ISR"L URGED TO DEMONSTRATE COMMITMENT TO PEACE PROCESS, AS GENERAL ASSEMBLY CONTINUES OPENING DEBATE

Press Release
GA/9111

ISRAEL URGED TO DEMONSTRATE COMMITMENT TO PEACE PROCESS, AS GENERAL ASSEMBLY CONTINUES OPENING DEBATE

Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Libya Express Concerns; Statements also from Côte d'Ivoire, Mauritania, Jamaica, Armenia

The Israeli Government must demonstrate its commitment to the peace process in the Middle East, several speakers told the General Assembly this afternoon, as it continued its opening debate. The Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, Abdul-Rahman Mansouri, said Arab leaders had made it clear that any breach by Israel of its commitments or agreements, or any delay in implementation, would be a setback to the peace process. He said the Israeli Government had failed to demonstrate seriousness and commitment comparable with that of the Arab States. He also said Saudi Arabia remained committed to ensuring Iraq's compliance with Security Council resolutions. The Minister for Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, Rashid Abdullah Al-Noaimi, told the Assembly his country regretted that the Israeli Government did not honour the commitments of the previous administration. He called on Israel to end the "barbaric practices" which violated international humanitarian law. Expressing concern over Israeli nuclear weapons, the Secretary of the General People's Committee for Foreign Liaison and International Cooperation of Libya, Omar Mustafa Muntasser, called on the international community to guarantee Israel's accession to the Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the international supervision of their facilities. He said accusations that Libyan citizens had been involved in the downing of Pan Am 103 had never been supported by evidence. Free trade must never be viewed as an end in itself, but as a vehicle for development, said the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica, Seymour Mullings. Jamaica believed that no action should be taken to erode its vital interests or remove long- standing, equitable arrangements which affected the very survival of some developing countries. Other statements were made this afternoon by the Foreign Ministers of Côte d'Ivoire, Mauritania and Armenia. In exercise of the right of reply, statements were also made by representatives of Iran, United States, United Kingdom, France, United Arab Emirates and Libya. The Assembly will reconvene at 10 a.m. tomorrow to continue its general debate.

Assembly Work Programme

The General Assembly met this afternoon to continue its general debate. It was scheduled to hear statements by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica, and the Secretary of the General People's Committee for Foreign Liaison and International Cooperation of Libya. Also scheduled to speak were the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, Côte d'Ivoire, Saudi Arabia, Mauritania and Armenia.

Statements

RASHID ABDULLAH AL-NOAIMI, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, paid tribute to Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali for the positive role he had played in the past few years and endorsed his re-election for a second term. Despite the relative optimism that permeated international relations, threats to peace and security -- and to economic, social and human development worldwide -- were still present. The present détente in regional and international relations did not necessarily mean that the climate had become more harmonious or homogeneous. The security and political independence of small States were still threatened by the ambitions of States aspiring to spread their hegemony and expand at the expense of their neighbours.

He supported the peaceful efforts currently under way to complete the demarcation of borders among the States of the Arab Gulf region to enhance the national sovereignty of each State. He firmly believed in the Charter of the United Nations, and in the principles of international law, in settling disputes among nations. Iran had failed to enter into bilateral negotiations or seek the arbitration of the International Court of Justice in resolving the issue of the United Arab Emirates Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Moussa, which were Arab islands in their history and their origin. It had also rejected the mediation efforts of friendly countries and the good offices of the Secretary-General, as well as ignored the appeals of the Gulf Cooperation Council, the Arab Summit Meeting and the Council of the League of Arab States. He called on Iran to dismantle all the illegitimately established civil and military facilities on the islands and to respond to peace initiatives.

He endorsed the measures taken by Bahrain to preserve its security, national sovereignty and politicl independence, and reiterated its support of Saudi Arabia in its fight against terrorism and threats to its sovereignty. He opposed the interference in the internal affairs of Iraq and the establishment, by neighbouring States, of safety zones on its territories. Even so, Iraq must fulfil its international obligations under relevant Security Council resolutions. He also supported the measures taken by Kuwait to preserve its sovereignty, security and territorial integrity. Regarding the Greater Hanish Island, it called on Yemen and Eritrea to commit to the principle of peaceful settlement through international arbitration.

Welcoming the peace negotiations on the Middle East, he expressed disappointment that the Israeli Government "did not honour the commitments entered into by its predecessor". Arab countries were determined to pursue the peace process as an objective and a strategic option to which there was no

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alternative. He called on Israel to put an end to its "barbaric practices", which ran counter to the most basic norms of international humanitarian law. He welcomed the developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina and hoped the elections would restore normal relations among the Bosnian people and pave the way for reconstruction.

He said the economic and social gap between the nations of the world was still wide, leading to the exacerbation of poverty, illiteracy and disease in many developing countries. Those countries were already ailing under the heavy burden of debt and debt servicing, the deterioration of living standards, as well as dwindling development assistance. The international community must translate the recommendtions of various world conferences of the past five years into a reality that would guarantee equitable economic and social development, and the free flow of trade. The United Nations represented the conscience of mankind in the face of its lingering problems. To enhance its role, the international community must provide the necessary political, financial and moral support, and undertake major structural reform.

AMARA ESSY, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Côte d'Ivoire, said that, in the past year, reform of the United Nations had moved forward, clarifying its goals and its mechanisms. There was now hope for the restructuring and revitalization process. After a decade of study on reform, it was now necessary to carry it through. Along with reform, the Secretariat had taken upon itself to reorganize and revitalize departments and reduce duplication and overlapping mandates. The Economic and Social Council was now in a position to carry out its mandated reforms. It would soon be possible to move away from the heavy and spendthrift philosophy that many had said characterized the Organization. Overall reform must be carried out from the inside, primarily by Member States. The first report on the work of the Efficiency Board had highlighted a number of areas of reform and budget savings. The Secretary-General had been able to meet budget goals.

He said the new spirit of budgetary restraint and organizational efficiency had created a growing awareness of the need to meet more directly the needs of Member States. With a revitalized Organization, it would be possible to more effectively meet the needs of people on the ground. In the area of refugees, for example, the Department of Humanitarian Affairs, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the World Food Programme (WFP) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) had been particularly effective in handling an unprecedented number of displaced persons from conflicts and disasters. While some of the criticisms of the

Organization may have been valid in the past, it was now possible to say that reform was successfully moving forward. In order to carry out essential tasks, Member States had, through a cycle of international conferences, defined programmes of action.

The United Nations now provided a much more coherent instrument at the level of its mission and its strategies, he continued, stressing the need to strengthen operational activities for development. The frustration of developing countries was growing with the increasing disparity between rich

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and poor countries, and the failure by industrialized countries to meet aid commitments. It was time for industrialized countries to fulfil their commitments instead of simply talking about ideals of democracy and human rights. The devastating effect of HIV/AIDS on developing countries was an example of the need for a commitment of adequate assistance from the developed countries.

He said Africa had suffered from the world economic crisis and from the marginalization caused by economic globalization. African countries were now addressing these challenges. African countries had also committed themselves to democratization. The advances on the continent needed backing from the developed countries. The adopting of an Agenda for Development offered an opportunity for the rethinking of development aid.

ABDUL-RAHMAN MANSOURI, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, said that, at the June summit in Cairo, Arab leaders had reiterated their firm commitment to continue the peace process that honoured the principle of "land-for-peace". Arab leaders had also made clear that any breach by Israel of its commitments or agreements, or delay in implementation, would be a setback to the peace process. The Israeli Government had failed to demonstrate a degree of seriousness and commitment to the process comparable with that of the Arab States.

Since coming to power, the Government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had taken action that did not serve the cause of peace, he continued. Statements that Israel was prepared to resume negotiations without preconditions were no more than attempts to distance Israel from the 1991 agreements reached in Madrid, particularly the "land-for-peace" formula. The United States and the Russian Federation -- the co-sponsors of the Madrid peace conference -- must ensure the continued process towards a peace based on the principles agreed to at Madrid. Also, commitments made to the Palestinian people must be fulfilled.

The manner in which the issue of Jerusalem -- al-Quds al-Shareef -- was handled could determine the future of the peace process, he continued. The Israeli authorities continued to undertake measures designed at changing the demographic composition of Jerusalem in order to prejudice the negotiations of the city's final status. The final settlement must consider Security Council resolution 242 (1967), which called on Israel to withdraw from territories occupied in 1967, and resolution 252 (1967), pertaining to al-Quds al-Shareef.

Saudi Arabia remained supportive of actions to ensure the comprehensive and total compliance by Iraq with all Security Council resolutions pertaining to the Iraqi aggression against Kuwait, he said. However, Saudi Arabia was concerned that developments in northern Iraq might threaten the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq. The international alliance must strive to implement all relevant Security Council resolutions, while avoiding any measures that might damage the sovereignty and integrity of Iraq.

The occupation by Iran of the islands belonging to the United Arab Emirates was a source of concern to all the members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, who wished to have positive relations with Iran, he said. Iran

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should cease its forceful imposition of the status quo and end unilateral construction on any of the islands. Also, Iran should pursue a peaceful solution, possibly including referral of the matter to the International Court of Justice. The wise actions taken by Bahrain to foster security and stability in the Arabian Gulf region had been approved by the Gulf Cooperation Council. Saudi Arabia supported all international efforts to confront international terrorism, a position which had been echoed by the Gulf Cooperation Council.

LEMRABOTT SIDI MAHMOUD OULD CHEIKH AHMED, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Mauritania, said that it was gratifying to note that substantial progress had been made and the cold war had come to an end. However, hotbeds of tension remained in many parts of the world and poverty still existed in many developing countries.

The African continent was the hardest hit by the deterioration of economic conditions and the chronic drought it had suffered for three decades, he continued. Mauritania did welcome the increased interest in Africa over recent years and the United Nations action there in many fields and through various bodies, collectively.

Reform of the United Nations should enhance its performance and avoid duplication of tasks, he said. Efforts to expand the Security Council were to be supported, to enhance its transparency and make it more representative. The Security Council had the obligation to reflect the universal character of the Organization.

Continuing, the Foreign Minister said recent elections in Mauritania demonstrated that it had, today, become a State based on the rule of law, after a peace process started 10 years ago. Economic reforms had been applied, aimed at raising the living standard of its citizens. Health had been restored to public finances, as well.

Despite the spread of democratic institutions worldwide, there was also a re-emergence of terrorism and violence in the world, he said. That paradox was especially visible in the Middle East. There could be no peaceful solution until Israel withdrew from all the occupied territories, including the Golan Heights and southern Lebanon. Peace negotiations should begin again and the embargo against the Palestinian people should be lifted. On another regional issue, he reaffirmed his commitment to international law in all the resolutions concerning the Gulf War and its consequences. Also, regarding the embargo against Libya, he wished to see greater receptivity to the obvious willingness of Libya to cooperate with the United Nations, and called for the lifting of the embargo that was affecting Libya and other Maghreb peoples.

At a time when most third world countries were facing enormous challenges, large resources were being used in arms of mass destruction of all kinds, he said. More than half a century after the creation of the United Nations, "we should be aware of our common destiny". Mauritania would continue to work towards the reinforcement of fraternal relations among the nations of the world.

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SEYMOUR MULLINGS, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica, told the Assembly that it was time for Member States to reaffirm their commitment to the principles on which the United Nations was based. The challenges to United Nations peacemakers and peace- keepers had been many, but it was necessary to recognize the successes that had been achieved through combined multilateral and regional action. It was important, for example, that the United Nations Mission in Haiti be given the means necessary to meet its objectives. Even more critical was the need for the international community to commit itself to provide the technical and financial resources to help Haiti's economic and social development.

He said the nations of the Caribbean sought regional integration through the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Association of Caribbean States, in order to achieve a Caribbean zone of peace and cooperation within an atmosphere of respect for sovereign rights and a commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes.

Free trade must never be viewed as an end in itself, he continued. Rather, it must be a vehicle for development. No action should be taken to erode vital interests or remove long-standing, equitable arrangements that affected the very survival of some developing countries. Those who would seek to remove the preferences bestowed by the European Union on a number of developing countries should desist from that course of action. Such a removal would have a serious negative impact on the economies of Jamaica and other Caribbean countries. The trend towards globalization was irreversible, but not all were capable of making the necessary adjustments in the short term. In that regard, he welcomed the renewed vigour of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

Turning to a number of other United Nations issues and initiatives, he said that he supported the need for a rapidly deployable force, strongly favoured the convening of a special session of the General Assembly in 1998 on drug trafficking, and welcomed the fact that the Law of the Sea authority was now operational. On reform of the United Nations, Jamaica could not accept unilateral actions taken to force reform by withholding assessed contributions to the United Nations. Such acts had brought the Organization to the brink of insolvency and hampered the very effort being made for reform and restructuring. It also had serious consequences for United Nations development programmes. The current crisis would not be solved until Member States paid their arrears and assessed contributions promptly and without conditions, although he also recognized the need to re-examine the existing formula for contributions.

OMAR MUSTAFA MUNTASSER, Secretary of the General People's Committee for Foreign Liaison and International Cooperation of Libya, said the accusations that Libyan citizens had been involved in the downing of Pan Am flight 103, as well as the incident involving the French UTA flight, had never been supported by evidence. Libya condemned international terrorism and was committed to international efforts to combat terrorism. Attempting to resolve the situation, Libya had proposed the case involving Pan Am be tried under Scottish law, at the World Court's headquarters in The Hague. Libya's handling of the situation had been supported by Arab and African countries and

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by members of the international community, while the resolution had been resisted most notably by the United States and the United Kingdom.

Instead, Libya's assets had been frozen and unilateral sanctions imposed, he said. The Libyan people had suffered greatly because of the sanctions. But, "due to the blind intransigence of and the illogical demands" of the United States and the United Kingdom, the situation remained unresolved. He said Libya had cooperated with the United Kingdom in uncovering elements accused by Britain of involvement in terrorist acts. The United Kingdom had confirmed that Libya's answers about the "relationship with the Irish army" were satisfactory.

Libya supported nuclear non-proliferation as a prelude to prohibiting and destroying all weapons of mass destruction, he continued. The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty had fallen short of the aspirations of reaching an agreement on the total banning of all nuclear testing. In the context of eliminating nuclear weapons, international measures were needed to guarantee the universality of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). Of particular concern to Libya was the fact that Israel possessed nuclear weapons, and the fact that they operated nuclear facilities which they had refused to place under international supervision. Large nuclear Powers had not only turned a blind eye to that Israeli nuclear threat, he said, but had even worked to develop and enhance it. If the international community was truly interested in security and stability of the region, it should take measures to guarantee Israel's accession to the NPT and place their nuclear facilities under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards regime.

He said Libya had declared that the "current so-called peace arrangements" would not lead to a genuine Middle East peace settlement. Israel's perpetuation of its occupation in the Syrian Golan, its increasing settlement activities and the "judaization of Jerusalem" proved that it did not want peace.

VAHAN PAPAZIAN, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Armenia, said the challenges posed by extremely rapid transformation were nowhere more graphically depicted than in the current transition of the countries of eastern and central Europe and the former Soviet Union. In addition to severe economic and social problems resulting from the extraordinary changes buffeting the country, the transition process in Armenia had been exacerbated by the transport and energy blockade by neighbouring Azerbaijan, the devastation caused by the massive earthquake of 1988, the conflict between Nagorny Karabakh and Azerbaijan and the presence of more than 300,000 refugees.

Despite such serious circumstances, economic reforms had been continued and expanded, he said. Armenia's medium-term policy objectives were to maintain financial stability and establish the institutions and mechanisms of a market economy, in order to lay the foundation for sustainable growth and a viable balance of payments. While each country should be responsible for its own economic policies, the international community should pay particular attention to the needs of the countries with economies in transition, without

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affecting development assistance to the developing countries.

A few months ago, his country had marked the second anniversary of the cease-fire in the Nagorny Karabakh conflict. At the same time, the parties to the conflict had released all prisoners of war and hostages. Those developments were encouraging and conducive to the overall peace process. Negotiations among the parties within the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group on the political agreement had continued during the past year. The signing of an agreement provided the best hope for consolidating the cease-fire and making the peace process irreversible. The elements of the political agreement, and most importantly the security provisions for Nagorny Karabakh, would eventually comprise an inseparable part of any settlement, regardless of the ultimate status of Nagorny Karabakh.

He said a second negotiating track was also opened through immediate and direct contacts mandated by the December 1995 OSCE Budapest Ministerial Council. Thus far, several rounds of talks had taken place between Armenia and Azerbaijan in which general aspects of key issues had been discussed. He expressed the hope that the representative of Nagorny Karabakh would join the upcoming rounds, since no final solution could be achieved without its direct participation in the deliberations. The peaceful resolution of the conflict remained Armenia's first priority. Armenia was committed to the talks on both tracks and would remain constructively engaged in both processes, which complemented each other and together increased the possibility of a breakthrough.

Rights of Reply

ALI ABOLHASSANI SHAHREZA (Iran) said the Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates had levelled baseless allegations against Iran. Iran had in the past made its position clear, and it did not see any use for a rhetorical approach to the matter. Committed to peace and security in the region, Iran believed that the misunderstandings could be addressed and resolved in a neighbourly attitude. He welcomed the willingness expressed by the Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates to enter into negotiations.

EDWARD W. GNEHM (United States) said the statement by Libya was an example of Libya's campaign to turn its international obligations into an issue between States, which it was not. The Security Council had not adopted a double standard towards different Member States; instead, it had taken a decisive stand against terrorism. Libya had failed to comply with the international conditions imposed by the Security Council. Full compliance with the relevant Council resolutions would end the sanctions.

STEPHEN GOMERSALL (United Kingdom) said the Libyan statement was an attempt to cloud the issue at hand, which was an issue related to the need for the international community to respond to acts of international terrorism and the refusal of Libya to comply with relevant Council resolutions. The United Kingdom only requested that Libya demonstrate its respect for the international community by complying with the Security Council resolutions. The "compromises" proposed by Libya were not acceptable.

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ANNE GAZEAU SECRET (France) said the disputes being discussed were not between Libya and three Member States, but between Libya and the Security Council. The proposal made by the Arab League was not an appropriate response. She noted that a recent visit to Libya by a French lawyer had gone smoothly and France was satisfied with the cooperation received. France hoped that the success of that visit would facilitate the implementation of Security Council resolutions. Only if Libya respected its obligations would sanctions be lifted.

MOHAMMAD J. SAMHAN (United Arab Emirates), responding to the statement by Iran, said his Government had rejected Iranian occupation of the three islands belonging to the United Arab Emirates. His Government had called upon Iran to enter into efforts to solve the matter through bilateral negotiations or by referring the matter to the World Court. However, Iran had demonstrated an unwillingness to tackle the issue. He questioned how the islands could be Iranian when Iran had been attempting to buy or rent them for decades. In recent years, Iran had attempted to strengthen its military control over the islands, including stockpiling of weapons. The United Arab Emirates hoped that Iran would demonstrate a willingness to find a just settlement.

ALI SUNNI MUNTASSER (Libya) said the statement made this afternoon by the United States was familiar and was another attempt to say that the differences between Libya and the United States were really between Libya and the Security Council. Libya had responded in time to the resolutions of the Council. Libya had denounced terrorism and had cooperated with the authorities of the United Kingdom, particularly in regard to the Irish Republican Army. Also, Libya had cooperated with the French authorities. The one condition which remained to be implemented was the deportation of the accused Libyans, a concept which Libya rejected.

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