DPR Monthly Bulletin – Vol. XVIII, No. 07 – CEIRPP, DPR bulletin (July-August 1995) – DPR publication

---

July/August 1995

Volume XVIII, Bulletin No. 7

Contents

I. COMMITTEE ON THE EXERCISE OF THE INALIENABLE RIGHTS

OF THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE CONSIDERS CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

ON REGIONAL MEETINGS

The Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People held its 216th meeting on 24 July 1995.  The Chairman reported on the North American NGO Symposium on the Question of Palestine, held in New York from 19 to 21 June 1995, and the Seminar on Palestinian Administrative, Managerial and Financial Needs and Challenges, held in Paris from 28 to 30 June 1995. The Committee approved the provisional programme for the combined International NGO Meeting/European NGO Symposium on the Question of Palestine, to be held at Vienna from 29 August to 1 September 1995.

The Chairman observed that in recent times the work of the Committee has enjoyed broader acceptance; countries that held different opinions of the Committee's efforts should now be encouraged to participate in its work (GA/PAL/703).

II. UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL NGO MEETING/

EUROPEAN NGO SYMPOSIUM HELD AT VIENNA,

29 AUGUST TO 1 SEPTEMBER 1995

The twelfth United Nations International NGO Meeting and ninth European NGO Symposium on the Question of Palestine were held as a combined event under the auspices of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People at the Vienna International Centre from 29 August to 1 September 1995.

The meeting was convened in accordance with General Assembly resolutions 49/62 A and B of 14 December 1994, and was attended by 26 panelists and workshop leaders and by the representatives of 51 non-governmental organizations (NGOs), 21 of them as observers.  It was also attended by 37 Governments, 10 United Nations agencies and bodies, 3 intergovernmental organizations, 5 NGO coordinating committees, and a delegation of Palestine.

The Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People was represented by a delegation composed of Mr. Kéba Birane Cissé (Senegal), Chairman of the Committee and head of the delegation; Mr. Ravan A. G. Farhadi (Afghanistan), Vice-Chairman; Mr. Joseph Cassar (Malta), Rapporteur of the Committee; Mr. Alyaksandr Sychou (Belarus), and Mr. Nasser Al-Kidwa, Permanent Observer of Palestine to the United Nations.

The programme for the meeting was formulated by the Committee in consultation with members of the International Coordinating Committee for NGOs on the Question of Palestine (ICCP) and the European Coordinating Committee for NGOs on the Question of Palestine (ECCP) at a preparatory meeting held in New York on 27 and 28 February 1995.  The central theme of the combined meeting was "The 50th anniversary of the United Nations-Palestine, NGOs and the implementation of United Nations resolutions".

At the opening meeting, participants were welcomed on behalf of the Government of Austria by Mr. Wolfgang Schallenberg, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  A message from Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Secretary-General of the United Nations, was delivered by his representative, Mr. Giorgio Giacomelli, Under-Secretary-General and Director-General of United Nations Office at Vienna.  Mr. Cissé spoke in his capacity as Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People.  Mr. Yasser Arafat, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization and Chairman of the Palestinian Authority, conveyed a message through his representative, Mr. Mohieddin Massoud.  Statements were also made by Mr. Don Betz, ICCP Chairman, and Ms. Maria Gazi, Acting ECCP Chairman.

The invited experts made statements in five panels, which were followed by discussion.  In the first panel, entitled "The United Nations at its 50th anniversary and the question of Palestine", statements were made by Mr. Ilter Türkmen, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and Mr. Nasser Al-Kidwa, Permanent Observer of Palestine to the United Nations.

The second panel was entitled "The present political situation".  Statements were made by Mr. Victor Possouvaliouk, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation; Mr. Azmi Shuibi, Minister of Sports and Youth, Palestinian Authority; Mr. Abdulwahab Darawshe, Chairman of the Arab Democratic Party and member of the Knesset; Mr. Haim Baram, journalist and founding member of the Israeli Council for Israeli-Palestinian Peace; and Mr. Taysir Arouri, professor of physics and mathematics at Bir Zeit University and member of the Palestinian National Council.

In the third panel, entitled "Elements of the final peace settlement, and obstacles to peace", statements on various sub-topics were made as follows: Mr. Ibrahim Matar, Deputy Director of American Near East Refugee Aid, spoke on the issue of Jerusalem and settlements; Mr. Elia Zureik, professor of sociology at Queen's College, Ontario, Canada, and member of the Palestinian delegation to the refugee working group of the multilateral peace talks, and Mr. Zakaria Abderahim, Director-General of the Department for Returnee Affairs of the PLO, spoke on the issue of refugees and the right of return; and Mr. Hashem Mahameed, head of the Democratic Front for Peace and Equality and member of the Knesset, addressed the topic of Israel's violation of its commitments under the Declaration of Principles.

The fourth panel, entitled "Palestine update", consisted of briefings on social issues and living conditions facing the Palestinians on the ground.  Mr. Taysir Arouri, professor of physics and mathematics at Bir Zeit University and member of the Palestine National Council, spoke on economic and social development issues.  Dr. Imad Tarawiyeh, Director-General, Ministry of Health, Palestinian Authority, addressed health-related questions.  A statement on education and children was made by Mr. George B. Sahhar, Director of Cultural Affairs in the Ministry of Education of the Palestinian Authority.  Ms. Eileen Kuttab, lecturer in sociology and anthropology and coordinator of the Women's Studies Programme at Bir Zeit University, spoke on women's issues.

The fifth panel considered the issue of "Building the NGO network – NGO strategies for action".  Statements were made by Mr. Fathi Darwish, Director in the Ministry of International Cooperation and Planning of the Palestinian Authority; Ms. Emma Murphy, lecturer in Middle Eastern politics, University of Durham, United Kingdom; Mr. José Elias, Chairman of the Federation of Palestinian Organizations in Chile and President of the University of San Andres; Mr. John Gee, Council for the Advancement of Arab-British Understanding; Mr. Don Betz, ICCP Chairman; Ms. Maria Gazi, Acting ECCP Chairman; and Mr. Larry Ekin, Chairman of the North American Coordinating Committee for NGOs (NACC).

In addition to the panels, a number of workshops were held concurrently for participants interested in developing specific action-oriented proposals.  The workshop topics were linked to those of the panels.  A demonstration in electronic skills was also organized.

The participating NGOs adopted the following communiqué:

"1. We, the non-governmental organizations gathered together at the United Nations International NGO Meeting and European NGO Symposium on the Question of Palestine, note with pride and appreciation on the fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations the important work done by the United Nations and its agencies, in particular, UNRWA, in addressing the question of Palestine.

"2. We are aware that this is an important moment in the history of the Palestinian people.  The Declaration of Principles opened a new chapter in Middle East relations.  We welcome the positive developments in the Middle East peace process as a result of that historic development.  But we also note with great concern the repeated delays in the implementation of the letter and spirit of the agreement.  Those actions on the part of Israel have undermined confidence and generated insecurity among Palestinians and pose a genuine threat to the securing of a just and lasting peace.  As NGOs we exhort Israel to honour its commitments in a timely manner.  In addition, as NGOs we continue to uphold the principle that Israel, as the occupying Power, remains obligated to observe the Fourth Geneva Convention until such time as the Palestinian people achieve full sovereignty.

"3. NGO unequivocal support for the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, the right of return and the establishment of the independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital in accordance with all relevant United Nations resolutions remains at the center of the NGO commitment.  The United Nations has a role in reaching a negotiated settlement on the question of Palestine and is the most appropriate body to guarantee a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle East.

"4. To demonstrate our commitment to peace and solidarity with Palestinians on the ground, we recommend that the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, in cooperation with NGOs in Palestine and the global NGO network through the International Coordinating Committee for NGOs on the Question of Palestine (ICCP) and its regional coordinating bodies, convene a United Nations-sponsored NGO meeting in Jerusalem or another location in Palestine next year.

"5. Although resolution of the questions related to Jerusalem, Israeli settlements and the right of return has been deferred to the permanent status negotiations, we NGOs clearly reaffirm their fundamental importance to any just and lasting peace. We oppose all Israeli actions designed to predetermine the final outcome of the talks.

"6. We call upon all NGOs to make concerted efforts to publicize Israeli violations of Palestinian human rights.  Of continuing and major concern to us is the ongoing Israeli incarceration of Palestinian political prisoners and detainees.  We reiterate our call for their unconditional release, in compliance with relevant agreements reached between Israel and Palestine.  Further, we declare that NGOs have an obligation to lobby Governments regarding these concerns.

"7. We note with great concern the closure and intimidation of Palestinian institutions.  We condemn this dangerous action and call upon all NGOs to register their strongest protests with their Governments and with the Government of Israel.

"8. We request that the countries hosting Palestinian refugees observe and preserve their civil, social and political rights until they are allowed to return home.  We call upon all NGOs to seek new ways and means of aiding Palestinian refugees in these areas.  Specifically, we call for cooperation and coordination among Palestinian grass-roots organizations by means of regional seminars and workshops.

"9. We express our appreciation for the May 1995 meeting held in Jerusalem in preparation for this United Nations-sponsored meeting, organized by the Vienna Conference Working Group and attended by local and international NGOs in Palestine. The NGO Working Group meeting in Palestine is an indication of the seriousness and importance that NGOs accord to their collective work in cooperation with the United Nations.  We welcome and encourage those efforts.

"10. The local NGO movement in the occupied territories has a unique history.  It has formed an essential part of the national struggle against the occupation, aimed at achieving Palestinian national goals.  Under occupation, both local and international NGOs have played crucial roles in the development of the Palestinian economy and society.  During the past year, Palestinian NGOs have affirmed their intention to continue playing those important roles. Strengthening Palestinian NGOs will ensure the development of civil society in Palestine.  We will seek new ways to increase the involvement of international NGOs, including those involved in economic and social development and in humanitarian service.  We encourage cooperation and coordination between Palestinian NGOs and the Palestinian Authority in order to fulfil the needs of the people.  Donor agencies and nations are urged to fulfil their pledges and commitments to support Palestinian economic and social development.

"11. We firmly believe that Israeli-Palestinian NGO cooperation should be encouraged and strengthened.  This should be based on mutual understanding and commitment to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace.  This cooperation is important to the Palestinian quest for self-determination.  Concerted efforts should be made to enhance a process of coordination between Israeli and Palestinian NGOs.

"12. We strongly denounce the continuous acts of harassment by Israel. Such actions include hampering the ability to deliver needed supplies, materials and medical necessities and are examples of the multiple and persistent restrictions Israel adopts to disrupt the work of international and Palestinian NGOs and the daily life of Palestinians in general.

"13. Further, we denounce the Israeli policy of closing East Jerusalem.  We urge the Government of Israel to lift the closure immediately.

"14. NGOs request the international community, and particularly the European Community and the United States, to urge Israel to comply with all phases of the Oslo Agreement.  In particular, Israel should open four roads with at least one safe passage to link Gaza with the West Bank.  The free movement of goods and peoples between Gaza and the West Bank is vital to the social and economic development of the areas under Palestinian jurisdiction.  Specifically, we request that the shortest route, Gaza-Ashkelon-Idna Hebron, be designated as the safe corridor to link Gaza with the West Bank.

"15. The ICCP and ECCP plan to use the coming year as an opportunity to appraise the ways and means they can be most effective in assisting the Palestinian people in realizing their national aspirations. We will review our objectives, structures and processes as well as our working relationships with the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People and the Division for Palestinian Rights.  We anticipate using multiple technologies to enhance our coordinating and information gathering and disseminating functions.

"16. We warmly thank the Committee for convening this combined meeting and symposium.  We genuinely appreciate the work done by the Division and the conference staff in facilitating our sessions. We acknowledge and appreciate the messages of support from Chairman Yasser Arafat and Secretary-General Boutros-Ghali as presented by their representatives.  We further appreciate the statements supporting the NGO movement and activities made by the Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Kéba Birane Cissé of Senegal, and by Mr. Nasser Al-Kidwa of Palestine.  We reaffirm our interest in continuing and expanding NGO cooperation with the Committee and the Division.  We request the Committee's and Division's assistance in gaining access to other United Nations bodies and agencies and in identifying United Nations programmes and resources that can help the NGOs fulfil their objectives.

"17. We request the Chairman of the Committee to convey this communiqué to the General Assembly at its fiftieth session as part of the Committee's report."

III.  SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS BUS BOMB ATTACK IN JERUSALEM

The following statement was issued on 21 August 1995 by the spokesman for Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali (SG/SM/5704):

"The Secretary-General strongly condemns the terrorist attack against two buses in Jerusalem today.  He extends condolences to the families of the victims. He hopes that, despite this latest outrageous incident, the parties will remain undeterred in their negotiations to implement in full the Declaration of Principles of September 1993."

IV. ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL ADOPTS THREE

RESOLUTIONS RELEVANT TO THE QUESTION OF PALESTINE

At its substantive session of 1995, held at Geneva from 26 June to 28 July, the Economic and Social Council had before it two reports of the Secretary-General, on assistance to the Palestinian people (A/50/286-E/1995/113) and on the economic and social repercussions of Israeli settlements (A/50/262-E/1995/59), as well as the report of the Seminar on Palestinian Administrative, Managerial and Financial Needs and Challenges (A/50/278-E/1995/114). The Council adopted the following resolutions.

"1995/49.  Economic and social repercussions

of the Israeli settlements on the Palestinian

people in the Palestinian territory, including

Jerusalem, occupied since 1967, and on the

Arab population of the occupied Syrian Golan

"The Economic and Social Council,

"Recalling General Assembly resolution 49/132 of 19 December 1994,

"Recalling also its resolution 1994/45 of 29 July 1994,

"Reaffirming the principle of the permanent sovereignty of people under foreign occupation over their national resources,

"Guided by the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, affirming the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by force and recalling Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) of 22 November 1967 and 497 (1981) of 17 December 1981,

"Recalling Security Council resolution 465 (1980) of 1 March 1980 and other resolutions affirming the applicability of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, 1/ to the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, and other Arab territories occupied by Israel, since 1967,

"Recalling also Security Council resolution 904 (1994) of 18 March 1994, in which, among other things, the Council called upon Israel, the occupying Power, to continue to take and implement measures, including, inter alia, confiscation of arms, with the aim of preventing illegal acts of violence by Israeli settlers, and called for measures to be taken to guarantee the safety and protection of the Palestinian civilians in the occupied territory,

"Aware of the negative and grave economic and social repercussions of the Israeli settlements on the Palestinian people in the Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, occupied since 1967, and on the Arab population of the occupied Syrian Golan,

"Welcoming the ongoing Middle East peace process started at Madrid, in particular the signing at Cairo on 4 May 1994 by the Government of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization, the representative of the Palestinian people, of the first agreement on the implementation of the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements, namely, the Agreement on the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area, 2/ 

"1. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General; 3/

"2. Reaffirms that Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, and other Arab territories occupied since 1967 are illegal and an obstacle to economic and social development;

"3. Recognizes the economic and social repercussions of the Israeli settlements on the Palestinian people in the Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, occupied by Israel since 1967, and on the Arab population of the occupied Syrian Golan;

"4. Reaffirms the inalienable right of the Palestinian people and the population of the Syrian Golan to their natural and all other economic resources, and regards any infringement thereof as being illegal;

"5. Requests the Secretary-General to submit to the General Assembly at the fifty-first session, through the Economic and Social Council, a report on the progress made in the implementation of the present resolution."

"1995/52.  Middle East peace process   

"The Economic and Social Council,

"Recalling General Assembly resolution 49/88 of 16 December 1994,

"Reaffirming its resolution 1994/44 of 29 July 1994,

"Reaffirming the convening of the Peace Conference on the Middle East at Madrid on 30 October 1991, on the basis of Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) of 22 November 1967 and 338 (1973) of 22 October 1973, and the subsequent bilateral negotiations, as well as the meetings of the multilateral working groups, and noting with satisfaction the broad international support for the peace process,

"Noting the continuing positive participation of the United Nations as a full extraregional participant in the work of the multilateral working groups,

"Bearing in mind the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements, signed by the Government of the State of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization in Washington on 13 September 1993, 4/ and the subsequent Agreement on the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area, signed by the Government of the State of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization, the representative of the Palestinian people, at Cairo on 4 May 1994, 5/

"Also bearing in mind the Agreement between Israel and Jordan on the Common Agenda, signed in Washington on 14 September 1993, the Washington Declaration 6/ signed by the Governments of Jordan and Israel on 25 July 1994, and the Jordan-Israel Treaty of Peace of 26 October 1994,

"Welcoming the Declaration of Casablanca, adopted at the Middle East/North Africa Economic Summit, 7/ held at Casablanca from 30 October to 1 November 1994,

"1. Welcomes the peace process started at Madrid, and supports the subsequent bilateral negotiations;

"2. Stresses the importance of, and need for, achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East;

"3. Expresses its full support for the achievements of the peace process thus far, in particular the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements, signed by the Government of the State of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization, the subsequent Agreement on the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area, signed by the Government of the State of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization, the representative of the Palestinian people, their 29 August 1994 agreement on the preparatory transfer of powers and responsibilities, the Agreement between Israel and Jordan on the Common Agenda, the Washington Declaration, signed by Jordan and Israel on 25 July 1994, and the Jordan-Israel Treaty of Peace of 26 October 1994, which constitute important steps in achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East, and urges all parties to implement the agreements reached;

"4. Also expresses its support for the ongoing negotiations between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization on modalities for elections in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the redeployment of Israeli forces, and the further transfer of responsibilities in the West Bank to the Palestinian Authority, and urges the parties to conclude those negotiations as soon as possible;

"5. Welcomes the results of the Conference to Support Middle East Peace, convened in Washington on 1 October 1993, including the establishment of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee, and the subsequent work of the World Bank Consultative Group, welcomes also the appointment by the Secretary-General of the United Nations Special Coordinator in the occupied territories, and urges Member States to expedite and to increase economic, financial and technical assistance to the Palestinian people during the interim period;

"6. Stresses the need to achieve rapid progress on the other tracks of the Arab-Israeli negotiations within the peace process;

"7. Calls upon all Member States to extend economic, financial and technical assistance to parties in the region and to render support for the peace process;

"8. Welcomes the Middle East/North Africa Economic Summit, to be held at Amman from 29 to 31 October 1995, and expresses the hope that this Summit will contribute to the promotion of regional and international cooperation in the Middle East and North Africa;

"9. Considers that an active United Nations role in the Middle East peace process and in assisting in the Implementation of the Declaration of Principles can make a positive contribution;

"10. Encourages regional development and cooperation in the areas where work has already begun within the framework of the Madrid Conference."

The Council endorsed a resolution recommended by the Commission on the Status of Women and adopted it as resolution 1995/30, entitled "Palestinian women".  The text of the resolution adopted by the Commission on the Status of Women is contained in the March 1995 issue of this bulletin.

_____________

1/ United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 75, No. 973.

2/ A/49/180-S/1994/727, annex.

3/ A/50/262-E/1995/59.

4/ A/48/486-S/16560, annex.

5/ A/49/180-S/1994/727, annex.

6/ A/49/300-S/1994/939, annex.

7/ A/49/645, annex.

V.  DECLARATION BY THE PRESIDENCY OF THE

EUROPEAN UNION ON THE ATTACK IN JERUSALEM

The following text was submitted to the Secretary-General by Mr. Juan Antonio Yáñez-Barnuevo, Permanent Representative of Spain, on 23 August 1995, on behalf of the Presidency (Spain) of the European Union (A/50/367-S/1995/729):

"The European Union strongly condemns the attack carried out yesterday against a bus in Jerusalem, in which, according to information received so far, five people have died and many have been wounded.

"The European Union wishes to express its most heartfelt condolences to the victims' families and to the Israeli Government and people.

"Whilst it expresses once again its complete and utter repudiation of all acts of violence aimed at undermining the ongoing negotiations for the interim agreement between Israel and the Palestinian authority, the European Union reaffirms its commitment to the peace process and calls on the parties involved to continue to demonstrate their courageous political will to bring about the victory of peace over the violence of the minority groups which oppose it."

VI.  ORGANIZATION OF AFRICAN UNITY ADOPTS RESOLUTIONS

ON THE PALESTINE QUESTION AND ON THE SITUATION

IN THE MIDDLE EAST

At its sixty-second ordinary session, held at Addis Ababa from 21 to 23 June 1995, the Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), adopted the following resolutions:

"CM/Res. 1590 (LXII).

Resolution on the question of Palestine

"The Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity, meeting in its sixty-second ordinary session at Addis Ababa from 21 to 23 June 1995,

"Having considered the report of the Secretary-General of the Organization of African Unity on the question of Palestine as contained in document CM/1889 (LXII),

"Recalling the relevant resolutions adopted by previous sessions of the Council of Ministers and the Assembly of Heads of State and Government on the question of Palestine,

"Reaffirming the legitimacy of the struggle being waged by the Palestinian people under the leadership of the Palestine Liberation Organization, their sole legitimate representative, to recover their occupied territories and exercise their inalienable national rights, including the right to return to their homeland, to self-determination and to an independent State incorporating East Jerusalem,

"Following attentively the continued peace efforts for the achievement of a just and comprehensive settlement to the Palestinian question, on the basis of Security Council resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973) and 478 (1980) and the legitimate national and political rights of the Palestinian people:

"1. Reaffirms that the Palestinian question is at the core of the Middle East conflict while the issue of Jerusalem forms the core of the Palestinian question and that a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle East calls for:

"(a) Withdrawal of Israel from all the occupied Palestinian and Arab territories, including East Jerusalem, recognition of and respect for the inalienable national rights of the Palestinian people in accordance with General Assembly resolution 3236 (XXIX);

"(b) Cessation of all acts of violence by all parties;

"(c) Release of all prisoners and detainees in accordance with the agreement between Israel and the PLO and the provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 12 August 1949;

"(d) Cessation of all activities aimed at establishing new Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and the need to dismantle the existing ones, put an immediate end to the confiscating of the Palestinian land in and around Jerusalem and all other occupied Palestinian and Arab territories, and rescind immediately all the confiscation orders and arrangements taken by Israel and that no such action be taken in the future so as to comply with the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly and the Security Council.

"2. Reaffirms the need to solve the problem of Palestinian refugees based on the principles of human rights and in accordance with the provisions of the relevant United Nations resolutions, particularly General Assembly resolution 194 (III) and Security Council resolution 237 (1967);

"3. Expresses its appreciation and support for the "Land for Peace" principle, pursuant to Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973), and for the Declaration of Principles signed in Washington on 13 September 1993 by the PLO and Israel as a first step towards the implementation of the principle of "Land for Peace", which should be speedily followed by similar measures on the Palestinian and other Arab tracks;

"4. Encourages Israel and the PLO to continue the peace process and asserts the need to adhere to the provisions of the agreements concluded by the parties and take measures to implement those agreements without delay and within the time-frame pursuant to the Declaration of Principles signed in Washington and all other related agreements;

"5. Expresses its appreciation of the efforts exerted by all other parties in the bilateral and multilateral talks and encourages them to persevere in their efforts to reach a just and peaceful solution to the Palestinian question;

"6. Reaffirms its support of the PLO and its National Palestinian Authority and the interim Palestinian government and calls upon the donor community and international organizations and investment institutions to provide the Palestinian Economic Council for Development and Reconstruction with economic and financial assistance, to enable it to exploit and develop the resources of the Palestinian territories and rehabilitate Palestinian national institutions as well as the infrastructure of the Palestinian national economy completely destroyed by Israeli occupation;

"7. Invites the Member States to continue extending their support to the PLO at the forthcoming negotiations to ensure the transfer to the Palestinian National Authority of all authority and responsibilities in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem;

"8. Requests the OAU Secretary-General to monitor developments regarding the question of Palestine and to report thereon to the next session of the OAU Council of Ministers."

"CM/Res. 1591 (LXII).

Resolution on the Middle East

"The Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity, meeting in its sixty-second ordinary session in Addis Ababa from 21 to 23 June 1995,

"Having considered the report of the Secretary-General of the Organization of African Unity and the situation in the Middle East as contained in document CM/1889 (LXII),

"Guided by the principles and objectives of the charters of the United Nations and the Organization of African Unity and by the common determination of the African and Arab peoples to pool their resources in order to safeguard their sovereignty and recover their legitimate basic rights,

"Bearing in mind all the relevant resolutions on the situation in the Middle East adopted by the OAU Assembly of Heads of State and Government and the Council of Ministers,

"Recalling that the Palestinian question is at the core of the Arab-Israeli conflict in the Middle East while the issue of Jerusalem forms the core of the Palestinian question;

"1. Notes with appreciation the ongoing positive developments in the Middle East and expresses its full support for the efforts made on all tracks to bring about a comprehensive and just solution to the question of Palestine and to the Arab-Israeli conflict in accordance with international resolutions, in particular Security Council resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973), 425 (1978) and 478 (1980), on the basis of the principle of "Land for Peace";

"2. Expresses satisfaction with the present positive developments in the Middle East, particularly the signing of the Peace Treaty on 26 October 1994 by Israel and Jordan;

"3. Extend its full support to the Palestinian people and the Arab countries in their endeavour to put an end to the Israeli occupation and for the establishment of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East;

"4. Reaffirms that the issues of Jerusalem and Palestine are at the core of the Arab-Israeli conflict and that a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East cannot be established unless Israel withdraws from all the occupied Palestinian and Arab territories, including Jerusalem, the Syrian Golan and South Lebanon and the Palestinian people can exercise their inalienable national rights.

"5. Calls upon the United Nations and its specialized institutions to exert further efforts in the field of economic development in the occupied Palestinian territories, including Jerusalem, and invites all Member States to sponsor projects inside the city of Jerusalem in support of it and of its steadfast Palestinian citizens;

"6. Reaffirms its support of Security Council resolution 681 (1990), which provides for the applicability of all the provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 concerning the protection of civilians in time of war to the Palestinian territories, including Jerusalem;

"7. Strongly urges the United Nations and the international community to ensure the full compliance of Israel with the resolutions of the United Nations and those of the International Atomic Energy Agency regarding the application of its nuclear installations for peaceful purposes and to compel Israel to open its atomic installations to international control and present a full report of its stockpile of atomic material to the Security Council and the International Atomic Energy Agency.

"8. Endorses once again the proposal made by Mohamed Hosni Mubarak, President of the Republic of Egypt, to proclaim the Middle East a region free from weapons of mass destruction;

"9. Requests the OAU Secretary-General to monitor the situation in the Middle East and report thereon to the next session of the Council of Ministers."

VII.  JAPAN MAKES EMERGENCY CONTRIBUTION FOR THE

TRANSFER OF UNRWA HEADQUARTERS FROM VIENNA TO GAZA

On 7 July 1995, the Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations issued the following press release:

"1. In view of the profound importance it attaches to promoting the ongoing Middle East peace process and in order to ensure the prompt transfer of the headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) from Vienna to Gaza in accordance with the resolution of the forty-ninth session of the General Assembly in 1994, the Government of Japan on 7 July made an emergency contribution of $2 million to cover the construction costs of office facilities in Gaza and Amman.

"The contribution is to be used as follows:

"(i) $1,400,000 for the construction of office facilities in Gaza;

"(ii) $600,000 for the construction of additional facilities in Amman.

"2. The Middle East peace process has been making significant progress.  Following the signing of the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip by Israel and the Palestinian delegation in September 1993, the Palestinian Authority was established in May 1994.  In October of that year, the treaty of peace was signed by Israel and Jordan.  In view of those developments, the United Nations also has been very active in the West Bank and Gaza, stationing a special coordinator and establishing field offices of the United Nations Development Programme and the World Health Organization in the region with a view to supporting the peace process and contributing as much as possible to the development of the Palestinian economy and society.  In order to facilitate development efforts, in June 1994 United Nations Secretary-General Boutros-Ghali decided that UNRWA headquarters, which has expertise on the situation of Palestine refugees, should be transferred from Vienna to Gaza.

"The General Assembly at the end of 1994, at its forty-ninth session, endorsed this decision and requested that further study be conducted on the modality of the transfer and its cost, and it adopted a resolution urging Member States to make voluntary contributions for the transfer.

"3. Japan took an active part in that study and has now decided to make an emergency financial contribution for the total construction cost of the new offices with a view to enabling the transfer to commence as soon as possible.

"4. It is estimated that the transfer will require a total of $13 million.  At this moment, however, except for Japan's contribution, only about $40,000 has been received.  Japan's contribution is highly appreciated by UNRWA and the United Nations, as it represents not only the largest but also the earliest disbursement of a significant contribution.  It is hoped that it will elicit further contributions from other potential donors.

"5. Since its establishment in 1950 by a General Assembly resolution, UNRWA has been active in the fields of relief and welfare, medical care and health, and education and vocational training on behalf of about 3,010,000 Palestinians in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank and Gaza, who were forced to flee their homes as a result of the Middle East conflict.  The transfer of UNRWA headquarters to Gaza is expected not only to facilitate its relief activities for refugees in the area but also to contribute greatly to the economic and social development of the region as a whole, including providing employment opportunities."

VIII.  CYPRUS OFFERS $2 MILLION AID PACKAGE TO PALESTINIANS

On 18 July 1995, the Permanent Mission of Cyprus to the United Nations issued the following press release:

"Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides officially presented yesterday, July 17, to Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in Gaza a comprehensive aid package as a gesture of support for the peace process and for enhancement of cooperation in the area. The aid package approved by the Council of Ministers provides for a plan to grant technical aid to Palestinian autonomous regions.

"The plan aims to serve the needs of local Palestinian communities and foresees the construction of two medical centres in Gaza at a cost of about $2 million.

"A scholarship programme for the training of Palestinian personnel in various fields is also provided.  Such fields include agriculture, inspection of produce, housing finance, small business administration, preparation of medium-term development plans, state audits, preparation of annual budgets, setting up of an accountant general's office, public management, tourism, health, and training at the Cyprus Police Academy.  Follow-up consultancy and technical assistance missions will be provided in all the above-mentioned fields.

"The package also provides for assistance by the Cyprus Development Bank for the establishment of a Palestinian investment bank."

IX.  NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS:

ACTIVITIES AND INFORMATION

1. Middle East International, a biweekly publication, is available from P.O. Box 53365, Temple Heights Station, Washington, D.C. 20009, United States.  Issue No. 504, of 7 July 1995, includes articles on the Israeli bypass roads; Palestinian prisoners' hunger strike; problems resulting from the isolation of Jericho; latest developments in the occupied territories, including killings of Palestinians and the Israeli policies on Hebron; activities of right-wing groups in the Knesset and the settlements; the dynamics of a new Palestinian political order and the need for civil support structures; and a review of Hanan Ashrawi's book entitled This Side of Peace. Issue No. 505, of 21 July 1995, includes an editorial on "ethnic cleansing" in the occupied territories; articles on some details of redeployment plans in the West Bank; apprehensions of Palestinians living in Hebron concerning negotiations; the Israeli military and rabbis who sanction defiance of orders to surrender land; the peace process as a highlight of United States foreign policy; Arafat's meeting with Palestinian funders; and the predicament of assessing Palestinian opinion polls.  Issue No. 506, of 4 August 1995, includes articles on the reaction to the outrage over the Tel Aviv bombing of July 24; West Bank settlers' protests in East Jerusalem; Israeli influence over the White House and the detention of Hamas member Marzuq; the United States new Middle East policy; and news articles on various countries in the Middle East.

2. The Other Front, which is published by the Alternative Information Centre, is available from AIC, P.O. Box 31417, Jerusalem (Fax 972 2 253151).  Issue No. 329, of 11 July, includes articles on the interim period; on a new campaign by Israeli intellectuals calling upon Jerusalem to be transformed into an open and united city; and on the strike held by Israeli women in solidarity with Palestinian political prisoners.  Issue No. 331, of 25 July 1995, includes articles on Israel's insistence on controlling water resources during the interim period, including a table showing the distribution of water resources between Palestinians and settlers in the West Bank; the arrest of Christian peace activists in Hebron; the Shabak's interrogation methods of detainees; the confiscation of 1,000 dunams to build an Eastern ring road around Jerusalem; a statement from the Peace Bloc to the rabbis of the occupied territories; and the emerging division of Jerusalem into three municipalities:  Eastern-Arab, non-Zionist Haredi and Israeli-secular.  Issue No. 332, of 1 August 1995, includes articles on Israeli Defence Force soldiers who refuse to serve in the occupied territories out of humanitarian considerations and those who refuse to take part in the evacuation of settlements; activities of the Israeli peace movement; the Knesset's amendment to the State Civil Service Law guaranteeing preferential hiring of women for government jobs; Shamir's joining activists to protest the return of the Golan; and an assessment of the performance of Meir Shamgar, outgoing president of the Supreme Court. Issue No. 333, of 8 August 1995, includes articles on the Israeli settlers' acts against Palestinian demonstrators; the Peace Now actions in support of the Oslo Agreement; and on residents of Israel distancing themselves from extreme right settler groups.  Issue No. 335, of 22 August 1995, includes articles on the steps undertaken by the Forum for Jerusalem to close Palestinian institutions in Jerusalem; and opinions on why the Peace Now movement has remained silent in the face of the settlers' activism.  Issue No. 336, of 27 August 1995, includes articles on Shabak's interrogation methods; the security establishment's recommendation of moving the "Waqf" system out of East Jerusalem; and drop-out rates of schoolchildren, with children of Ethiopian immigrants showing a rate of 31 per cent, and 30 per cent for some Arab communities, as compared to 7 per cent for Jewish communities.

3. News From Within is a newsletter also published by the Alternative Information Centre. Volume XI, of July 1995, includes articles on the demands of Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike and the Israeli Government's reactions; settlers' acts of resistance before the deadline for the expansion of Palestinian autonomy; forces that control the lives of Gazans, including Israeli soldiers at checkpoints, the Israeli-Palestinian Liaison Committee, and the Palestinian Authority's style of rule; summaries of lectures given at a symposium on the peace agreements at the Tel Aviv University School of Law; a summary of discussion at Bir Zeit University on the future of the Palestinian Women's Movement; excerpts from Dr. Majdi Malki's study on social effects of the intifadah in the Jalazon refugee camp, focusing on women's role; and the educational system for children in the Arab sector of Israel as a means of control over the Arab minority.  Volume XII, of August 1995, includes articles by Tikva Honig-Parnass, on her views with regard to the "interim agreement"; the reasons for the failure of the prisoners' hunger strike; a study of the integration in Galilee of 1948 refugees and their efforts to defend their right of return; the need for the PLO to represent the 1948 refugees; the debate within the Israeli women's peace movement; the Alternative Information Centre's project to launch a women's centre; and a review of Felicia Langer's book, which challenges the theory of a single gunman in the Hebron massacre.

4. CCINGO, an ad hoc committee of international NGOs working in the occupied Palestinian territory, may be contacted through Fax 972 2 894260.  Its publication entitled "Water: symbol of peace or cause of contention", of 24 August 1995, contains information on West Bank and Gaza sources of water; Israeli control of its distribution; usage and costs of water consumption; international law and the issue of water; effects of control of water use on health; safety and environmental standards; and recommendations for action.

5. Forward, a publication "for the liberation of land and man" is available from P.O. Box 5092, Damascus, Syria.  The August 1995 issue includes articles on the continuous spread of settlements in Jerusalem; Israeli Defence Force activities in Nablus; the replacement of Palestinian workers by foreign workers; Arafat and Gaza; an analysis of the protection of human rights within the new self-rule areas; and the Clinton Administration and Rabin.

6. Al-Haq, an affiliate of the International Commission of Jurists, has published the following press releases for the month of August 1995 which are available from P.O. Box 1412, Ramallah, West Bank (Fax 972 2 995194):

"Al-Haq calls for serious and effective measures to end Israeli practices of torture";

"Continued settler violence threatens to seriously endanger the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories";

"Al-Haq's legal opinion regarding Israel's demand for transfer of persons from the areas under National Palestinian Authority jurisdiction".

*     *    *