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Mr. President,
The problem in the Middle East is the problem created by the use of force and
foreign military occupation. I wish to thank the Secretary General for his
reports on agenda items 36 and 37.
2. May I, at the outset, reiterate our heartfelt condolences on the demise of
President Yasser Arafat who symbolized the resistance of the Palestinian people
against foreign occupation and their struggle for statehood in their homeland.
Pakistan shares in the grief of Palestinian people. We share the conviction that
the vision for which Yasser Arafat struggled for so long will be realized –
sooner rather than later.
Mr. President,
3. The Palestinian people are standing at a fateful juncture in their national
history. President Arafat’s demise has created a political void which we know
they will fill quickly. The Palestinian people have responded maturely and
sagaciously. They have taken the first firm steps in the political transition in
accordance with their Basic Law. Pakistan welcomes the decision of the
Palestinian National Authority to hold elections on 9 January, which will be
helpful in putting the Palestinian political life back on track and in carrying
forward the now-stalled peace process.
Mr. President,
4. The organization of elections under foreign occupation is not an easy task in
Palestine as elsewhere. The elections will be held in the background of death
and destruction caused by incessant incursions, attacks and targeted
assassination of the Palestinian political figures by the occupying power. Such
security threats to the Palestinian lives have been aggravated by the economic
and humanitarian restrictions imposed by the occupation forces, continuing
illegal settlement activities, and the construction of the Separation Wall by
Israel. Organizing successful elections against this backdrop will be a daunting
challenge for the Palestinian Authority
5. It is the responsibility of the international community to closely monitor
the response of the occupation forces to the Palestinian efforts to organize
elections. No interference in the electoral process should be tolerated.
Gestures of conciliation from Israel should be transformed into concrete action.
The restrictions imposed in the occupied territories should be lifted to allow
all the Palestinians including in East Jerusalem to participate in their
national elections.
Mr. President,
6. If we want to see the incoming Palestinian political dispensation emerge as a
credible partner in peace efforts, we will have to strengthen its capacity to
deal with internal and external security, humanitarian and economic challenges.
It should not be simultaneously attacked by the occupation forces and be exposed
to demands to take actions against violence emanating from the occupied
territories. It will need to be reassured by us of our commitment to peace on
the basis of two state solution so that it could generate support for its
initiatives among common Palestinian people. To this end, several actions are
required:
First, Israel should immediately release all political prisoners enabling
them to participate in the political process;
Second: it should suspend its settlement policies;
Third, the Palestinian territories in Gaza and the West Bank must be
treated as a single territorial unit where in accordance with the Roadmap a
Palestinian state will have to be established. In this context, the Gaza
disengagement plan should be a first step towards full end to Israeli occupation
of the Palestinian territories;
Fourth, In coordination with the United Nations, Israel should take
concrete steps to improve the humanitarian conditions in the occupied
territories and respect international humanitarian law and;
Five, Israel should also respond to the calls of movement on the
Syrian-Lebanese peace track.
7. These actions and affirmations are essential for a credible revival of the
peace process. We trust that the Quartet will call for such actions and
assurances from Israel.
Mr. President,
8. We must carefully consider the short and long term implications of
continuation of conflict in the Middle East. As the President of Pakistan
observed in the General Assembly “the tragedy of Palestine is an open wound
inflicted on the psyche of every Muslim”. We must not allow this wound to
continue to fester. The vision of the two states, Palestine and Israel, living
side by side in peace and security must be protected. A fair solution of the
Palestinian issue is essential to restore amity across regions and cultures and
avoid an iron curtain from descending between the Islamic world and those who
blindly support Israel’s illegal occupation and suppression of the Palestinian
people.
I thank you, Mr. President.