unitex@rubbs.fidonet.org (unitex) (09/12/89)
and all possible efforts must be undertaken to bring parties to
the negotiating table to achieve it.
The General Assembly, in resolution 43/176, called for the
convening of the International Peace Conference on the Middle
East under the auspices of the United Nations, with the
participation of all parties to the conflict, including the
Palestine Liberation Organization, on an equal footing, and the
five permanent members of the Security Council, based on Security
Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973) and the legitimate
national rights of the Palestinian people, primarily the right
to self-determination. The General Assembly requested the
Security Council to consider measures needed to convene the
International Peace Conference, including the establishment of a
preparatory committee. It also requested the Secretary-General
to continue his efforts with the parties concerned and, in
consultation with the Security Council, to facilitate the
convening of the Conference.
In recent years, we have witnessed an improvement in the
international political climate which has resulted in tangible
progress towards the settlement of several regional conflicts.
The protracted and explosive nature of the Arab-Israeli conflict
makes it all the more urgent for us to concentrate our efforts
in this area. The Secretary-General has drawn attention to the
dangers inherent in a lack of progress towards a comprehensive
settlement. He has intensified his own efforts for the
convening of an international peace conference on the Middle East
with the participation of all the parties concerned, including
Palestine. He will continue this task in accordance with the
mandate entrusted to him by the Security Council and the General
Assembly.
I would like to avail myself of this opportunity to express
appreciation, on behalf of the Secretary-General, to all the
non-governmental organizations who have come to Vienna from all
parts of the world to strengthen internationa and national
efforts aimed at reaching a just settlement of the question of
Palestine. Your presence here in such a large number testifies
to your resolve to consolidate your bonds with the United
Nations in the pursuit of a comprehensive and lasting peace in
the Middle East.
I would also like to express our appreciation to the members of
non-governmental organizations from the occupied territories and
from Israel, who represent differing points of view but have
joined in an international endeavour to uphold just causes.
The Secretary-General continues to believe that an enlightened
and mobilized public opinion, through the invaluable activities
of non- governmental organizations, can play a very important
role in helping to bring about a peaceful solution to this
long-standing conflict. In this connection, the Division for
Palestinian Rights, under the guidance of the Committee on the
Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People,
will continue and expand its co-operation with the world-wide
community of non-governmental organizations in order to promote
our common objectives.
In conclusion, I would like to take this opportunity to express
the Secretary-General's appreciation of the work of the
Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the
Palestinian People, which has carried out its mandate with
dedication under the wise and able leadership of its
distinguished Chairman, Absa Claude Diallo of Senegal, and its
Bureau.
* Origin: UNITEX --> Toward a United Species (1:107/501)
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Patt Haring | UNITEX : United Nations
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