Summary: April 3, 2002: Statement by H.E. Mr. Inocencio F. Arias, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Spain to the United Nations, on behalf of the European Union at the Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question (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 country belonging to the European Economic Area, Iceland, align themselves with this statement.
In less than two hours, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the European Union are holding a special meeting in Luxembourg in order to discuss the tragic situation in the Middle East.
Since the Security Council public meeting that took place last Friday evening, the situation of terror and violence on the ground has escalated further. The European Union is dismayed at this seemingly unending spiral of death, destruction, revenge and reprisal. We reiterate our call on both sides to take immediate and effective action to stop the bloodshed. Terror and violence must stop. The Palestinian Authority and the Israeli Government must prove their leadership and face their
responsibilities with respect to their own people. Months and years of violence should have taught us that we cannot conceive of a military solution to this conflict. We reiterate that there is no military solution to this conflict. The language and the logic of war have to stop and be replaced by dialogue and negotiation.
Peace and security for both parties can only be achieved through negotiation. In this regard, it is essential to address and implement security, political and economic measures, in parallel and simultaneously, in a single process.
The EU warmly welcomes the adoption of the UNSC resolution 1402, which reflects the grave concern and the strong commitment of the international community. Both SC resolutions 1397 and 1402 must be implemented immediately, in particular the demand for an immediate cessation of violence, including acts of terror, provocation, incitement and destruction; the call for both parties to move immediately to a meaningful ceasefire; the call for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Palestinian cities,
including Ramallah; as well as the call for the parties to cooperate fully with Special Envoy Zinni, and others, to implement the Tenet Work Plan and the Mitchell Report recommendations with the aim of resuming negotiations on a political settlement.
In this regard, we would like to recall the common understanding of the members of the Security Council that operative paragraph 1 of UNSC resolution 1402 does not indicate any sequence of the elements listed, as stated by the President of the Security Council.
The EU condemns in the most categorical terms the latest terrorist attacks and reiterates its demand to the Palestinian Authority and to its Chairman, Mr. Arafat, to adopt all possible measures to stop the spiral of violence, dismantle all terrorist networks and ensure that initiators and perpetrators of the attacks of recent days do not remain unpunished.
However, the legitimate fight of Israel against terrorism and the reaction to the brutal attacks also have to be compatible with the effective operating capacity of the Palestinian Authority and of its Chairman, legitimate representatives of the Palestinian people. This capacity must not be weakened.
Therefore, the European Union urges an end to the occupation of the Headquarters of the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah and to the isolation and the restrictions of movement of Chairman Arafat, and calls for the immediate withdrawal of the Israeli defence forces from that city and from other areas placed under the control of the Palestinian Authority. Closures and restrictions must be lifted immediately. There is nothing to be gained by destroying the Palestinian Authority. Peace cannot be
achieved by ignoring or humiliating one's opponent, or simply hoping to destroy him.
Israel, notwithstanding its right to fight terrorism, must respect international law. The practise of extra judicial killings is contrary to international law. The use of excessive force cannot be justified. The actions against medical and humanitarian institutions and personnel are absolutely unacceptable and contrary to UN Conventions and International Humanitarian Law. They must be able to fully perform their functions. Both parties must respect international humanitarian standards and
protect the lives of civilians.
The EU welcomes the resolution of the Arab League meeting in Beirut as a solid basis for progress towards a political perspective for a fair and global peace in the region, and the establishment of normal relations between Israel and the Arab world, safeguarding the security of all countries involved and offering them a future of stability and prosperity.
The EU is currently in close contact with the parties, the countries in the region, the U.S., the UN and Russia. In order to break this cycle of unprecedented violence, the Quartet of Special Envoys must be given full access to all parties, to try to help them to achieve an immediate ceasefire. Diplomatic and Consular representatives must also have full access to their own citizens in the Territories and be able to perform fully their tasks. In the face of escalating violence and distrust, the
EU remains convinced that a third party monitoring mechanism is called for in order to achieve this, and we urge the parties to accept observers. The EU and the member states stand ready to participate in such a mechanism.
Israel needs recognition of its right to live in peace within safe and secure boundaries, guaranteed by the commitment of the international community, and in particular the Arab countries, while the Palestinian people also need the recognition of their right to live in peace in a democratic, viable and independent state of Palestine, bringing to an end the occupation of 1967. We reaffirm that a just, lasting and comprehensive solution to the conflict must be based on UNSC 242, 338 and 1397 and
on the principles of the Madrid Conference, Oslo and subsequent agreements.
Thank you Mr. President.
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