Sumario: June 13, 2002: EU Statement at the Security Council on the Middle East (New York)
Mr. President,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The countries of Central and Eastern Europe associated with the European Union, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, the associated countries Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, and the EFTA countries belonging to the European Economic Area, Iceland and Liechtenstein, align themselves with this statement.
In the face of continued violence in the Middle East, it is essential to redouble efforts aimed at achieving a peaceful and comprehensive political solution to this conflict. It is clear that this highly volatile situation will not be resolved via the current mindset in which the leaders of both parties are now locked. Violence only breeds more violence. Peace and security will only be achieved through negotiations that should start as soon as possible.
The Quartet of Special Envoys is meeting tomorrow Friday in Washington DC and days later at Principals level at the margins of the G-8 Summit in Canada. As a member of the Quartet, the EU is currently working towards convening soon an international peace conference involving not only the parties but the international and regional players and aimed at achieving concrete results on the political, security and economic aspects with a well-defined timetable, providing a credible political
perspective and a definitive settlement of the conflict. In particular, an immediate resumption of political negotiations and of cooperation in security matters will be essential as well as rebuilding the infrastructure of the Palestinian Authority, restoring its governance, an international support for reconstruction and reform, a negotiating and international follow-up mechanism and the establishment of an observation and monitoring mechanism of the situation on the ground.
We reiterate the shared vision and final goal of the international community of two States in the region, a democratic, viable and independent Palestine, living side by side with Israel within secure and internationally recognized borders. The political roadmap is clear and based on SC resolutions 242, 338 and 1397, the principles of Madrid, Oslo and subsequent agreements between the parties as well as on the Arab League peace initiative
We are convinced that a full and immediate implementation of SC resolutions 1402 and 1403 is essential, in particular an immediate cessation of violence, a meaningful ceasefire and the definitive withdrawal of the Israeli troops from all areas under the control of the Palestinian Authority. We deeply regret that these and other SC resolutions on this issue continue to be downright ignored or selectively interpreted and partially implemented.
Mr. President,
Similarly to other criminal acts perpetrated in the past, the EU condemns in the strongest possible terms the latest terror attacks in Israel. Suicide attacks and killings against Israeli civilians have continued. These acts are morally repugnant, contrary to international law and extremely harmful to the national aspirations of the Palestinian people. We welcome the fact that President Arafat and the Palestinian Authority have repeatedly rejected and condemned these terror attacks. We urge
them both as legitimate representatives of the Palestinian people, to make all possible efforts to prevent such acts, disrupt all terrorist networks and undertake a more determined action against terrorism. We underline the need to bring the perpetrators of these criminal acts to justice.
Israeli forces continue to move freely throughout Palestinian-controlled territory, raiding towns and arresting and killing suspected militants. Palestinian cities are surrounded and sealed off by the Israeli military forces. The West Bank is in fact divided into several separate and disconnected population centres. No distinction between A and B areas seems to apply any longer. This is totally unacceptable. It constitutes an outright violation of the Oslo Accords of 1993 and subsequent
agreements between the parties. Israel has a legitimate right to fight terrorism but not at the expense of international law and imposing a collective punishment on 3.5 million Palestinians imprisoned in their towns and villages.
Israel must cease immediately these policies and enable the Palestinian Authority to meet its security commitments and halt the rapid deterioration of the Palestinian economy. We regard with great concern the closure rules outlined by the Israeli Authorities to create separate zones in the West Bank around each of its major cities, cut off one from the other as well as other measures to tighten further the existing restrictions on the movement of people and goods. We urge Israel to repeal such
measures. Furthermore, the expansion of settlements proceeds unabated as well as the destruction of Palestinian land and private property. The Palestinian population living in the Gaza Strip confronts a similar situation. The EU considers all settlements illegal and an obstacle to peace.
The overwhelming military pressure on Palestinian civil society only fuels more frustration, hopelessness and hatred and cannot achieve long-term security for Israel. The current restrictions have already had a devastating effect on the Palestinian living conditions. Additional measures will further degrade the economy, ruining the Palestinian private sector and seriously hindering any implementation of reforms.
The Israeli military operations since 29 March have also caused fundamental damage and serious disruption in the work of the Palestinian civil administration. Similarly Palestinian security bodies and its infrastructure have suffered considerable damage, including the loss or detention of personnel. This state of virtual paralysis of the Palestinian security has created a more fragmented and unpredictable political environment in the West Bank posing an even greater risk to Israel security. The
EU is also concerned about reports of unexploded ordinance and explosive devices left behind as a result of the military campaign and its risks for the civilian population.
Mr. President,
There is a large consensus about the urgent need to reorganize the Palestinian security services in a more effective and coherent manner. The EU welcomes and encourages the current discussion of political, security and financial reforms in the Palestinian Authority. We also welcome the new Palestinian cabinet and the announcement of elections by Chairman Arafat and the Palestinian Legislative Council. In this regard, we call on Israel to foster an environment conducive to reform, particularly
by easing restrictions on the movement of Palestinian people and goods. A climate free from the current state of violence and military occupation would be more conducive to organize and hold democratic, fair and transparent elections in the territories. However, any attempt to make the reform of the Palestinian institutions an exclusive condition for re-engaging in political negotiations is totally counterproductive and unrealistic.
We reiterate our concern at the dramatic humanitarian situation in the Palestinian Territories aggravated by the continuing restrictions imposed by Israel on freedom of movement of the humanitarian organizations. International agencies and organizations continue to be subject to a set of restrictions on the movement of their personnel, vehicles and supplies. We note with concern efforts to impose restrictions on the freedom of movement of diplomatic and consular representatives through security
checks. We consider these practices as violations of the Vienna Convention.
Any effort to assist the Palestinians in reconstruction, reform or elections will need the serious and full cooperation of Israel, in particular in providing guarantees that the fruit of the reconstruction efforts will not be damaged or destroyed again. In the regard, the EU reserves the right to claim reparation in the appropriate fora
The EU expresses its intention to preserve, strengthen and assist the Palestinian Authority, including through efforts to rebuild its infrastructure, security and governance capacity and support for reform and the creation of democratic institutions.
Thank you Mr. President.
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