Check Against Delivery
Opening Remarks of UN Special Coordinator, Mr. Terje Roed-Larsen
Ad Hoc Liaison Committee
18 February 2003
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Foreign Minister, Secretary of State, Dear Friends:
Forgive me if I begin by stating the obvious: The humanitarian crisis in the West Bank and Gaza Strip is not caused by a natural disaster. It comes from a conflict.
That means the suffering of Palestinians and Israelis today – the deaths and injuries, the economic devastation, the profound insecurity – can end only through a political solution. And bringing this conflict to an end is entirely within the power of the parties here today.
As I see it, progress toward that solution hinges on actions that each of the main groups here – the Israelis, the Palestinian and the international community – must take in the coming days:
Of course, it is completely beyond the scope of our agenda today to resolve the political conflict underpinning today’s humanitarian crisis. Over the next two days, we must focus on the assistance efforts of our respective governments and organizations toward alleviating this crisis.
Our task is to seek ways to break the dilemma that has us maintaining our intense humanitarian engagement — despite the lack of political progress. To do so means coming to terms with the impasses that have helped paralyze progress for much of the last two years:
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There is no easy solution to these dilemmas. We will continue our efforts in the Quartet and other forums to resolve them. But at the same time, we must seize opportunities to improve conditions despite these dilemmas.
We must start by reaching agreement on the minimum needs and basic rights of the civilian population, whatever the prevailing security circumstances. We must ensure that every teacher and pupil is able to get to school, every patient has access to health care, every worker can reach his or her workplace; every household has access to safe and affordable water.
I believe that the progress already achieved on the reform agenda provides an opportunity to rebuild the trilateral relationship between the PA, the Government of Israel, and the donor community. A good first step would be to start weekly meetings that include representatives of the Government of Israel, the donor community and a PA ministerial committee. Together, we can find means to meet at least the basic needs of the civilian population. Some indication of what can be achieved is the constructive engagement between Israel, the PA, and the United States on tax revenue transfers.
I reiterate that only a comprehensive plan like the Road Map can succeed in cutting the Gordian knot that binds us in a frustrating stasis. Regrettably, while the Road Map’s clock is wound, it is not yet ticking. And while we are confident that will start soon, there is an absolute imperative to improve the lives of ordinary people right now.
In view of the gravity of the humanitarian situation, I appeal to the parties to put politics to the side today and focus on our collective responsibility to respond seriously, effectively and immediately to the needs of the civilian population.
Thank you.
Document Sources: Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC), International Monetary Fund (IMF), Quartet, United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO), World Bank
Country: Canada, Japan, Norway
Subject: Assistance, Governance, Peace process, Quartet, Road Map
Publication Date: 18/02/2003