Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
9 May 2002
The South African Government welcomed the outcome of the Tenth Emergency Special Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) which expressed the wishes of the majority of the member states on the implementation of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions 1402, 1403, 1405 and the applicability of the Fourth Geneva Convention to the Occupied Palestinian Territory including East Jerusalem.
South Africa sponsored the UNGA resolution on behalf of the NAM along with Sudan on behalf of the Arab Group.
The resolution passed by the UNGA expresses the wishes of the international community emphasising: "the importance of the safety and well being of all civilians in the whole Middle East region, and condemns all acts of violence and terror resulting in deaths and injuries among Palestinian and Israeli civilians."
The explosion of the bomb, late Tuesday night, in the Israeli town of Rishon Letzion during which Israeli citizens were injured and killed is another such incident. Such acts of terror aimed at causing civilian deaths are "morally repugnant," a sentiment expressed by the United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aziz Pahad says: "There can be no peace and security for Israel or Palestine without the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian State. Excessive military reaction such as the so-called 'Defensive Shield' operation in which the IDF re-occupied Palestinian towns cannot solve the problems of Israel.
The international community is pursuing every avenue to ensure that genuine negotiations are entered into between Israel and the Palestinians through their democratically elected representatives. Israel must end all its efforts aimed at de-legitimising President Arafat and the Palestinian National Authority and start seriously engaging them in the interests of saving lives on both sides of the conflict. We reiterate our view that violence can only beget violence. Delays in unconditionally starting negotiations on the basis of the Mitchell and Arab initiatives gives the power of veto, for a just lasting solution, to those opposed to peace."
The UNGA resolution further condemned the Israeli refusal to allow the United Nations Secretary General (UNSG) to send a fact-finding team soon after the Israeli armed forces withdrew, endorsed by UNSC resolution 1405. It called for the UNSG to continue to compile a report on events that occurred in Jenin refugee camp, "drawing upon the available resources and information" in spite of the Israeli refusal.
The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs said the South African Government welcomes the increasing recognition by the international community of the inseparability of moving forward concurrently on both security and political tracks. We are pleased to note that US President Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powell will be returning CIA Director George Tenet and Special Envoy Rt. Gen. Zinni to the region and are encouraged by the ongoing diplomatic efforts of the 'Quartet' (UN, Russia, EU and the US) to bring about a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East.
The resolution further expressed its grave concern at the loss of life and injuries suffered by the Palestinian people during the Israeli military offensive into the Palestinian Territory, the dire humanitarian situation of the Palestinian civilian population and the reports of grave breaches of international humanitarian law committed by the Israeli occupying forces.
For further information contact Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853.