SPEAKERS EXPRESS GREAT SHOCK OVER ASSASSINATION OF ISR"LI PRIME MINISTER

Press Release
GA/8986

SPEAKERS EXPRESS GREAT SHOCK OVER ASSASSINATION OF ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER

Speakers in the General Assembly this morning expressed great shock and sadness over the tragic assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and praised him as a man who had dedicated his life to his country and to the cause of peace.

In a statement of tribute, Assembly President Freitas do Amaral (Portugal) said Mr. Rabin, as a soldier for much of his life, had experienced first hand the scourge and high cost of war. "As the leader of his country, in his wisdom, he chose to lead his people down the path towards lasting peace in the Middle East, and for this, he has made the ultimate sacrifice."

Following the observance of a moment of silence in tribute to the memory of the late Prime Minister of the State of Israel, speakers further stressed that the peace process must move forward with greater momentum in memory of Mr. Rabin for the sake of all peoples of the region and of the world.

The representative of the United States said that out of such tragic times must come a renewed determination to seize destiny and go forward on the path of peace. "We will not be daunted, we will not succumb to grief. We will pledge ourselves to work with even more determination to achieve peace in the Middle East and elsewhere in the world."

The Israeli representative said the bullet that had killed Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was meant to stop the courageous march towards peace for all people of the Middle East. Mr. Rabin said at his last speech at the peace rally in Tel Aviv, "I was a military man for 27 years. I fought so long as there was no chance for peace."

The representative stressed that Israel was fully committed to continuing its efforts for a comprehensive and lasting peace with all of its neighbours. It was the obligation of those in the international community and the Middle East to ensure that "an assassin's bullet will not halt our efforts to achieve what Prime Minister Rabin had so boldly set out to accomplish", he added.

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Other statements in tribute were made by the representatives of Brunei Darussalem (on behalf of the Asian Group of States), South Africa (on behalf of the African Group), Albania (on behalf of the Eastern European Group), Bolivia (on behalf of the Latin American and Caribbean Group) and Norway (on behalf of Western European and Other States). Individual expressions of condolence were also conveyed by Member States throughout the morning meeting.

Also this morning, the Assembly began its consideration of a draft resolution by which it would call upon Member States to reaffirm the observance of an Olympic truce during the 1996 Games of the XXVI Olympiad, to be held in the United States in the city of Atlanta, Georgia.

Under the terms of that text the Assembly would call upon States to observe an Olympic truce in advance of the Summer and Winter Games. The Secretary-General would be requested to continue to cooperate with the International Olympic Committee in joint endeavours for the promotion of peace, equality among nations and the harmonious development of humankind.

Speaking on sport and the Olympic Ideal, the representative of Monaco proposed that the organizations involved in the Olympic Movement launch operations, in cooperation with United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), should increase medical assistance to infants and children caught in armed conflicts. The occasion of the Olympics in Atlanta could be used to undertake in the areas of armed conflict campaigns of medical assistance, including vaccinations. The Olympic truce would then take on its full value and would have incalculable, concrete benefits for children.

The representative of Guinea suggested that the United Nations, working with the International Olympic Committee, study the possibility of holding a world conference on the problems of youth.

Also making statements on sport and the Olympic Ideal were the representatives of the United States (introducing the draft), Italy, Bolivia, Latvia, France, Spain, Poland, Peru and Azerbaijan.

The Assembly will meet again at 3 p.m. today to continue its consideration of building a better world through sport and the Olympic Ideal.

Assembly Work Programme

The General Assembly met this morning to consider the issue of building a better world through sport and the Olympic Ideal. Before it is a 102-Power draft resolution on the Olympic Ideal.

Under the terms of the draft, the Assembly would call upon Member States to reaffirm the observance of an Olympic Truce during the Games of the XXVI Olympiad, the Centennial Games, to be held in Atlanta, Georgia, from 19 July to 4 August 1996. They would also be called upon to reaffirm the observance of the Olympic truce in advance of each Summer and Winter Olympic Games. The Secretary-General would be requested to continue to cooperate with the International Olympic Committee in joint endeavours for the promotion of peace, equality among nations and the harmonious development of humankind.

Also by that text, the Assembly would suggest that national ministries of youth and sport consider collaborating on preventive education programmes with the Olympic movement in the spirit of Olympic ethics and fair play, such as anti-doping programmes, drug abuse prevention, environmental protection and enhancing the participation of women in all aspects of the sport movement. The International Olympic Committee would be commended for promoting international understanding and equality among nations, and thereby serving the cause of peace and the well-being of humankind by providing assistance for the development of sport and the Olympic Ideal.

The draft is sponsored by Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Belarus, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Luxembourg, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Monaco, Mongolia, Namibia, Nicaragua, Niger, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Rwanda, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Republic of Tanzania, United States, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zaire and Zambia.

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Tribute to Memory of Israeli Prime Minister Rabin

The Assembly President, FREITAS DO AMARAL (Portugal), began the meeting by paying tribute to the memory of the late Prime Minister of Israel, Yitzhak Rabin. Mr. Rabin, as a soldier for his country for much of his life, had experienced first hand the scourge and high cost of war. "As the leader of his country, in his wisdom, he chose to lead his people down the path towards lasting peace in the Middle East, and for this, he has made the ultimate sacrifice."

Only two weeks ago, Mr. Rabin had reaffirmed his commitment to the course of peace in the Assembly Hall, recalled the President. "Today, as he is being buried, I have the very sad duty to extend, on behalf of the General Assembly, our deepest sympathy to the Government and people of Israel and to the bereaved family in their tragic loss. It is our fervent hope that his life would not have been sacrificed in vain and that the international community and peoples of the world would be inspired by Mr. Rabin to abandon war and violence and to embrace peace."

The Assembly then observed a moment of silence in tribute to the memory of the late Prime Minister of the State of Israel.

PENGIRAN ABDUL MOMIN (Brunei Darussalam), speaking on behalf of the Asian Group, said he had the honour to join his colleagues in expressing the Asian Group's most profound sympathy and condolences to the family of the late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and to the people of Israel. It was sad to witness, once again, a leader of such courage becoming a victim of violence which had so long been witnessed in the Middle East. Prime Minister Rabin's "untimely death should be a reminder to all concerned of the urgency to achieve comprehensive peace in the troubled region".

KHIPHUSIZI J. JELE (South Africa), speaking on behalf of the African States, said they were deeply shocked and saddened by the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin over the past weekend. They condemned in the strongest terms this criminal act, which must have been committed by someone who had no interest in the future of the Israeli and Palestinian peoples. The African States urged all those involved in the peace process not to be deterred by the tragic incident but to draw strength from the example of Rabin's leadership. He offered condolences to Rabin's family and the people of Israel.

PELLUMB KULLA (Albania), speaking on behalf of the Eastern European States, expressed deep sorrow for the assassination of Prime Minister Rabin. He extended condolences to all peace-loving people of the region who saw in Mr. Rabin a promoter of the peace process which was of paramount importance to the Middle East and to the whole world. The unexpected and tragic loss of Mr. Rabin constituted a sacrifice -- the high price of prevailing over hatred.

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The attack was not only against Mr. Rabin but also against the large gathering of people which he had been addressing who were expressing the hope for peace of millions of Jews and others. However bitter the loss in the long path of peace, the peace process must continue. Contrary to the aim of the hand that killed him, Prime Minister Rabin would bring a new impetus to those who would seek to achieve peace.

EDGAR CAMACHO OMISTE (Bolivia), speaking on behalf of the Latin American and Caribbean States, expressed his sorrow over the death of the Prime Minister. The assassination deprived the international community of a leader committed to the cause of peace. The circumstances made clear the existence of forces opposed to peace and solidarity. Yitzhak Rabin embodied the search for means of reconciliation in order to find solutions to the situation in the Middle East.

HANS JACOB BIORN LIAN (Norway), speaking on behalf of the Western European and other States, said they were deeply shocked and profoundly saddened at the news of the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. "All condemn this despicable act of violence." Mr. Rabin had shown great courage and determination in his search for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, for which work and courage he had, only a year ago, received the Nobel Peace Prize. It was his legacy and the world's responsibility to keep working to achieve the peace he sought.

EDWARD W. GNEHM (United States) said history would record Prime Minister Rabin as one of the towering figures of the century. He had dedicated his life to Israel, its security and the cause of peace. "Heroic in war and in the service of his country, he pursued peace with the same courage and determination." The world had lost a great statesman, and it was fitting that the Assembly, which was dedicated to peace, should mourn. "Israel has lost one of its finest sons. The United States has lost a strong and true friend."

He went on to say that out of such tragic times must come a renewed determination to seize destiny and go forward on the path of peace. "We will not be daunted, we will not succumb to grief. We will pledge ourselves to work with even more determination to achieve peace in the Middle East and elsewhere in the world." He paid tribute to Mr. Rabin, quoting from Beatitudes, "Blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be called the children of God".

DAVID PELEG (Israel) said his country deeply appreciated the warms words of condolence and sympathy expressed this morning. November 4th 1995 was a day that would live in the memory of Israel, its neighbours and the international community forever -- the day an assassin's bullet killed the Prime Minister of Israel, Yitzhak Rabin. The bullet, however, was not meant for the man himself, but was an attempt to stop the courageous march towards peace for all people of the Middle East. Mr. Rabin himself had said at his

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last speech at the peace rally in Tel Aviv, "I was a military man for 27 years. I fought so long as there was no chance for peace".

The Government of Israel was fully committed to continuing its efforts for a comprehensive and lasting peace with all of its neighbours. It was the obligation of those in the international community and the Middle East to ensure that Mr. Rabin's vision would not be lost. "An assassin's bullet will not halt our efforts to achieve what Prime Minister Rabin had so boldly set out to accomplish", said Mr. Peleg.

The Prime Minister himself had said, in his speech to the General Assembly on 24 October 1995, that the road to peace was still long. He went on to say, "we are determined to continue until we have brought peace to the region, for our children and our children's children and for the peoples of the region. This is our mission. We will fulfil it."

The Olympic Ideal

Introducing the draft resolution, BART CONNER, United States Sports Delegate, said a record number of delegations had shown interest in the symbolic sports issue by co-sponsoring the draft resolution because sports was a powerful motivating and unifying force. New co-sponsors of the draft resolution included Angola, Bangladesh, Brazil, Brunei Darusallem, China, Costa Rica, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, France, India, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Netherlands, Peru, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, South Africa, Sweden, Togo, United Arab Emirates.

Member States understood the unifying power of sports and relied upon it in their efforts for a peaceful and better world. The Olympic Ideal was cultivation of the mind, the moral conscience and the body. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) served the cause of peace through the development of sport and culture. The symbol of the Games of the Olympiad, five interlocking rings, represented the union of the five continents.

He said the draft resolution supported further cooperation between the IOC and the United Nations system in joint preventive education programmes such as "anti-doping activities", drug abuse prevention, environmental protection and enhancing women's participation in the sports movement. The draft resolution also encouraged youth to join that activity.

He pointed out that, as a member of three United States Olympic Teams and winner of two gold medals in gymnastics, he had seen how sports fosters unity. Both sports and diplomacy sought to reinforce friendship between peoples. Fair play meant involving players with various interests and abilities. The real benefits of sport could be seen in the fact that people who played sports were more likely to join a team than a gang; more likely to

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stay in school; more likely to stay away from drugs and go on to higher education.

He said the IOC had also expanded its humanitarian activities. Stress in refugee camps was handled through organized basketball tournaments. War- torn sports facilities were rebuilt. Coaching clinics taught rules and fair play. "Today's draft reaffirms the Olympic truce and schedules its reconsideration in advance of each Summer and Winter Olympics Games". His country affirmed the observance of the Olympic truce during the Games of the XXVI Olympiad, the Centennial Games.

He said, "The Olympic flame is a small package, yet how brightly it shines, how far its warmth extends".

FRANCESCO PAOLO FULCI (Italy) said the draft resolution's call for an Olympic truce during the upcoming Atlanta games was particularly relevant in view of recent developments for a political settlement in the former Yugoslavia. He recalled the very strong relationship between the International Olympic Committee and the United Nations Drug Control Programme, in particular by means of a cooperation agreement signed last February. Today's celebrations of the Olympic Ideal in the General Assembly should not remain a single event but should mark a deeper involvement of the United Nations in the field.

EDGAR CAMACHO OMISTE (Bolivia) said the goal of building a better world through sport reflected the international conviction that sport was particularly well-placed to forge unity among peoples, transcending differences among them. Sports promoted understanding and respect for peoples and their respective cultures and countries of origin. The peace-promoting role of sport was one of the great legacies of ancient Greece. There was also no other activity which could better promote health.

Sports was a positive factor in moral and social education, thereby contributing to peace, he added. Sports must be a primary activity of youth, even those suffering from physical limitations. In a time marked by violence and drugs, sport was a sign of hope and solidarity. Bolivia would support the draft resolution.

VILNIS BALTINS, President of the Olympic Committee of Latvia, said his country's pursuit of its identity and self-determination through sports was an important element for the promotion of its national self-confidence and in its quest to re-establish its independence. The Member States should not forget the goal of Baron Pierre de Coubertin, that the International Olympic Committee should keep the spirit of amateur sport alive and exclude outside influences that could undermine the spirit of the Games. Sport was one of the important reasons why the peoples from Eastern Europe had an opportunity to

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begin a new and peaceful life. He expressed the hope that sport, as a force of peace, will one day facilitate the resolution of global problems.

GUY DRUT, Minister of Youth and Sports of France, began by saying that Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin's assassination cast a pall over the day of brotherhood.

Sports today was a fundamental part of the life of societies, he continued. It was essential for health and for combatting certain major problems such as drug abuse, and it could help promote major contemporary causes such as the defense of the environment. He expressed concern about the passivity of certain large countries in the face of drug problems. France hoped that other Member States, inspired by the Convention signed in the Council of Europe, would step up their efforts against drug use.

Sports and diplomacy shared the objectives of reinforcing friendship among peoples and promoting dialogue. He expressed the hope that together the Olympic Movement and the United Nations would fulfil the promise of peace.

RAFAEL CORTES ELVIRA, Secretary of State for Sport of Spain, said it was the duty of all to use sport to forge international unity. Sport was an instrument for bringing countries closer together, and fostering joy and friendship, thus touching the heart of the world. The International Olympic Committee had carried out praiseworthy work in cooperation with the United Nations.

Spain, a co-sponsor of the draft resolution before the Assembly, believed that sport could foster understanding among peoples. It would promote sports programmes in developing countries, particularly those geared towards youth. By participating in sports, youth would not succumb to violence or drugs, he concluded.

STANISLAW STEFAN PASZCZYK, Chairman of the of the Office for Sport and Tourism of Poland, said sports allowed for expressions of national pride in the most positive way. "Continuing and sustaining positive traditions of physical education in Poland and cherishing our Olympic achievements, we fully recognize the important role of sports as a major component of the structure of social life and a meaningful factor in social policy of a modern State." The building of a better, peaceful world should commence with shaping the attitudes of the young, and towards that end, Poland was implementing a mass sports programme for schoolchildren.

He went on to say that sports offered a great opportunity for the handicapped. "The joy of physical effort, health and socializing values of sports must reach this part of society too." Poland had made major accomplishments in popularizing Olympic ideals among the handicapped. Sports also had a role to play in counteracting growing threats and social violence.

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It was an important factor in fostering humanistic attitudes towards all manifestations of intolerance and discrimination. "A man brought up in the spirit of Olympic ideals can identify himself as a true member of the world's community, striving towards peace and well-being."

IBRAHIMA DIALLO, Member of the International Olympic Committee and representative of Guinea, said the objectives of the United Nations and those of the International Olympic Committee were surprisingly similar. Cooperation with the International Olympic Committee had been going on since the days of the League of Nations. The United Nations should give a more important place to the Olympic movement, which mobilized youth -- the most precious of all national resources. Sports activities were excellent training for cooperation and friendship.

Stating that the future of the world to a large extent would depend on the fate of youth, he proposed that the United Nations, working with the International Olympic Committee, seriously contemplate the creation of a special committee to study the possibility of holding a world conference on the problems of youth. He called for unanimous support for the draft resolution.

Prince ALBERT (Monaco) said there should be on-going cooperation between the United Nations and the Olympic Movement to encourage international understanding and peace. Over and above this preventive and largely educational responsibility, the organizations involved in the Olympic Movement could cooperate with the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to provide humanitarian assistance.

In particular, he proposed the launching of operations, in cooperation with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), to increase medical assistance to infants and children caught in armed conflicts. The occasion of the Olympics in Atlanta could be used to undertake, in the areas of armed conflict, campaigns of medical assistance, including vaccinations. The Olympic truce would then take on its full value and would have incalculable, concrete benefits for children.

ENRIQUE OTERO NAVARRO, President of the National Sports Council, (Peru), said his country had a millennia tradition going back to the Inca Empire, when communications in the vast empire was maintained by relay athletes called "Chasquis". His country's history, and all history, shared the ideal of the Olympic Spirit for a better, more peaceful world. It was also a philosophy that placed sports in service to the development of mankind and human dignity.

In building a better world for all Peruvians, physical activity and sports constituted the mould in which the man of tomorrow would be shaped. The strategy involved schools, universities, armed forces, workers, senior citizens and the disabled. Sports talent between the ages of seven and 13

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were identified and helped with training. He also proposed the creation of an "International United Nations Fair Play Prize", which would be awarded for generosity, solidarity and fair play in school sports. The prize would be the construction of a sports complex, constructed in the name of the athlete, he said.

ABULFAS KARAEV, Minister for Youth and Sport (Azerbaijan), said the Olympic ideals of friendship, solidarity and fair play without any discrimination could become a decisive factor in establishing contacts among youth and various peoples, religions and races. Since achieving its independence, his country had been granted membership in the IOC and had been attaching serious attention to sports life. He expressed appreciation for the visit of the President of the IOC to his country in 1994.

He said his country was preparing to attend the Centennial Games in Atlanta, where it would participate for the first time as an independent country. Sports constituted an important and effective part of the policy of his country in raising a morally and physically healthy younger generation. However, the positive effects of such activity was being overshadowed by the effects of the aggression by Armenia, which had created 1 million refugees, including 300,000 children and adolescents. Similar problems existed in other regions facing armed conflicts and natural disasters. Member States should consolidate their efforts in utilizing sports activities in dealing with stress-affected children and adolescents.

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