STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR DUMISANI KUMALO, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF SOUTH AFRICA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON BEHALF OF THE NON-ALIGNED MOVEMENT, AT THE TENTH EMERGENCY SPECIAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs
18 October 2000
Mr President,
Just over a month ago, the Heads of State or Government of the United Nations gathered in New York to commemorate the Millennium Summit. At this historic meeting, they renewed their commitment to the principles of the UN Charter, and to enhanced collaboration in the maintenance of international peace and security.
It was thus with a sense of urgency that the Non-Aligned Movement overwhelmingly supported the request of the Arab Group to convene a meeting of the resumed Tenth Emergency Special Session of the General Assembly to consider the critical situation in the Middle East. The Movement firmly believes that it remains the permanent responsibility of the United Nations towards fully engaging in the Palestinian question until it is effectively solved in all its aspects. The NAM pledges full support to the present efforts of the UN Secretary-General in the quest for peace. This reaffirms the cardinal role of the UN in the maintenance of international peace and security.
The NAM is seriously concerned by the tragic events that took place in the region since 28 September. In this regard, the Movement deplores the use of excessive force by the Israeli army against the Palestinians, and regrets the unacceptable loss of lives, high incidence of injuries, and severe material damage.
Mr President,
We note with keen interest the outcome of the Sharm al-Sheikh Summit hosted by President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt, and welcome the participation of United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, European Union Foreign Relations and Security Commissioner Javier Solana, along with leaders from the region, King Abdullah II of Jordan, as well as US President Bill Clinton.
We believe that the Sharm al-Sheikh Summit represents but only a step in the right direction, and welcome the agreement regarding Israeli troop withdrawal and lifting the blockade on the Palestinian territories, as well as the re-opening of the Gaza International Airport. It is trusted that these measures will go a long way in defusing tensions and creating the necessary conditions for the speedy resumption of the Middle East Peace Process.
NAM is convinced that an impartial fact-finding Commission, working in conjunction with the UN, in keeping with the UN's mandate to act as custodian of world peace and security, would serve to prevent the recurrence of the tragic events. In this regard, we call for the full and expeditious implementation of Security Council Resolution 1322 (2000), adopted at the emergency meeting of the Security Council last week. We urge the Security Council to remain seized of this vital matter in accordance with its primary responsibility of maintaining international peace and security.
Mr President,
At the NAM Summit of Heads of State or Government which took place in Durban in 1998, the Movement reaffirmed the applicability of the Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, to all the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including Jerusalem.
The conference of High Contracting Parties of the Fourth Geneva Convention held at the UN in Geneva in July last year issued an important statement which stated its readiness to reconvene should the need arise. The High Contracting Parties of the Fourth Geneva Convention agreed to ensure respect for the Convention in fulfilment of their collective responsibility. This is stipulated in common article 1 which states that "The High Contracting Parties undertake to respect and ensure respect for the present Convention in all circumstances."
At the NAM Summit, the leaders reiterated that the observance of these international instruments would help to relieve the suffering of all victims and provide them with effective protection. It is essential that the international community, recognising that armed conflict endangers the lives of civilians, take steps to ensure that all efforts are made to enhance respect for international humanitarian law defined for the protection of civilians in time of war, so that civilians can live as normal a life as possible and in accordance with their laws, their culture and their traditions.
Mr President,
The Question of Palestine, of significant importance to the Non-Aligned Movement, constitutes the core of the Middle East conflict. The achievement of the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and independence is pivotal to the achievement of a sustained and comprehensive peace in the Middle East. It is our firm belief that peaceful negotiation is the only means of ensuring lasting peace, security and stability in the region.
We urgently call on all sides to pull back from the brink and cease all hostilities, renew their resolve for dialogue, and do their utmost to create an atmosphere conducive to peaceful negotiation. All parties in the region must refrain from any activity that would foment further violence. All should undertake whatever steps necessary to preserve the sanctity of the Holy Places in the City of Jerusalem; and prevent any action that would be construed as an incitement to further destruction of the Holy Places.
The NAM Ministers in Cartagena in April this year reiterated the need for compliance with and implementation of the agreements reached between the Palestine Liberation Organisation and Israel, as well as the fulfilment of the commitments and pledges made in accordance with the terms of reference of the Madrid Conference and the ensuing negotiations. Moreover, the NAM Ministers (September 2000, New York) reaffirmed their determination to actively strive towards the achievement of a just and comprehensive peace on the basis of Security Council Resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973) and on the basis of land for peace.
Mr President,
The Movement fervently hopes that a resuscitated peace process will culminate in a definitive final settlement towards an independent Palestinian State. It is incumbent upon the sponsors of the peace process and the international community to exert all efforts to ensure its success. We pledge full support for the current initiatives of leaders towards the restoration of the peace process in the Middle East, a process that held so much promise not so long ago.
Allow me to quote from the statement of President Thabo Mbeki, in his capacity as Chairman of NAM, at the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People last November, at the UN in New York. "I call on the international community to remain steadfast in its commitment and support for a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East and the realisation of the legitimate rights of all Palestinians. The people of Palestine and indeed, the whole region need our support for their efforts to put an end to a conflict that has plagued the world for so many decades. It is clear that peace will not only have an effect on the lives of the people of these ancient lands, but that it will also reverberate around the globe. It will promote the cause of international peace and security in a fundamental way".
This Assembly should send a clear message to the Palestinian people that, until a just and comprehensive solution is achieved, the responsibility of the UN regarding their plight has not diminished. The Non-Aligned Movement pledges to remain fully involved, until the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people are achieved.
I thank you.
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