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Mr. President,
We are
meeting in this Council, the fourth time in almost as many weeks to discuss, yet
again, the ever worsening situation in the Middle East. It is indeed a matter of
concern for the international community that Israel persists in its defiance of
the successive Resolutions adopted by this Council in its recent meetings. The
tragedy in Middle East continues to pose a mounting threat to regional peace. It
also represents a serious humanitarian crisis which the Secretary-General has
aptly described as an “appalling” humanitarian situation.
2. The recent massacre in Jenin was as excessive as it was inexcusable.
According to the UN Special Coordinator who visited the camp, Jenin, looks like
a calamity stricken area. Jenin is yet another chapter written in the blood of
innocent people while the memories of Srebrenica and Rwanda are still fresh in
our minds and prick the conscience of humanity. Nothing could have justified the
wanton killing of dozens, if not hundreds, of Palestinians. This event happened
in spite of, and in defiance of, UN Security Council resolutions. There is a
need for an immediate, comprehensive and impartial international inquiry. While
Chairman Arafat has demonstrated commendable respect for humanitarian law by
denouncing all terrorist attacks which target innocent civilians, Israel too
must be expected to abide by international and humanitarian law.
3. On its part, the Security Council cannot be unmindful of its special
responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. It must
not allow selectivity and double standards in the implementation of its
resolutions. The Council must take decisive and effective measures under Chapter
VII, to ensure the immediate cessation of all Israeli military action and the
total withdrawal of its forces from the Occupied territories as well as urgent
resumption of the political process for the settlement of the Palestinian issue
in accordance with its own resolutions. The Council’s very credibility and moral
authority now depends on this.
4. Pakistan deplores the killing of innocent civilians in that region. We
welcome the Secretary-General’s call for deployment of an international force to
ensure safety and provide an opening for diplomatic moves. The need and urgency
for international intervention to save the situation from further deterioration
has been adequately highlighted in his statement before the Council. We support
his proposal and believe that immediate deployment of an international force in
the region would not only create a secure environment through cessation of
violence but also pave the way for putting the peace process back on track. The
deployment of this force must be immediately authorized by the Security Council.
I thank you, Mr. President.
New York
18 April, 2002