SECRETARY-GENERAL HIGHLIGHTS KEY CONTRIBUTIONS ISLAMIC CONFERENCE CAN MAKE IN IRAQ, MIDDLE EAST, AFGHANISTAN IN MESSAGE TO TEHRAN SESSION

SECRETARY-GENERAL HIGHLIGHTS KEY CONTRIBUTIONS ISLAMIC CONFERENCE CAN MAKE

IN IRAQ, MIDDLE EAST, AFGHANISTAN IN MESSAGE TO TEHRAN SESSION

Following is Secretary-GeneralKofi Annan’s message to the thirtieth session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers in Tehran, 28 May:

I am pleased to convey my greetings to the Foreign Ministers of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) at a very important time for the Organization’s members and for the wider international community.

I know believe we all you share my the hope that the situation in Iraq will see significant improvement now that the Security Council has come together, in its resolution 1483 (2003), to chart the way forward.  The most important task will be to ensure that the Iraqi Iraqi people   – men and women alike – are able, as soon as possible, through a transparent and impartially managed political process, to form a free and representative Government of their own choice, so that they can regain the exercise of their national sovereignty and build a stable and prosperous Iraq, at peace with its neighbours.  The United Nations will play its full part in this international effort, in fulfillment of the mandate it has been given to assist the people of Iraq through humanitarian relief, reconstruction, legal and judicial reform, the promotion of human rights, and efforts to restore and establish national and local institutions for representative governance.  All international and foreign entities in Iraq must realize that We must all work very hard, and in doing so it is essential that at all times we keep the interests of the Iraqis people at the forefront of our efforts.  I would like to assure you that we at the United Nations will do our utmost to promote this important fundamental principle.

Iraq is an importanta vital issue, much in the headlines and in our mind for the past few dramatic months.  But we are also at a historic juncture in the quest for peace between Israelis and Palestinians.  Very importantFundamental principles are at issue here too, in the search for a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East.  Here too, the United Nations has an essential role to play, as the embodiment of international legitimacy. 

Our hopes of progress depend on implementation of the so-called “Road Map”, a series of steps that each side is to take leading to the resumption of the political talks and roadmap which charts the way towards a permanent settlement in which two States –- Israel and a sovereign, independent and viable Palestine –- live side by side in peace and security.

Implementation of the Road Map, in turn, is contingent on parallel and reciprocal steps by the parties two sides in the security, humanitarian, institution-building and political areas, monitored and facilitated by the Quartet.  Great wrongs have been done by each to the other.  But there is no alternative.  If we are to achieve our goal of peace between Israelis and Palestinians, both sides are going to have to turn from the path of violence, bitterness and hatred to the path of reconciliation and peaceand reconciliation.  It is not easy.  Great wrongs have been done by each to the other. But there is no alternative. If we are going to move towards peace, the parties must fully abide by their obligations under international law and the the Road Mapand international law.  Terrorist attacks launched by Palestinian groupsagainst civiliansmust stop, and the Palestinian Authority has an obligation in this regard.  Israel must end ,such measures as   extra-judicial killings, arbitrary arrests and detentions, house demolitions, stifling blockades closures and blockades, settlement activities– all unilateral measures of whatever kind must come to an end.  Moreover, the parties should not allow extremists to hijack the process and dictate agendas.  The responsibility to bring this process to a successful conclusion rests primarily with the parties themselves.  But, the international community remains there to help, not least to alleviate the hardship of the Palestinian peopleuntil the occupation of the Palestinian territory is ended on the basis of United Nationsresolutions

242 (1967), 338 (1973) and 1397 (2002).

Sadly, Tthe suffering of the Afghan people also remains profound.  Afghans from every part of the country, and from all of its ethnic groups, are working hard to rebuild a State at peace with itself and its neighbours.  Important progress has been achieved towards reconciliation, reconstruction and the building of national security structures.  But those gains are fragile and are being threatened by a deterioration in the security environment, which stems from daily harassment and intimidation, inter-ethnic and inter-factional strife, and the persistence of the drug economy.  At this critical stage for the Bonn process, I hope the Security Council, Afghanistan’s neighbours, and the entire international community will maintain their commitment and support.

The OIC has key contributions to make in these and other areas.  Allow me to conclude by suggesting another area where your efforts can have particular impact.  The OIC has been articulate in rejecting any linkage between international terrorism and Islam, and active in repudiating those misguided and malevolent individuals who have invoked Islam while inflicting appalling suffering on innocent people.  I urge you to continue your efforts to inform the world about what Islam really means and the values it represents, and thus help to fill, with accurate information and mutual understanding, the terrible breach that has opened between faiths, cultures and countries.  That would be a most welcome contribution to our shared mission of development, tolerance and peace.  In that spirit, I wish you all a productive session that will help in advancing the goals we share.

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