STATEMENT BY H.E.MR.SRGJAN KERIM

PRESIDENT F O THE UNITED ATIONS ENERAL SSEMBLY N G A

INTERNATIONAL OF SOLIDARITY DAY WITHTHE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE

UN HEADQUARTERS, YORK NEW 29 NOVEMBER 2OO7

M r . C ha i rma n Mr. Secretary-General, Excellencies, I am honoured be invited addressyou on the International of Solidarity to to Day with the Palestinian People. Respectfor the dignityof all nationsand peoplesis a principle the heartof the at peacefulresolution all conflicts. of Peace and solidaritygo hand in hand. Today, we all have the opportunity peopleand the Palestinian expressour solidarity withthe Palestinian Authority. In 1975,the GeneralAssembly established Committee the Exercise the the on of I n a l i e n a b l R i g h ts f th e P a l e stinian e o People. Mr Chairman, I would like to commend the Committee'scontributionto international effortsto bringpeace,security and stability the MiddleEast. to Over the years, the conflicthas producedgreat losses and immense human sufferingon both sides.lt has had wider securityimplications the regionand for peacefulrelations between nations aroundthe world. E x c e l le n ci e s, The GeneralAssembly's call on the partiesto resumedirectpeace negotiations has been realized I would like to praisePresident Mahmoud Abbasand PrimeMinister Ehud Olmert for their courage and willingnessto engage in substantiveresult orientated discussionsin Annapolisthat has lead to a Joint Understanding the way of forward. I would like to commendUS President Bush for bringing the partiestogetherto launch a serious process of final status negotiations; and, for his personal

commitmentto supportthe conclusion a peace treaty between lsrael and of Palestine beforethe end of 2008. The outcome of the AnnapolisConferenceoffers a great opportunityfor a permanent two-statesolution. However,as the Secretary-General emphasized during his speech,the prerequisite successrequiresa resolutecommitment for to boldlyfollowwordswith deeds. The only way to achievea comprehensive, and lastingpeace is through just continuous dialogueand compromise, and a resolutecommitment achievea to p e r ma n e nso l u ti o n . t Both lsraelisand Palestinians going to have to be honest with their own are people about the price of peace.This will requiredifficult choicesand sacrifice from both sides,as part of a sharedvisionfor a betterfuture. The stakes are high, but the alternatives worse. I would like to call on all are Member Statesto make every effortto supportthis process. The GeneralAssemblyhas repeatedly reaffirmed commitment supporta its to - lsraelisand Palestinians two-Statesolution livingside by side in peace and security withinrecognised borders as the mostviablesolution. The most encouraging aspectof the meetingis that both sides have agreedto this approach, and expressed their determination end violenceand usher in a to justice,dignityand mutualrespect new era of peacebasedon freedom, security, - principles the core purposeof the UnitedNations. at The GeneralAssemblycontinues emphasize need for the parties, to the with the help of the international community, fully and speedilyresolveall remaining to issues in the Gaza Strip. This includesa durablearrangement the bordercrossings, for the airport,the construction the seaport,the removalof rubble and the establishment a of of permanent physical link between Gaza Stripand the West Bank. the

The GeneralAssemblyalso stresses needfor the full implementation both the by partiesof the Agreement Movement on and Accessand the AgreedPrinciples for the RafahCrossing. And also, the need for lsrael to withdrawalfrom Palestinian territory it has occupiedsince 1967', the realization the inalienable of rightsof the Palestinian people; and, the resolution the Palestinerefugeesissue in conformitywith of r e s o l u ti o n 9 4 (l l l ) o f 1 1 D e ce mber 1 1948. Ex c e l le n ci e s, The General Assembly has also expressedits concern over the continued deterioration humanitarian of conditions Gazaand the west Bank. in progress ongoingsituation Withoutimmediate the exacerbates humanitarian, the economicand security situation the Palestinian people. of Over half of Palestinian households belowthe povertyline. live There are acute strains on social services,particularly education.There is a shortageof drinking water;electricity limitedand. are medicines. is so The Palestinian economyhas slumpedby nearlya quarterover the last year. Over half of those under25 had no jobs. The privatesectorin Gaza is almostcompletely paralysed. Three quartersof the Gazanpopulation dependent UnitedNations is on food aid. The worsening security and economic situation is increasingthe suffering endured by women; and, hampering the work of the United NationsReliefand WorksAgency. E x c e l le n ci e s, The GeneralAssemblyis committed ensurethat the peaceful to resolution the of conflict continues be at the forefront the international to of community's agenda.

The Quartethas welcomed commitment launchpeacenegotiations the to leading to the establishment Palestinian a State. The Quartet'sRepresentative, Tony Blair has proposedconcretemeasuresto strengthen Palestinian institutions rehabilitate economy. and the The Parisconference December in offersan important opportunity fund these to proposals and lay the foundation a viablePalestinian for state. I urge the international community offer its full financial, to technical and political supportto make these reformsa reality; and, to help alleviate the humanitarian people. suffering the Palestinian of Ex ce l l e n ci e s, I also appealto both lsraeliand Palestinian officials redoubletheir effortsto to immediatelyimplementtheir respective obligations under the 'road-map',and create the necessary conditions longterm peace,based on mutual respect for and recognition. The UnitedNations must play a significant to support role this process.

lf we reallywant to succeed to achievelasting peace- | encourage parties all to learn from the mistakesof the past and confrontthe causesof failure. True reconciliation requiresnot only an end to hostilities also a change of but attitude. Some peoplebelieve that to make peaceis to forget.I wouldsay that to reconcile is a fair compromise betweenremembering forgetting. and T h an kyo u .