W
STATEMENT BY
H.E. SIIEIKHA HAYA RASHED AL KIIALIFA TIIE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY AT THE TENTTI EMERGENCY SPECIAL SESSIOI{ (RESUMED)

UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS NEWYORK 15 DECEMBER2006

Excellencies" Ladies and Gentlemen, We meet today to consider the report of the Secretary-General contained in document(A/ES-101361) the implementation GeneralAssembly resolutionESon of 10/15and the establishment a registerof the materialand non-materialdamagecaused of by the separation wall inside the occupied Palestinian territories, includine East Jerusalem and its suburbs. The Arab-Israeli conflict and successive developments taking place in the Middle East representa growing danger that threatensinternationalpeace and security. This conflict placesbefore the world, historicalresponsibilities that will determine not onlv the future of peacein the region, but also the entireworld. Under these circumstances,we must not turn a blind eye to the deteriorating economicand humanitarianconditionsthat plague the Palestinian people in the occupied territories,for they require us to take a cooperativestanceand prbvide assistance. Such assistance vital to meet the ever-increasing is difficulties of day-t-o-day life. It is imperativeto accelerate stepstowardsarriving at solutionsbasedon objective and practical ideas, such as those proposedby the Quartet,calling for the establishment of two States living sideby side in securityandpeace. The first step in the quest towards a solution involves building confidenceand ridding oneselfof fear, for it is fear that drives both sidesto acts of violence and counterviolence. It is essential, therefore, for the international community to support and redouble efforts to help both sides overcome their fear and misgivings. Just as the GeneralAssembly objected to the building of the separationwall, as recommended by the InternationalCourt of Justice in its advisory opinion delivered to the Assembly, it behoovesus to be alert to any act that might add to the tension and causethe situationto deteriorate further, whateverits origin. Finally, if dialoguebetweenconcerned partiesis our main objectiveand the best approachto peacefulsolutions,then barriersclearly do not facilitate diulogt,., neitherdo they help to dispel fears or remove material and psychologicalobstacles. It is for this reason that we must all strive to achieve a just, lasting and comprehensivepolitical settlementfor the conflict that is basedon internationallegitimacy, fir it is this that will bring well-being to the Israeli and Palestinian peoplesand pave the way to a betterfuture for the Middle East and the coming generations

Thank you