Unofficial transcript 
Agenda item 37 “Question of Palestine”, November 29, 2012

HONDURAS:  Mr. President, at the time that we voted today in favor of the resolution on the status of Palestine in the United Nations, the government of Honduras can only talk -- remember the motivations that our people had when they founded this extraordinary organization of the United Nations to preserve future generations from the scourge of war, reaffirm faith in the fundamental human rights and dignity and the value of human beings and the preponderant quality of all -- quality of rights of all nations, large and small because the inherent virtue of the United Nations is in achieving peace we have to practice tolerance and we have to live as good neighbors.
Honduras supports with particular conviction a solution between both states, Israel and Palestine, peace in the Middle East as an inescapable yearning of the people of this region is fully shared by the Honduran nation.  Our affirmative decision to accord to Palestine the status of nonmember observer status is motivated by the fervent desire to contribute just, lasting and comprehensive peace, which in our opinion should be based on the right to the free determination of the Jewish people and of the Palestinian people.  
The need for mutual recognition between the state of Israel and the state of Palestine, the right of Israel and Palestine to have their own territory and to live in peace within safe and recognized borders and the need for a comprehensive and directly negotiated solution to resolve all of the differences which are outstanding between the parties.
Honduras understands that the vote which is taking place today does not mean that the international community is going to adopt unilaterally decisions that are only up to Israel and Palestine.  Due to the weight of our own national experience, we know that peace cannot be imposed from the outside, but rather it must come from the peoples themselves.  The recognition of third states towards Israel and Palestine cannot in itself bring peace between both nations.
The two-state solution for the benefit of two peoples can only be achieved through direct negotiations and through an understanding between the two peoples.  Our recognition of both states has the intention of sending an unequivocal signal of respect to both peoples who we would like to see living in peace.  We know that in the final analysis, it's the mutual recognition of their right to self-determination and the desire to exist as two entities that will bring peace to both nations and not a resolution of the international community.
In voting for this resolution, Honduras is not speaking on territorial or border matters between both parties because due to our own experience, we know that these issues cannot be the subject of political declarations by third states because not only is it beyond our -- or our interests, but it also makes it difficult to resolve disputes and it makes positions even more rigid.
Something different happens with an impartial third party who within the spirt of good auspices has the responsibility given to them by two parties to resolve their differences peacefully.  The same assessment can be given to the delicate and outstanding issues which are still to be negotiated.  The solution to these issues requires negotiations between the parties.  Hence, Israel and Palestine must go back to the negotiating table and must find the formulas that will take onboard the concerns of security and other issues of both states.
The international community must accompany these efforts and must remain ready to facilitate them and to support them as constructively as possible.  Today's vote recognizing Palestine as having the nonmember observer status should not be seen as a victory for one or defeat for another, but rather as an expression of the desire of the United Nations that harmony and concord would prevail in the Middle East.  Hence, Honduras calls for moderation to exercise the rights and privileges granted to Palestine as a nonmember observer status exclusively within the United Nations organization in order to open new paths to a direct understanding and also to get closer to the ultimate aim of this resolution, which is peace and harmonious coexistence between peoples and nations.  Thank you very much.