an equal footing;

"3. Strongly condemns Israel's uninterrupted policy of settlement and expansionism, its insistence on continuing to occupy the Arab territories, deportation of Palestinian Arab citizens from their territory and homeland, and replacing them by immigrant Jews from different parts of the world, which constitutes a direct threat to the security and vital interests of the Islamic Ummah;

"4. Calls upon the United Nations, its specialized agencies and all States and Governments to exercise utmost pressure to force the occupying Israeli authorities to abide by the provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 and to put an end to their repressive and arbitrary measures against the inhabitants of the occupied territories, to seek the release of Palestinian detainees, return the deportees, cease the practice of collective punishment, reopen all closed educational institutions, refrain from desecrating places of worship, also refrain from demolishing and sealing houses and to revoke all restrictions on the freedom of movement;

"5. Entrusts the Islamic Group at the United Nations with requesting the United Nations Secretary-General to implement the provisions of United Nations Security Council resolution 681 (1990) calling for convening a meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention with a view to discussing the procedures which should be followed to protect the Palestinians in the occupied territories;

"6. Requests the Members States to implement the projects relating to the support of the Palestinian intifadah which were approved by the Eighteenth Islamic conference of Foreign Ministers and confirmed by the Nineteenth Islamic Conference  of Foreign Ministers in its resolution No. 1/19-P;

"7. Decides to approve all resolutions of the fifth Meeting of the Islamic Committee Entrusted with drawing up an Information Programme in Support of the Intifadah held on 21 Jumadul Oula 1411H, corresponding to 8 December 1990;

"8. Approves all resolutions and recommendations of the Sixth Meeting of the Islamic Committee for Monitoring the Movements of the Zionist Enemy, convened in Jeddah on 20-21 Shawal 1411H (5 to 6 May 1991);

"9. Expresses its gratitude to all popular and international organizations and information media, which have declared their solidarity with the Palestinian people and their popular intifadah, urging them to continue to expose the brutal crimes perpetrated by the Israeli forces of occupation in view of its effective impact on world opinion;

"10. Mandates the Secretary-General to follow up the implementation of the provisions of this resolution at international and Islamic levels and submit a report thereon to the next Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers."

"Resolution No. 4/20-P on the City of Al-Quds Al-Sharif

"Having considered the report of the Secretary-General on the City of Al-Quds Al-Sharif, contained in document no. ICFM/20-91/QP/D.3,

"Proceeding from the principles and objectives of the Charter of the Organization of the Islamic Conference and guided by resolution No. l/3-P (I.S) of the Third Islamic Summit Conference held in Makkah Al-Mukarramah and Taif,

"Reaffirming the need for sustained enhancement of Islamic solidarity with the Palestinian people and the solemn commitment of Islamic States to implement all resolutions adopted on the City of Al-Quds Al-Sharif and in particular declaring jihad to liberate it and the blessed Mosque of Al-Aqsa from the yoke of occupation,

"Recalling the relevant resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly and Security council, in particular resolutions 476 (1980) and 478 (1980) which consider as null and void the Israeli Law stipulating Al-Quds as the united capital of Israel,

"Expressing its deep concern at the escalation of organized attacks on the Holy Places and worshippers in the City of Al-Quds Al-Sharif by the Israeli occupation forces and extremist Zionist gangs, and also expressing its deep concern over the deteriorating situation of the City of Al-Quds Al-Sharif and all Islamic and Christian Holy Places, specially the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock Mosque,

"Having taken cognizance of the deteriorating condition of the sacred Dome of the Rock, threatening its destruction,

"Expressing its complete solidarity with the blessed intifadah of the Palestinian people,

"Commending the continuous efforts of the Al-Quds Committee under the Chairmanship of His Majesty King Hassan II, Sovereign of the Kingdom of Morocco,

"1. Reaffirms all relevant resolutions of Islamic conferences;

"2. Reiterates the commitment of Member States to implement the Islamic Programme of Action Against the Zionist Enemy, which was adopted by the Third Islamic Summit Conference;

"3. Reaffirms the recommendations of the Thirteenth Session of the Al-Quds Committee held in Rabat on l5 October l990;

"4. Reaffirms that the city of Al-Quds Al-Sharif is an integral part of the occupied Palestinian territories and the capital of the State of Palestine, and that all legislative and administrative procedures and measures aiming at altering its legal status are a flagrant violation of international conventions and laws, and should be considered as null and void;

"5. Reaffirms the commitment of Member States to pursue and coordinate their action with those international groups which support the inalienable national rights of the Palestinian people with a view to implementing the international resolutions adopted by the United Nations and its specialized agencies in particular UNESCO to stop the hostile measures and aggressive practices in this Holy City, in particular the deliberate violations of the sanctity of the Holy Mosque of Al-Aqsa and other Sacred Places in Palestine and to safeguard the cultural and historical heritage of the Holy City;

"6. Reaffirms that peace will not prevail in the Middle East unless and until Israel withdraws from all occupied Arab and Palestinian territories, including the City of Al-Quds Al-Sharif, and unless the Palestinian cause, considered the core of the Arab-Israeli conflict, is solved in the context of an overall and just settlement in the region through the convening of the International Conference for Peace in the Middle East, under the auspices of the United Nations and the participation of all parties to the conflict, including the PLO and in the presence of the permanent members of the Security Council;

"7. Condemns Israel's savage and racist policies and practices against the Palestinian people, as well as its designs of establishing settlements in Al-Quds Al-Sharif which aim at causing demographic changes therein and Judaizing it, thereby violating the principles of international law, and the resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly, the Security Council, the Organization of the Islamic Conference and the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949;

"8. Invites all States to refrain from having any dealings with the Israeli occupation authorities which might be interpreted or claimed by those authorities as an implicit recognition and acceptance of the fait accompli imposed by the proclamation of Al-Quds as the permanent and unified capital of the Zionist entity and invites all States maintaining diplomatic relations with Israel to refrain from transferring their Embassies and Missions to the City of Al-Quds Al-Sharif;

"9. Invites also the Member States to exert efforts to urge the Security Council to take the necessary measures which would stop Israeli practices, and provide the necessary protection for the Palestinian people and the Holy Places, including sending international observers, and banning the building of new settlements in the City of Al-Quds Al-Sharif and the other occupied Arab territories;

"10. Calls on the Member States which have announced the twinning of their capitals with the City of Al-Quds Al-Sharif to promptly sponsor some projects which strengthen the steadfastness of the Holy City, its inhabitants and its institutions and urges the Member States which have not yet announced the twinning of their capitals and their cities with the City of Al-Quds Al-Sharif, the Capital of the State of Palestine, to take early action to this effect, thereby enhancing the spirit of Islamic solidarity with the Palestinian people;

"11. Expresses its deep appreciation of the position of His Holiness the Pope for his condemnation and denunciation of Israeli practices in the City of Al-Quds Al-Sharif, and calls for continued coordination with the Vatican so as to safeguard the Arab, religious and historical identity of Al-Quds;

"12. Decides to approve all resolutions and recommendations of the Eighth Session of the Islamic Experts Committee on Ways to Confront the Dangers of Zionist Colonialist Settlement in Palestine and occupied Arab territories, which was held in Jeddah on 16 to 17 Shawal 1411H, corresponding to 1 to 2 May 1991;

"13. Entrusts the Secretary-General to make contacts with H.M. King Hassan II of Morocco, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, to take measures required for the maintenance and restoration of the sacred Dome of the Rock;

"14. Also entrusts the Secretary-General to coordinate with international organizations to hold symposia in various capitals of the world to publicize the cause of Al-Quds Al-Sharif and Palestine;

"15. Further entrusts the Secretary-General to coordinate with the Vatican to convene an Islamic-Christian Meeting with the participation of the Eastern Churches and others, aimed at preserving the identity of the Holy city and its religious and historical character;

"16. Requests the Secretary-General to monitor the implementation of this resolution and to submit a report thereon to the next Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers."

"Resolution No. 5/20-P on Al-Quds Fund and its Waqf

"Having considered the report of the Secretary-General on Al-Quds Fund and its Waqf contained in document no. ICFM/20/QP/D.4,

"Proceeding from the principles and objectives of the Charter of the Organization of the Islamic Conference,

"Referring to all the Islamic resolutions adopted on Al-Quds Fund and its Waqf,

"Reaffirming the principles of consolidating Islamic solidarity with the Palestinian people and their blessed intifadah,

"Paying tribute to Member States that regularly fulfil their obligations and make donations to Al-Quds Fund and its Waqf,

"Appreciating the vital role played by Al-Quds Fund and its Waqf in supporting the struggle and Jihad of the Palestinian people and consolidating their heroic intifadah within their occupied homeland Palestine, and particularly the city of Al-Quds Al-Sharif,

"Noting with great concern the continued Israeli policy based on confiscation of land, and Waqf real estate, as well as Judaization of the Holy City and violation of the sanctity of Islamic and Christian Holy Shrines,

"Commending the positive role played by the Board of Directors of Al-Quds Fund and its Waqf to seek steady financial resources for the Fund,

"Expressing its concern over the continuing critical financial situation of Al-Quds Fund, which prevents it from meeting its requirements,

"1. Reaffirms all previous relevant resolutions adopted by successive Islamic Conferences;

"2. Endorses all resolutions and recommendations of the Ninth Meeting of the Board of Directors of Al-Quds Fund held in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco, on 24 Rabie-ul-Awal 1411 H, corresponding to 15 October 1990;

"3. Also endorses all recommendations of the Tenth Meeting of the Board of Directors of Al-Quds Fund and its Waqf convened in Jeddah on 29 Shawal 1411 H, corresponding to 14 May 1991;

"4. Calls upon Member States to cover the approved budgets for Al-Quds Fund and its Waqf amounting to a hundred million United States dollars each and urges Member States to pay their contributions and invites those which did not pledge donations to Al-Quds Fund and its Waqf to do so;

"5. Urges Member States to continue the campaign for the collection of donations in favour of the Fund and its Waqf and to call upon their citizens and residents to respond to this campaign as well as direct governmental and non-governmental mass media to launch a special advertising campaign in this regard;

"6. Urges Member States to encourage the organization of festivals, exhibitions and charity bazaars at local and Islamic levels, whose proceeds would increase the resources of the Fund;

"7. Requests the Secretary-General to implement the resolution on the formation of a joint delegation from the general Secretariat and the Board of Directors of Al-Quds Fund to visit some Islamic States to collect donations in favour of Al-Quds Fund and its Waqf;

"8. Entrusts the Secretary-General with the task of following up the implementation of this resolution and report thereon to the next Islamic Conference."

II.  EXCERPT FROM STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE MINISTERS FOR FOREIGN

      AFFAIRS OF THE FIVE PERMANENT MEMBERS OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL

    FOLLOWING A MEETING WITH THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

On 27 September 1991, the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the five permanent members of the Security Council issued a statement containing the following paragraph:

"The ministers welcomed the efforts of all the parties concerned to work for the early convening of a peace conference on the Middle East to launch direct negotiations, with the United Nations Secretary-General sending an observer and also with the Gulf Cooperation Council sending its Secretary-General as an observer, under the co-sponsorship of the Governments of the United States and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and with the European Community sending a representative.  They urged all parties to cooperate in resolving the outstanding issues so that an active negotiating process can get under way leading to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace.  They reaffirmed that negotiations should be based on resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973) of the Security Council and should take into account the right to security for all States in the region, including Israel, and the legitimate political rights of the Palestinian people." (see S/23104)

III.  GERMANY INCREASES CONTRIBUTION TO UNRWA

The following press release was issued by UNRWA on 24 September 1991: (see PAL/1768)

"The Government of Germany has recently announced an increase of DM 500,000 (approximately $285,700) in its regular cash contribution to the 1991 regular budget of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

"This brings to DM 4 million ($2.28 million) Germany's regular cash contribution to UNRWA's regular budget for this year, representing a 33 per cent increase over this portion of its contribution to the Agency's budget in 1990.

"In past years, Germany has also made special contributions towards UNRWA's education and training programmes funded from its regular budget.  In 1990, this amounted to DM 7.l million (about $4.7 million), which went towards underwriting the operating costs of UNRWA's Wadi Seer Training Centre in Jordan and to supporting the Agency's regular elementary and preparatory education programmes.

"In announcing the increased pledge for 1991, Germany's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office at Vienna, Dieter Schaad, said it underlined 'the high recognition my Government wishes to express for the most difficult tasks UNRWA is facing in the light of the prevailing circumstances to assist Palestine refugees and their families'".

IV.  COMMITTEE ON THE ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION

CONSIDERS PERIODIC REPORTS OF ISRAEL

At its fortieth session, held in August 1991, the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination considered the fifth and sixth periodic reports of Israel under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

The Committee has taken the view that, in accordance with article 3 of the Convention, Israel's reports used to encompass the entire population under the jurisdiction of the Government of Israel.  Accordingly, information has been requested on the conditions prevailing in the occupied Palestinian territories.

In its concluding observations on its consideration of Israel's reports, the Committee stated the following with regard to the occupied territories:

"The Committee reiterated that the Government of Israel had implemented in the occupied territories neither the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War nor the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.  The Committee expressed great concern about the situation in the occupied territories." [see the annual report of the Committee to the General Assembly, Offical Records of the General Assembly, Forty-sixth Session, Supplement No. 18, (A/46/18), para. 387]

V.  NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS:  ACTIVITIES AND INFORMATION

In the course of September, the following information was received by the Division for Palestinian Rights:

1. Women for Women Political Prisoners-Jerusalem:  ad hoc publication concerning the plight of female prisoners, available from:  P.O. Box 8537, Jerusalem 91083.

2. ASA NEWS, publication of Asian Students' Association. Available from:  5ll, Nathan Road l/F, Kowloon, Hong Kong.

3. ICCP Newsletter No. 36, available from:  the International Coordinating Committee for NGOs on the Question of Palestine, l50, route de Ferney, Case postale 2100, CH-1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland.

4. Issues, publication of the Arab American Institute. Available from:  918, 16th Street, N.W., Suite 601, Washington, D.C., United States of America.

5. AJME News, journal of Americans for Justice in the Middle East.  Available from:  P.O. Box 113-5581, Beirut, Lebanon.

6. Une Terre Deux Peuples, publication of the Association pour l'union entre les peuples juif et palestinien.  Available from: Case postale 43, 1247 Anières, Geneva, Switzerland.

7. New Zealand/Aotearoa Palestine Review, available from:  P.O. Box 29-168, Christchurch, New Zealand.

8. Middle East International, bi-weekly publication, available from:  P.O. Box 53365, Temple Heights Station, Washington, D.C., 20009, United States of America.

9. News from Within, independent newsletter, available from: Alternative Information Centre, P.O. Box 24278, Jerusalem.

10. TANMIYA, quarterly newsletter issued by the Welfare Association concerning developments in the fields of Palestinian education, health, economic affairs and culture.  Available from: 7, Av. Pictet-de-Rochemont, P.O. Box 602, CH-1211, Geneva 6, Switzerland.

11. Jerusalem, publication of the Palestine Committee for NGOs. Available from:  B.P. 554, Tunis Cedex 1080, Tunis, Tunisia.

12. Israel and Palestine Political Report, available from: Magelan, 5 rue Cardinal Mercier 75009, Paris, France.

13. Solidarité Palestine, bi-monthly publication of the Franco-Palestinian Medical Association.  Available from:  14, rue de Nanteuil, 75015, Paris, France.

14. Derechos Humanos, publication of the Asociación por Derechos Humanos de España, available from:  José Ortega y Gasset, 77, 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain.

15. Afro-Asian Solidarity, publication available from:  89 Abdel Aziz Al-Seoud Street, 11451-61 Marial El-Roda, Cairo, Arab Republic of Egypt.

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