Press Release No.55/2009

PAKISTAN CALLS FOR JUST SETTLEMENT OF PALESTINIAN ISSUE

United Nations, New York July 27:Pakistan told the Security Council on Monday that the international community has an abiding interest in a comprehensive resolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict and a just and lasting settlement of the core issue of Palestine.

“A just settlement of the Palestinian question is central in ending the cycle of suspicion and discord that has undermined peace and security in the Middle East,” said Ambassador Abdullah Hussain Haroon while speaking during the open debate of the Security Council on the “Situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.”

Tthe root cause of the Arab-Israeli conflict, he said, is the Israeli occupation of the Arab lands. "For comprehensive peace in the region, it is also essential to achieve parallel progress on the Israel-Syria and Israel-Lebanon fronts through conclusion of peace agreements, he added.

Describing the situation of Palestinian people as "intolerable", Ambassador Haroon said, “The legitimate aspirations of the people of Palestine for freedom and dignity and an independent and sovereign State of their own can no longer be held back”.

The Pakistan ambassador said that Israel continues with impunity its illegal settlement activities in the West Bank including in and around East Jerusalem. Given its serious implications for the peace process, he backed the international community's call on Israel to freeze all settlement activity, including natural growth; to dismantle outposts erected since March 2001; and to refrain from provocative actions in East Jerusalem, including home demolition and evictions.

Stating that the primary responsibility of the Security Council is the maintenance of international peace and security, he said it therefore has a crucial role in supporting the efforts for renewed negotiations among all parties and their early successful conclusion.

Welcoming the priority accorded to Middle East issue by the U.S. administration, particularly the commitment of President Barack Obama to personally pursue a peaceful resolution of this conflict, and his call on all sides to live up to their obligations, Ambassador Haroon said that the call for peace is growing stronger in the new global political scenario.

Ambassador Haroon said that greater political will is required to bring the parties together and help them engage in a sustained negotiations process, in good faith and without pre-conditions aimed in achieving within a reasonable timeframe, a comprehensive agreement on all permanent status issues.

Following is the full text of Ambassador Haroon's statement:

Statement by Ambassador Abdullah Hussain Haroon, Permanent Representative of Pakistan, in the open debate of the Security Council on the Situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question. July 27 2009

  1. Mr. President,on behalf of the Pakistan delegation, I would like to congratulate you on your skillful steering of the Council’s work during this month.
  2. Let me also thank the Assistant Secretary-General for the briefing and update on the situation in the Middle East including the Palestinian question, which is one of the most pressing and long-standing issues on the agenda of the Security Council and the United Nations.
  3. The statements that we have heard in this debate only reconfirm the fundamental interest of the international community in a comprehensive resolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict and a just and lasting settlement of the core issue of Palestine. On the latter, there is a clear sense that the current state of affairs is untenable. The situation of the Palestinian people is intolerable. The legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people for freedom and dignity and an independent and sovereign state of their own can no longer be held back. While we have to address the immediate human rights, social and economic and humanitarian concerns and needs of the oppressed and besieged Palestinian people in the Occupied Territories, we must also create the conditions for early resumption of negotiations and also avoid the risk of renewed conflict and bloodshed which has affected the lives for generations.
  4. While little optimism is offered by the political developments in the region and the continuing grave situation on ground, the international consensus and the call for peace is growing stronger in the new global political scenario. The priority accorded to this issue by the U.S. administration, particularly the commitment of President Obama (Cairo speech) to personally pursue a peaceful resolution of this conflict, and his call on all sides to live up to their obligations, have been welcomed by all.
  5. I think there is full recognition of the fact that a just settlement of the Palestinian question is central to ending the cycle of suspicion and discord that has undermined peace and security in the Middle East and has also strained the relations between neighbours in the region. The question is how to convert this growing international consensus into credible action that would bring to fruition this arduous search for peace.
  6. What we need is a transformative shift – not only in the political process but also in the situation on ground, since both are inter-dependent.
  7. There is no option but to return to the negotiating table. The futility of use of disproportionate force and unilateral actions is beyond any doubt. Efforts to create new facts on ground that prejudice the outcome of negotiations are neither recognized nor can be acceptable to the international community. We should also learn from the half-hearted attempts, unfulfilled promises and aborted peace processes in the past. Greater political will is required to bring the parties together and help them engage in a sustained negotiations process, in good faith and without preconditions, aimed at achieving within a reasonable timeframe, a comprehensive agreement on all permanent status issues.
  8. But any progress will be difficult without the full implementation by the parties of their respective obligations particularly those under the road map. Regrettably, we are witnessing to the contrary. Some of the essential confidence building measures are nowhere in sight. The construction of the illegal separation wall continues unabated. The suffocating complex of roadblocks and permits remains in place, disrupting and adding misery to the everyday life of the Palestinian people. Thousands of Palestinians, including women and children, remain incarcerated in Israeli prisons. The inhumane blockade of the Gaza Strip continues, where the people are still struggling to come to terms with the destruction and tremendous human suffering recently inflicted by aggression, and for which unfortunately there is yet no accountability. Israel also continues with impunity its illegal settlement activities in the West Bank including in and around East Jerusalem. Given its serious implications for the peace process, the international community is right in calling on Israel to freeze all settlement activity, including natural growth; to dismantle outposts erected since March 2001; and to refrain from provocative actions in East Jerusalem, including home demolition and evictions.
  9. Obliging Israel to comply with its commitments remains a real test of the international community’s seriousness and commitment to an equitable solution. We believe that fulfillment of commitments by the parties is in their own interest, and it should be perceived not as a sign of weakness but as a measure of strength and confidence in the peace efforts.
  10. In accordance with its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, the Security Council has a crucial role in supporting the efforts for renewed negotiations and their early successful conclusion. I believe this is an ideal opportunity for this Council to ensure respect and implementation of its resolutions and to restore its own relevance, credibility and legitimacy by giving a serious push to resolving the Palestinian issue. For comprehensive peace in the region, it is also essential to achieve parallel progress on the Israel-Syria and Israel-Lebanon fronts through conclusion of peace agreements.
  11. Mr. President, the root cause of the Arab-Israeli conflict is the Israeli occupation of the Arab lands. In its recent statement, the Quartet rightly underscored that the only viable solution to this conflict is the one that ends the occupation. This is the ultimate objective that has eluded us so far but should not escape us any longer. The framework for peace is there – in all the relevant UN resolutions including Security Council resolutions 242, 338, 1397 and 1515, the Madrid terms of reference including the principle of land for peace, the road map and the Arab Peace Initiative. The international consensus and requirement for peace is also there. We must all act now to achieve what has been awaiting us and what inarguably is in the interest of our world, above all, it is in the best interest of the Palestinian and the Israeli people.
  12. Let me conclude by reiterating Pakistan’s full support for this objective and our strong commitment for the realization of an independent, sovereign and viable State of Palestine on the basis of the pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

Thank you.