International Day of Solidarity (1983) – Special bulletin

 SPECIAL BULLETIN ON THE COMMEMORATION

OF THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF SOLIDARITY

WITH THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE

1983

CONTENTS

I.  Commemoration of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People

II. Texts of statements made and messages received on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People

COUNTRY/ORGANIZATION – NAME AND TITLE

I. COMMEMORATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF SOLIDARITY WITH THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE

In accordance with operative paragraph 1(c) of General Assembly resolution 32/40 B, the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People was observed in New York and Geneva, as well as in several capitals. The commemoration was held on Tuesday, 29 November 1983.

In New York the programme for observance of the Day included a photo exhibit. This exhibit was personally opened by the Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People on Monday, 28 November, and was displayed for one week.

Throughout the week, the films "Under the Israeli Thumb", "The Key", "Palestinians Do Have Rights" and "The Palestinians of 1983" were screened at the Dag Hammarskjöld Auditorium.

The main event in the programme of observance of the Day in New York were two special meetings of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, held at the Trusteeship Council Chamber on Tuesday, 29 November. The Chairman of the Committee, the Secretary-General, the President of the General Assembly and the President of the Security Council were among those who addressed the meetings. The texts of messages and statements received from heads of State or Government, Foreign Ministers, the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization and others are reproduced below.

II.  TEXTS OF STATEMENTS MADE AND MESSAGES RECEIVED ON THE OCCASION OF THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF SOLIDARITY WITH THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE

A.  Opening statements

On behalf of the members of the United Nations Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People and on my own behalf, I should like to express gratitude to all participants for having agreed to attend this meeting on the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. Their participation at this special meeting of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People bears witness to the importance they attach to the quest for a just and lasting solution to the question of Palestine. We are most grateful, and we welcome them among us.

As all present are aware, the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People was established by the General Assembly to assist in a Programme of Action to help the Palestinian People recover and exercise its inalienable rights.

The commemoration, on 29 November of every year, of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People accords with the wishes of the General Assembly expressed in its resolution 32/40 B, and rightly falls within our Programme of Action. It has two essential objectives: to draw the attention of the world to the condition of the Palestinian people and to mobilize world opinion on the need to take action to enable that people to recover and fully exercise its inalienable rights. This appeal has met with favourable, heartfelt response throughout the world, and the international community has expressed its sympathy for the cause of the Palestinian people. Proof of this is to be found in the numerous messages we received last year on the occasion of the commemoration of this Day of Solidarity from Heads of State or Government, Ministers for Foreign Affairs and various international organizations. This day, which is commemorated throughout the world, proves beyond any doubt the solidarity of world public opinion with the heroic Palestinian people, whose struggle is identified with all those forces waging the war against injustice and oppression. We hope next year to get a wider response to our appeal from the community of nations and peoples.

Above all, 1983 was the year of the International Conference on the Question of Palestine. This Conference, convened at the request of the United Nations General Assembly, centred on the encouragement of common thinking outside the traditional forum of the United Nations General Assembly in seeking the most appropriate ways and means of arriving at a just solution to the problem of Palestine.

Having participated in the Conference, and having knowledge of the final document that was adopted, members have been able rightly to assess the results of that important gathering, at which an international peace conference on the Middle past was proposed. That conference, held under United Nations auspices, in which all the parties to the conflict would participate on an equal footing, including the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), the United States and the Soviet Union, seek a just and lasting comprehensive solution to the conflict.

Certainly, a number of obstacles has yet to be overcome in the realization of this idea. In this respect, the Conference was but a beginning, and every effort must now be made to implement the relevant resolutions and decisions. The international community will thus remain faithful to its commitment to enabling the Palestinian people to exercise its rights in its own independent State. Our efforts will be all the more useful because the triumph of the Palestinian people has far from been achieved. The Security Council, on the recommendation of the General Assembly, has taken a stand on the rights of the Palestinian people, but some countries, while recognizing the legitimacy of the Palestinian people, still impose conditions which render exercise of their rights impossible.

We believe that the results attained in Geneva will give new impetus to all the good will we have shown. As an instrument for peace, the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People spares no effort in this direction and will, as in the past, be open to all views. Its sole concern is to bring peace to that afflicted nation.

I shall conclude by once again expressing, on behalf of the Committee and on my own behalf, appreciation to the Secretary-General for the assistance he and his collaborators have given us throughout the year now coming to an end. We also wish to pay a special tribute to Madame Lucille Mair, the Secretary–General of the Conference on the Question of Palestine, whose praiseworthy efforts greatly contributed to the success of that Conference. Our thanks go also to the Division for Palestinian Rights, so competently headed by Mr. Yogasundram, and to Mr. William Buffum, the Assistant Secretary-General, who has so effectively assisted us in all the tasks entrusted to him by the Committee.

We express our gratitude to Mr. Jorge Illueca, President of the General Assembly; Mr. Victor Gauci, President of the Security Council; the Chairmen of the regional groups of the United Nations special committees; the governmental observers; the observers of Committees; the Ambassadors or Permanent Representatives; and the liberation movements for their attendance here and their willingness to co-operate with us and with our Committee in the discharge of the mandate entrusted to it by the United Nations.

As President of the thirty-eighth regular session of the United Nations General Assembly, I am pleased to participate in this meeting convened by the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People. We are meeting on this solemn occasion to fulfil a solemn mandate of the General Assembly that was adopted by an overwhelming majority of votes and gives clear proof of the will of the Member States in solidarity to join the defence of the Palestinian cause.

This is a symbolic act representing reaffirmation of the determination of the international community to fight for the achievement of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people. I believe I am speaking for the General Assembly when I express the hope that this celebration will draw the attention of world public opinion to the question of Palestine and thereby facilitate the attainment of the United Nations objectives. The United Nations has been dealing with the question of Palestine for many years. Although the General Assembly has approved various resolutions, drafted in good faith and designed to find a just solution to the problem, all efforts have been frustrated. Nevertheless it is our duty to mankind not to hesitate in our endeavours to solve this problem, which for many years has been a source of friction and contributed to the aggravation of tensions in the Middle East region, giving rise to conflicts that have threatened international peace and security and been actual breaches of the peace.

The achievement of a broad, just and lasting peace in the Middle East is a task so urgent that it will brook no delay. That objective can only be achieved when we have guaranteed the right of all States to live in peace, within secure and recognized boundaries, and when the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people are actually being exercised, including the right to return and the right to independence and the establishment of a free, independent, non-aligned State on Palestinian soil under the leadership of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), the genuine political representative of that people.

I trust that at this, its thirty-eighth session, the General Assembly will contribute to the achievement of a just and lasting peace. Consideration of the item, which began yesterday in the General Assembly, presents us with a new opportunity to deliberate on the matter and seek new peace initiatives. In the spirit of compromise and support for justice, it will always be possible to advance, and success is not beyond our reach. What is needed is an atmosphere of trust as well as realism. No political problem is insuperable if there is a political will to find a solution.

The International Conference on the Question of Palestine, which was held at Geneva this year, has given new impetus to our quest for a solution. Let us continue with our endeavours, with resolute determination, to settle this problem, which concerns a region whose very history imposes on us the obligation to persevere in our efforts after all, it is not only the cradle of civilization but also the birthplace of the three major monotheistic religions.

Regrettably, for many years that region has experienced grave conflicts that have repeatedly threatened peace and security. Let us reaffirm our decision to put an end to this cycle of violence and keep alive our hope that justice will be secured for all the inhabitants of the region, including the Palestinian people. Let us not forget the old adage I mentioned in my statement to the General Assembly: "When the roads of hope are closed, the paths of violence are opened."

This solemn meeting is proof that hope has not been lost. All that is needed is determination on the part of the international community to continue its efforts to end the violence that has struck the Middle East region and find a peaceful solution to a great political problem which profoundly affects all mankind.

Mr. Chairman, allow me to state that the efforts made by the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People under your wise guidance are praiseworthy and serve to keep hope alive. I hope that you and the Committee will successfully carry out the enormous task entrusted to you, in which you can rely on the support, respect and trust of the General Assembly, in accordance with the United Nations Charter.

Statement by the Secretary-General, H.E. Mr. Javier Pérez de Cuéllar

This special meeting commemorating the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People stresses the importance the United Nations attaches to the question of Palestine and its determination to achieve a just and equitable solution to this difficult political and human problem.

Since 1947, when the United Nations was seized of this problem for the first time, the question of Palestine has required the constant attention of the international community, but despite all the efforts made no solution has yet been found. Today, as the result of successive wars, most Palestinians live under occupation or in exile, and many of them are living in conditions of extreme tension and insecurity. Even more painful than their physical trials is the suffering resulting from the loss and insecurity caused by their expatriation.

Over the years, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has made untiring efforts to improve the situation of the Palestinians as much as possible by making available to them shelter, food, medical care and educational services. With limited resources and often in difficult and dangerous circumstances, the UNRWA staff has carried out its altruistic mission with admirable devotion and courage, but the relief and assistance operations, important and significant as they may be, cannot release the international community from its clear obligation to find a solution to the central problem of the legitimate rights and future of the Palestinian people.

The tragic events in Lebanon last year, which culminated in the Sabra and Shatila massacres, have brought home to us with poignant intensity the tragedy of the Palestinian people and the urgent need to seek a satisfactory solution to the Palestinian problem and to the other aspects of the Middle East conflict with which it is inextricably linked. The recent intensification of fighting in northern Lebanon, with the ensuing great loss of human life and suffering – on which the Security Council pronounced itself last Wednesday – the constant efforts made by the Security Council and the General Assembly and, most recently, by the International Conference on the Question of Palestine, have helped to outline the basic elements of a just and lasting settlement of the Middle Eastern conflict. These elements would include the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the occupied territories, the right of all States of the region to live in peace within secure and recognized borders, and a just settlement of the Palestinian problem, based on recognition of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including its right to self-determination. In this regard, the question of Jerusalem remains of capital importance.

Despite the broad agreement which prevails in the international community, there has scarcely been any progress toward the necessary comprehensive settlement because the various peace initiatives launched so far have, unfortunately, run up against the opposition of one or another of the parties, whose positions have never been in harmony. Given this lack of progress towards a harmonious, just and lasting settlement, the problem has tended to become more complicated and aggravated and to take on new and dangerous dimensions. I earnestly hope that, faced with this risk of new sufferings and new dangers, all the Governments and authorities concerned, as well as those that are able to use their influence, will make a resolute effort to achieve an overall, just and lasting settlement, which alone can ensure coexistence and peace in the Middle East.

In this regard, I reaffirm my conviction that the United Nations, and more particularly the Security Council, has a constructive and crucial role to play in the process of establishing peace. I should also like to reiterate that I, for my part, am firmly determined to do everything within my power to ensure progress in this process and to create conditions conducive to negotiations. The fate of the victims on all sides and the cause of world peace demand this.

Mr. Chairman, we are all aware of the efforts being made by the Committee under your enlightened leadership to ensure a just solution to the Palestine question. Please permit me on this occasion to congratulate you personally, Sir, as also the members of the Committee, on your untiring work and to wish you success in your important mission.

Mr. Chairman, allow me first of all to thank you and the members of your Committee for inviting me as current President of the Security Council to participate in this important and solemn meeting, which perhaps assumes special importance today. The annual observance of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People has its symbolic significance. It is also an evident reflection of the international community's deep concern over the problem of Palestine as an essential element of the Middle East conflict. That region has seen repeated major crises which have unfortunately affected the lives of millions of human beings and seriously endangered the peace and security of the entire world. Those events have required the urgent attention of the Security Council – in fact, as recently as last week; indeed, the Palestinians are passing through a particularly agonizing period during these very days.

The precarious situation in Lebanon and the recent developments in the area make it even more imperative that the parties directly concerned and, indeed, the international community as a whole, regard the request for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East as being closely connected to the settlement of the Palestinian problem. This difficult and arduous search has so far been unsuccessful, but the efforts continue. Among those efforts are those of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People under your able leadership, Sir, and it is to be commended for its untiring commitment to the attainment of Palestinian rights and the search for a peaceful solution.

The work of your Committee is a constant reminder to the Palestinian people that the international community is deeply concerned about their plight and the need to ensure the implementation of their legitimate rights. The recently concluded International Conference on the Question of Palestine has concentrated the attention of the United Nations on this question as never before, and it has made a tangible contribution to the search for a viable, peaceful solution.

Guided by its responsibilities under the Charter, the Security Council will, I am convinced, continue its efforts to seek a just and lasting peace in the Middle East for the benefit of all the parties concerned. Therefore, Mr. Chairman, I assure you and the Palestinian people that the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people remain in the forefront of the Council's attention.

Statement by Mr. Yasser Arafat, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization and Commander-in-Chief of the Forces of the Palestinian Revolution

It is my duty on the occasion of this annual International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, our people, to offer all those who have contributed to the solemn commemoration of this international day the warmest thanks of my people and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). This day, 29 November every year, reflects the international community's sincere support for, and interest in, the Palestinian issue and the international community's acute awareness of the most just cause of our time.

If this problem has not yet had the appropriate solution and the great sufferings and war have not yet ended, we must blame the Zionist aggressor and its powerful ally, the United States, as the United States defends and gives comfort to the brutal policy of aggression and territorial expansion being carried out, and gives its blessings.

We can be proud and confident and our resistance can remain unflagging precisely because every year we can see this international mobilization, which strengthens our determination and gives us comfort in our struggle. It strongly proclaims a loud no to injustice, aggression, oppression, racism and colonial war. By the same token, it says with the same strength yes to justice, rights, international law, legality, legitimacy and human rights, and a very strong yes to freedom, liberation, democracy, peace and justice.

On behalf of our people and its allies, and on my own behalf, I should like to state once again how grateful I am to all the leaders of friendly countries for their words of encouragement addressed to us on this great day.

Despite the specific nature of this occasion and the very important factors having an impact on our cause and the course of our struggle, as a fighter who knows very well the sufferings of our people to this very day and as one who is well acquainted with the death and destruction caused by the aggressive racist expansionist policies and the resulting war and accumulation of arms of mass destruction to impose a diktat upon reason and deliberation, I believe it to be necessary that in harmony with all the national liberation movements I include the voice of the PLO in support of, and in solidarity with, all those who are clamouring for an end to the mad arms race, which is continuing the dissemination and accumulation of nuclear arms.

I beseech the American people to assume their responsibility to save mankind and to spare it a war in which there would be no victor, the inevitable result of which would be the annihilation of our planet. Millions of young people still in the very flower of youth today turn to all those who occupy responsible positions and beseech them truly to assume their responsibilities and allow those young people to remain alive. They beseech them to adopt policies which would spare lives and ensure well-being and justice, rather than injustice, loss of life and suffering. It is up to all of us, great and small, to show ourselves equal to, and responsive to, the just demands of the young people of our world in this regard.

All the messages addressed to you on this occasion, Mr. Chairman, show that the international community is being constantly warned against conspiracies and manoeuvres against the just causes of people, and I have always drawn attention to the Israeli conspiracy, plots and manoeuvres, with United States collusion, against the well-being and security of our peoples – painful proof of the real nature of Zionist ideology, which has inherited the essence of colonialism. It has been made clear to us over the decades – and I have had to point this out again and again – that despite everything we have said, despite our predictions, in most cases events have gone beyond anything we have predicted and have exceeded the limits of imaginable horror.

But our people have stood firm against all these plots and conspiracies and have remained deeply devoted and loyal to the eternal principles which have guided them and ensured that they have never fallen victim to the treacherous manoeuvres of the aggressor. Therefore, we have remained loyal to humanism and democracy, to international law and legality.

Our courage has never failed us for a moment. Even during the darkest moments of our struggle we have always tried to respond to the efforts made in the quest for a political solution which would guarantee our legitimate rights and spare all of mankind war and desolation. We have never dropped the olive branch, and the enemy has never succeeded in disarming us. We have struggled and held firm, and we shall continue to do so.

Our struggle will not end, for it is a struggle for our very rights. Aggression and occupation will not vanquish us. We shall continue our struggle with undiminished determination, and shall pursue our political initiatives in the same way, never losing faith in the international community, for this is the era of the peoples, and the international community will ultimately succeed in imposing its will.

That is why we in the PLO supported and participated in the International Conference on the Question of Palestine, held at Geneva after five regional conferences which brought together representatives from all. over the world. That Conference was held in spite of the obstacles raised by the United States and in spite of the pressure and threats of that country, and it was able to adopt a declaration and a programme of action.

All of this shows clearly that with the exception of two règimes – the Israeli and United States règimes – the world's Governments and peoples are in favour of the Palestinian cause and have opted for a solution guaranteeing justice in the region. There can be no doubt about what kind of justice: it is clear to everyone. The international community has repeatedly reaffirmed, in the United Nations and outside it, what right is at stake in this matter. In a word, it is our right of self-determination, to return to our homes and to our motherland, from which we were chased. It is our right to recover our property, of which we were dispossessed, and it is our right to build our own State on our own national soil of Palestine.

The PLO, the sole authentic representative of the Palestinian people, is most appreciative of the results of the Geneva Conference as reflected in its declaration and programme of action, and we implore our friends in the General Assembly to implement the provisions of those documents.

No one today can be ignorant of our sufferings. The Members of this Organization have always stood by our side, making it possible to withstand this crisis, the dangers of which are well known to all. Without going into detail, I would recall that we in the PLO possess political and moral principles which cannot be shaken by crises or difficulties. The cause of our people – the liberation of our territory and the recovery of our rights is a cause we shall never renounce, whatever the crises or problems we may face. For us, everything else pales beside that cause.

The PLO, the supreme spokesman for and representative of our people, the symbol of its struggle, the voice of its desires and aspirations, is no mere political group or revolutionary party. It is the political embodiment of Palestinian being, of the will of the Palestinian people to lead that patriotic being to its true, ultimate reality in a free, independent and worthy homeland where all citizens can live in dignity, guided by the unchanging principles that dictate the policy of the PLO.

Our loyalty and commitment to the principles of political democracy and to the right of every Palestinian to have his or her say with respect to his or her destiny and struggle have made our policies and our conferences a beacon for the entire democratic world. Our strength is based on our principles. During crises we have always supported the legitimacy and democracy which ultimately constitute the best weapons in the struggle for victory.

The next principle of our organization is inherited from our long struggle, from our devotion to the free will of the people, from our national history and from our deep-rooted knowledge of the truth about the Arab-Israeli conflict. It is the democratic nature of our organization and the struggle of our people, which no one can call into question, for there has been ample proof that throughout our struggle we have remained a democratic Arab people.

Our next principle is that we always turn to the Arab nation for our strategic needs. That is why we have always worked to strengthen our ties to our Arab brethren. Often the PLO has been a gaming piece, tossed from one country to another. It has acted as a runner, as an intermediary in problems which set one part of the Arab world against another. On these occasions we have always offered our solidarity to the peoples which have been the victims of policies of hegemony.

In conclusion, I should like to say that the Palestinian people has never failed its cause. The PLO is their sole, authentic spokesman and the PLO is not a passing, ephemeral phenomenon, nor does it depend upon any resolution because it will always survive any resolution or determination to make it disappear and the world must finally realize that the colonial era has disappeared never to return and that no one can oppress a people determined to defend their right to existence and freedom.

I am aware of the extreme difficulty of the task entrusted to you, Sir, and to my colleagues here. I am aware that we have chosen the narrow gate and that this road is fraught with ambushes. I know we are travelling through minefields at all times in this struggle. Nevertheless, I have faith in our people and I am convinced that it will achieve its objectives and will be able to build its State and recover its freedom if there are men of conscience on this earth who come forward to help us. We have faith in the justice of our cause and feel that our people indeed deserves its rightful place in this world.

B. Messages from Heads of State

AFGHANISTAN

H.E. Mr. Babrak Karmal, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the

People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan and President of the

Revolutionary Council of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan

I should like to take this opportunity to express the strongest support and deep feeling of the people and Government of Afghanistan, and my own, on the occasion of the commemoration of 29 November, the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, in their just and noble struggle for self-determination and for the establishment of an independent State of their own.

The Palestine question, as one of the most challenging and continuing problems of this century, is the product of collusion between the forces of imperialism and international zionism spearheaded against the Arab national liberation movements. It is quite obvious that the developments now taking place in the region clearly confirm the strategic dimension planned out by the imperialist Powers since the establishment of the Zionist State of Israel at the expense of the Palestinian people.

Israel is granted total support in the economic, political and military fields by the imperialist Powers, led by United States imperialism, with the aim of turning Israel into the gendarme for the region to safeguard the inhuman interests of imperialism and into an instrument of suppression in dealing with the Arab national liberation movements.

Zionist Israel, with the full support of United States imperialism, occupied Arab territories and, despite the call of the international community to withdraw from those occupied territories, it continues its occupation of Arab lands. The invasion of Lebanon for the purpose of physically liquidating the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), the genocidal acts in the Sabra and Shatila camps and other similar barbaric actions in the occupied territories, as well as the inhuman and aggressive activities of United States imperialism under the umbrella of the so-called multinational peace-keeping forces directed against the patriotic forces of Lebanon and defenceless Palestinian refugees, constitute flagrant violations of the generally accepted norms governing international relations.

The Democratic Republic of Afghanistan, while fully supporting the just cause of the Palestinian people, believes that the key to the solution of the Middle East problem is the complete, unconditional and immediate withdrawal of Israeli occupationist forces from all occupied territories and total restoration of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people. Rejecting any design to isolate the question of Palestine from the rest of the Middle East, such as partial agreements, including the Camp David deals, we believe that the only realistic way to work out a political settlement of the Palestinian problem is through the holding of an international conference with full-scale participation of the Palestine Liberation Organization, the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. The implementation of relevant United Nations resolutions, including the resolutions and recommendations of the International Conference on the Question of Palestine, held from 29 August to 7 September 1983 at Geneva, will serve as effective steps towards the solution of the Middle East problem.

In their struggle against zionism and imperialism and for independence, freedom, peace and progress in the Middle East, the unity and solidarity of all peace-loving Arab peoples, especially the unity of the Palestinian people, in spite of United States imperialism's attempts to destroy it, is heading towards final and complete victory.

I should like to reiterate once again the firm and all round support of the people and Government of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan for the just struggle of the Arab people of Palestine. We are confident that the just cause of the Palestinians will triumph and that soon they will achieve their rightful goals.

ALGERIA

H.E. Mr. Chadli Bengjedid, President of Algeria

On the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, I should like, on behalf of the people and Government of Algeria, to reaffirm our constant support for and unswerving solidarity with our brothers, the Palestinian people, struggling to recover their national inalienable rights. In commemorating this Day, which occurs at a time when the situation in the Middle East has seriously deteriorated and when dangers fraught with consequences threaten the Palestinians and their resistance, we should once again like to remind the international community of its historical responsibilities in regard to the Palestinian people, which have been chased from their home, despoiled of their goods and forced to take the road to exile.

The demands made by the Zionist forces of a martyred people, which culminated with the Sabra and Shatila massacres, have made the situation intolerable. The logic of the continued settlement of Israelis on Arab lands is the same as that of the liquidation of the Palestinian people and its resistance and denies their right to self-determination and return.

Algeria, for its part, while condemning the plots hatched against the Palestinian people and their resistance, reaffirms that it is up to the United Nations to set everything in motion for the Palestinian people to recover their legitimate national rights, including their right to self-determination and their right to return and establish their own independent and sovereign State under the leadership of their only legitimate representative, the Palestine Liberation Organization.

BAHRAIN

His Highness Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al-Khalifa, Emir of Bahrain

The region of the Middle East continues to suffer from the tragedy that started with the inception of Israel in 1948 and its inclusion as a Member of the United Nations – although acceptance of Israel as a Member of this international organization was conditional upon the return of the Palestinian refugees to their homes, from which they were evicted under duress. Although Israel has deliberately flouted this and other conditions contained in General Assembly resolution 181 (III) and 194 (III), the United Nations has failed to compel it to implement what it had basically agreed to in both resolutions.

Thirty-six years have elapsed without the United Nations being able to solve the Palestinian question. This period has been accompanied by serious problems and difficulties leading the international community to conclude that a just and durable peace in the Middle East cannot be achieved except by enabling the Palestinian people to realize their inalienable rights, including the right to self-determination and sovereignty, the right to establish their own independent State on their own national soil and the right to return to their homes and to the recovery of the property usurped from them.

Hence, the General Assembly decided to convene an International Conference on the Question of Palestine in Geneva, from 29 August to 7 September 1983. Although the overwhelming majority of the world's countries participated in this important Conference, some States directly involved in the question of the Middle East chose not to participate. We therefore ask these States to shoulder their responsibilities in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations.

The Middle East region is passing through a most difficult period, which is daily being aggravated by Israel's continuous aggression against the Palestinian people and the peoples of the neighbouring Arab countries, thus endangering international peace and security.

Israel destroyed the peaceful nuclear installations in Iraq and then proceeded to invade Lebanon, destroying cities and villages and adopting further repressive measures against the Palestinian refugees and putting many of them in prisons and concentration camps in the occupied Arab territories and in southern Lebanon. The Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon is clear proof of its expansionist designs, which are supported and encouraged by certain Western circles.

Israel continues to usurp Arab lands in occupied Palestine and to establish settlements there, while expelling certain mayors from the cities and pursuing its aggressive policies in order to terrorize the Arab inhabitants and encourage them to leave.

In its deep commitment to the right of peoples to self-determination in accordance with the principles and resolutions of the United Nations, the State of Bahrain reconfirms its full solidarity with the just and legitimate struggle of the Palestinian people, under the leadership of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), its sole, legitimate representative, and calls upon the international community to make every effort to solve the problem of Palestine to recover the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and to put an end to Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people in the occupied Arab territories and beyond.

Israel's aggression against the neighbouring Arab States resulted in five wars in the Middle East and nearly unleashed a new world conflagration and its pursuit of this aggressive policy continues to threaten the entire international community.

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

H.E. Gen. André Kolingba, President of the Military Committee for National Recovery, Head of the Central African Republic

At a time when the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People is holding this special gathering to observe international solidarity with the struggle of the Palestinian people, I should like to avail myself of this opportunity to reaffirm the solidarity of the people of the Central African Republic with the Palestinian people in the resolute struggle it is waging, under the leadership of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), to recover its national rights.

While the final conclusion of this struggle must proceed from the efforts of the international community, it is none the less true that the unity of the Palestinian people is indispensable for waging this struggle. That is why on this same occasion I invite all factions within the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) to set aside their differences and focus their efforts on a single goal, namely, bringing about an independent Palestinian State in keeping with the relevant United Nations resolutions.

In wishing all success for the commemoration of this Day, please accept, Sir, my highest esteem.

CUBA

H.E. Dr. Fidel Castro Ruz, President of the Council of State and Government of the Republic of Cuba

On the occasion of the commemoration of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, I have the honour to reaffirm, on behalf of the people and Government of the Republic of Cuba, the support and militant solidarity which we have always accorded to the heroic and just struggle which the Palestinian people has been carrying out for the restoration of its inalienable national rights under the leadership of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), its sole and legitimate representative.

For more than 35 years, despite the specific provisions of General Assembly resolutions 181 (II) and 273 (III), which established two sovereign States in Palestine, and the undertaking given by Israel to respect the Charter and obligations of the United Nations, the Arab peoples and particularly the Palestinian people have known only aggression from Israel.

Recently, the world witnessed with horror and consternation how the Zionist aggressor, contrary to all international legal norms, violated with impunity the frontiers of the Lebanese State, invading its territory and applying a criminal blockade against the population living in West Beirut while at the same time submitting them to an interminable and ferocious bombardment and, in collusion with Lebanese fascist gangs, committing one of the most monstrous and abominable crimes ever recorded in history in the Palestinian refugee camps of Sabra and Shatila which cost the lives of thousands of men, women, children and old people.

More than a year after all this, the Israeli troops continue to occupy part of the sovereign territory of Lebanon, committing all kinds of crimes and villainous deeds, not only with the consent of their imperialist master but also backed up by the presence of the large contingent of United States troops deployed there under the cover provided by the so-called "multinational force".

Obviously, and as has been demonstrated on countless occasions, the United States bears the main responsibility for the warmongering policy carried out by Israel in the Middle East.

The fundamental rights of the Palestinian people have been defined and reaffirmed for many years by the United Nations, the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries, the Organization of African Unity and other international organizations. It is only the intransigent policy of Israel which impedes the enjoyment of those rights. In pursuing that policy it relies on the United States which, in addition to providing it with large-scale economic, military, strategic and political assistance, by means of its veto prevents the Security Council from adopting effective measures to put an end to the criminal policy being carried out by the State of Israel.

The convening of the International Peace Conference on the Middle East, pursuant to the decision of the International Conference on the Question of Palestine held under United Nations auspices at Geneva from 29 August to 7 September 1983, will without doubt contribute to the search for a solution to the crisis besetting that region of the world, a solution that will enable the Palestinian people to exercise its inalienable rights in Palestine on the basis of United Nations resolutions.

The United Nations, in implementing its objectives and principles, must act consistently, immediately and firmly to stay the criminal hand of the aggressors and thus safeguard its own prestige by adopting the measures set forth in the Charter and applying them against Israel.

Contrary to the international community's call for peace, imperialist interests endorse the policy of aggression as the formula for solving international problems and disputes, and thus we see this policy being carried out not only in the Middle East, where the aggressive presence of the United States contributes to aggravating the prevailing situation, but also in southern Africa and Central America where puppet and bloodthirsty régimes serve as willing pawns by seeking by means of mass murder to thwart the most noble aspirations of those peoples which are struggling to cast off the yoke of colonialism and neo-colonialism.

Cuba once again condemns Israel for the criminal policy which it is carrying out in the occupied territories, and we urge the international bodies not to allow the racist and genocidal policy which Israel is applying against the Palestinian population and the Arab population in general to go unpunished.

The people and Government of Cuba, together with the world's progressive forces, reiterate their resolute support for and solidarity with the heroic people of Palestine and its sole and legitimate representative, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), in their struggle for a just cause, namely restoration of the inalienable rights that have been denied them for more than three decades. The unity of the PLO is an essential element in that struggle.

I take this opportunity to express, on behalf of the Government and people of Cuba, our gratitude for the constructive role which you have played in the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People in support of the legitimate struggle of that heroic people.

ETHIOPIA

Col. Mengistu Haile Mariam, Head of State of Ethiopia and

Chairman of the Organization of African Unity

In my capacity as the current Chairman of the OAU, I have the pleasure of conveying to you, and through you to all the participants in the commemoration of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, Africa's unreserved support for and militant solidarity with the people of Palestine.

The commemoration of this International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People at this decisive moment when their struggle is passing through a difficult phase, once again manifests the ever-knowing determination of the international community to seek anew an urgent solution to the just cause of the Palestinian people.

The plight of the Palestinians and the denial of the fulfilment of their legitimate aspirations to independence and statehood have been a matter of great concern to the peoples and Governments of Africa. African countries, through the OAU, have for the past several years not only expressed their full support for and solidarity with the just struggle of the Palestinian people but also exerted every effort to make a tangible contribution to the, solution of the problem.

The attempt to get rid of the Palestinian factor in the Middle East by opposing the Palestinian revolution has created the present unprecedented tragic situation, which poses a grave threat to the rightful cause of the Palestinian people as well as to the peace and security of the entire region. It is Africa's earnest hope that the international community will bring pressure to bear on the protagonists to put an end to the present grave and tragic situation.

While once again reiterating our firm solidarity with the people of Palestine and our full support for their just cause, let me reassure you of Africa's unwavering commitment to the search for a just, comprehensive and lasting solution to the question of Palestine, which is the crux of the Middle East problem.

EGYPT

H.E. Mr. Hosni Mubarak, President of Egypt

This year the United Nations is commemorating the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People in the very difficult conditions prevailing in the Middle East region, which threaten international peace and security. This confirms what Egypt has time and again declared: the Palestinian question is the crux of the problem of the Middle East and peace and security in this important region of the world cannot prevail without a just solution to the Palestinian question based on respect for the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and to realizing their legitimate national aspirations, as defined in numerous United Nations resolutions.

The commemoration by the United Nations of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People confirms once more the commitment of the international community to the principles underlying the Charter of the United Nations and expressing the need for respect of human rights, the first of which is the right to self-determination. We call on all States of the world, particularly the States directly concerned with the problem of the Middle East, to base their policies and positions on these lofty Charter principles and do their utmost to put an end to the human tragedy to which our region has been subjected for more than 35 years.

This can be accomplished only by recognizing the rights of the Palestinian people and enabling them to enjoy these rights fully, without any outside pressure or interference in their affairs.

Egypt has always felt that the question of the Palestinian people and its cause and struggle are part of its own struggle. Aware of these realities from the very start, it has shouldered its national responsibilities and has not been remiss in lending every possible effort to our Palestinian brothers in defending their just cause, convinced, as we are, of our common destiny and the justice of that cause and determined to implement all relevant United Nations resolutions for a just, durable and comprehensive peace in the region.

I must point out here that the International Conference on the Question of Palestine, convened by the United Nations last summer in Geneva, and the resolutions and recommendations emanating therefrom are an important step on the road to solving the question of Palestine.

Finally, I wish to express our deepest appreciation' for the role undertaken by the United Nations and its various organs in support of the cause of the Palestinian people.

GERMAN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC

H.E. Mr. Erich Honecker, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Socialist Unit Party and Chairman of the Council of State of the German Democratic Republic

On the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, the German Democratic Republic again takes this opportunity to pledge unswerving solidarity with the Palestinian people in the struggle for its inalienable rights, under the leadership of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).

Acting upon the fundamental principles of its socialist foreign policy, and in accordance with the decisions of the United Nations, the German Democratic Republic calls for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace settlement in the Middle East, the centre-piece of which is the resolution of the question of Palestine. Indispensable prerequisites for this are the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from all Arab territories occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, recognition of the legitimate rights of the Arab people of Palestine, including its right to establish an independent State of its own, and the assurance of the right of all States of the region to secure an independent existence and development.

The people of the German Democratic Republic is deeply concerned by the escalation of tension in the Middle East, thus endangering peace. The hegemonistic designs of the Israeli aggressor, backed by the most reactionary imperialist circles of the United States, are aimed at imposing another war on the Arab States.

That dangerous course, posing an extremely grave threat to world peace, is most strongly condemned by the German Democratic Republic. It is urgent to oppose those actions in contravention of international law decisively and through the voice of the United Nations. It becomes more and more imperative consistently to implement the resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council.

The International Conference on the Question of Palestine in Geneva, which adopted the Programme of Action for that purpose, re-emphasized the usefulness of an international Middle East conference with the participation of all interested parties, including the Palestine Liberation Organization. Implementation of that proposal would be a practical step towards breaking the cycle of force and war in the region. Concerted action by all peace-loving forces seeking to achieve this aim is now essential to eliminate the hotbed of conflict and to end the suffering of the Palestinian people. It is necessary to avoid anything that might encourage aggressive imperialist quarters in their drive to aggravate the situation. The German Democratic Republic will also henceforth stand firmly at the side of the Palestinian people in their fight for the implementation of their inalienable national rights, under the leadership of its sole, legitimate representative, the Palestine Liberation Organization.

GHANA

Flight-Lieutenant J.J. Rawlings, Head of State and Chairman of the Provisional National Defence Council of Ghana

On behalf of the Government and people of Ghana, and on my own behalf, I welcome this opportunity to convey to the United Nations and especially to the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People our nation's sincere solidarity with all Palestinians.

May I also extend my profound felicitations and best wishes to all those who are struggling for Palestinian freedom for the successful execution of an onerous responsibility.

It is for us in Ghana a solemn day for reflection and rededication to the worthy cause of the Palestinian people. It is also a day on which we ponder the plight of the millions of oppressed people everywhere who are no less engaged in the wider and relentless struggle for justice and human dignity.

This Day of Solidarity calls for sober reflection by the international community on the struggle for the attainment by the Palestinian people of their inalienable rights. Such an evaluation is especially called for at this time, because the occasion this year unfortunately has coincided with a renewed outbreak of fighting among rival Palestinian combatants. It is a matter of great regret and anguish for us in Ghana to see Palestinian guns turned against Palestinians while the enemy is spared. We therefore address an urgent and sincere appeal to the Palestinian people to put an end to the internecine conflict which does nothing but undermine the unity of their cause and struggle for freedom and justice. Such internal squabbles can only advance the aims of Israel, which is bent on destroying Palestinian nationalism by acts of war and terror.

For more than 36 years now and since they were uprooted from their homeland by brute force and other insidious measures, the Palestinian people have suffered every kind of indignity and injustice. They have been subjected to the most atrocious acts of oppression, torture, indiscriminate massacre and systematic genocide by the Israelis, who have seized vast areas of their territories and installed themselves in permanent occupation, as well as in defiance of the United Nations and the international community as a whole. Incessant acts of aggression, repression and molestation by Israeli forces over the years have not only taken a heavy toll in Palestinian lives but have also condemned the Palestinian people to a life of homelessness and insecurity.

We recall in particular hundreds of defenceless civilian victims of the Sabra and Shatila massacre conducted under Israeli military supervision. The cruel irony of that savage act was that the erstwhile victims of Nazi persecution should even indirectly permit an act of genocide against the Palestinian people. The cruelty in that massacre and other acts directed at the military and political liquidation of the Palestinian people is again being condemned as we commemorate those who were killed.

We rededicate ourselves, therefore, to the continued support of the Palestinian cause. We reaffirm once again our total solidarity with the Palestinian people in their heroic struggle to recover their homeland. We stand by them and endorse once again the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination and the establishment of an independent and sovereign State of their own in Palestine. To that end and in the interest of a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East, we call on Israel to put an end to its illegal annexation of occupied Arab territories and to withdraw from them and all other Palestinian territories.

GUINEA

H.E. Mr. Ahmed Sekou Toure, President of the People's Revolutionary Republic of Guinea

The observance of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People affords us the opportunity, on behalf of the people and Government of Guinea and on our own behalf, to address to you our sincere and heartfelt congratulations. We closely follow the commendable efforts the United Nations, through this Committee, constantly exerts for the restoration of the inalienable rights of the martyred Palestinian people. We are convinced that the bold machinations of certain foreign circles and interests and their dilatory tactics aimed at the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people are doomed to failure. We are, moreover, deeply concerned at the current fratricidal conflict among various Palestinian factions within the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). We issue a fraternal call on those factions to demonstrate a spirit of patriotism in order to resolve that conflict and safeguard the unity of the Palestinian people in regaining their inalienable rights. We reaffirm the unconditional support of the people and the Government of Guinea in this just task. Please be assured of our highest esteem.

HUNGARY

H.E. Mr. Pál Losonczi, President of the Presidential

Council of the Hungarian People's Republic

On the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, the Hungarian people join me in assuring the Palestinian Arab people of our support in their struggle for a just cause.

We continue to be convinced that only a just and comprehensive settlement of the Middle East crisis, along with the attainment of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian Arab people, can guarantee the peace and security of the countries in the region. The settlement of the crisis can be achieved by peaceful means, through negotiations, with the participation of all parties concerned, including the sole, legitimate representative of the Palestinian Arab people, the Palestine Liberation Organization.

Therefore we are deeply concerned at all developments that weaken the unity of the liberation movement, jeopardize the results achieved so far in the struggle and favour only those who disregard the most fundamental rights and just aspirations of the Palestinian Arab people.

While expressing our solidarity with the struggle of the Palestinian Arab people for their legitimate rights and for the establishment of their own independent State, we sincerely wish that the Palestine Liberation Organization will be able to restore its unity and strengthen the joint stand against Israeli aggression and imperialism with all the forces struggling for a just settlement of the Middle East crisis.

On behalf of the Presidential Council of the Hungarian People's Republic and the whole Hungarian people, I wish you every success in the struggle for your just cause.

INDONESIA

S.E. Mr. Soeharto, President of the Republic of Indonesia

On this day, the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, I should like, on behalf of the Government and the people of Indonesia, to reaffirm our unswerving support for the Palestinian people in their struggle to realize their inalienable rights.

This annual commemoration is an important occasion for all States which value human dignity, freedom and justice to speak out unequivocally on behalf of the Palestinian cause for self-determination and for the establishment of an independent Palestinian State. Moreover, this commemoration by the United Nations should also serve as an opportunity to renew our determination to implement all relevant United Nations resolutions on Palestine.

The plight of the Palestinian people has continued to be a central preoccupation of the international community for nearly four decades. Throughout this period the Palestinians have had to endure untold misery and suffering in their just struggle against Israeli aggression, occupation and racial discrimination.

As a nation which upholds freedom and independence and which opposes colonial domination in all its forms and manifestations, Indonesia will steadfastly contribute to the common struggle for the realization of the independence of Palestine. We will continue to support any plan acceptable to the Arab Nation which will assure the Palestinians of their right to live in freedom in their own land.

Indonesia gladly welcomes the decisions adopted by the International Conference on the Question of Palestine held in Geneva last September. The fact that no less than 139 States sent high-level delegations to the Conference was evidence of world-wide determination to seek more effective ways and means towards the attainment of the national rights of the Palestinians as a necessary part of a peaceful and comprehensive settlement of the Middle East question.

We hope that the resolutions of this Conference will shortly be implemented, so as to achieve the desired objectives and in order to end the agony and suffering endured by the Palestinian people for so many decades.

Indonesia, together with the other Members of the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement and the Organization of the Islamic Conference, will continue to strive for the adoption of effective measures and actions which will compel Israel to abandon its abhorrent policies and to withdraw from all occupied Arab territories.

In conclusion, on behalf of the Government and the people of Indonesia, I once again express our most sincere support and respect for the heroic struggle of the Palestinian people, under the leadership of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), their sole and legitimate representative. We wish to pay homage to this brave nation which, through its unceasing sacrifices and hardships, has demonstrated to the world that freedom and justice cannot be denied for long.

IRAN, ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF

H.E. Hojjatol Eslam Seyyed Ali Khomenei, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran

For almost 40 years, the brave people of Palestine have spearheaded the anti-Zionist and anti-imperialist struggle in the Moslem world. The Palestinians have sacrificed tremendously for their causes, and many of them , have lived for decades in refugee camps, under austere living conditions, in order to keep this struggle alive. But while the Palestinian people have struggled and sacrificed, Moslems all over the world have been mostly distant, spectators of this holy war. The time has come for Moslems to wake up to their duties and obligations and join the struggle to free the lands of Palestine, in which are located some of the most holy shrines and sanctuaries of Islam.

Mankind's bitter experience of almost four decades of illegitimate Zionist control over Palestine has demonstrated that aggression is an inherent characteristic of the base called Israel and that compromise with such an element does not conform with any logic. There is no doubt that the long-term policy of the imperialist base called Israel in the region is the destruction of the cause of Palestine and the strengthening of the presence of American imperialism in the Middle East. The latest attempts to strengthen strategic ties between Israel and the United States stands witness to this policy.

We believe that the basic solution to the question of Palestine and to the whole Middle East crisis can be found in a sincere effort towards a unified Islamic position and a united Islamic front against world arrogance, zionism and imperialism. We consider the struggle against such oppressors and aggressors as the Zionist régime and its imperialist supporter, the United States, to be an Islamic duty of all Moslems of the world and a human duty of all honourable human beings, and we expect all those who advocate justice and are concerned about international peace and security to take practical steps in support of the oppressed people of Palestine.

The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, in conformity with the above position of principle and on the basis of its commitment emanating from the divine teachings of the Holy Koran, declares once again that it extends its unreserved solidarity with and support for the rightful and legitimate struggle of the Palestinian people to recapture their occupied homeland and thereby to free the lands of Islam from the Zionist usurpers.

It is the earnest hope of the Islamic Republic of Iran that the internal differences between the Palestinian freedom fighters are immediately resolved so that their unified potentials can be once again directed towards their noble cause of struggling against the enemy.

IRAQ

H.E. Mr. Saddam Hussein, President of the Republic of Iraq

It is a pleasure for me, on the occasion of the commemoration of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, to express once again on behalf of Iraq and its people, as well as on my own personal behalf, our gratitude to the Committee for the sincere and sustained efforts it has made for the Palestinian cause. We are certain you will agree with us when we say that in these difficult times for the Arab nation our main concern is the crisis within the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, being experienced by its leaders as a result of the cynical, scarcely disguised attempts to divide the leadership of that Organization and to disrupt its unity in order physically and politically to annihilate it and deprive it of all its legitimacy.

Indeed, overt attempts have been made by Libya and Syria to divide the ranks of the PLO. These attempts are in contradiction of the Rabat Summit Meeting manifesto of Arab unity. In this regard there can be no doubt that these attempts fall within the context of Zionist machinations which, sadly, are tacitly supported by certain international circles involving themselves in this game for the purpose of consolidating Israeli occupation of Palestinian and Arab territories and the evacuation of the original inhabitants from Palestinian soil. These attempts to violate its national identity and territorial integrity are carried out at the expense and in violation of the territorial integrity and national integrity of other neighbouring Arab peoples.

Such attempts and such tragic occurrences as the Sabra and Shatila massacres, the occupation of a large part of Lebanese territory, the actions against the Palestinian people themselves showing Israel`s desire to remain on Palestinian territory, its settlements on such territory, its occupation of the West Bank and the escalation of its terror activities against the Palestinians – all this is working towards the gratification of the Israeli desire for territory according to the Zionist plan.

However, we are certain that the Palestinian people will emerge triumphant and stronger from these trials, because that people has unshakeable faith in the justice of its cause. It is ready to continue its ardent struggle and ensure the triumph of its cause, aware of the need for solidarity and for a united front against the aggressor and its allies. It knows, too, that it can count on the support of the Arab States and all other States that cherish peace and justice.

Iraq has always supported the PLO and its legitimate leaders and taken a vigorous stand against attempts to weaken or dismantle that organization or to deprive it of its political will. The Palestinian cause will always remain in the forefront of our concerns, for we are convinced that this question is at the very heart of the conflict in the Middle East and the problems this region knows. We are also aware that, unless and until there is a just and honourable solution to this problem restoring the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, this region will know no peace, security or prosperity, and peace and security in the world will thus remain gravely threatened.

Among the factors jeopardizing international peace is the continued Iranian aggression against our country, begun some three years ago. The régime of Iran is continuing its aggressive acts against Iraq despite international efforts to put an end to the hostilities and despite Iraq's support for those efforts. Fresh proof of the reprehensible expansionist aims of that régime is the large-scale military attack against Panjwin, in the north of Iraq. This attack followed upon Security Council resolution 540 (1983) and constitutes open defiance of the will of the Security Council and of the international community. Iraq has expressed its position with regard to that resolution; indeed, we supported it, but the Iranian régime, on the other hand, merely intensified its aggression, thus making clear that régime's inherently belligerent nature and its defiance of the resolutions of the Security Council and international unanimity on the need to put an end to those military operations and to settle such disputes by peaceful means. For its part Iraq is resolved to thwart the Iranian aggression and to defend its peace and dignity. The continuation of Iranian aggression is further proof that Iran has acted in close co-operation with the Zionist entity and that there is military collusion between the two – a fact which is no mystery to anyone.

On this occasion we wish to offer our praise for the International Conference on the Question of Palestine, held recently in Geneva, which yielded very positive results, including the Declaration and the Programme of Action. One of the hopeful elements in that Conference, in view of the crisis in the PLO, was the participation of that organization in the work of the Conference on a basis of equality with other States.

In conclusion, it is a pleasure for me to reaffirm our great confidence in your Committee. We express the wish that it will continue its very praiseworthy efforts for the Palestinian cause as seriously and effectively as it has customarily done in the past.

JORDAN

H.M. the King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

Today most peoples and States of this world join in commemorating the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People in order to reaffirm recognition of their inalienable national and historic rights, stand by the Palestinian people, strengthen their resistance to occupation, remove the injustices against them and enable them to recover their rights, defend their national identity and live on their national soil.

This solidarity has been expressed by States and peoples throughout the world. It is the happy outcome of the struggle of the Palestinian people and proof that the international community is well aware of the justness of the cause of the Palestinian people. All Israeli attempts to discredit the Palestinian cause have failed. Israel has tried to make the world believe that it desires peace and security and does not seek to extend its territory to the detriment of the Arab nation. But today the international community has realized that the Israeli expansionist and racist practices and policies are aimed at expanding its authority. There has been a positive change in the position of the international community which is no passing phenomenon. On the contrary, this fact is part of the political negotiations undertaken by the Arab States and the Palestinian people to arrive at a just and comprehensive solution to this problem, which has left open wounds for the Middle East region and the world as a whole.

Indeed, the Palestinian problem has for a decade been in the forefront of the questions being dealt with by the international and regional organizations. The problem facing the Palestinians is a political one: to arrive at a just overall settlement and the recognition of their national rights. After the 1967 Israeli aggression, Israel's scorn for all international peace plans, the continued Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory, the illegal establishment of settlements and the aggression launched against neighbouring Arab States, a turning-point was reached which has led to international support for the rights of the Palestinian people. That support is embodied in the recognition of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the isolation of Israel. Light has been cast on the true face of Israel and its policy, its scorn for Security Council and General Assembly resolutions, the way it turns its back on all roads to peace and to a settlement in the region and, finally, its declared refusal to give up the occupied Arab territories.

From the outset of the struggle of the Palestinian people, we in Jordan have been at the forefront of support for their cause. We have made it our Arab duty, which imposes on us the obligation to stand by our brothers and support their cause. We have shared the hopes and sorrows of the Palestinian people. We have espoused their struggle to end their tribulations by defending their legitimate rights. Ever since the 1967 aggression we have been aware of the Israeli expansionist tendencies and the danger this represents to the region. That is why we have chosen a political solution to liberate the inhabitants of the territories and assist the Palestinian people to recover their Arab rights and put an end to Israeli occupation. Accordingly, we endorsed Security Council resolution 242 (1967), which declares the inadmissibility of the occupation of the territory of others by force and through war. Similarly, after the 1973 war we opted for a political solution and, with the other Arab States concerned, we endorsed Security Council resolution 338 (1973), which includes the terms of resolution 242 (1967).

Together with all other Arab States, we are, at the present time, struggling to achieve a just overall settlement of this problem, because Israel is taking advantage of the time factor to alter the physical structure of the occupied territories and to strengthen its occupation by imposing a fait accompli. Israel's colonial settlements defy all international laws and resolutions and are part of a deliberate policy of uprooting the original inhabitants and altering the demographic structure of the occupied territories. In order to face up to and thwart this danger, we in Jordan have adopted measures likely to strengthen the resistance of the Palestinian people. With this aim in mind, we have undertaken negotiations at every level, both Arab and international. After the Israeli occupation of a wide area of Lebanese territory in 1982, the Arab States and the PLO succeeded in submitting a comprehensive Arab initiative to ensure an overall and just solution to this problem. That initiative was supported by the Arab leaders, including the PLO, at the Fez Conference. It consists of an Arab peace plan, incorporating principles from United Nations resolutions calling for Israel's withdrawal from all Arab territories occupied in 1967 and, first and foremost, from the Arab city of Jerusalem. It is a demonstration of good faith by the Arabs and their desire to provide all guarantees of justice for the Palestinian people, which have suffered every kind of tribulation, including terrorism and dispersion. We are helping them strive for peace and security throughout the region, thus enabling States to achieve peace and prosperity.

Israel continues to ignore all peace initiatives and implements its expansionist plans to the detriment of the Palestinian people and the Arab nation. Israel seeks to overpower the Arab population. Nevertheless, the legitimate Palestinian leaders have through international actions affirmed that they are ready to play an active part in the peace process guaranteeing them an end to occupation, a return to their national identity and a free life in dignity.

Jordan hereby reaffirms its devotion to these principles and reaffirms that, like other Arab States, we shall provide aid and encouragement to the Palestinian people so that they may recover their legitimate rights and thwart the hegemonistic attempts designed to undermine their autonomy and political will. We believe that any attempt to uphold the political will of the Palestinian people runs counter to Israeli plans. We call on everyone to open their eyes to Israel's true face, its real ambition and agreed. We appeal to the world to show solidarity with the Palestinian people so that they may join the community of nations and enjoy their rights.

DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA

H.E.Comrade Kim Il Sung, President of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea

On behalf of the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Korean people, and on my own behalf, I wish to express warm militant greetings to you and, through you, to the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Palestinian people on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. The long continued sacred struggle waged by the Palestinian people against the naked aggression and brutal suppression of the United States imperialists and Zionists and for the restoration of their legitimate national right to return to their homeland and the right to establish an independent and sovereign State enjoys our strong support and, as days go by, of the world's people as a link in the chain of the joint struggle of the oppressed peoples against imperialism and for independence.

The Korean people has been actively supporting and encouraging the national liberation struggle of the Palestinian people since the inception of the Palestine question and in the future too will stand unswervingly on the side of the fighting Palestinian people until they achieve a final victory.

Reaffirming our militant solidarity with the liberation cause of Palestine, I avail myself of this opportunity sincerely to wish you, the resistance fighters and the entire Palestinian people great successes in your rightful struggle for achieving national independence and territorial integrity.

KUWAIT

His Highness Sheikh Jabir Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah

Emir of the State of Kuwait

It gives me great pleasure on this occasion to send my personal regards and those of the people of Kuwait to the honourable participants gathered at United Nations Headquarters to express their solidarity on this Day, when all eyes are focused on the tragedy of the Palestinian people which is unprecedented in modern times.

No words can describe its dimensions. This is a case of the cruellest manifestations of injustice – one which has been characterized by deception, distortion, wrongdoing, levity, indifference and abandonment. It has also been ill-fated from the very beginning when the partition plan was announced by the United Nations on this very day in 1947. This is the case of a people whose human rights are violated and for which the various international laws and norms do not apply. The occupying aggressor has usurped the largest and most significant part of the Palestinian people's homeland, denying them freedom and keeping a hold over their territories. It is pursuing efforts to annex all that is left of their homeland through established illegal and repressive measures, as well as through the policy of faits accomplis in an attempt to distort the case by trickery and deviousness and to prevent the rightful owners of the land from recovering their inalienable rights, including the right to self-determination. Strange as it may seem, the annexation of new land is now being carried on under the pretext of security. What hypocrisy and what a false pretext which cannot be based on any logic or right.

For 36 years, this cause has been crying out for justice to be done, but to no avail. One may wonder why this cause has been set aside for such a long time. It is significant to note that the aggressor has been placing one obstacle after another in the way of any solution, intending to keep it in abeyance by disregarding international decisions and flouting the will of the international community and its institutions. However, it would not have been able to do so had it not been for the absolute support it has been receiving from certain well-known international quarters. As a matter of fact, the reason why this case has become so tangled is because of this strong support, which is the main obstacle still preventing a just solution and keeping the arguments in a vicious circle. Is it not incumbent upon those responsible quarters to advocate right, justice and fair play in the world without any discrimination, instead of helping the perpetrators of injustice and endorsing their policies?

However, there remains a ray of hope that right will eventually prevail. Do not despair of the mercy of Allah: mankind has never lacked and will never lack conscientious people such as those gathered today at the Headquarters of this world Organization to raise their voices in support of this unjustly treated people in its legitimate struggle for the restoration of its inalienable rights and its integrity, and to ease the sufferings brought about by the partition of its land. Though the announcement of that partition is a painful memory for those people, they are still nostalgic for the days when they were living so happily on the soil of their homeland before it was occupied by the usurpers. They look hopefully forward to a prosperous future which, God willing, will be achieved.

A cursory glance at the map of Palestine at the time of partition and its delineated borders is enough to expose the aggressor's expansionist designs and to show to what lengths its arrogance can lead it. Honourable men will wonder what is left for the rightful owners of the country and where they will find justice.

Before concluding, we must assert the urgent need to solve this just case which sooner or later will threaten world peace. We also confirm anew our total solidarity with this beleaguered people and call upon all international bodies, particularly the United Nations which represents the will of the international community, to shoulder their full responsibility and make every possible effort to give this people the opportunity to attain its legitimate national aspirations to live in peace on its ancestral land. Only thus can there be any chance for peace, stability, well-being and prosperity in this troubled region of the world.

LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA

H.E. Mr. Mu'ammar Muhammad al-Qaddafi, Leader of the September Revolution

This day we the peoples of the world commemorate the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People and at the same time their esteem in the history of mankind. This day a most obnoxious decision was taken by the United Nations, in implementation of the will of the imperialist circles, to partition Palestine, establish the racist Zionist entity and disperse the Palestinian people. This day took place 36 years ago. The Palestinian people has been and continues to be exposed to a collective bloodbath, dispersal and death by American weapons in the hands of Nazi forces. In spite of innumerable resolutions adopted by the General. Assembly and all regional organizations, and in spite of the wide support of the peoples and peace-loving forces of the world and the political victories won by the struggle of the Palestinian people, under the leadership of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), there have been no practical results towards the Palestinian people exercising their rights to self-determination, to return to their homeland and to establish a national State on their own soil.

The Zionist aggression has extended beyond Palestine, occupying more Arab territories and pursuing the Palestinian people in their refugee camps and in other neighbouring Arab countries. Responsibility falls, first of all, on those forces which have hindered and continue to hinder implementation of United Nations resolutions and have supplied and continue to supply the Zionist aggressor with weapons in order to create additional settlements, kill more people and occupy more Arab territory. The United States of America continues to encourage aggression, to supply the aggressor with the most sophisticated weaponry, thereby enabling and encouraging it to occupy Arab territories and to flout all international resolutions, and to refuse to recognize the national rights of the Palestinian people. That is the central question that should be discussed and considered on this Day.

The time has come for the Palestinian people and the Arab nation to evaluate the previous period, which has shown that political action, in spite of its importance, will always remain marginal if not accompanied by serious military action on the battle field. The question of Palestine will not be solved by indecisive initiatives or distorted contacts that only divide the Palestinians further and weaken their revolution; only through struggle and a clear vision, in accordance with revolutionary objectives, will success be achieved. To continue with a policy of indecisiveness will deprive the Palestinian people of their strength and turn them into an instrument for recognizing the aggressor and liquidating the Palestinian revolution – hence eliminating the PLO itself.

The international community represented in the United Nations must evaluate this situation with the same seriousness, since it is clear that United Nations resolutions remain without effect if they are not backed by coercive measures. The time has come to adopt practical measures under Chapter VII of the Charter. The international community is today invited to provide full support to the Palestinian people, under the leadership of the PLO, to recover their usurped rights.

I am convinced that the Palestinian people, with the assistance of all peace-loving forces, will soon enjoy their rights and objectives in freedom and independence. The people of the Jamahiriya, which is doing all it can in defence of the Palestinian revolution, confirms anew its determination to continue providing every support and to stand on the side of the Palestinian people until the complete liberation of Palestine is achieved and all the rights of the Palestinian people have been recovered.

The aggression to which our people in the Jamahiriya are exposed and continue to be exposed because of our principled position will not deter us but strengthen our resolve to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Palestinian people in their revolution.

Finally, I wish to express to the Committee our appreciation for its efforts on behalf of the cause of the Palestinian people. On such efforts depend the rights of all peoples struggling against imperialism, zionism and racism in all parts of the world. May these efforts be crowned with success.

MALDIVES

H.E. Mr. Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, President of Maldives

Today we not only proclaim our solidarity with our Palestinian brothers and sisters and reconfirm our commitment to them, but remind ourselves of the courage they display in their heroic and historic battle to regain their homeland.

It is a nature and quality of courage that cannot fail to inspire every single one of us. It is a nature and quality of courage that commands our loyalty, our concern and our active allegiance, not just on this Day of international solidarity with them, but at all times.

Indeed, on this special Day and in the name of the Republic of Maldives, I proclaim to the people of Palestine our abiding faith and confidence in them and their ultimate victory.

For the irrefutable truth remains, as it has done since the occupation by the use of armed aggression by Israel of their homeland, that the battle they wage is the battle of all those, whoever and wherever they may be, who respect justice and self-determination: that, in effect, the battle being waged by the Palestinians is the cause of humanity; that until they are restored to the land God gave them and are thus truly free, none of us are.

It is an evident truth, a reality that the continued use of armed terror, intimidation and propaganda by the occupying force in Palestine, the Zionists, will not, indeed cannot, dilute, and it is a truth and a reality the international community will ignore at its very own peril.

For the aggression inherent in the alienation of the Palestinians from their homeland and its continued military occupation constitutes a challenge to the international community that, if not recognized and met, can only have the gravest of implications.

Indeed, if the aggression and intransigence of Israel are condoned by the big nations of the world they can only be devalued and diminished in the eyes of those who look to them for an example in international affairs. And if such a circumstance continues to exist, on that tolerates the gross and inhuman injustice visited upon the Palestinian people, what, ultimately, is the value of the principles of non-aggression and respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity, which so many in positions of high influence so often proclaim? What can be the integrity of any of us if we continue to deny the Palestinians that which we so covet for ourselves?

"Israel", and those who through the forces of international imperialism aided its illegitimate birth and who continue to equip it with the tools of oppression and aggression, can no longer evade responsibility for that which they make possible or indeed be immune from the consequences of their own action. The inexorable tide of history, together with the sustained courage of the people of Palestine, will not only, ultimately, defeat them, but relegate them to an enduring condemnation.

To create one State out of another is an evil and an act of high immorality; and the truth remains that what is immoral can never be politically acceptable, just as it cannot even endure or be at peace with itself. Such is the lesson of history and it is a lesson which none can deny.

It is, of course, tragedy that the forces of division are currently engaged in an attempt to distract and dissipate the Palestinian cause and its essential purpose.

On this special Day, with particular earnest the Government of Maldives asks that those in the international community, especially those in the Islamic world who are so able to prevent division, do so and that they approach such a duty with all possible despatch, that they bring their influence to bear and in so doing bring honour to themselves and be of service to the Palestinian people.

And on this Day too, in the name of the Government and the people of this Republic, I commit our support and our prayers to the people of Palestine and, in solidarity with them, look forward to the time which will herald their emancipation.

The courage and resolve of the Palestinian nation will be sung to future generations around the world and their memory will live in the hearts of the human race as long as it respects the past.

MAURITANIA

H.E. Lieutenant-Colonel Mohamed Khouna Ould Haidalla,

President of the Military Committee for National Salvation and Head of State of Mauritania

On behalf of the Mauritanian people, on behalf of the Military Committee for National Salvation and on my own behalf, I am particularly pleased to renew our profound gratitude and congratulations on the effective work accomplished by your lofty Committee in favour of right and justice in the Holy Land of Palestine.

On the occasion of this International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, it is worth recalling that the struggle of this people against the usurpation of its homeland and the genocidal action against its inhabitants is indeed the cause of all the peoples of the world.

In spite of numerous obstacles and of all its hardships and sufferings, the admirable Palestinian people has succeeded in preserving its national identity, thanks to enormous sacrifice and because of the growing solidarity of all the other peoples of the world.

At the level of this world-wide Organization, your Committee is indeed the concrete expression of the near unanimous support for the just resistance of the Arab people of Palestine.

The proliferation and complexity of present difficulties has never dissuaded the Islamic Republic of Mauritania from remaining convinced, as always that, under the leadership of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and owing to the determination of its heroic people, the sister Arab Palestine will survive and win its freedom.

We are also convinced that the unity of the Palestinian national movement,, led by the PLO, will be preserved through brotherly and democratic dialogue, thereby preserving the resolute resistance to the Zionist usurper.

More than ever before, the international community should spare no effort in assisting the Palestinian people to secure its inalienable national rights.

MONGOLIA

H.E. Mr. Y. Tsedenbal, Head of State of the Mongolian People's

Republic and Chairman of the Presidium of the Great People's Khural

Mr. Chairman, on behalf of the Government of the People's Republic of Mongolia and on my own behalf I am sending to you and to all members of the Committee sincere greetings and good wishes on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. This Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People is this year being commemorated under conditions in which the imperialist and Zionist forces are openly attempting to undermine the Palestine liberation movement and to remove the question of Palestine from the agenda of the United Nations altogether.

The ruthless violation of Lebanon's sovereignty and the de facto partition of that country makes the Palestinian problem and the entire problem of the Middle East more difficult. The Government of my country considers that the responsibility for this drastic deterioration of the situation in that explosive region is borne essentially by some countries members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), foremost among which is the United States of America, which not only foster the expansionist policy of the Zionists but have themselves chosen the policy of intervention in the Middle East and intervened directly in Lebanon with military forces.

We consider that the indispensable condition for the restoration of peace and stability in the Middle East would be the withdrawal of Israeli forces from all Arab territories occupied since 1967 and the realization of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to the creation of their own sovereign State. Such a settlement of the Palestinian problem would open the way for the creation of a just and lasting peace in the Middle East. That objective can be secured only through the collective efforts of all parties, including the Palestine Liberation Organization.

In this connection an essential factor would be the strengthening of the unity of action of the Arab States and cohesion of anti-imperialist forces of the Arab world and the Palestine liberation movement itself. The Government of the People's Republic of Mongolia and the people of Mongolia once again express their warm solidarity with the heroic Palestinian people and their decisive support in that people's struggle, under the PLO, for the realization of their inalienable rights, against imperialistic and Zionist aggression and for the establishment of a genuine peace in the Middle East.

I should also like to take this opportunity to wish you, Sir, and your Committee complete success in your noble action aimed at fostering the realization of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people and at enforcing United Nations resolutions with regard to this vital problem.

NIGERIA

H.E. Mr. Alhaji Shehu Shagari, President of Nigeria

Mr. Secretary-General, on this important day, 29 November 1983, and on this important occasion, the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, I wish, on behalf of the Government and people of Nigeria, and on my own behalf, to express and reiterate Nigeria's total and unflagging support for the just struggle of the Palestinians.

I am proud to say that Nigeria has been and will continue to be actively associated with the Palestinian cause until the ultimate objective of self-determination for the Palestinians is achieved. Nigeria will also continue to make its own contribution, under the auspices of the United Nations and through contacts with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), which we recognize as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.

I note with regret, however, the recent outbreak of intense fighting among Palestinian brothers in Lebanon. Such clashes, with the attendant loss of lives, can only serve one purpose: to divert attention from the real problem and dissipate energy and resources which should be properly harnessed for the liberation struggle and the achievement of national self-determination. I therefore call on all Palestinian brothers to settle their internal differences in a peaceful and democratic way.

I also note the important work being done by the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People.

I have noted with interest and hope the conclusions of the recent International Conference on the Question of Palestine, held in Geneva. It is Nigeria's hope that the call contained in the report of the Conference for convening an international conference on the question of Palestine, which will include the Palestinians, the other interested parties and the two super-Powers, will materialize soon.

Finally, I reiterate once again Nigeria's total support for the Palestinian cause. Nigeria totally rejects the evil of racial discrimination, whether in the occupied territories or in southern Africa. We reject the acquisition of territory by force and call upon Israel to withdraw its forces, totally, from all the occupied territories in order to pave the way for the Palestinians to exercise their inalienable right of self-determination.

PAKISTAN

H.E. General Mohammad Zia-Ul-Haq, President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan

The International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People is being observed today against the backdrop of continuing atrocities by the Zionist authorities against the Palestinian people. At no time in the past has the plight of the Palestinians been as grave as it is today and the need for the solidarity of all right-thinking people in the world with the oppressed people of Palestine was never greater.

Israel is pursuing an openly expansionist policy in the region. In pursuance of its infamous aims, it is engaged in relentless oppression of the Palestinian people in an attempt to usurp their inalienable rights and to destroy their spiritual and cultural heritage. Repeated attempts have also been made to desecrate the Holy Places of Islam in the occupied Al-Quds Al-Sharif. Pakistan has voiced its strong protest and expressed its deep concern over such desecration of our Holy Places, as well as the excavations being conducted adjacent to the Dome of the Rock, which threaten the Holy Al-Agsa Mosque.

Israel by its policy of repeated provocations and unceasing acts of aggression continues to defy world public opinion and flouts the principles of international law and the United Nations Charter. The international community, through the United Nations and other bodies, has already condemned the Zionist attempts to alter the physical character, demographic composition and institutional structure, as well as the status, of the occupied territories, including Al-Quds Al-Sharif. The Zionist authorities must be made to realize that they can never succeed in suppressing the indomitable will of the Palestinian people through such wanton acts.

On this Day, the Government and the people of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan renew their resolute solidarity with the Palestinian brethren and reiterate their pledge to support the Palestinians in their just struggle to regain their inalienable rights. Pakistan calls upon the world community to assume its international obligations and compel Israel to restore the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, without which a lasting peace in the Middle East will not be possible.

POLAND

H.E. Professor Henryk Jablonski, President of the Council of State of the Polish People's Republic

Observances of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People have become an important event in the world as an expression of the broad support of the international community for the rights of the Arab people of Palestine, for the consolidation of its national liberation struggle and for progress in its efforts to realize its national aspirations. The Polish people traditionally devoted to the idea of freedom of nations, along with other peace-loving and progressive forces of the world, is sending on this Day its fraternal greetings to your people thus expressing respect for its steadfast efforts to reach its objectives in spite of many obstacles, enormous sufferings and victims. Let our greetings express our full solidarity with the struggle of the Palestinian masses and consolidate their conviction that they are not alone in their struggle.

The observances of the International Day of Solidarity this year are taking place in extremely grave circumstances; American imperialism is seeking to exploit the current situation in the Middle East to promote its expansionist goals at the expense of the interests of Arab nations. The same is true of its attempts to divert world attention from United States activities aimed against the most vital interests of the Arab people of Palestine in the occupied territories. It is therefore the urgent moral duty of the international community constantly to bear in mind the truth that the essence of the Middle East conflict is the negation of the rights of the Arab people of Palestine. The delay of a just solution to the Palestinian question can only lead to a further aggravation of the conflict, intensification of tension in the Middle East and diminishing chances for a lasting and just peace in the region.

The United Nations still faces the great task of undertaking resolute action to put an end to the sufferings of the Palestinians and to attain a comprehensive settlement of the Middle East conflict. Such a settlement should take due account of the need to realize the inalienable rights of the Arab people of Palestine, including the right to self-determination and the creation of their own independent State in their homeland. The Israeli policy of aggression and territorial expansionism is the main impediment to the realization of this postulate. It manifests itself in disregard of United Nations resolutions and violation of the norms of international law. The attainment of such a settlement is hampered by attempts at partial solutions which are more in the interests of imperialism than of the Arab nations and contribute to the aggravation of tension in that region. The international community should intensify its efforts to overcome the impediments and bring about the convening of a Middle East peace conference with the participation of all parties concerned, including the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. The PLO, as an authentic exponent of the sovereign will of the entire Arab people of Palestine, has to play a major role in the attainment of such a solution. We wish it to be able to continue its active and effective struggle in the name of the well-being of the Palestinian people for the sake of the unity of the Arab world and peace and progress throughout the world.

On behalf of the people of Poland and the highest authorities of the Polish People's Republic, and on my own behalf, I should like to convey through you to the heroic people of Palestine best wishes for steadfastness and every success in your ;just and fair struggle. We are convinced that despite their painful experience the Palestine Liberation Organization, true to the ideals of the Palestinian revolution, will persevere in consistently leading the Palestinian people to final victory.

QATAR

His Highness Sheikh Khaiifa bin Hamad Al-Thani, Emir of Qatar

For the past 36 years the world has witnessed a series of conflicts between the Palestinian people and Israel. That people has continued to struggle heroically, demanding its legitimate and inalienable rights, and the support it enjoys from the whole international community has been confirmed by the Declaration of the International Conference on the Question of Palestine, held last August under the auspices and supervision of the United Nations. The most basic of these rights are: the right to recover their usurped land, the right to self-determination in full freedom and the right to establish an independent State in their homeland.

Having committed the most abhorrent aggression against the Palestinian people and expelled them from their land, usurping their territory and their legitimate rights, and having pursued that aggression beyond those borders into other Arab territories, committing crimes the world has unanimously agreed exceed all earlier forms and manifestations of barbarism and are against all divine tenets of religion, the rule of law and international morality and ideals, Israel has flouted the international community and United Nations resolutions and undermined the status and respect of this world body.

These are facts that are unanimously recognized by world public opinion, which views the question of Palestine as the crux of the crisis in the Middle East and the focal point of the problems in that region and considers it a matter of international concern. The comprehensive solution of that problem entails the return to the Palestinian people of their full, legitimate rights – the key to peace in the region and the only way to settle this question. The international community is fully convinced that unless such a solution is brought about Israel will feel free to continue implementing its expansionist policy against its Arab neighbours and to threaten peace and security in this region and throughout the world.

This has been proved by the actions taken by Israel last year in its invasion of Lebanon and the heinous bloodbath and slaughter it committed and is continuing to commit in that country against innocent and unarmed Lebanese and Palestinians, as well as by its refusal to implement the Security Council resolution calling for its unconditional withdrawal from that country. Nevertheless, the international community has failed to take any effective steps to deter Israel and refuses to apply the provisions of the United Nations Charter stipulating the deterrent action to be taken and setting forth the means to implement it. The Arab nation has made every possible effort to achieve a durable and lasting peace in the region and proposed to that effect a peace plan agreed upon at the Conference held in November last year. That plan was welcomed internationally because it was based on international law and the provisions of the United Nations Charter and pertinent resolutions. Israel, however, has blatantly continued its aggression, placing obstacles in the way of the implementation of that plan.

The Security Council, first and foremost its five permanent members, bears the primary responsibility for this ongoing and historically unprecedented international tragedy, since it has been entrusted with defending international legitimacy and seeing to it that the rule of law prevails in international relations. The Arab nation calls upon the peoples and leaders of the world to intensify their efforts to force those countries to shoulder their responsibilities and to meet the hopes of the international community for peace rather than continue the present confrontation which destabilizes the region and hinders all efforts towards development and prosperity. It is incumbent upon the Council to adopt a new method to face the aggressive intentions of Israel and to take effective steps to bring about a just and comprehensive solution to the question of Palestine guaranteeing the establishment of peace in the whole of the Middle East, a region so important for international peace and security.

On this International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, the Committee, which is meeting under the auspices of the United Nations, the guarantor of world security, is called upon to continue its efforts aimed at making such solidarity a reality. Qatar is at one with the question of Palestine, since it is a question of the Arab nation of which we are a part, We should like to pay a tribute to the Committee for the very valuable efforts it is undertaking in support of the heroic people of Palestine in their struggle to recover their full rights and dignity.

ROMANIA

H.E. Mr. Nicolae Ceausescu, President of the Socialist Republic of Romania

The holding on 29 November of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People affords me the opportunity to reaffirm, on behalf of the Socialist Republic of Romania and on my own behalf, the sentiments of heartfelt friendship which the Romanian people feel towards the Palestinian people and our solid and consistent support for their just cause and for the efforts towards the realization of their legitimate and inalienable national rights to self-determination and to the establishment of their own independent State.

This year the manifestation of solidarity with the Palestinian people is taking place under extremely complex and contradictory circumstances of tension amongst States and deterioration in the international climate.

The situation continues tense in the Middle East because of the fact that no strides have been made towards settling the question of the Palestinian people and because it has not proven possible to set in train a broad-based and viable process of negotiations likely to lead to a comprehensive settlement of the conflict in that area and to bringing about a just and lasting peace in that strife-torn part of the world. This has in large measure contributed to the worsening of the international political climate. At the same time, the serious situation in Lebanon resulting first and foremost from military intervention, the retention of troops by Israel on that country's territory and the escalation of confrontation in Lebanon has brought a powerfully negative influence to bear.

One may quite rightly assert that the turn of events for the worse in the Middle East once again shows very clearly that the only path towards resolving the problems afflicting that region is that of a political solution, dialogue and direct negotiations, however difficult they may be.

The situation as it has evolved has driven home still more forcefully the reality that it is the question of the Palestinian people which constitutes the central issue and that failing its settlement a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the area cannot be brought about. This requires Israel's withdrawal from the Arab territories occupied as a result of the 1967 war, the settlement of the question of the Palestinian people, while ensuring their right to self-determination and to the establishment of their own independent State, and guaranteeing the independence and the sovereignty of all States in that part of the world.

I should like to take this opportunity to emphasize in particular my conviction that the comprehensive solution of the problem of the Palestinian people – recognition of and respect for its inalienable rights – must lead to the realization of its deep aspirations: namely, the establishment of its own independent State, where it can concentrate its efforts for development, progress and well-being. In the Middle East there is room both for n independent Palestinian State and for the State of Israel. They must, in the end, arrive at relations based on peaceful coexistence and good-neighbourliness which is fully in keeping with the interests of both peoples, of other peoples in the area and of peace and security throughout the world.

In order to achieve this fundamental goal for peace in the area, I believe it is imperative to step up political and diplomatic efforts, including within the United Nations, to bring about the convening of an international conference under the aegis and with the active participation of the Organization, in which all parties concerned would take part, including the Palestine Liberation Organization, the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, along with the Soviet Union, the United States of America and other countries, which can make a positive contribution to settling the Middle East conflict.

In the spirit of the relations of militant solidarity and close friendship linking the Romanian and the Palestinian peoples, I express my conviction that, through sustained efforts, the dissension that has surfaced lately within the Al-Fatah organization and the Palestinian movement in general will be overcome very shortly and resolved by the Palestinians themselves through talks in keeping with the overriding interests of the Palestinian people.

In the present international circumstances, the unity of the Palestine Liberation Organization, led by the Chairman of its Executive Committee, Yasser Arafat, represents a vital necessity for ensuring the rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination, and the creation of their own independent State in order to bring peace to the region and throughout the world.

By the same token, I feel that, in the interest of bringing about a comprehensive settlement of the situation in the Middle East, it is necessary to bring about urgently the unconditional withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon and to implement a broad-based reconciliation amongst the political and social forces in Lebanon in order to ensure the independence, sovereignty, national unity and territorial integrity of that country.

On the occasion of the commemoration this year of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, I should like to stress that the Socialist Republic of Romania and the Romanian people will continue to make the fullest contribution to efforts aimed at lasting and just solutions of the Middle East question, bringing about a comprehensive peace in that part of the world, making a reality of the legitimate national rights of the friendly Palestinian people, under the leadership of the PLO, to self-determination and the establishment of their own State.

At the same time, I express the conviction that, just as the United Nations can and must play an ever-more active role in efforts to resolve the Middle East conflict, the question of the Palestinian people and, in general, by political means to defuse and resolve all situations of tension and conflict between States in order to halt the worsening of the international situation, which has been aggravated over the last several days by the start of delivery and deployment in Europe of new intermediate-range missiles, it can and must also act more forcefully to achieve the triumph of the overall policy of peace, security, disarmament, co-operation and respect for the national independence of all peoples the world over.

SAUDI ARABIA

I wish to express to Your Excellency the deep appreciation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the constructive role that this Committee is playing under your Chairmanship and for the sincere efforts of all its dedicated members in supporting the rights of the Palestinian people. I also take this opportunity to reaffirm the Saudi Arabian people's firm determination wholeheartedly to support the Palestinian people in regaining their legitimate rights, including the right to return to their homeland, the right to self-determination and to the establishment of a State of their own on their national soil.

The world is commemorating the international Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People when that people is living under circumstances that could, at the very least, be described as inhuman. The Palestinian people are exposed to the ugliest manifestations of persecution and oppression by the Zionist entity, which is supported by a world super-Power. That super-Power is called upon to fulfil the aspirations of the lesser developed countries by promoting justice and equality among nations, in order to be consistent with the principles which it claims form the basis of its international relations.

Moreover, it is most regrettable that the United Nations has until now been unable to implement the just resolutions adopted by the overwhelming consensus of the international community for the purpose of eliminating the widespread injustice and oppression that continues to be meted out by the Zionist entity against the Palestinian people. Such implementation would take the form of granting the Palestinian people the most basic right enjoyed by all other peoples of the world, namely, the right to live in an independent State in their own homeland. The fundamental features of that homeland are now calculatedly being obliterated by the Zionist entity in favour of an ugly new phase through confiscation of the historic land of the Palestinians and the establishment of settlements for Jewish immigrants brought to Israel from all corners of the world to replace the original owners of the land.

The international community is required today to put an end to the ever more aggressive and brutal Zionist practices. Those practices have been evidenced most recently in the genocidal war waged by the Israeli army on Lebanese soil, where Lebanese and Palestinian women and children and the elderly were killed and where the army indiscriminately destroyed civilian neighbourhoods and institutions, establishing some of the most horrendous detention camps known to history. In so doing, in defiance of the numerous appeals for an end to this ongoing human tragedy, the Zionists have gone beyond conceit and arrogance.

This persistence of the Israeli entity in intensifying its aggressive practices designed to carry out its expansionist ambitions and to concentrate its growing colonial settlements on Arab lands and Islamic holy places inevitably sets international peace and security, on a very precarious course.

Therefore, it is the duty of the international community to strengthen its solidarity with the Palestinian people, to defuse Israel's expansionist and aggressive designs and to address Israel's persistent defiance of the expressed will of the international community and of all human values.

Here I wish to make it clear that Saudi Arabia is convinced that a comprehensive and just peace in the Middle East, to which all Arab countries aspire and which is supported by all peace-loving countries in the world, cannot be achieved without Israel's withdrawal from all the territories it has forcibly occupied, including Jerusalem, and without the Palestinian people enjoying the right to self-determination and sovereignty in their own State.

The Arab States and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, have both reiterated their desire to reach a just and honourable solution to the Palestinian problem. This was demonstrated by the clear positions of the Arabs formulated in the Arab peace proposal adopted by the Twelfth Arab Summit Conference of States, held in Fez in September 1982. That proposal is based on United Nations resolutions and on international law. The Arab nations had hoped that that proposal would open up a new horizon for more effective action by the international community within the framework of international law and would at least ensure the return of Al-Quds and the occupied Palestinian and Arab territories.

May I also take this opportunity to express the gratitude and appreciation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the increasing support that the Palestinian people, legitimately represented by the PLO, are receiving from friendly States in all fields of United Nations activities. I hope this International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People will be an occasion for peace-loving nations and States to demonstrate their solidarity in order to enable all peoples subjected to foreign domination to exercise their rights to self-determination, freedom and independence, in accordance with the United Nations Charter.

SENEGAL

H.E. Mr. Abdou Diouf, President of Senegal

As it has in previous years on 29 November the international community is observing the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. For 35 years that brother people have known exile, persecution and oppression and their inalienable rights to return to their homeland, to self-determination and independence, continue to be denied them. Senegal, which has always supported the legitimate cause of the Palestinian people, remains firmly convinced that, so long as justice does not prevail for that martyred people, it will be impossible to find a lasting and just solution to the Middle East crisis.

Justice means, first of all, recognition of the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), and recognition of its right to participate fully in all, negotiations and talks aimed at finding a solution to the Palestinian question. It also presupposes that the international community will embark without delay upon the implementation of the relevant conclusions adopted at the International Conference on the Question of Palestine held recently at Geneva.

The recent events in Lebanon make it incumbent upon all of us urgently to commit ourselves to intensifying our efforts in the search for a settlement in accordance with the relevant principles of the United Nations. For our part, we remain determined to spare no effort in contributing to the realization of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people as formulated by this Committee, to which we should like to pay a tribute for the serious and useful work it has performed since its creation. The Government and people of Senegal, and I personally, urge you to persevere in your efforts and assure you of our full co-operation.

To the brother people of Palestine and to their legitimate representative, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), we wish full success in their struggle for independence and freedom.

SRI LANKA

H.E. Mr. J.R. Jayewardene, President of Sri Lanka

The International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People offers to the international community an opportunity to rededicate itself to the task of working for the restoration of the rights of the Palestinian people. The decision of the United Nations General Assembly.to set apart such a day for the expression of solidarity with the Palestinian people is a reflection of the feelings of a great majority of those who support the just cause of the Palestinian people for their rightful homeland.

The Palestinian people had but brief respite from the horrors and brutality of those unjust forces, which denied to them their basic right to return to their homeland. Indeed, the call for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East is for a restoration to the Palestinian people of their inalienable rights, including the right to self-determination and return to their homeland. Today, this question remains as urgent as ever, demanding an early and acceptable solution.

My Government and the people of my country share the outrage and horror of the world community at the continued repression of the Palestinian people. Our solidarity with their cause remains as firm as ever.

SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC

H.E. Mr. Hafez Al-Assad, President of the Syrian Arab Republic

I have the pleasure, on behalf of the Syrian Arab people and on my own behalf, to extend our congratulations to the Special Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People on its commemoration of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.

The Palestinian question has a long record in this international Organization. This record proves that since its inception Israel has been linked with usurpation, aggression and expansion with regard to the Arab territories, has been characterized by its challenge of international public opinion, the flouting of United Nations resolutions and the unleashing of a lengthy series of barbaric acts of aggression against the Arab States and has bluntly stated its expansionist designs. The most recent examples of Israel's policy were its declarations of annexation of Jerusalem and the Golan Heights and its invasion of Lebanon, which was accompanied by death and destruction, and other attempts to undermine Lebanon's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity through an agreement which the United States of America and Israel sought to impose on Lebanon.

Israel bears full responsibility for the plight of the Arab Palestinian people and for the expulsion of millions of Arabs from their homes in Palestine, the Golan Heights and Lebanon. In addition, it practices a racist policy, in all its forms, against the Arab citizens in the occupied Arab territories. By the sum total of its practices it has thus created an explosive situation in the region with serious repercussions for peace and security in the world. Israel would not be able to continue its aggressive and expansionist policies and to flout international public opinion, violating resolutions of the international Organization, without the support of world imperialism, led by the united States of America, which has encouraged Israel and supported it in various ways.

It is recognized that the Palestinian question is at the core of the conflict in our region; it is the cause of the whole Arab nation, and, hence, our cause in Syria and the focal point of our struggle. Therefore, our relationship with the Palestinian cause goes deeper than that of mere solidarity, for it is a relationship with a common cause and destiny owing to the national links that bind us to the Arab Palestinian people and because Israel's ambitions are not limited to the borders of Palestine but extend beyond to other parts of the Arab nation on which Israel envisages creating a Greater Israel extending from the Nile to the Euphrates, as was proclaimed by the Zionist leaders.

We in Syria are determined to continue our struggle in support of the Palestinian cause, since it is based on principle and justice and is the central cause of the Arab nation.

I wish to reiterate our congratulations to your Committee and to wish you all success in your endeavours, in the hope that your Committee's meetings will add to the support for the rights of the Palestinian people and contribute to achieving the just peace to which we all aspire and work towards.

TOGO

H.E. General Gnassingbe Eyadema, Founder of the Rally of the Togolese People and President of the Republic of Togo

At the time when the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People is holding this important and solemn meeting to mark the International Day of Solidarity with the martyr Palestinian people, on behalf of the people of Togo and of its vanguard party, the Rally of the Togolese People and on our own personal behalf we should like to address to the heroic Palestinian people and to their courageous leaders and valiant fighters our best wishes for health and success and to declare our unswerving support for the just cause they are defending. The defence of that cause must continue steadfastly and with a united front. More than ever before, recent events in the region as a whole, and in Lebanon in particular, call for unity of action on a grand scale, so that with all the parties concerned the search for a just and lasting peace, which presupposes the settlement of the Palestinian problem, can lead to a positive outcome satisfactory to all. We remain absolutely convinced that there can be no lasting peace in the Middle East so long as all the true parties to the conflict are not involved in negotiations on the basis of mutual recognition and a guarantee of peaceful coexistence as neighbouring peoples fated to live together. The Palestinian people too have the right to life and to existence on a territory of its own, having freely chosen its destiny.

TUNISIA

H.E. Mr. Habib Bourguiba, President of Tunisia

As is my wont each year, I am addressing you a message on the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.

I had hoped that the situation in the Middle East might by now have progressed to a stage of greater detente, since the peace overtures we have been witnessing during the past few years seemed to justify such hopes. The present-day situation, however, is by no means what we had expected. In spite of a determined desire for peace, as expressed by the Arabs and Palestinians in the First Plan, we observe further complexities and ramifications in the Middle East conflict.

The Palestinian revolution, which has time and again confirmed the readiness of the Palestinian people for a peaceful settlement, is now going through a critical period which might be conducive to changing its approach. Unfortunately, the international community has not been directly involved in the events and has not expressed any real interest in the core of the problem.

These serious and painful changes at this very time are the natural result of the intransigent and inflexible position of Israel vis-à-vis the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and the will for peace in the region. This has been clearly demonstrated by Israel's perpetuation of its settlements policy in occupied Arab territories, on the one hand, and its continued occupation of southern Lebanon and undermining of Lebanese unity, on the other.

Following the painful events in Lebanon in 1982, we expected the world to take a firm position – since it is responsible for the Palestinian tragedy – with regard to these Israeli policies and continue assisting the Palestinian people to achieving its legitimate rights.

However, the world has refrained from saying anything with regard to the Zionists, who since 1948 have continued to foment wars to divert the world's attention from the core of the problem and the dispute. Therefore the Palestinian cause, even though its solution was at hand, returned to the shadows and the Palestinian people found themselves the victim of further repression by Israel and continued lack of interest on the part of the international community.

The time has come for the international community to take cognizance of the fact that the Palestinian generations brought up in refugee camps have lost patience in this tragic situation and will be compelled to defend themselves by resorting to force since peaceful means have been of no avail.

We must recognize that peace in the Middle East would foster the achievement of peace throughout the world and, therefore, peace in that region is our responsibility. This awareness requires that we put aside any circumstantial approach and tackle the problem at its roots. I hope that the Special Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People will intensify its efforts towards achieving this goal, so as to put an end to the Palestinian tragedy and close off all avenues that might lead to the recurrence of such a tragedy in future.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

H.E. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan,

Chief of State of the United Arab Emirates

I should like to address to you personally and to the members of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People our thanks for your efforts in support of the Palestinian people, who are struggling for the attainment of their national aspirations. I should like to express our appreciation for the lofty task you have undertaken in spite of the difficulties and obstacles Israel has placed in the path of its accomplishment.

The choice of 29 November of each year as an International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People reflects the determination of the United Nations to render justice to that people, who have seen their land usurped through the implementation of the imperialist plans that resulted in the establishment of Israel, and the dispersal of the Palestinian people. From 29 November 1947 to this day the Palestinian people have continued to suffer while new immigrants settle daily on their land to usurp whatever is left of it.

The sufferings of the Palestinians are not confined to the usurpation of half their land in 1947 and the dispersal of the majority outside of Palestine, or to the confiscation of their homes and property, or to the confiscation of the remainder of Palestine in 1967 and the expulsion of another part of that people, or to other violations of human rights, including murder, imprisonment and torture, the taking over of water resources and the establishment of Israeli settlements on lands belonging to the Palestinian people. All this has not been enough for Israel: it continues to oppress the refugees in their camps in southern Lebanon and to bombard them in Beirut in order to bring about their total extermination; also, the bloodbaths Israel and its agents have committed in Sabra and Shatila are only another in the vicious series of Israeli terrorist acts that the Palestinian people have suffered since 1948.

We regret in this regard that certain States still object to the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and continue to support Israel militarily and economically, financially and politically. Without such support this aggressive State could not have continued its expansionist and aggressive policies, thus flouting the United Nations resolutions concerning the Palestinian question.

We urge the international community to continue supporting the struggle of the Palestinian people, under the leadership of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), its sole and legitimate representative, until it recovers all of its usurped rights and achieves its national aspirations.

The United Arab Emirates expresses its deep regret with regard to the very trying phase the Palestinian revolution is now experiencing. This revolution was and continues to be cherished by all Arabs and all peace-loving countries of the world. Therefore, we call on all Palestinian parties to refrain from resifting to force in solving problems and to become more responsible. All should rally round the PLO before these differences affect the Palestinian cause. We call upon the Palestinian leadership to work towards settling its problems through open democratic dialogue in order to put the Palestinian cause on the right path to the achievement of its objective in recovering all the rights of the Palestinian people and establishing an independent Palestinian State in Palestine.

In conclusion, I wish to reaffirm that we in the United Arab Emirates will do everything possible in support of the Palestinian people and provide it with all assistance for the recovery of its rights.

VIET NAM

On the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People I wish to convey to you and the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People our warm greetings.

Together with progressive mankind the Vietnamese people warmly welcome the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People and consider it a great source of encouragement for and support to the people who have suffered numerous hardships and sacrifices but are staunchly and valiantly struggling against the occupation of the Zionist Israeli aggressors. I avail myself of the opportunity to reaffirm the consistent and resolute support of the people and the Government of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to the Palestinian people and their sole and legitimate representative, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), in their just and unfailingly victorious struggle for their sacred and inalienable national rights, including the right to self-determination and the right to return home and to establish an independent and sovereign Palestinian State.

At present, while the American imperialists and Israeli aggressors are seeking every means to divide, isolate and weaken the resistance of the Palestinian people, denying the role of the PLO and imposing a solution which runs counter to the interests of the Palestinian and Arab peoples, we consider more than ever before that peace- and justice-loving forces throughout the world should strengthen their solidarity, support and assistance for the struggle of the Palestinian and Arab peoples against the interference and aggression of the American imperialists in the Middle East, for the peace, independence and security of nations in the region and in the world.

Please accept my wishes of good health and the reassurances of my high consideration.

DEMOCRATIC YEMEN

H.E. President Ali Nasser Mohammed, Secretary-General

of the Central Committee and Prime Minister of Democratic Yemen

On the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, I wish to extend to you our thanks and to wish success for the efforts undertaken by the United Nations and world opinion to find a solution to the question of Palestine and the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people.

Israel's flouting of United Nations resolutions pertaining to the question of Palestine and its disregard of the rights of the Palestinian people in practising its aggressive, expansionist policy against the Arab countries resulting in continuous tension in the Middle East have adversely affected peace in the region and in the world.

It is very clear now that peace cannot be maintained without the complete withdrawal of Israel from the occupied Arab territories and without finding a solution to the Palestinian question, which is considered the core of the problem of the Middle East, and recognizing the rights of the Palestinian people to return to their homeland, to self-determination and the establishment of an independent State, under the leadership of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), their sole legitimate representative.

Undoubtedly, the continuation of that arrogant Israeli position, supported by the United States of America and its allies, against the rights of the Palestinian people and Israel's determination to pursue its occupation of Arab territories are conducive to further dangers in the Middle East and widely threaten peace there and in neighbouring regions, especially since Israel has been linked to a series of manoeuvres in the region, examples of which are Israel's invasion of Lebanon, the oppression of the Palestinian and Lebanese peoples by United States and French military forces as part of multinational forces in Lebanon and other aggressive actions carried out against the innocent Lebanese and Palestinian peoples and the neighbouring Arab States.

In its highly important task at this very critical juncture in the Middle East it is incumbent upon the United Nations to continue all efforts to compel Israel to implement United Nations resolutions calling for withdrawal from the occupied Arab territories and recognizing the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, since this is a prerequisite for the establishment of security and stability in the Middle East, enabling all, the States and peoples of that region to live in peace, including the independent Palestinian State.

The Government of Democratic Yemen commends your lofty efforts in this direction and on this International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People reconfirms its intention to maintain its principled position at the side of the Palestinian People, under the leadership of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), to oppose all plans and designs aimed at depriving them of their legitimate rights to return to their homeland and to establish their own independent State.

YEMEN ARAB REPUBLIC

H.E. Mr All Abdallah Salih, President of the Yemen Arab Republic

His Excellency Mr. Massamba Sarré, Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian Peoples

We commend the United Nations for setting aside every year, this International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People to support their just cause, which has been considered as the most important cause of liberation internationally for the past 36 years, and which even today remains a nightmare for all those who strive for justice and peace for mankind as a whole and who are dedicated to self-determination and freedom for peoples still under the yoke of imperialism, colonialism, oppression, exploitation and racism.

The imperialist countries have created this situation of the Palestinian people, causing them to be evicted from their land and denying their rights.

Nevertheless, the United Nations, which truly represents the will of the international community, has not been remiss in assuming its responsibilities with regard to the Palestinian people. This Organization has adopted dozens of resolutions confirming the rights of the Palestinian people, including their legitimate rights to return to their homeland, to self-determination and to the establishment of their own independent State on their homeland.

However, Israel has refused to implement those resolution, challenging the will of the international community with unprecedented arrogance. This makes the achievement of peace in the Middle East a very difficult matter, and it obliges the United Nations to take practical steps to implement its resolutions. Undoubtedly, the Geneva Conference was an important landmark in support of the struggle of the Palestinian people which confirms their inalienable rights. Consequently, the States Members of this Organization should assume their responsibilities and make greater efforts in order to put an end to the continuous Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people and to check the settlement and colonialist policies adopted by Israel in the occupied Arab territories.

While paying a tribute to this worthy gathering, we of the Yemen Arab Republic wish to renew our deep conviction — the validity of which has been proven by events – that a just and durable peace in the Middle East can be achieved only by the withdrawal of Israel from all occupied Arab territories, including Jerusalem, and by allowing the Palestinian people to return to their homes, to exercise their right to self-determination and to establish an independent State on their own soil, under the leadership of their sole legitimate representative, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). I wish also to express our deep appreciation for the efforts you are making, through the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, in the service of the principles of this Organization and of international peace and security.

I convey my heartiest congratulations to you, your staff and all those who are participating sincerely in the struggle of the Palestinian people to enjoy the same freedom, dignity and independence other peoples of the world do, so that peace and security can return to this very critical region of the world.

YUGOSLAVIA

H.E. Mr. Mika Spiljak, President of the Presidency

of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

On the occasion of the Day of International Solidarity with the Palestinian People, I should like to reiterate, on behalf of the Presidency of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Yugoslavia's full solidarity with and support for the just struggle of the Palestinian people under the leadership of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).

Although the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people have been confirmed in numerous resolutions of the General Assembly and the Security Council of the United Nations, as well as at the Summit Conferences and other meetings of non-aligned countries, no resolute action has been taken, and the Palestinian people, and its sole and legitimate representative, the PLO, have been brought into an even more difficult position by the latest developments in the Middle East and Lebanon in particular. The international community cannot acquiesce in the fact that, despite the heroic struggle of the Palestinian people for the realization of its inalienable national rights, it is still exposed to the most brutal acts of colonization, expulsion and even extermination.

The continued aggressive and expansionist policy of Israel is the main cause of the suffering and tribulations of the courageous Palestinian people. Due to such a policy, this region has been turned into the most dangerous focal point of crisis in the world, with far-ranging threats to peace and security not only in the region but also beyond it.

We firmly believe that there can be no Middle East settlement without the realization of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to return to their homes, to self-determination, independence and the establishment of its own national State, without Israel's withdrawal from all Palestinian and Arab territories occupied since dune 1967 and without ensuring the right to independence and safe development of all countries and peoples of the region.

Yugoslavia, along with other non-aligned countries, has always urged that solutions be sought to this and other pressing international problems within the framework of the United Nations. In these trying days for the Palestinian people, it is necessary for the United Nations and the entire international community immediately to intensify their efforts and take every measure to make Israel, once and for all, comply with the decisions of the United Nations General Assembly and the Security Council.

The armed attacks against the PLO forces loyal to their legitimate leadership, causing heavy loss of human life and extensive material destruction, are viewed here in Yugoslavia with deep concern and regret. These attacks are aimed at breaking the PLO and directly weakening the struggle of the Palestinians and all other Arabs for the exercise of their legitimate rights. The current developments are all working in favour of Israel, which is trying to eliminate the PLO as an independent factor militarily and politically and to prevent the strengthening of Arab solidarity and preserve the positions acquired by aggression, expansionism and the policy of faits accomplis.

Therefore, it is necessary that urgent steps be taken without delay, primarily by the Arab countries, with a view to ending the fratricidal conflict, resolving the controversial issues by political means, renewing PLO unity and maintaining its independent and equal position in the solution of the Palestinian question. The current efforts of Yugoslavia and other members of the Committee of eight non-aligned countries on Palestine are being made precisely to that effect. This is yet further testimony that the movement of non-aligned countries is the strongest and broadest bulwark of the struggle for freedom and independence.

Expressing its solidarity with the Palestinian people in these difficult times, the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia will continue to extend its wholehearted support for the just struggle of the Palestinian people for the attainment of full independence and freedom.

ZAMBIA

H.E. Dr. Kenneth D. Kaunda, President of the Republic of Zambia

On behalf of the people of Zambia, the Party and its Government and on my own behalf, I extend to you and, through you, to the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, our warmest felicitations on this International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.

We recognize that the service you are rendering to promote the cause of the Palestinian people is as selfless as it is priceless. We commend you most highly and we have no doubt that your efforts will sooner or later be crowned with success.

Your solemn meeting to commemorate the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People is taking place at a critical time in the history of the Middle East. The situation in the Middle East is more polarized than ever before and its solution remains as elusive as ever. The Middle East remains one of the most explosive areas of the world, precisely due to Israel's intransigence and its policies of aggression, occupation and destabilization against its neighbours and, above all, because of its denial to the Palestinian people of their inalienable right to the principle of self-determination.

The International, Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People evokes a special feeling of camaraderie in Zambia with the Palestinian people, because of the existence of racist South Africa, whose policies of apartheid, aggression, occupation and destabilization of its neighbours can be equalled only to that of Israel. We therefore salute the gallant people of Palestine for waging an indomitable struggle against Israeli policies and practices. We commend them highly for their undaunted bravery in facing the ruthless Israeli military machine, which is committed to the extermination of the Palestinian people. The determination of the people of Palestine to struggle to the bitter end for their inalienable rights has always been a source of admiration and support from the people of Zambia. Consequently, our support for the people of Palestine is an integral part of Zambia's foreign policy.

Zambia attaches great importance to this commemorative occasion, whose import it is to reawaken the international conscience to the ominous plight in Diaspora to the people of Palestine. It is also the import of this occasion to provide a focal point for the meeting of like-minded people to address a common problem so that together they can rally their invaluable support to the tormented people of Palestine. It also serves as a timely reminder of the responsibilities the United Nations has vis-à-vis the resolution of this protracted problem, which has been on the agenda of the United Nations since its inception nearly 40 years ago.

Zambia reiterates its well-known view that the question of Palestine is the core of the Middle East problem and that Israel's policies and practices are the source of the problem. In order to resolve the Palestinian issue conclusively, Israel must recognize the inalienable rights of the Palestinians and withdraw from all Arab territories occupied since 1967. Any other actions short of recognition of the rights of the Palestinian people and the unconditional withdrawal from Arab territories are no more than diversionary manoeuvres by Israel and will not bring about lasting peace in the region.

I reaffirm Zambia's commitment to the Palestinian cause and wish to express our unflinching solidarity with the people of Palestine. We share their aspiration to regain their homeland.

C. Messages from Heads of Government

BANGLADESH

H.E. Lieutenant-General H.M. Ershad, President of the Council of Ministers

of the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh

Today, as the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People is being observed all over the world under the auspices of the United Nations, the Government and the people of Bangladesh once again join with the international community in reiterating full and unswerving support to our Palestinian brethren in their just struggle for independence and the realization of their inalienable and legitimate rights to establish a State of their own in their homeland, under the leadership of the Palestine Liberation Organization, their sole and legitimate representative, with Jerusalem as the capital.

The question of Palestine continues to be the crux of the problem in West Asia. It is a major challenge to the credibility of the international community in its efforts to uphold the principles and objectives enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. No other problem has evoked so much thought, unleashed such a high degree of indignation in recent times as this issue, the tragedy of a dispossessed nation.

The political entity of the Palestinian people and their rights to establish a State of their own in their homeland is an established fact under international law and jurispudence. Ignoring this factor would be to discount a reality recognized by an overwhelming majority of the world's nation-States. The recognition of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination and the establishment of a State of their own must be the fundamental element of any durable, permanent and lasting peace in West Asia.

Bangladesh has always taken keen interest in and endeavoured to uphold the just cause of the Palestinian people in all international forums, especially the United Nations. From the very outset, Bangladesh has actively advocated the establishment of the rights of the Palestinian people as a nation.

I should like to take this opportunity to convey the deep appreciation of the Government and the people of Bangladesh to the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People in projecting their just cause.

BULGARIA

H.E. Mr. Todor Zhivkov, General Secretary of the Central Committee

of the Bulgarian Communist Party and Chairman of the

Council of State of the People's Republic of Bulgaria

On behalf of the Central Committee of the Bulgarian Communist Party and of the Council of State of the People's Republic of Bulgaria, the Bulgarian people and on my own personal behalf, I very sincerely congratulate you and all the fighters of the Palestinian resistance movement and the whole Palestinian people on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.

This year the world progressive and democratic community will observe this Day of Solidarity with the just cause of the fighting people of Palestine at a time of great international tension and complexity, caused by the adventurist and militaristic policy of the United States and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The situation in the Middle East has also worsened as a result of the aggressive militaristic policy of the United States, after it had become Israel's accomplice in its aggression against the Arab States. The United States has become a direct and active participant in that aggression and is already preparing new operations on a wider scale against the progressive national forces in Lebanon, against the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), the Syrian Arab Republic and other Arab countries. The United States is making major efforts to extend its military presence with the aim of imposing its will upon the Arab peoples, including the Arab people of Palestine.

In this serious political and military situation in the Middle East, the primary necessity is to strengthen the unity of all the elements of the Arab liberation movement and effectively to check the designs of imperialism and zionism. An important role in this respect can be played by the Palestinian resistance movement and its political vanguard, the PLO, the sole, legitimate representative of the Arab people of Palestine, whose international prestige has considerably increased in recent years.

We are convinced that in this situation the necessary efforts will be made by all parties concerned with a view to solving the differences that have emerged in recent months within the PLO and that have developed, unfortunately, into fratricidal confrontation, in order to restore unity among all the elements of the Palestinian revolution within the framework of the PLO and to strengthen the latter's unity of action with those Arab States that are firmly opposed to Israeli aggression and with all progressive and anti-imperialist forces in the Arab countries and throughout the world.

We hold in high esteem the valiant struggle of the Arab people of Palestine, together with the other patriotic and progressive forces in the Arab world against the policy of separate deals and the American-Israeli accords directed against the Arab peoples. Our position of principle on the achievement of a just and lasting peace in the Middle East remains unchanged. We wholly support the just cause of the Arab peoples and the legitimate aspiration of the Arab people of Palestine for their own State.

I take this occasion to express our full solidarity with the friendly Arab people of Palestine and to wish their fighting vanguard – the Palestine Liberation Organization – ever greater success in the struggle against imperialism, zionism and reaction for the creation of an independent and democratic free State of Palestine and for the establishment of a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.

CHINA

H.E. Mr. Zhao Ziyang, Premier of the State Council

of the People's Republic of China

On the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, I would like to express, on behalf of the Chinese Government and people, our high respects to the Palestinian people, who are engaged in a heroic struggle to regain their national rights, and sincerely wish them new victories in their just cause.

Over a long time, the indomitable Palestinian people, under the leadership of Chairman Arafat and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), have waged an arduous struggle against the Israeli aggressors and won extensive sympathy and support from the international community. Now, more and more countries and peoples have come to realize that the Palestine question is at the core of the Middle East issue and that, in order to bring about lasting peace and stability in the Middle East region, the Palestinian people must regain their national rights and the aggression and expansion of Israel must be stopped resolutely.

The birth of the Palestine Liberation Organization reflected the unshakeable national will of the Palestinian people for regaining their national rights. The PLO is the internationally recognized sole legal representative of the Palestinian people. The United Nations has long affirmed that the Palestinian people have the inalienable right to self-determination and to establish a State. Organs of the United Nations should discharge their responsibilities and take effective measures for the implementation of United Nations General Assembly resolutions affirming the national rights of the Palestinian people. The Chinese Government and people have unswervingly supported the just struggle of the Palestinian and other Arab peoples for the restoration of national rights and recovery of lost territories. I am convinced that the long-tested Palestinian people under the leadership of the PLO and upholding principles and unity and persevering in struggle, will ultimately overcome the difficulties and obstacles on the road of their advance and realize their noble national goals.

INDIA

H.E. Mrs. Indira Ghandi, Prime Minister of India and

Chairperson of the Non-Aligned Movement

The Seventh Non-Aligned Summit, held in New Delhi in March this year, reaffirmed that the question of Palestine is the core of the West Asian problem. A just peace in the region can be based only on Israel's total and unconditional withdrawal from all occupied territories and the restoration to the people of Palestine of their national rights. India hopes to contribute through the Non-Aligned Committee of Eight on Palestine to finding ways of achieving a just, durable and comprehensive peace in West Asia.

The Palestine Liberation Organization is the sole and legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. In trying times such as these, it is of the utmost importance to undertake all possible efforts to preserve and strengthen the unity and independence of the PLO.

The Non-Aligned Movement fully supports the work of the Palestine Committee. This year, the Committee organized in Geneva a successful International Conference on the Question of Palestine. There is now much greater understanding in the world community of the seriousness and urgency of finding a just solution to this problem.

Ever since the days of India's freedom struggle, we have stood by the Palestinian people. On the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, I salute the brave men and women of Palestine.

We reaffirm our solidarity with them and reiterate our unflinching support for their valiant struggle.

My best wishes to the Palestine Committee for continued success in its endeavours.

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

Head of Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

It is a source of great concern that the year since the last commemoration of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People has been no less traumatic for this long-suffering people than those past.

On this sixth anniversary of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, the international community has an opportunity once again to focus on the struggle of the Palestinian people for their inalienable rights to self-determination and the establishment of their own State and national independence. On this solemn occasion, the Government and people of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago reiterate their solidarity with the Palestinian people and their legitimate representative, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). Trinidad and Tobago also takes this opportunity to commend the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People for its continuing efforts to bring about a just and lasting settlement.

It is our sincere hope that, before long, through peaceful negotiations, the question of Palestine will be resolved and peace and stability will return to the Middle East. We fully concur with the view that a just solution of the question of Palestine is the crucial element in a comprehensive, just and lasting political settlement in the Middle East. In this context, we fully support the call of the Geneva Declaration on Palestine for the convening of an international peace conference on the Middle East under the auspices of the United Nations, with the participation of all parties to the Arab-Israeli conflict, including the PLO, as well as the United States of America, the Soviet Union and other concerned States.

The recent International Conference on the Question of Palestine wisely emphasized the importance of the time factor in achieving a just solution to the problem of Palestine, and Trinidad and Tobago dearly hopes that the Palestinian people will achieve early success in their struggle for their inalienable rights.

D. Messages from Ministers for Foreign Affairs

ARGENTINA

H.E. Mr. Juan Ramón Aguirre Lanari, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Worship

On behalf of the Argentine Government and people I wish to express their support for the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. The Argentine Republic is convinced that the question of Palestine is the root cause of the conflict in the Middle East which for more than 30 years has transformed that region into a centre of world tension, thus endangering international peace and security and inflicting indescribable and unjustifiable suffering on the people of Palestine.

The Argentine Republic, inspired by the example of the Arab and Jewish communities living together in its territory, supports a peaceful, just and lasting solution of the question. Such a solution, which can be achieved only as a result of negotiations among all the interested parties, including the Palestine Liberation Organization, the representative of the Palestinian people, should include the following:

The position of my country with respect to the problem affecting the Palestinian people has remained constant through successive sessions of the General Assembly of the United Nations and was reiterated more recently in several international forums such as the seventh and ninth emergency special. sessions, the meeting of the countries of the Non-Aligned Movement held at Nicosia in 1982, the New Delhi summit meeting of the same Movement, held in March 1983, and the International Conference on the Question of Palestine, held at Geneva in August/September 1983. This position is in line with the resolutions of the Security Council and the General Assembly on the issue and is based on the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.

I sincerely hope that the day is not far off when the Palestinian people will take their rightful place in the international community.

DJIBOUTI

H.E. Mr. Moumin Bahdon Farah,

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Co-operation

The world is observing the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People with much bitterness and concern.

The situation in which the Palestinian revolution finds itself today proves how much these people have sacrificed so that freedom may live on and how deeply these stateless and displaced people are committed to the creation of their own independent State.

It is time for the massacre to stop and it is time for the whole world to be able to reaffirm its solidarity and support for the Palestinian people and for brother Yasser Arafat, the leader of the Palestine Liberation Organization.

The United Nations should assist in the application of all the relevant resolutions concerning this painful problem which continues to exercise the conscience of the world.

Your efforts and representations aimed at peace in the region are becoming vital in the light of the situation.

GREECE

H.E. Mr. Yannis Haralambopoulos, Foreign Minister

On the occasion of the "Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People", the Greek Government and people wish, once more, to reiterate their solidarity with the Palestinian people, their full support of its national aspirations and their deep concern for its suffering.

The last twelve months have been especially critical for the future of the Palestinian movement, as a result of the Israeli aggression but also of the strife in its ranks. All those who feel for the Palestinians can only hope that unity will prevail once again among them, so that they may continue their struggle for independence and statehood.

The Greek Government has repeatedly stated that the Palestinian problem lies at the core of the Arab-Israeli conflict and consequently all efforts should be exerted for its just settlement. Such a settlement should be reached through negotiations between the parties involved, including the P.L.O. which is the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.

The exercise of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people is a prerequisite for peace in the Middle East, which will allow all peoples and States to live securely within internationally recognized borders.

The Greek Government recognizes the valuable contribution of the "Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian Peoples, under your distinguished chairmanship, towards achieving the above aims and expresses the hope that your task will soon be crowned by success.

JAPAN

H.E. Mr. Shintaro Abe, Minister for Foreign Affairs

On the sixth International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, I wish to extend, on behalf of the Government of Japan, cordial greetings to you and to the other members of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People.

The situation in the Middle East, particularly since the Israeli military invasion of Lebanon in June 1982, has become increasingly volatile and more deeply complex. As a result, the Palestinian people are being confronted with ever greater difficulties. Moreover, the dispute within the Palestine Liberation Organization is an extremely unfortunate development for the Palestinian people as a whole. I am deeply concerned about this situation, and I hope that all the parties involved will find, through a process of peaceful negotiation, and from a broad perspective, a path to reconciliation as soon as possible.

The recent developments in the Middle East have further strengthened my conviction that an early settlement of the Middle East peace problem, the core of which is the Palestinian question, is a matter of primary importance. Japan's position on the Middle East situation has been presented in various United Nations and other forums and remains unchanged: (a) a settlement must be sought that is just, lasting and comprehensive; (b) Israeli forces must be withdrawn from the territories occupied in the 1967 war, in accordance with Security Council resolutions 242 and 338; (c) the right to exist of all the States concerned must be respected; (d) a settlement must be sought through negotiations; (e) the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, particularly the right of self-determination, which includes the right to establish an independent State, must be recognized and respected in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations.

I trust that the Palestinian people will come together and transcend their present difficulties in the near future. And it is Japan's sincere hope that the question of Palestine will be resolved through negotiations involving all the parties concerned, including the Palestine Liberation Organization, and that peace and stability will be established as soon as possible in the Middle East.

REPUBLIC OF KOREA

H.E. Mr. Won-Kyung Lee, Minister of Foreign Affairs

On the occasion of observing the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, the Government of the Republic of Korea wishes to join with the international community in expressing solidarity with the people of Palestine in their struggle to attain national independence and to exercise the right to self-determination.

The Government of the Republic of Korea shares the views that a just solution of the question of Palestine, the core of the Middle East problem, is the crucial element in a comprehensive and lasting political settlement in the Middle East, and that the importance of the time factor should be emphasized in achieving this just solution to the problem of Palestine.

It is a grave concern of the world that the situation in the Middle East, particularly in Lebanon, is being exacerbated, posing a threat to international peace and security. Taking into consideration the gravity of the situation, the Government of the Republic of Korea wishes to reaffirm its position on the Middle East question as follows:

1. International disputes should be settled not by force but through peaceful negotiations, and acquisition of territory by force is inadmissible;

2. The Israeli forces should withdraw from the territories occupied since the War of 1967, including Jerusalem;

3. The legitimate rights, including self-determination of the Palestinian people, should be recognized and fully respected.

In commemorating this meaningful day, the Government of the Republic of Korea wishes to call upon the international community to redouble its endeavours to assist materially and morally the Palestinian people to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination. On our part, we remain committed to comply with the relevant resolutions adopted by the United Nations and ready to do whatever we can to help promote the just cause of the Palestinian people.

In an effort to implement its commitment, the Korean Government has thus far contributed $US 900,000 in scholarship for Palestinian students, the total of which will reach $US 1 million in 1984. We have also made annual contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Rear East (UNRWA).

I would like to take this opportunity to pay a high tribute to the Chairman and members of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People for their untiring efforts to bring about a peaceful solution to the question of Palestine.

MALAYSIA

H.E. Mr. Tan Sri Muhammad Ghazali Shafie, Foreign Minister

At the time when the people of Palestine faces the greatest challenge in its history, the Government and people of Malaysia cannot but join the peoples of the world to reaffirm our solidarity with the brave people of Palestine. Their plight is indeed grave. They have endured hardships, gross injustices and sustained and systematic humiliation in their homeland. The tragedy of the people of Palestine is indeed the tragedy of all mankind.

The question of Palestine is of the utmost importance to international peace and stability. A just, comprehensive and durable solution is possible in West Asia, if the dreams and hopes of the people of Palestine are fully recognized by the peoples of the region in particular and the peoples of the world as a whole.

The Geneva Declaration and its Programme of Action is the beginning of the process towards the realization of the hopes and dreams of Palestinians for peace, security, liberty, human dignity, justice and fair play in the context of the restitution of their inalienable rights and their aspirations for an independent nation within the community of nations.

Having long recognized the centrality of the question of Palestine, Malaysia is proud to be able to contribute towards a just, durable and comprehensive solution to the question of Palestine. Malaysia pledges to continue to work with other nations towards the realization of what have been agreed to in Geneva. We believe the objectives are within our reach at the present time. We are confident that by working together with determination and a sense of mission we will carry them through.

On this auspicious occasion, the Government and people of Malaysia pledge once again our continuing support to the leadership of the PLO in their just struggle. We wish them success.

OMAN

H.E. Mr. Yusuf al-Alawi Abd Allah,

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs

We celebrate today the annual observance of solidarity with the Palestinian people while hoping that the world will record on this occasion, and every year, a tangible improvement in the situation of this people. Reality, however, is the complete antithesis of that, the situation of this people becoming worse year after year. The entire world realizes that Israel, with its expansionist settlement policy, its persistent refusal to implement the decisions of the international community promulgated by the United Nations and other international forums, its violation of international law and custom and its contempt for international public opinion, has been and continues to be the main cause of the plight of the Palestinian people and of the persistent and dangerous tension in the Middle East region.

While Israel perhaps believes that such a policy will lead to the imposition of faits accomplis, will break the determination of the Palestinian people to exercise its legitimate and inalienable rights, relegate its cause to the realm of despair and bury it beneath the dust of history, the Palestinian people has proved the opposite to be the case. The solidarity and support that it enjoys from the international community increases continually and the observance of this occasion today is an embodiment of that backing.

It gives us pleasure on this exalted occasion to reiterate our support for and our solidarity with the fraternal Palestinian people in its struggle to retrieve its inalienable rights to self-determination and the establishment of its own State in its own territory.

Today, more than any time in the past, the international community is called upon to induce Israel to put an end to its hostile policy, one which has led not only to the expulsion of an entire people from its homeland but to its pursuit wherever it might be and to the murder of civilians – women, old people and children – whether in the West Bank or in Lebanon. We believe that the international community must assume responsibility for deterring Israel from such criminal acts and for ensuring the exercise by the Palestinian people of its legitimate and inalienable rights.

We also believe that any settlement of the Middle East problem must be reached by way of a solution to the question of the Palestinian people. The Fez summit laid down the basic principles which constitute an appropriate framework for resolving the tragedy of the Palestinian people in the context of a just and peaceful solution for the Middle East. These principles, in all their detail, do not go beyond the principles adopted by the United Nations with regard to the same matter. Without adherence to such principles, a just and lasting peace cannot be established in the Middle East in such manner as to guarantee to the Palestinian people its imprescriptibie rights to self-determination and the establishment of its State on the soil of its homeland.

TURKEY

H.E. Mr. Ilter Türkmen, Minister of Foreign Affairs

On the occasion of the sixth anniversary of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, I would like to reiterate the support of my country of the just Palestinian cause and our solidarity with the Palestinian people. I should hereby reaffirm that Turkey always regards the Palestinian problem as the core of the Middle East question and therefore believes that recognition and restoration of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to establish their own State and the evacuation of all Arab territories under Israeli occupation are essential prerequisites for the achievement of a just, comprehensive and lasting solution on the Middle East question.

Unfortunately, an important setback to the attainment of the Palestinian cause has been developing as a result of recent events that reached tragic dimensions. The fightings which take place in and around Tripoli and North Lebanon cause not only widespread suffering and heavy loss of human lives among the warring factions and the civilians in the region, but also seriously harm and weaken the unity and solidarity which are essential for the Palestinian cause.

I sincerely hope that the disputes between Palestinians would be solved through peaceful means without outside intervention.

I am, furthermore, confident that the Palestine Liberation Organization which has been successfully leading the Palestinian cause for years and which has the support of the international community will preserve its strength and unity.

Consistent with the support we have been giving to the PLO and the Palestinian cause, we will continue to support wholeheartedly the just cause of Palestinians in all international forums and to take part as an active member in the work of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People.

On this occasion, I would like to convey my support and best wishes to our Palestinian brothers for a speedy realization of their objective in their just cause.

E. Messages from Governments

NICARAGUA

H.E. Mr. Julio E. Icaza Gallard,

Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations

On behalf of the people and the Government of Nicaragua, the Governing Junta of National Reconstruction, on the occasion of the observance of the International. Day of Solidarity with the heroic Palestinian People, would like to address to the Palestinian people and its sole, legitimate representative, the Palestine Liberation Organization, its most fraternal salute and to reaffirm its resolute support during a time when the common enemy of all peoples and its unconditional ally, zionism, are relentlessly waging war against the Arab nations and the Palestinian people, striving at all costs to prevent the establishment of an independent, non-aligned Palestinian State on its own national Palestinian territory.

The international community views with grave alarm the constant worsening of the situation in the Middle East. In this regard, what becomes urgent and indeed a matter of the utmost priority is to step up efforts for the speedy achievement of a just, comprehensive and lasting solution of this problem, in consonance with relevant United Nations resolutions, thus making it possible for the Palestinian people fully to exercise its inalienable national rights and to live peacefully in fellowship with all States in that part of the world.

The intransigent stance of the United States and Israel has been the major obstacle on the path towards peace in the Middle East, inasmuch as the question of Palestine is the crux of the essential element of the crisis in that region. It is not by denying to the Palestinian people its inalienable right that peace will be won. It is not by denying to that people the right to return to its homeland, to self-determination and the establishment of an independent Palestinian State that a contribution can be made to a just, comprehensive and lasting settlement of this question.  The Nicaraguan people's solidarity with the Arab nation has always been at the forefront of the policies of the Sandinista Revolution ever since December 1979.

We reiterate our unconditional support for the Palestinian people and for their sole, legitimate representative, the Palestine Liberation Organization, to which we should like to express our most profound recognition for its tireless efforts towards restoring to itself the exercise of the inalienable rights of its people.

UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLICS

H.E. Mr. Oleg Aleksandrovich Troyanovsky,

Permanent Representative to the United Nations

On the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, we address to the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and to the Palestinian people our heartfelt congratulations and our wishes of success in their struggle for the achievement of the inalienable right of the Arab people of Palestine to the creation of their own independent State.

The PLO stands in the forefront of that struggle. It has acquired international recognition and respect as the sole, legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. An indispensable condition for the success of the Palestinian resistance movement in its just and courageous struggle is the achievement of unity and cohesion of all the elements of the movement and close co-operation of the PLO with the Arab countries, first and foremost those in the forefront of resistance to the aggressive expansionist designs of the United States of America and Israel on the Middle East.

Indeed, we observe with concern that the situation at present leaves a great deal to be desired in this respect. Basing itself on positions of principle, the Soviet Union will continue to give its support to the friendly Palestinian people and to other Arab nations in the defence of their legitimate rights and in the struggle for the restoration of a just and stable peace in the Middle East.

F.  Statements by Regional Groups at the United Nations

Group of African States

H.E. Mr. Abdul G. Koroma

Permanent Representative of Sierra Leone to the United Nations

On this International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, allow me on behalf of the African Group of States at the United Nations to pay a warm tribute to the Palestinian People who over the past decades have been valiantly struggling for the realization of their inalienable right to self-determination and independence.

African Heads of State, convinced that it is the inalienable right of all peoples to control their own destiny, immediately after the attainment of our independence resolved that the question of Palestine constituted both an Arab and an African issue. Therefore, the African Group of States at the United Nations has always demonstrated its unstinted solidarity with its Palestinian brethren in their just struggle to regain their independence.

At the recently concluded nineteenth summit meeting of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity, the African leaders – conscious of the seriousness of the present situation resulting from the continued occupation of Palestinian and Arab territories by Israel, its refusal to respect the resolutions of the General Assembly and the Security Council, its firm determination to establish settlements in the occupied territories, especially in Jerusalem, thus altering the geographic, demographic, cultural and social characteristics of Palestine reiterated their unwavering support for the people of Palestine, led by the Palestine Liberation Organization, their sole legitimate representative, and reaffirmed the right of the people of Palestine to continue their struggle under all political and military forms and to use all means to liberate their occupied territory and to recover their inalienable national rights, particularly the right to return to their homeland, the right to self-determination and the right to establish an independent State in their territory.

It is against this background that the African Group at the United Nations has strongly condemned any initiatives and measures which do not take into account the aspirations of the people of Palestine. The African Group has also condemned the expansionist policy pursued by Israel, aimed at expropriating Palestinian and Arab territories, and the mass or individual extermination of Palestinian people and their leaders with a view to forcing the Palestinians to emigrate and to modify the demographic characteristics of their territory.

The African Group is therefore convinced that the time has come for the international community to put an end to this situation. The nineteenth summit meeting of Heads of State and Government called upon Israel to comply forthwith with the pertinent resolutions adopted by the General Assembly on the Palestinian question and called upon the Security Council to implement the recommendation which had long ago been initiated by the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People.

African Heads of State and Government also commended the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People for its efforts aimed at restoring the rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination and independence, including the establishment of a State of their own in Palestine.

I take this opportunity to pay a tribute to the Special Committee and to you, Ambassador Sarré of Senegal, for your indomitable leadership of the Committee.

Over the years the African Group has noted the increasing collusion between Israel and the racist régime of South Africa. The African Heads of State and Government have time and again called upon all Member States of the United Nations as well as the international community as a whole to intensify their efforts to face this danger which poses a threat to the peace and security both of Africa and the Middle East.

As I stated earlier, the people of the African continent, who have themselves endured the agony and anguish of alien domination, completely identify themselves with the struggle of the Palestinian people for freedom and independence. We are confident that, notwithstanding the vicissitudes that have befallen them in recent days, in this their long march to freedom they will remain united and steadfast. Their cause its bound to triumph because it is a just one.

Group of Arab States

H.E. Mr. Abdel-Rahman Abdalla,

Permanent Representative of Sudan to the United Nations

Every year on the same day the international community demonstrates its solidarity with the Palestinian people, that valiant and heroic people, and shows its support for its struggle, which will be victorious, to recover its territory, taken by the Zionist aggressor, and its legitimate rights. The United Nations resolution relating to the proclamation of 29 November as the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People is an irrefutable, eloquent statement of the importance of the Palestinian cause to the international community, and it testifies to the growing international support for the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, and the building of an independent State on its national soil.

As we commemorate this day, that people continues to suffer. It has not yet recovered its legitimate rights, and this is justly a source of concern for the international community. The Palestinian people, under the leadership of its sole, legitimate representative, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), is continually making new sacrifices to achieve the objectives that it has sought for more than 30 years.

Ever since the expulsion of that people, the problem of Palestine has been a volcano threatening to erupt at any moment. It gravely threatens the peace and security of the Middle East and of the whole world. From the beginning this cause has been a major concern of the Arab nation and a historic challenge to it.

For a long time now the Palestinian people has been suffering tribulations, and these are a top priority for the international community, which on several occasions has affirmed that the problem of Palestine is at the very heart of the Middle East problem, and that a just, lasting solution is one of the most urgent of issues if we want that region to know peace and stability.

This commemoration of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People comes at a time when many truths are being generally acknowledged. First, this cause has remained intact, despite Israeli attempts to detract from it and to devalue its principles. The Palestinian people has given evidence of the integrity and rightness of its cause, and the world has repeatedly, unequivocally and clearly protested against and opposed Israeli practices springing from Israel's racist ideology, aggression and expansion.

The racist entity of Israel has for years persistently tried to deprive the Palestinian people of its legitimate being, its individuality, and by the same token it has turned its back on the principles and resolutions of the United Nations in carrying out its policy, which has now become a declared policy of expansion by force of arms. The world has not forgotten Israel's repeated crimes against the Palestinian people, nor has it forgotten Israel's grabbing territories' resources and deporting indigenous populations. These crimes have taken on new dimensions with Israel's bombing of Iraqi nuclear installations, the annexation of the Golan Heights and the bombing of Lebanon. All this and the ensuing massacres are attempts to annex the territory and overcome the legitimate opposition of its inhabitants.

Israel's wanton destruction of buildings in the region, its attempts physically to destroy the Arabic nature of the region and its declarations that Jerusalem is its historic capital should be well-remembered here in the context of the Zionists' refusal to comply with international law and legal instruments. Israel thus defies the international community, and by the same token is trying to jeopardize the credibility of the United Nations. It has not been possible to dissuade Israel from continuing this policy, and this has resulted in new suffering for the Palestinian people.

The international community reaffirms its solidarity with the Palestinian people and also reaffirms that Israel's megalomaniacal dreams are the main threat to the Middle East. Israel's lack of respect for the will of the international community constantly runs the risk of bringing about a deterioration of the situation in the Middle East.

During the International Conference on the Question of Palestine, held recently in Geneva, the international community affirmed that a just, lasting peace in the Middle East can be achieved only through the total, unconditional withdrawal by Israel from all the Arab territories, occupied since 1967, including the Holy City of Jerusalem, and Israel's recognition of the rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination and to return to its homeland and build its own independent State on its national soil, under the leadership of its sole legitimate representative, the PLO. Those principles are immutable. Their implementation is vital for the realization of the rights of the Palestinian people and, God willing, its ultimate victory.

I cannot end without thanking the representatives of the Arab nation in the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People and the Committee itself for having organized this International Day. We also thank all those participating in this event. We hope that every possible effort will be made to enable the Palestinian people to exercise its right to self-determination and that this commemoration will mark a turning-point in the direction of the realization of the aspirations of the Palestinian people.

Group of Asian States

H.E. Mr. Birabhongse Kasemsri,

Permanent Representative of Thailand to the United Nations

On behalf of the Group of Asian States and on my own behalf as current Chairman of the Asian Group I should like to express our deep appreciation to you, Mr. Chairman, as well as to the other members of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People for giving me this opportunity to speak at this special event.

Today's meeting to commemorate the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People enables us to review the abject plight of the Palestinian people. On this solemn occasion we should remind ourselves that a just and lasting solution to the problem facing these people is one of utmost urgency if we are to prevent further bloodshed and suffering. Moreover, we are all aware that until this problem is solved the Middle East conflict is bound to remain a burning issue with all its dangerous implications for international peace and security.

For more than three decades the United Nations has devoted a great deal of energy to the effort of arriving at a peaceful and lasting settlement of the question of Palestine. Several resolution have been adopted by both the Security Council and the General Assembly which still provide the key to such a solution. Nevertheless, little tangible progress is being made. The situation in the Middle East, of which the Palestine question constitutes the central problem, continues to take a heavy toll of human lives, and new outbreaks of violence occur all too frequently. The tragedy of the Palestinian people persists with the continued denial of their inalienable rights by Israel, in particular their rights to self-determination and to return to their homes and property. Helpless refugees who huddle in makeshift encampments are made victims of events beyond their control and have suffered from brutal attacks and massacres. The unjust treatment of the Palestinian people in the occupied territories and elsewhere at the hands of the occupying Power violates their fundamental human rights.

Thus the painful plight of the Palestinians remains central to the Middle East problem, and a just and lasting peace in the region must be based on the application of the basic principles related to this issue. The fundamental principle of the inadmissibility of the acquisition of foreign territory by force, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territories occupied since 1967, the legitimate right of the people of Palestine to self-determination and the right of all States in the region to live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries are but some of the essential elements of which the international community is overwhelmingly in favour.

At the same time the Israeli policy and practice of establishing settlements in the Arab and Palestinian territories occupied since 1967 have been deeply deplored by the rest of the world. Thus we urge all parties concerned to exert every possible effort to ensure the strict adherence to and respect of these basic rights and principles, and we demand, in particular, that Israel comply with the relevant United Nations resolutions without delay, which will certainly bring us nearer to a solution in the Middle East and contribute to international peace and security in general.

In this connection it is necessary that the Palestine Liberation Organization, which is recognized by the General Assembly as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, participate in all negotiations leading to a just and durable solution to the question of Palestine.

In concluding we should like to express our grateful thanks to you, Mr. Chairman, and to the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, as well as to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the Secretary-General of the International Conference on the Question of Palestine, the various United Nations bodies and agencies and others, for the invaluable contribution to the humanitarian relief and to the reaffirmation of the rights of the Palestinian people. The Committee in particular has worked untiringly on behalf of Palestinian rights. It has played and is playing an important role despite the difficulties involved in ensuring that the rights of the Palestinian people are not forgotten and will, sooner than later, be fully exercised in accordance with the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and the relevant United Nations resolutions.

Group of Eastern European States

H.E. Mr. Bronislav Kulawiec, Deputy Permanent Representative the United Nations

I am pleased and honoured to speak on the occasion of the already traditional International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People as Chairman of the Group of Eastern European States for the month of November and on behalf of some members of that Group.

The dramatic and deeply tragic events of the past year have again confirmed that the unfortunate fate of the Palestinian people remains a stigma marking the conscience of all those who are responsible for its new, ever more tragic chapters. This year the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People is held in a situation that is even more complex and alarming. The causes of this undesirable development are not new and are well known. The political course and the practical steps of the present United States Administration and of the Government of Israel continue to be the main source of complications in the constantly deteriorating condition in the Middle East and the decisive obstacles in the way of a just settlement of the Palestinian question. On the basis of their strategic alliance those Governments persist in their aggressive imperialist policies. They continue to hold in contempt all the norms of international law and with cynical arrogance to ignore the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and trample upon the basic ideals of this Organization of which they are Members.

The manifestations of racial and cultural superiority manifested by the short-sighted policy of the leading circles of Israel not only bring the problem to a deadlock but are also very dangerous for the people of Israel themselves. The States of the Eastern European Group emphatically reject Israel's so-called final solution of the Palestinian question, which counts among other things a variant of the systematic extermination of the Palestinian people. The international community of the United Nations and all the sound forces of the world must therefore intensify their efforts and compel Israel to respect law and the principles of justice. If the international community as a whole, each individual Government and, last bit not least, the United Nations itself wish to stand their ground in the court of history, they must never allow the names of Sabra and Shatila to be forgotten or the acts of injustice committed daily against the Palestinian people to be passed over in silence. Nor can one lose sight of the fact that the unresolved question of Palestine is a primary source of the ever more explosive situation in the Middle East which poses a direct threat to world peace and has negative impact on the overall development of international relations. These are the poisoned fruits of the policies of the United States and Israel.

As has been shown by all developments so far, the attempts at a partial and unprincipled solution of the question of Palestine, such as the step-by-step Kissinger policy, of the Camp David agreements or the Reagan plan, play into the hands of the Israeli expansionists, aggravate the situation in the Middle East and leave the Palestinian people in an impasse. Recent events in Lebanon offer additional proof of that. The posture of those who speak of establishing peace in the Middle East while at the same time stubbornly rejecting any consistent and just solution of the question of Palestine is nothing but an endeavour to perpetuate an historical injustice and satisfy their own imperialist interests. The policies of the United States and Israel must be viewed in precisely these terms.

The position of the Eastern European Group of States proceeds from the basic political premises that were unequivocally formulated in the political declaration adopted at the session of the Political Consultative Committee of the Warsaw Treaty last January. These countries are convinced that there is no problem in the world that could not be resolved by peaceful means and in a way that meets the natural and legitimate interests of all parties involved. This of course requires that everybody recognizes and respects the legitimate interests and rights of others, that no Power arrogates to itself the right to declare large regions of the world as a sphere of its "strategic interests" and that it does not seek to impose solutions that suit only its own interests. Precisely such attempts, however, are repeatedly made with regard to the solution of the question of Palestine.

The road to a just and lasting settlement of the question of Palestine and the restoration of peace in the Middle East that is inseparably connected with it requires a sincere and collective effort by all interested parties. The fundamental prerequisite of such a settlement is the immediate cessation of all acts of aggression, the unconditional withdrawal of Israeli troops from all occupied Arab territories and the genuine implementation of the inalienable national rights of the Arab Palestinian people, including its right to the establishment of its own independent State; and an indispensable part of any such settlement must be the reaffirmation of the right of all States in the region to a secure existence.

These basic principles for the settlement of the Palestinian question are today recognized by the overwhelming majority of States, and therefore their practical implementation appears as a logical necessity. Important proposals in this respect are contained, first of all, in the Arab peace plan adopted at the Twelfth Summit Conference of the Arab countries, held in Fez on 12 September 1982. A similar course was taken also in the Soviet proposal for the settlement of the crisis in the Middle East submitted on 15 September 1982.  Realistic and constructive proposals were also made this year by the International Conference on Palestine in Geneva. The States of the Eastern European Regional Group are of the view that the solution of the question of Palestine and an overall settlement in the Middle East require the earliest possible convening of an authoritative international conference held with the participation of all interested parties, including the Palestine Liberation Organization as the sole legitimate representative of the Arab Palestinian people. A useful role may be played by the United Nations.

The States of the Eastern European Regional Group are convinced that the just cause of the Palestinian people will eventually prevail and that the Palestinian people will be able to manage its own affairs in a State of its own.

G. Statements by United Nations Committees

SPECIAL COMMITTEE AGAINST APARTHEID

Mr. Vladimir Kravets, Vice Chairman

Mr. Chairman, I wish, on behalf of the Special Committee against Apartheid, and on my own behalf, to express thanks to you and to the members of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People for the invitation to participate in this commemoration of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.

The international community has witnessed, in the year which has elapsed since the last solemn meeting, developments culminating in further suffering for the people of Palestine. Such events reaffirm the view of peace-loving peoples all over the world that it is impossible to ensure a comprehensive settlement of the Middle East conflict without resolving its core – the Palestinian question. The long-awaited solution must recognize the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, to return to their homeland and to establish their own independent State in Palestine. This cannot be achieved while the Israeli occupation of Palestinian and other Arab territories is continuing. Furthermore, the establishment of Israeli settlements in those territories is contrary to international law and to numerous resolutions adopted by the United Nations, as well as by regional, global, governmental and non-governmental organizations.

The Israeli Government continues in its attempts to subdue the desire of the Palestinian people to free themselves. Israeli measures have been applied with cruelty and without respect for the human rights of the Palestinian people. Israeli practices have led to loss of life and constant intimidation of the oppressed people of Palestine. There is always racist behaviour in the Israeli handling of this question.

Israel, in denying the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, thought it might overcome the problems through oppression and intimidation inside the occupied territories, as well as by escalating its aggression against Arab States. However, the desire of peoples for freedom cannot be conquered through force and intimidation.

Israel has also been conducting an unjust campaign to defame the United Nations. Israel propaganda machinations, as well as those of its supporters, have utilized every effort to discredit our Organization. The latest example is its malicious attack against the International Conference on the Alliance between South Africa and Israel held in Vienna from 11 to 13 July 1983, which was organized by the Special Committee in co-operation with the Afro-Asian People's Solidarity Organization, the Organization of African Trade Union Unity and the World Peace Council. The Conference, which helped in exposing the seriousness of the collaboration between Israel and South Africa in all fields, particularly in military and nuclear matters, was one of the major projects of the Special Committee this year.

The Special Committee has also submitted a special report to the General Assembly and the Security Council on recent developments concerning relations between Israel and South Africa. That report points out very clearly the seriousness of the alliance between these two régimes. Israeli assistance to South Africa in the military and nuclear fields has become a serious obstacle to the efforts of the United Nations to eradicate apartheid from the continent of Africa.

The threat posed by South Africa's nuclearization is not confined to southern Africa. If not checked, it will engulf this planet. The Chairman of the Special Committee stated before the General Assembly, on 17 November:

Our concern at the collaboration between these two régimes stems from the fact that they constitute an alliance detrimental to the interests of African and Arab peoples. The General Assembly has repeatedly called for the cessation of that diabolical alliance. The Special Committee has submitted several reports on this matter but is faced with the arrogant and contemptuous attitude of Israel.

By recognizing the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as the authentic representative of the Palestinian people, the General Assembly has served the cause of peace and justice in the Middle East. Therefore the international community must once again express its solidarity with the Palestinian people and its sole authentic representative, the Palestine Liberation Organization. The people of Palestine have suffered tremendously for the last 35 years. In the last two decades the PLO has been able to present adequately the case of the Palestinian people at the United Nations and in many international forums. The PLO is the voice of millions of Palestinians inside and outside the occupied Palestinian land. We earnestly hope that it will be able to overcome all the setbacks and continue effectively to represent the Palestinian people and their just cause. The Special Committee has invited the PLO to many of its conferences and meetings. We are looking forward to continued co-operation.

On behalf of the Special Committee, I should like to extend our congratulations to you, Mr. Chairman, and to the other members of the Committee for the excellent manner in which you have conducted the Committee's work. I wish you success in your endeavours and affirm our resolute support for the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people.

SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF 24

H.E. Mr. Abdul G. Koroma, Chairman

Mr. Chairman, on behalf of the Special Committee I wish to thank you and the members of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People for inviting me to participate in this solemn meeting which commemorates the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.

The annual observance of this Day, established by a considered decision of the General Assembly, serves to focus the attention of the international community on the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people and to give the widest possible exposure to the facts relating to those rights. The observance is not only a measure of the international community's deep concern for the Palestinian people but also reflects its recognition that a just solution of the Palestinian problem is of overriding importance. The Palestinian question constitutes the core of the Middle East problem and there can be no solution to that problem without a positive settlement of this issue.

As we are all aware, the situation in the Middle East not only vitally affects the stability of the region but carries a potential threat to the peace and security of the entire world. Despite the gravity of this threat, and despite the tremendous efforts that have been made to find a just and lasting solution to the problem, it continues to be one of the most intractable issues facing the international community.

Nonetheless, the fact that peace in the Middle East has eluded us for so long does not release us from our responsibility to continue our search for a solution. On the contrary, our commitment to this goal must be reinforced with a sense of urgency. The unresolved issue of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people remains a highly explosive one and every effort has to be made to solve this problem on the basis of the Charter and the relevant resolutions of the United Nations.

In the recent past, several steps have been taken in order to contribute to the solution of the problem of Palestine. These have not met with unanimous acceptance, so that whatever has been achieved has invariably fallen far short of our objectives. We should not be discouraged, however, by this lack of progress; indeed, it should serve to inspire us to even greater efforts to achieve a just, secure and lasting peace.

We in the Special Committee on Decolonization attach great significance to the mobilization of international opinion towards the attainment of the objectives of the United Nations on the question of self-determination for all peoples under alien and colonial domination. We are profoundly aware of the power of an alert and informed world public opinion in the struggle against injustice, oppression and alien and colonial domination. It therefore gives me great satisfaction to join in this effort to enlighten and mobilize international opinion on the question of Palestine before such an influential gathering assembled here today.

The situation today remains most critical and explosive as uncertainty, discord and violence continue to prevail in the area. On this important occasion it becomes all the more important therefore that we firmly rededicate ourselves to the promotion of a genuine and lasting settlement of the Middle East conflict. However, as I stated at the outset, the attainment of such an objective will continue to elude us unless the core of the Middle East conflict – namely, the Palestinian question – is resolved. We must therefore work diligently for the realization of that objective and for the creation of all the conditions favourable to a just and lasting peace in the area. These include the realization of the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, the right to establish an independent State and the right of all States in the area to an independent existence, and strict observance of the principle of non-acquisition of territory by force.

This important Day provides us with an opportune occasion to reiterate once again our solemn commitment and determination to extend maximum support to the Palestinian people as a united whole and to associate ourselves with the defence of their noble cause. In this context, and in keeping with the relevant decisions of the General Assembly, it is incumbent on all of us to work closely and to co-operate fully with the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People in the discharge of its important task, to enable the Palestinian people to decide their destiny in accordance with their freely expressed wish and their true aspirations. For only through our collective efforts and through complete implementation of the relevant decisions of the United Nations can the injustice inflicted upon the Palestinian people be corrected.

Before concluding, I should like to acknowledge with appreciation the very important work carried out by the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People under the outstanding and dedicated leadership of Ambassador Sarré of Senegal.

SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE ISRAELI PRACTICES

AFFECTING THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF THE POPULATION OF THE OCCUPIED TERRITORIES

H.E. Mr. Ignatius Fonseka, Chairman

I would like to thank you, Mr. Chairman, for giving me this opportunity to speak on my own behalf and on behalf of the other two members, from Senegal and Yugoslavia, of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Population of the Occupied Territories.

At this very time the Special Political Committee of the General Assembly is examining the latest report of the Special Committee, contained in document A/38/409.

Since its establishment by the General Assembly in 1968, the Special Committee has examined and reported on the human rights situation of the civilian population of the territories occupied by Israel since 1967. I would recall that its mandate is limited to the territories which are still occupied by Israel subsequent to the 1967 hostilities, namely, the West Bank, including Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip and the Golan Heights.

In carrying out its task, the Special Committee has dedicated its efforts once again to providing the General Assembly with a faithful chronology of events in those territories. The Special Committee has spared no efforts to ensure that this chronology is based on information that has been corroborated and stands the test of credibility. The situation reflected in the report shows a continuation of the process of annexation and settlement by Israel in those territories. Today there are over 150 such settlements in the occupied territories. The civilian population continues to resist these and other measures related to the policy of annexation of those territories. Therefore, not a day passes in the occupied territories without an incident involving violence.

The general policy of the Government of Israel is reflected in statements according to which the occupied territories are part of a Jewish homeland, "Eretz Israel", and consequently their annexation is not necessary since they form part of the Israeli "homeland'. In the view of the Special Committee, statements of that nature confirm that the Government of Israel continues to follow a policy aimed at the annexation of those territories, in flagrant violation of its obligations under the Fourth Geneva Convention.

The Israeli authorities have continued to use expulsion as a form of punishment= in addition to that there has emerged another factor which affects the human rights situation of the civilian population of the occupied territories, namely, the death and bloodshed provoked by the activities of Israeli settlers. The presence of tens of thousands of Israeli settlers, all of whom are armed and in practice subject to no authority, in the occupied territories constitutes an unprecedented danger to the human rights situation of the civilian population.

In addition to the civilian population in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and the Golan Heights, we must not forget those civilians who fled those territories as a result of the hostilities and are still being denied the right to return to their homes. They, it must be recalled, include the majority of the Syrian population of the Golan Heights.

As we gather today we must not forget the plight of the civilian population under occupation, for which not a day passes without incident and without its being subjected to measures affecting virtually every single aspect of its life.

As stated in the context of the International Conference on the Question of Palestine, the responsibility of the international community does not in any way diminish even though the past has witnessed little in the way of tangible effort to put an end to the persistent violations of the human rights of the civilian population. Let us express the hope that the international community rises to its obligation to rescue the civilian population from further abuse, for only thus can the cause of peace be served.

UNITED NATIONS COUNCIL FOR NAMIBIA

H.E. M. Mohammed Sahnoun, Vice-President

The United Nations Council for Namibia wishes to express its profound thanks for the kind invitation extended to it by the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People to participate in the observance of the Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.

The Council and its President have long appreciated the dedicated and exemplary leadership and efforts of the Committee in championing the cause of freedom of the oppressed people of Palestine. The Council for Namibia believes that the problems in the Middle East are inextricably bound to the just solution of the question of Palestine and that the lack of a solution to this question will continue to aggravate tension and conflict in the region as well as to endanger international peace and security.

Recent events in the region have proved once more how true this is and how dangerous this situation could become.

The people of Palestine continue to be denied their fundamental and inalienable right to live in freedom, peace and dignity in their own country. They have been uprooted from their own homes by Israel and have become homeless people in foreign lands. The international community cannot stand by and condone this unconscionable and inhuman action by Israel.

The Council for Namibia affirms once more its total adhesion to the United Nations General Assembly resolutions on the right of the Palestinian people to return to their home and property in Palestine and exercise the rights of self-determination, including the right to an independent State. The Council is convinced that the continuing denial by Israel of the just and righteous cause of the Palestinian people, their right to their homeland, is in substantial violation of the fundamental principles of the Charter of the United Nations as well as of United Nations resolutions on the question of the attainment of nationhood by all peoples under foreign and colonial domination.

The Council for Namibia believes that all States have an obligation to force Israel to comply with the wishes of the international community, in particular the provisions of the General Assembly and the Security Council on the question of Palestine. The United Nations must leave no stone unturned in its efforts to impress upon Israel that the international community rejects Israeli attempts to make Jerusalem its capital city contrary to Security Council resolutions 476 (1980) of 30 June 1980 and 478 (1980) of 20 August 1980 which rejected the declaration by Israel making Jerusalem its capital.

The recent Geneva Conference on the Palestinian Question has given us new hope for the proposals suggested in the consensus agreement are an excellent basis on which the international community can act, and the sooner the better. That Conference was a great success on which we congratulate you, Mr. Chairman, as well as those who contributed to its success, and particularly, Mrs. Mair, Secretary-General of the Conference.

The question of Palestine, like the question of Namibia, continues to torment the conscience of the international community. The Council for Namibia demands that South Africa and Israel be required to comply with the universally accepted norms of the international community or continue to stand condemned for their defiance of world opinion. The Council for Namibia believes that South Africa and Israel can, and indeed should be compelled to comply with the relevant resolutions of the United Nations on the questions of Namibia and Palestine. The Council for Namibia strongly believes that effective means to compel South Africa and Israel to comply with United Nations resolutions can readily be found in the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.

H. Statements by intergovernmental and other organizations

with observer status at the United Nations

LEAGUE OF ARAB STATES

H.E. Dr. Clovis Maksoud,

Permanent Observer to the United Nations

The International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People coincides with a very important watershed with regard to the Palestinian question. On this Day we are witnessing simultaneously the growth of international solidarity with the struggle of the Palestinian people and the commitment of the international community to the unity of that people within the framework of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), not only as the sole representative of the Palestinian people but also of Palestinian nationhood.

Furthermore, the legitimate institutions of the PLO are now being challenged; they are also being enhanced because international solidarity with the Palestinian people and its legitimate rights to self-determination – whatever their decision – constitutes a landmark victory of the historic and heroic struggle of that people, and this is the situation in the international community as embodied in the United Nations. However, at this very time of solidarity, we are witnessing in Washington the emergence of strategic co-ordination between the United States and Israel in order to prevent the Palestinian people from exercising their right to self-determination.

That is why it is fitting for the international community at this moment to demonstrate that its solidarity takes the form not only of support for the struggle of the Palestinian people but also of a growing awareness of the dangers inherent in the threat the strategic equation between Israel and the United States poses to that solidarity and to its meaning and its ultimate fruition.

That is why the League of Arab States expresses not merely concern but the deepest anxiety over the dangers inherent in allowing Israel to forego repayment of military aid loans, thus enabling it once again to possess cluster bombs, which have played havoc with the lives of civilians in Palestinian refugee camps and in the capital of Lebanon, Beirut.

That is why this Day of Solidarity expresses our consciousness of the dangers of those elements that seek to dissipate the impact of this solidarity, empty it of all meaning and render it peripheral to the crucial issues facing the international community in translating that solidarity into concrete measures enabling the Palestinian people to realize their legitimate and internationally recognized objectives.

We mention this because our expressions of solidarity are very meaningful to the millions of Palestinians lingering under occupation and whose rights and homes have been usurped systematically and who in their various refugee camps have suffered all manner of disenfranchisement. The strategic equation developing between the United States and Israel must not lead to absolving Israel from most of the violations it has visited upon the Palestinian people, namely, the continued establishment of settlements and their proliferation in the West Bank and Gaza, the continued harassment of Palestinian students in their various schools and universities, the demolition of homes and houses, the denial of the right of return of the Palestinians to their original homes and the attempt to create, through the strategic relationship now being negotiated in Washington, a development that would constitute a most serious threat not only to the Palestinian people but also to the sovereignty of independent Arab States and to peace in the region and perhaps throughout the world.

At this particular moment in our history, the International Day of Solidarity must evolve into something much more concrete. Inasmuch as the Israeli-American strategic relationship is aimed at preventing the Palestinian people from achieving their legitimate rights, the international community must, on this International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, reaffirm that it is capable of translating its moral, political, diplomatic and intellectual commitment to the Palestinian people into concrete measures to deter Israel from further annexation, further expansion and the creation of new faits accomplis aimed at denying and nullifying Palestinian rights.

Hence, I should like to reiterate the appeal by the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Mr. Chedli Klibi, issued in Tunis today:

I should like to take this opportunity, on behalf of the League of Arab States, to express to you, Sir, and through you to the other members of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People and to the Secretary-General of the International Conference on the Question of Palestine, the deep appreciation of the Arab people and the Arab League. On this Day of Solidarity, may your recommendations and your solidarity constitute a further step in the achievement of a comprehensive and just peace and of the rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination in their homeland.

NON-ALIGNED MOVEMENT

Mr. Natarajan Krishnan, Representative

Right from the time of the first Non-Aligned Summit, held in Belgrade in 1961, the question of Palestine has been in the forefront of the deliberations and activities of the Non-Aligned Movement. Non-aligned countries have been particularly active in mobilizing international support in favour of the inalienable rights of the Palestinians and against Israel's action in the occupied territories. It has chiefly been at their initiative that the majority of United Nations resolutions on the subject have been adopted. Indeed, the support of the Non-Aligned Movement for the just Palestinian cause and the solidarity of the non-aligned countries with the Palestinian people have been firm, continuous and unwavering, and there is an overwhelming consensus within the Movement on the basic principles pertaining to Palestine and West Asia.

The Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned Countries meeting in New Delhi in March 1983 had the opportunity to re-examine exhaustively the question of Palestine. They affirmed:

The Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned Countries further affirmed that the PLO was the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. They called on the United Nations Security Council to impose on Israel the relevant sanctions prescribed in the United Nations Charter until Israel withdrew from all occupied Palestinian and Arab territories, demolished all Israeli settlements established in these territories and complied fully with the relevant decisions of the Security Council. The New Delhi Summit also decided to set up a Committee of Eight at the level of Heads of State or Government to support the rights of the Arab Palestinian people in accordance with international law and the will of the non-aligned countries and their peoples and with the specific objective of working to achieve a just, durable and comprehensive peace in the Middle East, enabling the Palestinian people to exercise their rights in freedom and sovereignty in their independent homeland.

The first meeting of the Committee of Eight at the level of senior officials took place in New Delhi on 30 and 31 October of this year. It recommended that a process of negotiation be launched without delay taking as its starting-point the consensus achieved by the Arab countries at the Fez Summit and the substantive issues contained in the General Declaration on Palestine and the Programme of Action of the achievement of Palestinian rights adopted at the International. Conference on the Question of Palestine held in Geneva in August and September of this year. On 18 November 1983, the Chairperson of the Non-Aligned Movement convened a further meeting of the Committee of Eight at the ministerial level to address itself to efforts that could be made in the light of the rapidly deteriorating situation in the region.

Referring to the Palestine Liberation Organization, the meeting recalled that the PLO had been recognized as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people at the Algiers Non-Aligned Summit. It was also recalled that in February 1983 the Palestinian National Council meeting in Algiers adopted a political programme and elected the Executive Committee of the PLO under the Chairmanship of Mr. Yasser Arafat.

With a view to discharging its mandate, particularly at that critical juncture, it was decided at that meeting that a ministerial group consisting of India, Cuba, Yugoslavia and Senegal, led by the Foreign Minister of India, Shri P. V. Narasimba Rao, should visit some Arab capitals. The group visited the concerned capitals and reaffirmed to all the personalities it met the stand of the Movement of the Non-Aligned Countries in upholding the unity of the Palestine Liberation Organization and the struggle of the Palestinian people to realize their inalienable rights.

If I have gone into the activities of the Non-Aligned Movement in support of the Palestinian cause at some length, it is to emphasize that support for and solidarity with our Palestinian brothers and sisters has been a fundamental feature of our Movement.

It would be remiss of me to close without a word of tribute to the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People in its search for a just solution to the question of Palestine. We welcome in particular its work in organizing the International Conference on the Question of Palestine, which so abundantly demonstrated the extent of the solidarity in the world for the brave Palestinian people. No doubt much of the credit goes to the untiring efforts of the Chairman of the Committee, that is you yourself, Mr. Chairman.

India's sympathy for the Palestinian Arabs has been part of our foreign policy since its very inception. Their struggle may be long and arduous; we have no doubt that the ultimate victory will, however, belong to them. Let this historic occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People inspire us all to rededicate ourselves to the Palestinian cause, which is undoubtedly our own. Our voice will be one with theirs till victory is won.

ORGANIZATION OF THE ISLAMIC CONFERENCE

H.E. M. Idé Oumarou, Acting Chairman

I have assumed new functions as acting Chairman of the Organization of the Islamic Conference and am here in New York for the sixth annual commemoration of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian ''People. However, I must say that this Day in 1983 is not like its predecessors, since it has the terrible peculiarity of coming in a most troublesome context. The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), the sole authentic representative of the Palestinian people, is going through the darkest days of its history. Immediately after the Sabra and Shatila massacres, it is facing internal struggles. The PLO, which is imbued with patriotism and which displayed such energy and admirable steadfastness in fighting the injustices and aggression of the Israeli usurper, which has always dreamed of stealing its land and its identity, must resolve the destructive undercurrents within itself. We deplore those undercurrents, because the international consensus for the settlement of the painful problem of the Middle East had been sought with regard to a single unified PLO, struggling for the inalienable rights that we all recognize, support and defend: the right to sovereignty, the right to a homeland – Palestine – and the right to return for its sons who are unjustly scattered throughout the world.

Members will certainly remember that, one year ago, in the messages sent to the Committee on this same occasion, General Seyni Kountche, President of the Supreme Military Council and Head of State of the Republic of Niger, wrote that it was a truism to say that the Palestinian people had suffered too much. He added:

Unfortunately, today that usurper, solely responsible for the tragic events in the Middle East, is delighted at the sight of Palestinians fighting one another and of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) on the verge of fragmentation. Hence, for the usurper that is unhoped-for respite obtained for once without exertion and without cost. That is why the commemoration of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People should this year have the character of a massive, solemn and urgent appeal to all forces of division, within and outside the PLO, to cease playing into the hands of Israel to the destruction and humiliation of our Palestinian brothers. It is therefore our common duty to encourage and to foster initiatives for reconciliation within that Organization in order to bring about renewed confidence, understanding and peace, thus proving to Israel and to the enemies of Palestine that the cause of the Palestinian people is not lost and that we are more than ever determined to help that heroic and courageous people to regain its land, its rights and its personality.

The Organization of the Islamic Conference has for its all always acted accordingly and, in spite of the failure, which it deplores, of its recent attempts for peace and reconciliation, it will continue to multiply its contacts in order to give the Palestinian cause its most active support. The Fourteenth Ministerial Conference, which I shall have the single honour to open next week in Dacca, Bangladesh, will give us an opportunity to renew that solidarity with our Palestinian brothers and to help the PLO to safeguard its unity and its representativity. It will also enable us to define the new strategy aimed at our struggle against the Israeli usurper which is, I repeat, the only entity responsible for the situation prevailing at present in the Middle East.

Sir, I cannot conclude without saying how much we value the steadfastness and selflessness with which you and your Committee are devoted to the Palestinian cause, and we offer our congratulations. I wish success and triumph in your activities. I can assure you, not only of the support of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, which I represent here, but also of my personal support, the support of my country, Niger, and the support of my President, His Excellency General Seyni Kountche.

PALESTINE LIBERATION ORGANIZATION

Mr. Farouk Kaddoumi, Director of the

Political Department of the Palestine Liberation Organization

Mr. Chairman, it is an honour for me to be among you today, on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, to extend to you the congratulations and appreciation of our people on your constant efforts in support of the Palestinian cause and our common aspiration to promote the inalienable rights of our people, including the right to return, self-determination and the establishment of an independent State on Palestinian soil.

The International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People crowns the intense efforts that culminated in the International Conference on the Question of Palestine, which took place in Geneva from 29 August to 7 September this year under the auspices of the United Nations.

On this occasion, I can only express our deep gratitude to all those who contributed to the success of that Conference, notably the members of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People and its Chairman and friend of our people, Massamba Sarré, Permanent Representative of Senegal.

Our people will long appreciate the contribution made by Mrs. Lucille Mair, Secretary of the Conference, and her assistants in the Secretariat.

We extend our thanks to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, whose counsel and co-operation greatly facilitated our efforts to prevent certain forces from torpedoing the Conference.

Our thanks go also to the Presidents of the General Assembly and of the Security Council for their participation in commemorating this Day with us.

I do not wish to repeat what I stated yesterday before the General Assembly. Today, however, we have received another message from Yasser Arafat, President of the PLO, describing the plight of our people and their aspirations. Suffice it to say that the sum total of all that has been said and heard in the United Nations on the Question of Palestine for more than 30 years is irrefutable proof of the steadfast determination of the Palestinians to resist every manoeuvre to bring about their material and political demise.

In spite of such manoeuvres, and irrespective of their source — the United States of America the lesson to be learned by the enemy is that no force can annihilate the Palestinian people, let alone weaken its determination to continue the struggle until final victory.

Far from dampening the resolve of Palestinian prisoners, the years of struggle, suffering, killing and torture have increased their determination: only a few days ago the Ansar concentration camp was closed for good upon the release of all its prisoners who exuberantly proclaimed the victory of the Palestinian people. That is further proof of their determination which will eventually compel the enemy to recognize their Palestinian nationality.

Ever since its inception, Israel has been a willing tool of imperialism. Now, however, it has become a veritable base for the United States of America, sowing strife, threatening peace and waging war. In return, Israel takes its share of the profits, usurping land that does not belong to it and riches which are not its own.

In following its racist convictions and its ancient ideology, Israel recognizes no law but the law of force, the logic of force and the superiority of force, which it uses to impose its imperialist and colonialist expansionist policy under the pretext of protecting its security and borders.

We are proud to be at the opposite pole of all that is represented by Israeli ideals and practice. In spite of all its sufferings, our people is still determined to continue its just struggle, in accordance with the most lofty political objectives, to achieve a just and genuine peace. It is significant that the international community as represented at the Geneva Conference adopted a Declaration condemning the designs of Israel and the United States and the attempt to impose their policies on us.

Those policies have complicated the problem, heightened tensions, increased the involvement of a number of forces in the Arab region, and made confrontation between the two major Powers more likely.

In the face of this serious situation, we must intensify our international efforts to avert any confrontation and to restore the rights of the Palestinian people. By fulfilling this duty we will have served not only the cause of justice in Palestine and in the Arab countries, but also the cause of world peace.

Politically, the Geneva Declaration represents a comprehensive international appraisal of the ongoing confrontation between the parties involved, whether directly or indirectly. International norms – notably the United Nations Charter and United Nations resolutions – can be considered a sound basis for an honourable political solution. Hence we call upon the General Assembly to adopt appropriate resolutions in that direction.

Mr. Chairman, the messages we have heard today from many eminent personalities, including Heads of State or Government of friendly countries confirming their steadfast solidarity with our just cause, are a source of encouragement to us and make us even more confident of victory. In the name of the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian people, I wish, through you, to express our deep appreciation for the firm positions of principle they have taken and for their solidarity with us in our struggle.

I conclude by quoting Yasser Arafat:

I. Statements by national liberation movements

African National Congress of South Africa

Mr. Chairman, on behalf of the oppressed but struggling people of South Africa and their National Liberation Movement, the African National Congress, I would like to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to the United Nations Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People for inviting us to address this solemn meeting commemorating the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.

The ANC commends the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People for its invaluable contribution to the just struggle of the Palestinian people under the leadership of the PLO against Zionist settlements, military occupation, colonialism, racism and oppression, for national independence, statehood and self-determination. Under the dynamic leadership of the Ambassador of Senegal to the United Nations, His Excellency Mr. Massamba Sarré, this Committee has not only exposed the crimes and atrocities committed by the Zionist Israel régime against the Palestinian people, but has also defended the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people to an independent State in their own homeland and self-determination.

Mr. Chairman, we meet today to commemorate the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People at a time when the unholy alliance between Washington, Tel Aviv and Pretoria has reached a new and dangerous stage. The United States military and economic support of the Tel Aviv and Pretoria racist régimes has encouraged the Zionists in the Middle East and their racist allies in South Africa to increase their acts of repression against the Palestinians in occupied Arab territories while racist troops terrorize the oppressed South African people and those of the illegally occupied territory of Namibia. Assured of continued support from their United States ally, these racist and oppressive régimes have intensified their acts of armed aggressions against neighbouring Arab and African States while occupying larger parts of Southern Lebanon and Angola, respectively.

When the Israel Zionist troops launched their armed invasion against Lebanon in a vain attempt to liquidate the PLO last year, the ANC expressed its militant solidarity with our Palestinian brothers and sisters, and raised the concern that unless the international community takes appropriate measures to stop that armed aggression, this will only encourage the racist régime of South Africa to invade the neighbouring African countries to massacre South African and Namibian refugees. Indeed, soon afterwards, the Pretoria racist troops invaded the independent State of Lesotho for the first time, and massacred more than 40 people in Maseru including women and children, South African refugees, members of the ANC and a number of Lesotho nations.

Mr. Chairman, we firmly believe that there can be no peaceful settlement in the Middle East without the participation of the PLO, the sole, authentic representative of the Palestinian people, withdrawal of Israeli troops from all occupied Arab territories and recognition of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people to national independence and self-determination in their homeland. The continued Israel Zionist armed occupation of Lebanon and other territories, its aggressive and expansionist policies, crimes and atrocities committed against Palestinian people are all direct causes of frustrations and difficulties being experience by the Palestinian people today.

On this important occasion, the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, we greet the people of Palestine and their sole legitimate representative, the PLO in these difficult moments of their national liberation struggle. We join the international. community in re-dedicating ourselves to redouble our efforts towards strengthening the Palestinian Revolution whose victory is certain.

The ANC pledges to spare neither strength nor effort to compliment the Palestinian struggle by intensifying our own national liberation struggle in all its forms, particularly the armed struggle against the illegitimate apartheid régime of South Africa, for the establishment of a free, non-racial democratic State based on the will of all South African people, irrespective of race, colour, sex or belief.

Pan Africanist Congress of Azania

H.E. Mr. Ahmed Gora Ebrahim,

Permanent Observer Representative to the United Nations

The Pan Africanist Congress of Azania, the custodian of the genuine aspirations of the oppressed, exploited and dispossessed people of Azania, wishes to reiterate to our equally oppressed and dispossessed Palestinian brothers and sisters our resolute and principled solidarity in their just struggle to liberate their usurped Fatherland from Zionist occupation.

The Pan Africanist Congress of Azania and the Palestine Liberation Organization are fighting for the same common objective, namely, the liberation of their people from racist domination and dispossession of their Fatherland. Consequently, the PAC and the PLO have been close comrades-in-arm and our principled solidarity will continue until final victory.

The principled solidarity that exists between the Azanian and Palestinian peoples stems from the historical betrayal perpetrated against them by British colonialism. In the case of South Africa, the British Parliament unilaterally decided in 1909 to hand over the country to the European colonial settlers, who comprised less than one-fifth of the total population, and totally excluded the indigenous population. The rightful owners of the land were rendered foreigners in the land of their birth by this British Act. Similarly, the same British colonialists handed over mandated Palestine to international zionism to the total exclusion of the indigenous Arab Palestinians who comprised the overwhelming majority. Thus, in Palestine too, the indigenous Palestinian Arab was declared a foreigner in the land of his birth as a result of the Balfour Declaration of 1917.

Apartheid South Africa and Zionist Israel, therefore, are settler colonial States. Moreover, they justify their occupation and mass expulsion of the indigenous people by systematically pursuing a policy based on racism. Also they seek "justification" for their blatant racist ideology in perverting religion. Just like Hitler's Nazism, the South African racists (allies of Hitler during the Second World War) and the Zionists claim to be "superior" people and or "chosen" people. Palestine and Azania, they arrogantly claim, are the Biblical "promised" lands. Arab Palestinians and indigenous or Black Azanians are said to be the "hewers of wood and drawers of water". The South African racists and the Zionists, self-styled defenders of civilization, have been the perpetrators of horrendous massacres of innocent men, women and children, namely the massacre at Deir Yassin and recently at Sabra and Shatila refugee camps by the Zionists and the massacre of Sharpeville and Soweto by the apartheid rulers of South Africa. Both the South African racists and the Zionists in occupied Palestine have embarked on a programme to expel the indigenous population. The Zionists have expelled indigenous Arab Palestinians into UNRWA refugee camps, whilst the South African racists have created its equivalent, the so-called Bantustans in 12.7 per cent of the total land area of South Africa.

The European colonial settlers in occupied Azania and Palestine pursue a common racist policy based on European superiority and so-called "non-European" subjugation. It is well known that Whites in apartheid South Africa discriminate and subjugate the so-called "non-White" people. However, a similar situation prevails in occupied Palestine.

In occupied Palestine the Zionists practice a two-fold apartheid. First and foremost, the expulsion of the indigenous Arab Palestinians, be they Moslem or Christian. On the other hand they also discriminate against the so-called "non-European" Jews. In Zionist Israel the Jews are divided into the Ashkenazim (the Jews of European lineage and in which category fall the American and South African Jews), and the Sephardim (the Arab, Asian and African Jews). Just as the European racists refer to Africans in apartheid South Africa as "Kaffirs", the Ashkanazi, too, refer to the Sephardim perjoratively as "Khomer", a Hebrew word when roughly translated means "material" or "stuff". In other words the Arab, Asian and African Jews, to the European Zionists, are not human beings but some material object or thing.

It is today common knowledge that there exists discrimination in education in apartheid South Africa. First, education for the White child is free and compulsory and for the Black child is neither free nor compulsory. Second, the apartheid régime allocates 20 times more money to White education than to Black education. The Black child, moreover, is subjected to Bantu Education, a carefully designed system of education which, in the words of a racist Minister, "will not inspire the Black child the hope or desire to graze in the green pastures beyond.

However, while the above is well known, few know that a similar discriminatory practice prevails in Zionist Israel, between European and the so-called "non-European" Jews. For instance, in 1978 only 17.5 per cent of all university students were Sephardic and 71.8 per cent Ashkenazic — although Sephardim made up 55.9 per cent of all Israelis from the age of 20 to 24. In the 1978-1979 academic year, 12.7 per cent of locally-born Ashkenazim and only 2.6 per cent of locally-born Sephardim between the ages of 20 to 29 were university students. In the same year when 57.7 per cent of all Israelis in the 14 to 17-year-old age bracket were Sephardim, vocational school enrollment was 64.3 per cent Sephardic; agricultural school enrollment was 64.7 per cent Sephardic; and academic high school enrollment was only 38.7 per cent Sephardic.

Moreover, according to a Zionist mayor, Meir Shitreet, "Ninety-five per cent of those sitting in Zionist jails are Sephardim."

Thus, the parallel and similarity between the two alien entities is quite clear – they share a common colonial parentage and common racist ideological outlook. With this common background and ideological affinity, it is only natural that the two racist entities should collaborate and co-operate in every field. The racists and Zionists are collaborating in the political, economic, military, nuclear and cultural fields. The military and nuclear collaboration between the two racist entities not only poses a threat to the Azanian and Arab peoples, but to mankind.

The United Nations has repeatedly declared apartheid as a crime against humanity. And it is a crime against all humanity. Equally, the General Assembly of the United Nations, representing the overwhelming majority of mankind, has also correctly branded zionism as a form of racism. Thus apartheid and zionism, the two racist ideologies based on the very concept of nazism, are not only repugnant to human conscience, a crime against humanity, but a very real threat to mankind itself. Apartheid and zionism, therefore, cannot be reformed — it must be eradicated. This, first and foremost, is the responsibility of all democratic and justice-minded peoples the world over. We of the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania are convinced that the Azanian and Palestinian people will finally triumph — and triumph in our life time.

J.  Statements by non-governmentai organizations

ARGENTINO-ARAB FOUNDATION

Mr. Saad Chedid, President

Mr. Chairman,

First of all., on behalf of the Argentino-Arab Foundation and also on behalf of all Argentines of Arab origin – who constitute 10 per cent of the population of our country – I wish to thank you for doing me the honour of allowing me to address this meeting, which is being held to mark the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. I can add little or nothing to all that has already been said. We share those sentiments.

It only remains for me, Mr. Chairman, to add some words which will express our homage to and our solidarity with the Palestinian people.

1. We wish to tell the Palestinian people that despite geographical barriers and the barriers of cultural colonization imposed by our common enemies, we, Argentines of Arab origin, live in anguish and pain because of their tragic situation.

2. It is said that the United Nations created the State of Israel. This is not strictly so, since in resolution 181/47 the General Assembly only proposed the partition of Palestine. This resolution has never been implemented.

The State of Israel was the last colonial act of the West following the Second World War, a colonial act which was imposed as a fait accompli, as noted by Maxine Robinson, and was accomplished, as denounced at the time by Mahatma Ghandi from India, by "calling on the most naked terrorism".

3. We all know what has happened in the past 35 years. It is sufficient merely to look at the map of the region to realize what designs led to the creation of the State of Israel. Bert Katznelson, adviser to Ben Gurion, described it with careful precision: "We must say to the Arab peoples: 'In us, the Jews, you see an obstacle in your path towards independence and unification. We do not deny it.' " 1/

What do we hope for, Mr. Chairman, from the United Nations? What does the world hope for, what is the hope of the international community, anguished by the many murders, crimes and assassinations produced everyday by useless and immoral wars which take the innocent lives of children, women and old people who have no defence against the military might of a terrorist State such as the State of Israel?

We, and indeed the entire world, Mr. Chairman, hope from all of you, from the United Nations, the appropriate, correct and just response, a response based on the right to dignity which all peace-loving men and women possess, a response which goes well beyond resolutions and declarations and well beyond eloquent speeches.

We hope that the United Nations will eventually take the decision to put an end to State terrorism, which the State of Israel introduced in this century.

We hope that the United Nations will achieve a peaceful settlement of the problem of Palestine.

We all know, Mr. Chairman, that there are two types of solutions to the contemporary problems of confrontations between States and/or peoples.

1. The solution which can be attained through military confrontation. We Argentines know the result: invariably, the party possessing greater military might will prevail. The continuing colonization of the Malvinas archipelago has been a painful and a tragic example for us.

The Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982 is another lamentable example of the truth which I have just mentioned.

2. Then there is the solution which all of us hope for and desire, the solution which the United Nations should, can and must produce: that of agreement which results from dialogue between the parties involved in the conflict.

This solution is the one which the international community anxiously and hopefully yearns for, because it affords mankind the only real possibility of being able to have faith in the idea that dialogue and agreement are the ultima ratio of peaceful coexistence between peoples.

We all know also, Mr. Chairman, that this was the goal, the objective, that was set by the International Conference on the Question of Palestine, held in Geneva in September this year, and accepted by the Palestine Liberation Organization, the sole and legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.

In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, since it was the United Nations that. proposed the partition of Palestine, it is the United Nations which must now, today, correct that unfortunate mistake. It was, indeed, a tragic mistake, which Dr. Arce, the Argentine representative, predicted with prophetic insight would lead us to a future of unforeseeable misfortunes. The creation of the State of Israel has confronted all of us with the alternative of a third world war.

Consequently, Mr. Chairman, you bear the historic responsibility of ensuring that we will be able to continue living on the planet earth and to avoid the nuclear holocaust – the day after – that was announced to us by Israel and by the United States as the sombre alternative to the unyielding determination of the Palestinian people not to be subjected to their colonialist ambitions and designs.

For that reason, Mr. Chairman, we fervently wish and hope that the Peace Conference, proposed by the Geneva Conference, will take place, and that the imperial veto will not once again be the negative response to this new hope that has dawned in Geneva for all, the peoples of the earth.

It only remains for me to convey to you and to the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People our best wishes for success in your difficult task.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

______________

1/ Jay Gonen. Psychohistory of Zionism. New York, 1975, p. 186.

MOROCCAN ASSOCIATION IN SUPPORT

OF THE PALESTINIAN STRUGGLE

Mr. Abou Baker el Kadiri, General Secretary

Recognizing the fact that the question of Palestine is at the heart of the conflict in the Middle East and that it will not be possible to settle the conflict as long as the Palestinian people are unable to exercise their legitimate rights in Palestine under the aegis of the PLO as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, the Morrocan Association in Support of the Palestinian Struggle takes the opportunity of the meeting to mark the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People to commend the fundamental work carried out by the United Nations in seeking a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian question and a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.

The Moroccan Association in Support of the Palestinian Struggle notes with satisfaction and gratitude the many actions performed by you and by Mr. Javier Pérez de Cuéllar, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, to attain the above-mentioned objectives and requests you to continue your untiring efforts to bring about the admission of the PLO without delay as a full member of all international organizations, including the United Nations.

In deploring the tragic events in Lebanon, the Association strongly condemns those responsible for them and believes that their solution depends upon the implementation of the Arab Peace Plan adopted at the Twelfth Arab Summit Conference held at Fez (Morocco) on 9 September 1982 and subsequently endorsed by the Seventh Non-Aligned Conference at New Delhi and of the resolutions and decisions of the Security Council and the General Assembly calling for the return of all Palestinians to their homes, the enjoyment of their inalienable right to self-determination and the proclamation of an independent and sovereign Palestinian State.

COUNCIL FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF

ARAB-BRITISH UNDERSTANDING

The Council for the Advancement of Arab-British Understanding (CAABU) participates, with enthusiasm, in this special meeting to commemorate the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.

One of the most fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter is the self-determination of peoples. Yet, self-determination has been consistently denied to the Palestinian people and a powerful campaign continues to be waged to prevent their right to self-determination. The treatment to which they have been subjected, and to which they continue to be subjected, is an affront to the principles of the Charter.

Ever since the self-proclamation of the State of Israel in 1948, with the emergence into the open of its underground military organizations as "Israel's Defense Force", the Palestinians have been consistently terrorized out of their homeland and subjected to persecution and oppression.

The Zionist State continues in those policies and CAABU calls for the immediate release of the thousands of prisoners who are held, without trial and contrary to the provisions of the Geneva Conventions, in southern Lebanon and in Israel.

In solidarity with the Palestinian people, CAABU calls for Israeli withdrawal to the 1967 borders, as repeatedly called for by the United Nations and calls, too, for an end to the Israeli settlements in occupied territory, which are an obstacle to peace and contrary to international law. We urge all member countries of the United Nations to exert appropriate pressure on Israel for the achievement of those objectives. CAABU calls for universal recognition of the Palestine Liberation Organization and its involvement in negotiations for the establishment of an independent Palestinian State in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

For the achievement of stability and peace in the Middle East, co-operation between the United States of America and the Soviet Union is essential. CAABU therefore calls for a resumption of the Geneva Conference established by Security Council resolution 338, under the joint chairmanship of the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics so that all parties, including the PLO, can negotiate for a settlement which will be just to all parties to the conflict.

CAABU asserts its solidarity with the Palestinian people and declares that the achievement of their self-determination is crucial for the establishment of peace and justice in the Middle East and for the pursuit of peace throughout the world.

SOLIDARITY COMMITTEE OP THE GERMAN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC

Mr. Achim Reichardt, General Secretary

On behalf of the Solidarity Committee of the German Democratic Republic, of its President, and on behalf of all citizens of my country engaged in solidarity, I have the honour and pleasure to convey to you, Mr. Chairman, as well as to all the other members of this Committee and the staff members of the Division for Palestinian Rights, sincere greetings and congratulations on the admirable work that has been performed by your Committee up to now. I do not want to omit thanking you sincerely for the invitation to participate in this special meeting of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People on 29 November, the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. I regard the invitation as a recognition and appreciation of the work of the Solidarity Committee of the German Democratic Republic for the Palestinian cause.

The Day we are observing now, in view of the dangerously aggravating international situation, is of a special importance this year. This dangerous situation is caused by the policy of the arms build-up and confrontation by the most aggressive circles of imperialism, especially by the United States Administration, reaching a dangerous culmination with the start of deployment of United States nuclear medium-range missiles, that is, first-strike weapons, in Western Europe. These missiles pose a threat not only to the socialist countries but also the countries of the Near and Middle East and of Africa.

The policy of global confrontation pursued by the present United States Administration is expressed not only in provocations aimed against the socialist countries but also in aggravating the conflicts in Central America and in the Caribbean, in the south of Africa and in Lebanon today. This policy poses a threat to world peace and especially to a free national and social development of the nations of the third world. The causes for the new aggravation of the situation in the Middle East are the continued aggression of Israel and the increasingly expanding political and military interference of the United States and some other countries members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in the internal affairs of Lebanon and the escalation of the military pressure on Syria.

With great concern and indignation we are watching the threatening drawing up of elements of the fleets of the United States and some NATO States to the coasts of Lebanon and Syria. We call for an immediate end to this policy of threat through military means. We express our firm solidarity with the peoples of Syria, Lebanon and Palestine, as well as with other Arab countries, in averting the aggressive plans of the United States and Israel.

The Solidarity Committee of the German Democratic Republic supports all initiatives and collective efforts leading to a just and permanent solution of the Middle East conflict and of its essential aspect, the Palestinian issue.

Indispensable to such a solution are: the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from all areas occupied since 1967; and the implementation of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to establish an independent State of their own, and the right of all States of the region to a secure and independent existence.

We welcome the Geneva Declaration on Palestine and the Programme of Action for the implementation of the Palestinian rights, in particular the proposal for convening an international Middle East conference with the participation of all sides concerned, including the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). Both documents are a good basis for further activities of our Committee.

The German Democratic Republic is energetically supporting the struggle of the Palestinian people, led by its only legitimate representative, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), for implementation of its inalienable rights.

The success of this struggle to a decisive the PLO which lies in the unity and compactness are of the opinion that all attacks against the harm to the cause of the Palestinian people and peoples.

The Solidarity Committee of the German Democratic Republic has in the past always rendered extensive fraternal assistance to the Palestinian people and the PLO and will also do so in the future.

I can inform this Committee that on this International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people, a considerable number of events, organized by the Solidarity Committee of the German Democratic Republic in co-operation with other social organizations and parties of my country, are taking place. There, the people of the German Democratic Republic is once more manifesting its firm solidarity with the just struggle of the Palestinian people.

In conclusion, I should like to thank you, Mr. Chairman, and all the other member of the Committee for the excellent co-operation so long maintained between the Solidarity Committee of the German Democratic Republic and your Committee. This co-operation in our common cause has produced a number of fruitful results.

It is my pleasure, Mr. Chairman, to present you with the latest concrete result of this co-operation, a Palestine calendar for the year 1984. Allow me to hand it over to you.

INTERNATIONAL PROGRESS ORGANIZATION

Mr. Robert W. Thabit, Representative

On this anniversary of the Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, the International Progress Organization – a non-governmental organization with headquarters in Vienna, Austria – wishes to reaffirm its support and solidarity with the Palestinian people.

A year ago, we shuddered at the massacre of Palestinians which took place in the refugee camps of Sabra and Shatila. This year, we have been shocked and deeply saddened again by the senseless fighting by Palestinians against Palestinians in Tripoli, Lebanon, with again the loss of many more innocent lives, Lebanese as well as Palestinians.

How long, we ask the international community: how long must the Palestinian people suffer, and an ever-wider circle of Arabs suffer, because the Palestinians are denied the most basic human right – that of self-determination and a State of their own in Palestine?

There is no doubt the United Nations and the majority of its Member States recognize the Palestine Liberation Organization as the sole, legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. Now with regard to who shall be its leader, we submit, is a matter for the Palestinians themselves to determine.

The Palestine National Council is democratically structured with elected representatives from the various segments of Palestinian society from all over the world. It is in fact a democratically organized political structure that must be encourage, not stifled by raw military power, regardless of the source.

Mr. Chairman, in the humble opinion of the International Progress Organization, it would be a grave injustice to the Palestinian people for anybody to impose its imprimatur on the PLO. The United Nations, which is the guardian of international peace with justice throughout the world, should resist any attempt from any quarter to change a government or leadership by force of arms and, at least, denounce such brazen attempts to subvert a democratically elected leader, such as Chairman Yasser Arafat. Let the Palestinians, who rank among the most educated, sophisticated and experienced people politically in the Middle East, determine freely their own destiny, select their own leadership.

Oh ye sons and daughters of Palestine, put down your guns now and settle your leadership problem by dialogue and ballots, and not by bullets and demagoguery. Let the world see you as you could be, a proud, self-respecting people, determined to be masters of your own fate, by reliance on democratic principles and institutions.

SOVIET AFRO-ASIAN SOLIDARITY COMMITTEE

Mr. Alexander Kislov, Representative

Mr. Chairman,

Allow me, first of all, to extend warm greetings to the participants in this meeting. On behalf of the Chairman of the Soviet Afro-Asian Solidarity Committee and of the entire Soviet public, I have the honour of conveying to you, Mr. Chairman, and through you to the Committee, our wishes for the success of your fine work in supporting the just cause of the Palestinian people.

We mark the International Day of Solidarity with the Arab people of Palestine today in conditions which are exceptionally complex and dangerous for peace. Never in the post-war decades has the situation on the international scene been so tense. The Middle East is no exception in this respect. Here, the United States, pursuing the course of making Lebanon an American-Israeli protectorate, is openly defying the international community. Relying on a "strategic alliance" with Israel and using the NATO allies under the flag of the "multinational force" for its own interests, the United States has turned to direct armed interference in Lebanon's internal affairs and is preparing to commit aggression against Syria. Washington's actions considerably increase the danger that a major new armed conflict will break out in the Middle East with all the dangerous consequences involved.

In the circumstances, the present difficulties that are being encountered by the Palestinian resistance movement are a matter of profound and justified concern. Soviet people feel that, whatever the causes of these difficulties, the fratricidal conflicts between Palestinians simply play into the hands of the United States and Israel, who are endeavouring to prevent the Arab people of Palestine from realizing their legitimate national rights and to disunite the Arabs and force them to capitulate. But we believe that, with the help of its considerable experience in combating the aggressive plans of imperialism and zionism and of a close alliance with the Arab national patriotic forces and the forces of liberation and progress throughout the world, the Palestinian resistance movement will restore unity to its ranks, and its political vanguard – the Palestine Liberation Organization – will continue, despite all trials, to be a major component of the Arab liberation movement with a worthy contribution to make in the struggle for peace and justice in the Middle East. This is guaranteed by the great international prestige of the PLO, which has repeatedly been endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly, by UNESCO, by the Non-Aligned Movement and by many other international organizations. Any differences existing within the PLO, the sole legitimate representative of the Arab people of Palestine, can and must be overcome by political means.

We must give credit here to the efforts of the United Nations Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, which has contributed in no small measure to wider recognition of the PLO. The Soviet Solidarity Committee and other Soviet organizations are co-operating fruitfully with this respected Committee. The Soviet public highly appreciates the outcome of the International Conference on the Question of Palestine, held in August and September in Geneva, and is ready to contribute to the implementation of the Programme of Action adopted at the Conference.

Our country's consistent and principled approach to solving the Middle East problem is well known. The Soviet Union, which unfailingly supports peoples fighting for their rights, proceeds from the belief that securing the rights, including the right to establish an independent State, of the Arab people of Palestine, headed by the PLO, is an integral part of a just and lasting Middle East settlement, which may be constructively promoted by convening an international conference on the Middle East.

Rallies and demonstrations are currently being held in our country and those taking part strongly condemn Israel's progression and the hostile position to the Arab peoples and to peace taken by the United States, and they express resolute support for the just cause of the Arab people of Palestine. Soviet hospitals are treating Palestinians wounded during Israel's aggression against Lebanon. Hundreds of Palestinian students are attending our educational institutions. Soviet public organizations are actively co-operating with the Palestinian resistance movement and with international and national organizations supporting the struggle of the Arab people of Palestine.

The Soviet public will continue to extend all necessary assistance and support to the Arab people of Palestine.

On this important day we again express our conviction that the just cause for which the Palestinian people are fighting will be victorious. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

WORLD PEACE COUNCIL

Professor Howard Parsons, Representative

On the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, 29 November, the World Peace Council notes with concern that the Arab-Israeli conflict has aggravated and becomes more explosive due to Israeli designs to liquidate the Palestine question – the root and core of the conflict.

The policy of expansionism pursued by Israel and its arrogant refusal to abide by United Nations resolutions on the Palestine question have led to five destructive wars which undermine the security of the peoples of the Middle East and endanger world peace. The recent invasion of Lebanon and the war of genocide against the Lebanese and Palestinian peoples are one of the Israeli aggressive acts, flagrantly backed by the United States Sixth Fleet and military units under the guise of the so-called "multinational force".

While this massive use of force continues to take the lives of thousands of innocent people, atrocities and acts of repression are inflicted on the Palestinian people in the occupied territories. Collective punishment is taken against all inhabitants and curfew is imposed on villages, towns and refugee camps. Elected mayors are expelled and municipal councils are disbanded. Moreover Palestinian youngsters are shot and killed by the Israeli military and colonial settlers.

The aim is to further the establishment of Jewish settlements in the occupied territories, to expel the Palestinians from their homeland and to eventually annex the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Contrary to this aggressive policy, the Palestinian people and the PLO, their sole and legitimate representative, are seeking peace, calling for the ending of this bloodshed by implementing the United Nations Charter and the relevant United Nations resolutions on the Palestine question.

The World Peace Council pledges to support the efforts of the PLO to implement these resolutions, together with the Declaration and the Programme of Action adopted by the United Nations International Conference on the Question of Palestine, held in Geneva, from 29 August to 7 September.

The World Peace Council firmly supports the just demand for the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Israel from all Arab territories occupied since 1967, and for the realization of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people to return to their homeland, to self-determination and to establish their independent State on their national territories.

It calls for the withdrawal of United States military forces, together with other units of the multinational force from the region.

It strongly condemns the United States attempts to bypass the United Nations by concluding separate agreements. All are designed to disrupt the unity of the Arab peoples and the unity of the PLO with the aim of furthering Israeli expansionist policy and the American hegemonistic plans. The United States-Israeli strategic co-operation is being strengthened at present to this end.

The World Peace Council will make every effort to further the unity of the Arab peoples together with peace forces the world over.

It fully supports the call of the Geneva Conference for a comprehensive and just solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict by convening an international conference under the auspices of the United Nations and with the participation of all parties concerned, including the United States, the USSR and the PLO, on equal footing.

it declares its firm support for the United Nations efforts to attain peace and justice in the Middle East.