Part II (A) 7 - Situation in the Middle East

II. Resolutions adopted without reference to a Main Committee 23
2. Condemns Israel's continued occupation of Arab
territories in violation of the Charter of the United
Nations, the principles of international law and repeated
United Nations resolutions;
3. Reaffirms that a just and lasting peace in the
Middle East cannot be achieved without Israel's withdrawal
from all Arab territories occupied since 1967
and the attainment by the Palestinian people of their
inalienable rights, which are the basic prerequisites enabling
all countries and peoples in the Middle East to
live in peace;
4. Condemns all measures taken by Israel in the
occupied territories to change the demographic and
geographic character and institutional structure of these
territories;
5. Requests once again all States to desist from
supplying Israel with military and other forms of aid
or any assistance which would enable it to consolidate
its occupation or to exploit the natural resources of
the occupied territories;
6. Requests the Security Council to take effective
measures, within an appropriate time-table, for the
implementation of all relevant resolutions of the Council
and the General Assembly on the Middle East and
Palestine;
7. Requests the Secretary-General to inform the
Co-Chairmen of the Peace Conference on the Middle
East of the present resolution and to submit a report
on the follow-up of its implementation to the General
Assembly at its thirty-second session.
95th plenary meeting
9 December 1976
31/62. Peace Conference on the Middle East
The General Assembly,
Having discussed the item entitled "The situation in
the Middle East",
Noting the report of the Secretary-General on this
item45 and his initiative of 1 April 1976,46
Gravely concerned at the lack of progress towards
the achievement of a just and lasting peace in the
Middle East,
Convinced that any relaxation in the search for a
comprehensive settlement covering all aspects of the
Middle East problem to achieve a just peace in the
area constitutes a grave threat to the prospects of peace
in the Middle East as well as a threat to international
peace and security,
1. Requests the Secretary-General:
(a) To resume contacts with all the parties to the
conflict and the Co-Chairmen of the Peace Conference
on the Middle East, in accordance with his initiative
of 1 April 1976, in preparation for the early convening
of the Peace Conference on the Middle East;
( b) To submit a report to the Security Council
on the results of his contacts and on the situation in
the Middle East not later than 1 March 1977;
45 A/31/270-S/12210. For the printed text, see Official Records
of the Security Council, Thirty-first Year, Supplement
for October, November and December 1976.
46 f\./31/270-S/12210, para. 8. For the printed text, see
Official Records of the Security Council, Thirty-first Year, Supplement
for October, November and December 1976.
2. Calls for the early convening of the Peace Conference
on the Middle East, under the auspices of the
United Nations and the co-chairmanship of the Union
of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United States of
America, not later than the end of March 1977;
3. Requests the Security Countil to convene subsequent
to the submission by the Secretary-General of
the report referred to in paragraph 1 ( b) above, in
order to consider the situation in the area in the light
of that report and to promote the process towards the
establishment of a just and lasting peace in the area;
4. Further requests the Secretary-General to inform
the Co-Chairmen of the Peace Conference on the
Middle East of the present resolution.
9 5 th plenary meeting
9 December 1976
31/63. Third united Nations Conference on the
Law of the Sea47
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 3067 (XXVIII) of 16 November
1973, 3334 (XXIX) of 17 December 1974
and 3483 (XXX) of 12 December 1975,
Noting the letter dated 20 September 1976 from the
President of the Third United Nations Conference on
the Law of the Sea to the President of the General
Assembly48 regarding the decisions reached at the fifth
session of the Conference, held in New York from
2 August to 17 September 1976,
Having considered the decision of the Conference, as
conveyed in the letter of its President, that its sixth
session should be convened in New York on 23 May
1977 for a period of seven weeks, with a possible extension
to eight weeks should the Conference so decide,
Bearing in mind the request of the Conference, referred
to in the letter from its President, that the Secretary-
General should provide the necessary facilities for
private consultations between sessions among Governments
and delegations,
Taking into account the recommendation made by
the Conference that the General Assembly should study
measures to ensure stability and continuity for the secretariat
personnel recruited for the Conference,
1. Approves the convening of the sixth session of
the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of
the Sea in New York for the period from 23 May
to 8 July 1977, with a possible extension to 15 July
should the Conference so decide;
2. Reiterates its decision at its thirtieth session49
to accord priority to the Conference in relation to other
United Nations activities, except those of organs established
by the Charter of the United Nations;
3. Authorizes the Secretary-General to make available,
as appropriate, the necessary facilities for private
consultations between sessions among Governments and
delegations;
. 4. Further authorizes the Secretary-General to contmue
to make the necessary arrangements originally
provided under paragraph 9 of General Assembly
47 See also sect. X.B.6 below, decision 31/407.
48 Official Records of the General Assembly, Thirty-first Session,
Annex~s, agenda item 30, document A/31/225.
49 Resolution 3483 (XXX), para. 2.

UNITED A
NATIONS
General Assembly
Distr.
GENERAL
A/RES/48/59
31 January 1994
Forty-eighth session
Agenda item 34
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
[without reference to a Main Committee
(A/48/L.34 and Add.1 and A/48/L.46 and Add.)]
48/59. The situation in the Middle East
A
Jerusalem
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 36/120 E of 10 December 1981, 37/123 C of
16 December 1982, 38/180 C of 19 December 1983, 39/146 C of 14 December 1984,
40/168 C of 16 December 1985, 41/162 C of 4 December 1986, 42/209 D of
11 December 1987, 43/54 C of 6 December 1988, 44/40 C of 4 December 1989,
45/83 C of 13 December 1990, 46/82 B of 16 December 1991 and 47/63 B of
11 December 1992, in which it determined that all legislative and
administrative measures and actions taken by Israel, the occupying Power,
which had altered or purported to alter the character and status of the Holy
City of Jerusalem, in particular the so-called "Basic Law" on Jerusalem and
the proclamation of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, were null and void and
must be rescinded forthwith,
Recalling also Security Council resolution 478 (1980) of 20 August 1980,
in which the Council, inter alia, decided not to recognize the "Basic Law" and
called upon those States that had established diplomatic missions at Jerusalem
to withdraw such missions from the Holy City,
/...
A/RES/48/59
Page 2
Having considered the report of the Secretary-General of
25 October 1993, 1/
1. Determines that the decision of Israel to impose its laws,
jurisdiction and administration on the Holy City of Jerusalem is illegal and
therefore null and void and has no validity whatsoever;
2. Deplores the transfer by some States of their diplomatic missions
to Jerusalem in violation of Security Council resolution 478 (1980), and their
refusal to comply with the provisions of that resolution;
3. Calls once more upon those States to abide by the provisions of
the relevant United Nations resolutions, in conformity with the Charter of the
United Nations;
4. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly
at its forty-ninth session on the implementation of the present resolution.
79th plenary meeting
14 December 1993
B
Syrian Golan
The General Assembly,
Having considered the item entitled "The situation in the Middle East",
Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General of
25 October 1993, 1/
Recalling Security Council resolution 497 (1981) of 17 December 1981,
Recalling also its resolution 3314 (XXIX) of 14 December 1974, in the
annex to which it defined an act of aggression, inter alia, as "the invasion
or attack by the armed forces of a State of the territory of another State, or
any military occupation, however temporary, resulting from such invasion or
attack, or any annexation by the use of force of the territory of another
State or part thereof" and provided that "no consideration of whatever nature,
whether political, economic, military or otherwise, may serve as a
justification for aggression",
Reaffirming the fundamental principle of the inadmissibility of the
acquisition of territory by force,
____________
1/ A/48/522.
/...
A/RES/48/59
Page 3
Reaffirming once more the applicability of the Geneva Convention
relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August
1949, 2/ to the occupied Syrian Golan,
Noting that Israel has refused, in violation of Article 25 of the
Charter of the United Nations, to accept and carry out Security Council
resolution 497 (1981),
Deeply concerned that Israel has not withdrawn from the Syrian Golan,
which has been under occupation since 1967, contrary to the relevant Security
Council and General Assembly resolutions,
Taking note with satisfaction of the convening at Madrid of the Peace
Conference on the Middle East on the basis of Security Council resolutions
242 (1967) of 22 November 1967 and 338 (1973) of 22 October 1973, but
regretting that a just and comprehensive peace has not yet been achieved after
two years of negotiation in Washington, D.C.,
1. Declares that Israel has failed so far to comply with Security
Council resolution 497 (1981);
2. Declares once more that Israel’s decision to impose its laws,
jurisdiction and administration on the occupied Syrian Golan is illegal and
therefore null and void and has no validity whatsoever;
3. Declares also that the Knesset decision of 11 November 1991
annexing the occupied Syrian Golan constitutes a grave violation of Security
Council resolution 497 (1981) and therefore is null and void and has no
validity whatsoever;
4. Declares further all Israeli policies and practices of, or aimed
at, annexation of the occupied Arab territories since 1967, including the
occupied Syrian Golan, to be illegal and in violation of international law and
of the relevant United Nations resolutions;
5. Determines once more that all actions taken by Israel to give
effect to its decisions relating to the occupied Syrian Golan are illegal and
invalid and shall not be recognized;
6. Reaffirms its determination that all relevant provisions of the
Regulations annexed to the Hague Convention IV of 1907, 3/ and the Geneva
Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of
12 August 1949, continue to apply to the Syrian territory occupied by Israel
since 1967, and calls upon the parties thereto to respect and ensure respect
for their obligations under those instruments in all circumstances;
__________
2/ United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 75, No. 973.
3/ See Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, The Hague
Conventions and Declarations of 1899 and 1907 (New York, Oxford University
Press, 1915).
/...
A/RES/48/59
Page 4
7. Determines once more that the continued occupation of the Syrian
Golan since 1967 and its de facto annexation by Israel on 14 December 1981,
following Israel’s decision to impose its laws, jurisdiction and
administration on that territory, constitute a continuing threat to peace and
security in the region;
8. Firmly emphasizes once more its demand that Israel, the occupying
Power, rescind forthwith its illegal decision of 14 December 1981 to impose
its laws, jurisdiction and administration on the Syrian Golan, and its
decision of 11 November 1991, which resulted in the effective annexation of
that territory;
9. Demands once more that Israel withdraw from the occupied Syrian
Golan in implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions;
10. Calls upon the international community to urge Israel to withdraw
from the occupied Syrian Golan and other occupied Arab territories for the
establishment of a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the region;
11. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly
at its forty-ninth session on the implementation of the present resolution.
79th plenary meeting
14 December 1993
UNITED A
NATIONS
General Assembly
Distr.
GENERAL
A/RES/49/87
7 February 1995
Forty-ninth session
Agenda item 38
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
[without reference to a Main Committee (A/49/L.59 and A/49/L.60)]
49/87. The situation in the Middle East
A
Jerusalem
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 36/120 E of 10 December 1981, 37/123 C of
16 December 1982, 38/180 C of 19 December 1983, 39/146 C of 14 December 1984,
40/168 C of 16 December 1985, 41/162 C of 4 December 1986, 42/209 D of
11 December 1987, 43/54 C of 6 December 1988, 44/40 C of 4 December 1989,
45/83 C of 13 December 1990, 46/82 B of 16 December 1991, 47/63 B of
11 December 1992 and 48/59 A of 14 December 1993, in which it determined that
all legislative and administrative measures and actions taken by Israel, the
occupying Power, which had altered or purported to alter the character and
status of the Holy City of Jerusalem, in particular the so-called "Basic Law"
on Jerusalem and the proclamation of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, were
null and void and must be rescinded forthwith,
Recalling also Security Council resolution 478 (1980) of 20 August 1980,
in which the Council, inter alia, decided not to recognize the "Basic Law" and
called upon those States that had established diplomatic missions at Jerusalem
to withdraw such missions from the Holy City,
Having considered the report of the Secretary-General of
20 October 1994, 1/
____________
1/ A/49/556.
95-76357
/...
A/RES/49/87
Page 2
1. Determines that the decision of Israel to impose its laws,
jurisdiction and administration on the Holy City of Jerusalem is illegal and
therefore null and void and has no validity whatsoever;
2. Deplores the transfer by some States of their diplomatic missions
to Jerusalem in violation of Security Council resolution 478 (1980), and their
refusal to comply with the provisions of that resolution;
3. Calls once more upon those States to abide by the provisions of
the relevant United Nations resolutions, in conformity with the Charter of the
United Nations;
4. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly
at its fiftieth session on the implementation of the present resolution.
91st plenary meeting
16 December 1994
B
The Syrian Golan
The General Assembly,
Having considered the item entitled "The situation in the Middle East",
Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General of
20 October 1994, 1/
Recalling Security Council resolution 497 (1981) of 17 December 1981,
Reaffirming the fundamental principle of the inadmissibility of the
acquisition of territory by force,
Reaffirming once more the applicability of the Geneva Convention
relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of
12 August 1949, 2/ to the occupied Syrian Golan,
Deeply concerned that Israel has not withdrawn from the Syrian Golan,
which has been under occupation since 1967, contrary to the relevant Security
Council and General Assembly resolutions,
Noting with satisfaction the convening at Madrid of the Peace Conference
on the Middle East on the basis of Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) of
22 November 1967 and 338 (1973) of 22 October 1973, with the hope that
substantial and concrete progress will be achieved on the Syrian and Lebanese
tracks for the realization of a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the
region,
1. Declares that Israel has failed so far to comply with Security
Council resolution 497 (1981);
__________
2/ United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 75, No. 973.
/...
A/RES/49/87
Page 3
2. Declares also that the Knesset decision of 11 November 1991
annexing the occupied Syrian Golan constitutes a grave violation of Security
Council resolution 497 (1981) and therefore is null and void and has no
validity whatsoever, and calls upon Israel to rescind it;
3. Reaffirms its determination that all relevant provisions of the
Regulations annexed to the Hague Convention of 1907, 3/ and the Geneva
Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of
12 August 1949, continue to apply to the Syrian territory occupied by Israel
since 1967, and calls upon the parties thereto to respect and ensure respect
for their obligations under those instruments in all circumstances;
4. Determines once more that the continued occupation of the Syrian
Golan and its de facto annexation constitute a stumbling-block in the way of
achieving a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the region;
5. Demands once more that Israel withdraw from all the occupied
Syrian Golan in implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions;
6. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly
at its fiftieth session on the implementation of the present resolution.
91st plenary meeting
16 December 1994
____________
3/ See Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, The Hague
Conventions and Declarations of 1899 and 1907 (New York, Oxford University
Press, 1915).

UNITED A
NATIONS
General Assembly
Distr.
GENERAL
A/RES/50/22
12 December 1995
Fiftieth session
Agenda item 44
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
[without reference to a Main Committee (A/50/L.37 and Add.1 and
A/50/L.38 and Add.1)]
50/22. The situation in the Middle East
A
Jerusalem
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 36/120 E of 10 December 1981, 37/123 C of
16 December 1982, 38/180 C of 19 December 1983, 39/146 C of 14 December 1984,
40/168 C of 16 December 1985, 41/162 C of 4 December 1986, 42/209 D of
11 December 1987, 43/54 C of 6 December 1988, 44/40 C of 4 December 1989,
45/83 C of 13 December 1990, 46/82 B of 16 December 1991, 47/63 B of
11 December 1992, 48/59 A of 14 December 1993 and 49/87 A of 16 December 1994,
in which it determined that all legislative and administrative measures and
actions taken by Israel, the occupying Power, which had altered or purported
to alter the character and status of the Holy City of Jerusalem, in particular
the so-called "Basic Law" on Jerusalem and the proclamation of Jerusalem as
the capital of Israel, were null and void and must be rescinded forthwith,
Recalling also Security Council resolution 478 (1980) of 20 August 1980,
in which the Council, inter alia, decided not to recognize the "Basic Law" and
called upon those States that had established diplomatic missions at Jerusalem
to withdraw such missions from the Holy City,
Having considered the report of the Secretary-General of
24 October 1995, 1/
1/ A/50/574.
95-25742 /...
A/RES/50/22
Page 2
1. Determines that the decision of Israel to impose its laws,
jurisdiction and administration on the Holy City of Jerusalem is illegal and
therefore null and void and has no validity whatsoever;
2. Deplores the transfer by some States of their diplomatic missions
to Jerusalem in violation of Security Council resolution 478 (1980), and their
refusal to comply with the provisions of that resolution;
3. Calls once more upon those States to abide by the provisions of
the relevant United Nations resolutions, in conformity with the Charter of the
United Nations;
4. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly
at its fifty-first session on the implementation of the present resolution.
79th plenary meeting
4 December 1995
B
The Syrian Golan
The General Assembly,
Having considered the item entitled "The situation in the Middle East",
Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General of 24 October
1995, 1/
Recalling Security Council resolution 497 (1981) of 17 December 1981,
Reaffirming the fundamental principle of the inadmissibility of the
acquisition of territory by force,
Reaffirming once more the applicability of the Geneva Convention
relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of
12 August 1949, 2/ to the occupied Syrian Golan,
Deeply concerned that Israel has not withdrawn from the Syrian Golan,
which has been under occupation since 1967, contrary to the relevant Security
Council and General Assembly resolutions,
Noting with satisfaction the convening at Madrid of the Peace Conference
on the Middle East on the basis of Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) of
22 November 1967 and 338 (1973) of 22 October 1973, with the hope that
substantial and concrete progress will be achieved on the Syrian and Lebanese
tracks for the realization of a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the
region,
2/ United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 75, No. 973.
/...
A/RES/50/22
Page 3
1. Declares that Israel has failed so far to comply with Security
Council resolution 497 (1981);
2. Declares also that the Knesset decision of 11 November 1991
annexing the occupied Syrian Golan constitutes a grave violation of resolution
497 (1981) and therefore is null and void and has no validity whatsoever, and
calls upon Israel to rescind it;
3. Reaffirms its determination that all relevant provisions of the
Regulations annexed to the Hague Convention of 1907, 3/ and the Geneva
Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of
12 August 1949, continue to apply to the Syrian territory occupied by Israel
since 1967, and calls upon the parties thereto to respect and ensure respect
for their obligations under those instruments in all circumstances;
4. Determines once more that the continued occupation of the Syrian
Golan and its de facto annexation constitute a stumbling-block in the way of
achieving a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the region;
5. Demands once more that Israel withdraw from all the occupied
Syrian Golan to the line of 4 June 1967 in implementation of the relevant
Security Council resolutions;
6. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly
at its fifty-first session on the implementation of the present resolution.
79th plenary meeting
4 December 1995
3/ See Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, The Hague
Conventions and Declarations of 1899 and 1907 (New York, Oxford University
Press, 1915).

United Nations A/RES/73/89
General Assembly
Distr.: General
18 December 2018
18-21198 (E) 201218
*1821198*
Seventy-third session
Agenda item 38
Resolution adopted by the General Assembly
on 6 December 2018
[without reference to a Main Committee (A/73/L.49)]
73/89. Comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East
The General Assembly,
Recalling its relevant resolutions,
Guided by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations,
Reiterates its call for the achievement, without delay, of a comprehensive, just
and lasting peace in the Middle East on the basis of the relevant United Nations
resolutions, including Security Council resolution 2334 (2016) of 23 December 2016,
the Madrid terms of reference, including the principle of land for peace, the Arab
Peace Initiative1 and the Quartet road map,2 and an end to the Israeli occupation that
began in 1967, including of East Jerusalem, and reaffirms in this regard its
unwavering support, in accordance with international law, for the two -State solution
of Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security within recognized
borders, based on the pre-1967 borders.
47th plenary meeting
6 December 2018
__________________
1 A/56/1026-S/2002/932, annex II, resolution 14/221.
2 S/2003/529, annex.
i tiest efkts to prevent a recurrence of fighting and, as
[ecessw, to contribute to the maintenance and restoraion
of law and order and a return to n~ntxtl con-
~tions”‘, The mediator, in the meantime, was to “use his
lest endeavours with the representatives of the com-
Ipunities” and with the Governments concerned to
aeve the peaceful solution and agreed settlement
0 which I have already referred, Not only did the
nediation called for in the Security Council meet with
10 success but it also proved impossible to resume
he search for an agreed solution in full measure.
110. Thus the hopes and expectations of 1964 are
{et to be fulfjfled. After nearly eight years, the solution
If the Cyprus problem is still not in sight, conditions
n the island remain precarious and I have to come once
nore before the Security Council-in fact for the
Wentieth time-to recommend a further extension of
the mandate of UNFICYP. It is obvious that this
situation cannot continue indefinitely, to the detriment
DE the people of Cyprus and as a lingering threat to
international peace and security.
convinced that, given the necessary goodwill, the Cyprus
problem is capable of solution. It is my earnest hope
#at, in accordance with the principles of the Charter,
the parties to this problem will soon find it possible,
iu the interest of the well-beiilg of the people of Cyprus
aud the cause of international peace and security, to
make those necessary comprotiaes aucl accommodations
without which no settlement can be achieved.
,112. In cmcludiug this report, I wish to express
my deep appreciation to the Governments which have
provided contingents and personnel for UNFICYP and
to those which have made voluntary contributions for
the support of the operation. I also wish to pay tribute
to my Special Representative, to the Force Commander
and to all the officers and men of UNFICYP as well
as its civilian stall’. They have continued to carry out
with exemplary efficiency and devotion the important
task assigned to them by the Security Council.
ANNEX
[Map showing the deployment oj the United Nations Peacekeeping
Force in Cyprus on 1 December 1971. See page 55.1
DOCUMENT S/10403* 3
Report of the Secretary-General on the activities of his Special
Representative to the Middle East
[Original: English]
[30 November 19711
2. By its resolution 2628 (XXV) of 4 November
1970, the General Assembly, after expressing its views
on the principles which should govern the establishment
of a .just and lasting peace in the Middle East,
called upon the parties directly concerned to resume
contact with the Special Representative of the Secretary-
General with a view to giving effect to Security
Council resolution 242 (1967) and requested me to
report to the security Council within a period of two
months, and to the General Assembly as appropriate,
on the efforts of the Special Representative and on
the implementation of Security Council resolution 242
(1967). -’
YlRODUCTlON , . . . . . . . , . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . l-4
1. ?-HE HbLDINt3 OF DISCUSSIONS UNDER THE
SPECLU REPRESENTATIVE’S AUSPICES (JANUAm’-
MARCH 1971) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-21
U. FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS (MARCH-NOVEMBER
1971) . . . . .,.....*.,............a...... 22F29
ANNEXES
PO@
I, Aide-m&moire presented to Israel and the Uniti
Arab Republic by Ambassador Jarriug on 8
February 1971 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
U. Aide-mhmoire presented to Ambassador Jaming
by the United Arab Republic on 15 February 1971
[I. Communication presentedto AmbassadorJ arring
by Israel on 26 February 1971 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
INTRODUCTION
1. By its resolution 242 (1967) of 22 November
967, the Security Council affirmed the pticiples and
revisions which should be applied in establishing a
:st and lasting peace in the Middle East and requested
e to designate a special representative to establish
Id maintain contacts with the States concerned in
‘der to promote agreement and assist efforts to achieve
peaceful and accepted settlement in accordance with
ese provisions and principles. I designated Ambassa-
)r Gunnar V. Jarring of Sweden as my Special Reprentative
and submitted progress reports from time to
ne to the Security Council on his efforts.17
* Also circulated as a General Assembly document under
e symbol A/8541.
17 Ibid., Twenty-second Year, Supplement for, October, Nomber
and December 1967, document S/8309; ibid., Twentyird
Year, Supplement for January, February and March 1968,
cumenls S/8309/Add.l and 2; ibid., Supplement for July,
?gust and September 1968, document W83091Add.3; ibid.,
#ppIement for October, November and December 1968, docu-
:nt S/8309/Add.4; and ibid., Twenty-fifth Year, Supplemenl
r July, August and September 1970, document S/9902.
54
3. In accordark with my responsibilities under
Security Council resolution 242 (1967) and with the
request contained in General Assembly resolution 2628
(XXV), I submitted to the Security Council on 4
January 1971 a comprehensive report [S/100703 on
the activities of the Special Representative up to that
date. Subsequently, on 1 February and 5 March, I
submitted further progress reports [S/10070/Add.l
and 21 on ti activities.
4. In view of the fact that the General Assembly
is about to debate again the situation in the Middle
East and of the request contained in General AsseFbly
resolution 2628 (XXV) that I should report to It as
appropriate on the efE0rt.s of the Special Representative
and on the implementation of Security Council resolution
242 (1967), I am arranging to have my report
of 4 January 1971 available to the Members of the
General Assembly; I am also submitting the present
report on the implementation of Security Council resolution
242 (1967) to both the Security Council and
the General Assembly in order to give a more comprehensive
account of the activities of the Special ,Repre
sentative at the beginning of 1971 than that gven III
documents S/1007O/Add.l and 2 and to bring that
account up to date.
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CYPRU’SDEPLOYMENT
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I DECEMBER 197!
~y~~~~~~: -;~y;-;;; ~i< UNFICYP operational baundari,
-..-..-..-..- District boundary
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MILES
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KlLOMEWE.5
I. THE HOLDJNG OF DISCUSSIONSU NDER THE SPECIAL
REPRESENTATIVE'S AUSPICES (JANUARY-MARCH
1971)
5. It will be recalled that at the close of 1970 it
was possible to arrange for the resumption of the
discussions under the auspices of Ambassador Jsrring
with Israel, Jordan and the United Arab Republic for
the purpose of reaching agreement on a just and lasting
peace between them.
6. Ambassador Jarring resumed his discussions with
the parties at Headquarters on 5 January 1971 and
pursued them actively. He held a series of meetings
with the representatives of Israel (including meetings
with the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister during a
brief visit to Israel made from 8 to 10 January 1971
at the request of that Government), of Jordan, and
of the United Arab Republic. In addition, he held
meetings with the Permanent Representative of Lebanon,
which is also one of the States directly concerned
with the Middle East settlement.
7. At an early stage in these meetings Israel presented
to Ambassador Jarring, for transmission to the
Governments concerned, papers containing its views on
the “Essentials of peace”. Subsequently, the United
Arab Republic and Jordan having received the respective
Israeli views, presented papers containing their 0Wn
views concerning the implementation of the provisions
of Security Council resolution 242 (1967).
8. During the remainder of January, Ambassador
Jarring held further meetings with the representatives
of Israel, Jordan and the United Arab Republic, in
the course of which he received further memoranda
elaborating the positions of the parties. Unfortunately,
these indicated that the parties held mering views on
the order in which items should be discussed. More
importantly, each side was insisting that the other
should be ready to make certain commitments before
being ready to proceed to the stage of formulating
the provisions of a peace settlement.
9. On the Israeli side there was insistence that the
United Arab Republic should give specific, direct and
reciprocal corn&merits towards Israel that it would
be ready to enter into a peace agreement with Israel
and to make towards Israel the various undertakings
referred to in paragraph 1 (ii) of Security Council
resolution 242 (1967). When agreement was reached
on those points, it would be possible to discuss others,
including the refugee problem; such items as secure
and recognized boundaries, withdrawal and additional
arrangements for ensuring security should be discussed
in due course.
10. The United Arab Republic continued to regard
the Security Council resolution as containing provisions
to be implemented by the parties and to express its
readiness to carry out its obligations under the resolution
in full, provided that Israel did likewise. However
it held that Israel persisted in its refusal to implement
the Security Council resolution, since (it would not
commit itself to withdraw from all Arab territories
occupied in June ‘1967. Furthermore in the view of the
United Arab Republic Israel had not committed itself
to the implementation of the United Nations resolutions
relevant to a just settlement to the refugee problem.
11. The papers received by Ambassador Jarring
from Israel and Jordan relating to peace between these
two countries showed a similar divergence of views.
Israel stressed the importance of Jordan’s giving an
undertaking to enter into a peace agreement with it
56
which would specify the direct and reciprocal obligations
undertaken by each of them. Jordan emphasized
the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by
war and expressed the view that the essential first step
towards peace lay in an Israeli commitment to evacuate
all Arab territories,
12. Ambasstidor .Jarring felt that at &is stage of
the talks he should make clear his views on what he
believed to be the necessary steps to be taken in order
to achieve a peaceful and accepted settlement in accordance
with the provisions and principles of Security
Council resolution 242 (1967), which the parties had
agreed to carry out in all its parts. He reached the
conclusion, which I shared, that the only possibility of
breaking the imminent deadlock arising from the differing
views of Israel and the United Arab Republic
as to the priority to be given to commitments and
undertakings-which seemed to him to be the real cause
for the existing immobility in the talks-was for him
to seek from each side the parallel and simultaneous
commitments which seemed to be inevitable prere
quisites of an eventual peace settlement between them.
It should thereafter be possible to proceed at once to
formulate the provisions and terms of a peace agreement
not only for those topics covered by the commitments,
but with equal priority for other topics, and
in particular the refugee question.
13. In identical aide-memoires handed to the representatives
of the United Arab Republic and Israel on
8 February 1971 An&ass&~ Ja+ requested those
Governments to make to him certain prior commitments.
Ambassador Jarring’s initiative was on the basis
that the commitments should be made simultaneously
and reciprocally and subject to the eventual satisfactory
determination of all other aspects of a peace settle-’
merit, including in particular a just settlement of the
refugee problem. Israel would give a commitment to
withdraw its forces from occupied United Arab Republic
territory to the former international boundary between
Egypt and the British Mandate of Palestme.
The United Arab Republic would give a comnutment
to enter into a peace agreement with Israel and to
make explicitly therein to Israel, on a reciprocal basis,
various undertakings and acknowledgements arrsmg
directly or indirectly from paragraph 1 (ii) of Security
Council resolution 242 (1967). [For the furl feel of
ihe aide-mkmoires, see annex I below.]
14. On 15 February, Ambassador Jarring received
from the representative of the United Arab Repubhc
an aide-m&moire in which it was indicated that the
United Arab Republic would accept the specific CO?-
mitments requested of it, as well as other commitmen&
arising directly or indirectly from Secyty
Council resolution 242 (1967). If Israel would @ve,
likewise, commitments covering its own obligauons
under the Security Council resolution, includmg commitments
for the withdrawal of its armed forces from
Sinai and the Gaza Strip and for the achievement of
a just settlement for the refugee problem in accordance
with United Nations resolutions, the United Arab
Republic would be ready to enter into a peace agree
ment with Israel. Finally the United Arab Repubhc
expressed the view that a just and lasting peace could
not be realized without the full and scrupulous implementation
of Security Council resolution 242 (1967)
and the withdrawal of the Israeli armed forces from
all the territories occupied since 5 June 1967. [Fur the
full text of the United Arab Republic reply, see annex
II below.]
15. On 17 February, Ambassador Jarring informed
the Israeli representative of the contents of the United
Arab Republic reply to his aidememoire.
16. On 26 February, Ambassador Jarring received
a communication from the representative of Israel, in
which, without specsc reference to the commitment
which he had sought from that Government, Israel
stated that it viewed favourably “the expression by
the United Arab Republic of its readiness to enter
into a peace agreement with Israel” and reiterated
that it was prepared for meaningful negotiations on
all subjects relevant to a peace agreement between the
two countries, Israel gave details of the undertakings
which in its opinion should be given by the two
countries in such a peace agreement, which should be
expressed in a binding treaty in accordance with normal
international law and precedent, Israel considered that
both parties, having presented their basic positions,
should now pursue the negotiations in a detailed and
concrete manner without prior conditions.
17. On the crucial question of withdrawal on which
Ambassador Jarring had sought a commitment from
Israel, the Israeli position was that it would give an
undertaking covering withdrawal of Israeli .armed forces
from “the Israeli-United Arab Republic cease-fire line”
to the secure, recognized and agreed boundaries to be
established in the peace agreement; Israel would not
withdraw to the pm-5 June 1967 lines. [For the full
text of the Israeli paper, see annex III below.]
18. On 28 February, Ambassador Jar&g informed
the &itcd Arab Republic representative of the contents
of the Israeli communication. The latter held that it was
improper for the Israeli authorities to have responded
to his Government’s reply, which bad been addressed
to Ambassador Jarring and would have full effect only
if the Israeli authorities gave the commitment requested
of them by Ambassador Jarring.
public to Ambassador Jarring’s initiative. However,
the Government of Israel has so far not responded
to the request of Ambassador Jarring that it should
give a commitment on withdrawal to the international
boundv of the United Arab Republic.
“Whi.Ie I still consider that the situation has
considerable elements of promise, it is a matter for
increasing concern that Ambassador Jarring’s attempt
to break the deadlock has not so far been successful.
I appeal, therefore, to the Government of Israel to
give further consideration to this question and to
respond favourably to Ambassador Jarring’s initiative.
“To give time for further consideration and in
tie hope that the way forward may be reopened,
1 once more appeal to the parties to withhold fire,
to exercise military restraint and to maintain the
quiet which has prevailed in the area since August
1970." [S/l 0070/Add.2, paras. 14-X 6.1
II. FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS
(MARCH-NOVEMBER 1971)
22. In response to my appeal, the Israeli Govemmerit
once again made clear its willingness to continue
to observe the cease-fire on a basis of reciprocity.
The President of the United Arab Republic, in a statement
to the nation on 7 March 1971, declared that
his country no Ionger considered itself further committed
to a cease-tie or to withholding fire. This did
not, however, mean that political action would cease.
19. In accepting the United States proposal for
renewed discussions under Ambassador Jarring’s auspices
[see S/~OWO, parm. 33 and 341, the parties had
agreed that they would observe strictly, for a period of
90 days from 7 August 1970, the cease-fire resolutions
of the Security Council. In response to the recommendation
of the General Assembly in resolution 2628
(XXV), the cease&e had been extended for a further
period of three months. In my report of 1 February
submitted as that period was expiring, I appealed to
the parties at that stage of the discussions, to withhold
fire, to exercise military restraint and to maintain the
quiet which had prevailed in the area since August
1970.
23. On 11 March, the Israeli representative informed
Ambassador Jarring that his Government was
awaiting the reaction of the United Arab Republic
Government to the Israeli invitation in its reply of
26 February to enter into detailed and concrete discussions.
When that statement of the Israeli representative
was brought to the attention of the United Arab
Republic representative, he maintained that his Government
was still awaiting au Israeli reply to Ambassador
.Jarring’s aide-memoire.
24. Subsequently, the talks under Ambassador Jarring’s
auspices lapsed. He therefore left Headquarters
to resume his post as Ambassador of Sweden in MOSCOW
on 25 March.
25. Although he returned to Headquarters from
5 to 12 May and from 21 September to 27 October
and has held certain consultations elsewhere, he has
found himself faced with the same deadlock and with
no possibility of actively pursuing his mission.
20. In response to that appeal, the Foreign Ministry
of Israel, in a communique released in Jerusalem on
2 February, announced that Israel would observe the
cease-fire on a mutual basis; in a speech to the National
Assembly on 4 February, the President of the United
Arab Repubhc declared the deoision of the United
Arab Republic to refrain from opening fire for a period
of 30 days ending on 7 March.
21. In submitting my report of. 5 March 1971,
I commented as follows:.
26. Indeed, during much of this time the promotion
of agreement between the parties was the object
of two separate initiatives, first, an effort by the United
States of America to promote an interim agreement
providing for the reopening of the Suez Canal, which
has not, so far, achieved any positive results, a$,
secondly, a mission of inquiry conducted by certam
African Heads of States on behalf of the Orgauization
of African Unity, which is still in progress as this
report is being prepared. Both initiatives were described
to Ambassador Jarring and myself by the sponsors as
desigued to facilitate the resumption of Ambassador
Jarring’s mission..N evertheless, w-me th.e .y .. aw ere being
“Ambassador Jarring has been very active over / pursued, they obviously constituted an adciltlonal reason
the past month and some further progress has been ’ .for him not to take personal initiatives.
made towards a peaceful solution of the Middle East 27. In the introduction to my report on the work
question. The problems to be settled have been of the Organization I expressed certain views on the
‘more clearly identified and on some there is general situation in the Middle East. After recalling the
agreement. I wish moreover to note with satisfaction
the positive reply given by the United Arab Reresponses
of the United Arab Republic and Israel to
Ambassador Jarring’s initiative of 8 February, I said
57
that I continued to hope-as I still do-that Israel
would find it possible before too long to make a
response that would enable the search for a peaceful
settlement under Ambassador Jarring’s auspices to
continue.
28, After noting the relative quiet which has coutimed
to exist in the area, I went on to say:
“It is not possible to predict how long this quiet
will last, but there can be little doubt that, if the
present impasse in the search for a peaceful settlement
persists, new fighting will break out sooner or
later. Since the parties have taken advantage of the
present lull to strengthen considerably their military
capabilities, it is only too likely that the new round
of fighting will be more violent and dangerous than
the previous ones, and there is always the danger
that it may not be possible to limit it to the present
antagonists and to the confines of the Middle East.
“I see no other way to forestall such a disastrous
eventuality than by intensifying the search for a
peaceful and agreed settlement. I believe there is still
a chance of achieving such a settlement. I do not
overlook the formidable difhculty of, the problems
to be tackled, but there exist several important assets
on the side of peace efforts as well. The Security
Council’s cease-fire resolutions of June 1967 and its
resolution 242 (1967) of 22 November 1967, if
implemented simultaneously and fully, should provide
the framework for achieving a peahen and agreed
settlement of the present conflict. To promote agreement
for such a settlement, we are fortunate to have
the services of Ambassador Jarring, who is uniquely
qualified for this almost impossible task.
“Ambassador Jarring has clearly defined the minimum
conditions that ,are required to move the peace
talks ahead and, until those conditions are met it
is hard to see what else he can do to further ‘his
efforts. Steps to ensure that those conditions are
met must be taken by the parties concerned and,
failing this, by the Secnrity Council itself or by
States Members of the United Nations and, parttcularly,
the permanent members of the Security
C?~ncil, both because of their special responsibility
wnhin the United Nations and of their influence on
the parties concerned.“ls
29. Recent developments have added to the urgency
4 my remarks. It therefore seems to me that the
Pprqpriate organs of the United Nations must review
he situation once again and find ways and means to
aable the Jarring mission to move forward.
ANNEXES
ANNEX1
ide-m&moire presented to Israel and the United Arab
Republic by Ambassador Jarring on 8 Fehmary 19714
I have been following with a mixture of restrained optimism
Edg rowingc oncernth e resumedd iscussionusn der my auspices
r the purposeo f arriving at a peaceful settlemenOt f the
iddle East question. My restrained optimism arises from
a. fact that in my view the parties are seri~ud~ defining
u positions and wish to move forward to a permanent
‘8Records of the General Assembly, Twenty-sixth
Psion, Sicpplement No. IA, paras. 221-223.
‘In presentingth e aide-mbmoireA, mbassadorJ arring added
1 foIloWing interpretation:
‘I interpret practicdl security measuresin the Sharm el
Sheikha reaf or guaranteeingfr eedom of navigation through
the Straits of Tiran to mean nrrangements for stationing
1 United Nations force in the area for this purpose.”
58
peace. My growing concern is that each side unyieIdingly
insists that the other make certain commitments before being
ready to proceed to the stage of formtiating the Pmvi~ionS
to be included in a fmal peace agreement. There is, as 1 see it,
a serious risk that we shall find ourselves in the same deadlock
that existed tip tie East The years of my miSSiOn.
I therefore feei that I should at this stage make clear my
views on what I believe to be the necessary steps to be taken
in order. to achieve a peaceful and accepted settlement in
accordance with the provisions and principles of Security
Council resolution 242 (1967), which the parties have agreed
to carry out in all its parts..
I have come to the conclusion that the only possibility
to break the imminent deadlock arising from the dEering
views of Israel and the United Arab Republic as to the priority
to be given to commitments and undertakings-which seems
to me to be the real cause for the present immobility-is for
me to seek Born each side the parallel and simultaneous
commitments which seem to be inevitable prerequisites of an
eventual peace settlement between them. It should thereafter
be possible to proceed at once to formulate the provisions and
terms of a peace agreement not only for those topics covered
by the commitments, but with equal priority for other topics,
and iti particular the refugee question.
Specihdly, I wish to request the Governments of Israel
and the United Arab Republic to make to me at this stage
the foliowing prior commitments simultaneously and on condkhn
that the other party makes its commitment and subject
to the eventual satisfactory determination of all other aspects
of a peace settlement, including in particular a just settlement
of the refugee probIem.
1. Isruel
Israel would give a commitment to withdraw its forces from
occupied United Arab Republic territory to the former interaational
boundary between Egypt and the British Mandate
of Palestine on the understanding that satisfactory arrangements
are made for:
(a) EstabIishlng demilitarized zones;
(b) Practical security arrangementsin the Sharm el Sheikh
area for guaranteeing freedom of navigation through the
Straits of Tiran;
(c) Freedom of navigation through the Suez Canal.
2. United Arab Republic
The United Arab Republic would give a commitment to
enter into a peace agreement with Israel and to make explicitly
therein to Israel, on a reciprocal basis, undertakings and
acknowledgementcso vering the following subjects:
(a) Termination of all claims or states of belligerency;
(b) Respect for and acknowledgement of each other’s
sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence;
(c) Respect for and acknowledgement of each other’s right
to live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries;
(d) Responsibility to do all in their power to ensure that
acts of belligerency or hostility do not originate from or
are not committed from within their respective territories
against the population, citizens or property of the other party;
(e> Non-interference in each other’s domestic affairs.
In making the above-mentioned suggestion I am conscious
that I am requesting both sides to make serious commitments
but I am convinced that the present situation requires me
to take this step.
ANNIEX II
Aide-&moire presented to Ambassador Jarring by the
United Arab Republic on 15 Febmary 1971
The United Arab Republic has informed you that it accepts
to carry out-on a reciproca1 basis-all its obligations as
provided for in Security Council resolution 242 (1967) with
a view to achieving a peaceful settlement in the Middle East+
On the same basis, Israel should carry out ail its obligations
contained in this resolution.
Referring to your aide-mimoire of 8 February 1971, the
United Arab Republic would give a commitment covering the
following:
1. Termination of all claims of states of belligerency.
2. Respect for and ~ch~wledgement of each other’s
sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence.
3. Respect for and acknowledgemenot f each other’s right
to live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries.
4. Responsibility to do all in their power to ensure that
acts of belligerency or hostility do not originate from or are
committed from within the respective territories against the
population, citizens or property of the other party,
5. Non-interference in each other’s domestic affairs.
The United Arab Republic would also give a cbmmitment
that:
6. It ensures the freedom of navigation in the Suez Canal
in accordance with the 1888 Constantinople Convention.
7. It ensures the freedom of navigation in the Straits of
T&n in accordance with the principles of international law.
8. It accepts the stationing of a United Nations peacekeeping
force in the Sharm el Se&h.
9. To guarantee the peaceful settlement and the territorial
mvioIability of every State in the area, the United Arab
Republic would accept:
(a) The establishment of demilitarized zones astride the
borders in equal distances;
(b) The establishment of a United Nations peace-keeping
force in which the four permanent members of the Security
Council would participate.
ti
Israel should, likewise, give a commitment to implement
the provisions of Security Council resolution 242 (1967).
Hence, Israel should give a commitment covering the foilowillg:
1. Withdrawal of its armed forces from Sinai and the
Gaza Strip.
2. Achievement of a just settlement for the refugee problem
in accordancew ith United Nationsr esolutions.
3. Termination of all claimso f stateso f belligerency.
4. Respect for and acknowledgement of each other’s
sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence.
5. Respectf or and acknowledgemenotf each other’s right
to live in peace within secure and recogaized boundaries.
6. Responsibility to do all in their power to ensure that
acts of belligerency or hostility do not originate from or
are committed from within the respective territories against
the population, citizens or property of the other party.
7. Non-interference in each other’s domestic affairs.
8. To guarantee the peaceful settlement and the territorial
inviolability of every State in the area, Israel would accept:
(a) The establishment of demilitarized zones astride the
borders in equal distances;
(b) The establishmenot f a United Nations peace-keeping
force in which the four permanent members of the Security
Council would participate.
When Israel gives these commitments, the United Arab
Republic will be ready to enter into a peace agreement with
Israel containing all the aforementionedo bligationsa sp rovided
for in Security Council resolution 242 (1967).
The United Arab Republic considers that the just and
lasting peace cannot be realized without the full and scrupulous
implementation of Security Council resolution 242 (1967)
and the withdrawal of the Israel armed forces from all the
territories occupied since 5 June 1967..
ANNEX III
Communication presented to Ambassador Jarring by Israel
on 26 Febrnary 1971
Pursuant to our meetings on 8 and 17 February, I am
instructed to convey the following to you, and through -you
to the United Arab Republic. ’
59
_-----
Israel views. favourably the expressionb y the Urnted Arat i I.
RepubIic of its readiness to enter into a peace agreemen: ;
with Israel and reiterates that it is prepared for mearrmgfu; ;
negotiations on alI subjects relevant to a peace agreement ;
between the two countries.
The Government of Israel wishes to state that the peace
agreement o be concludedb etweenIs raela nd the United Arab
:
Republic should, inter ah, include the provisions set Out
:
below.
:
A. ha.4 I
Israel would give undertakings covering the foRowing:
1. De&red and explicit decision to regard the conflict
,
’
between fsrae1 and the UniJed Arab Republic as finally ended
and termmation of alI claims and states of war and acts oi ’
hostility or beLligerency between Israel and the United &ab
Republic.
2: Respect f0r and acknowledgemenotf the sovereignty
terrrtonal mtegrrty and political independenceof the Umted
Arab Republic.
3. Respect for and acknowledgemenotf the right of the
United Arab Republic to live in peace within secure and
recoguized boundaries.
4. Withdrawal of Israel armed forces from the Israel-
United Arab Republic cease-firelin e to the secure,r ecognized
and agreed boundaries to be establishedin the peace agreement.
Israel will not withdraw to the pre5 June 1967 lines.
5. In the matter of the refugees and the claims of both
parties in this connexion, Israel is prepared to negotiate with
the Governments directly involved on:
(a) The payment of compensationfo r abandonedla ndq
and property;
(6) Participation in the planning of the rehabilitation of
the refugees in the region. Once the obligation of the parties
towards the settlement of the refugee issue has been agreed
neither party shall be under claims from the other inconsistent
with its sovereignty.
6. The responsibility for ensuring that no war-like act or
act of violence, by any organiration, group or individual okginates
from or is ‘committed ia the territory of Israel againsth
population, armed forces or property of the United Ar
Republic.
7. Non-interference in the domestic affairs of the Unit!
Arab Republic.
8. Non-participation by Israel in hostile alliances against
the United Arab Republic and the prohibition of stationing
of troops of other parties which maintain a state of belligerency
against the United Arab Republic.
B. Unhed Arab Republic
sT he United Arab Republic undertakingisn the peacea greement
with Israel would include:
1. Declared and explicit decision to regard the con&t
between the United Arab Republic and Israel as tinally ended
and termination of all claims and states of war and acts of
hostility or belligerency between the United Arab Republic and
Israel.
2. Respect for and acknowledgemenotf the sovereignty,
territorial integrity and political independencoef Israel.
3. Respectf or and acknowledgemenotf the right of Israel
to live in peacew ithin securea nd recognizedb oundariesto be
determined in the peace agreement.
4. The responsibility for ensuring that no war-like act, or
act of violence, by any organization, group or individual
originates from or is committed in the territory of the United
Arab Republic against the population, armed forces or property
of Israel.
5. Non-interference in the domestic affairs of Israel.
6. An explicit undertaking to guaranteef ree passagefo r
Israel ships and cargoes through the Suez Canal.
7. Termination of economic warfare in all its manifestations,
in&ding boycott, and of interference in the normal
international relations of Israel.
1
8. Non-participation by the United Arab Republic in hostile
alliances against Israel and the prohibition of stationing
of troops of other parties which maintain a state of belligerency
against Israel.
The United Arab Republic and Israel should enter into
a peace agreement with each other to be expressed in a binding
treaty in accordance with normal international law and
precedent, and containing the above undertakings.
The Government of Israel believes that now that the United
Arab Republic has through Ambassador Jarring expressed its
willingness to enter into a peace agreement with Israel, and
both parties have presented.their basic positions, they should
now pursue their negotiations in a detailed and concrete
manner without prior conditions so as to cover all the points
listed in their respective docu,ments with a view to concluding
a peace agreement. /;:;;,., I”
DOCUMENT S/l0405
Letter dated 1 December 1971 from the representative of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland to the President of the Security Council
I have the honour to transmit herewith for the information
of the members of the Security Council the
text of a White Paper entitled “Rhodesia: Proposals
for a Settlement”19 presented to Parliament by the
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
on 26 November 1971. This contains the text
of the proposals which I told the Council on 25 November
that I should make available as soon as possible.
As several delegations have told me that they would
find it convenient to have this and other information
available in the working languages, I should be grateful
if you could arrange for the translation and circulation
of this letter and its enclosure.
1. The principle and intention of unimpeded progress
to majority rule, already enshrined in the
1961 Constitution, would have to be maintained
and guaranteed.
2. There would also have to be guarantees against
retrogressive amendment of the Constitution.
3. There would have to be immediate improvement
in the political status of the African population.
4. There would have to be progress towards ending
racial discrimination.
(Signed) C. T. CROWE
Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom
of ,Great Britain and Northern Ireland
to the United Natiok
5. The British Government would need to be satisfied
that any basis proposed for independence
was acceptable to the people of Rhodesia as a
whole.
RHODESIA: PROPOSALS FOR A SETILEMENT
CONTENTS
Page
Previous negotiation8
2. A series of negotiations conducted by the previous
Administration with the Rhodesians failed to reach an
agreement in accordance with these Principles. (l) Contacts
were hally discontinued in May 1969. (2)
Report on discussions with the r&me since November
1970 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
ANNW A: A summary of the 1969 Consi;iiltion . . . . . 62
ANNEX B: Proposals for a settlement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Appendix I. Qualifications for the European and
African higher rolls . , . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Appendix ZZ. Qualifications for the African lower
roll . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Appendix 111. The Declaration of Rights . . . . . . . . . . 66
Appendix IV. The terms of reference of the independent
Commissionto examine the
question of racial discrimination . . . 73
Subsequent developments in Rhodesia
3. k-a referendum in June 1969 the predominantly
European electarate in Rhodesia endorsea proposals
for a republican form of Government and a new Constitution.
Shortly afterwards the Governor, Sir Humphrey
Gibbs, obtained The Queen’s permission to
resign and both the British residual mission in Salisbury
and its counterPart in London were withdrawn. The
Republican Constitution had no legal status, but it
was brought into effect by the Rhodesiaus on 2 March,
1970. Its main provisions are summarised at Annex A.
Her Majesty’s Government’s policy
RHODESIA
Xeport on discussions with the rt5gime since
November 1970
rhe five Principles
1. Successive British Governments have been prepared
to grant independence to Southern Rhodesia if
:ertain essential requirements were met. These formed
he basis of discussions with the Rhodesians during
963 and 1964 and were subsequently formulated as
he Five Principles. They are:
4. When the present Government took office in
June 1970, they confirmed their determination to seek
a just and sensible solution to the Rhodesian problem
in accordance with the Five Principles. For they recognised
that while sanctions and international ostracism
were having some effect on the economic situation in
Rhodesia these measures had not brought about, nor
seemed likely to bring about, the political changes
that were confidently expected at the outset. Moreover,
it was evident that the prospects for the African population
as a whole could only deteriorate if the present
situation remained unchanged. The economic, social
and political advance of the Africans couId take place
1s London, Her Majesty’s Stationery Ofice, 1971, Cmnd. (1) Cmnd. 3159, Cmnd. 3171 and Cmnd. 3793.
835. (2) Cmnd. 4065.
[Original: English]
[I December 19711
60
DOCUMENT S/10792*
Report of the Secretary-General ou the activities of the
Special Representative to the Middle East
[Original: English]
[15 September 19721
#l. In accordance with his responsibilities under ments for the reactivation of his mission. Further in-
Seourity Council resolution 242 (1967) of 22 Novem- conclusive talks took place in New York from 10 to
ber 1967, the Secretary-General has, from time to time, 27 January 1972. From 28 to 31 January, Ambassador
submitted to the Security Council progress reports on Jarring was in West Africa at the invitation of President
the aactivities of Ambassador Gunnar V. Jarring, the Senghor of Senegal, who had been the Chairman of the
Special Representative to the Middle East, in pulrsuit of group of four African Heads of State which had visited
his mandate of promoting agreement and assisting efforts Egypt and Israel towards the end of 1971, and he also
to achieve a peaceful and accepted settlement of the met President Ould Daddah of Mauritania, who had
Middle East situation. been Chairman of the Committee of Ten, to which the
2. On 13 December 1971, the General Assembly group of four had reported.
adopted resolution 2799 (XXVI) on the situation in
the Middle East. ‘h paragraph 3 of that resolution, the
4. After further consultations with me in Rome on
Assembly requested the Secretary-General to take the
5 February, Ambassador Jarring visited Cairo, where
necessary measures to reactivate the mission of
he met the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Egypt on
the Special Representative and assist efforts to reach
19 and 20 February. He held discussions with the
a peace agreement as envisaged in the Special Repre-
Jordanian authorities, at their request, on 23 February,
sentative’s aide-m&moire of 8 February 1971.20 In
and with the Israeli authorities, at his suggestion, on
paragraph 8, the Secretary-General was requested to
25 February. After reporting to me at Geneva on
report to the Security Council and to the General
27 February, Ambassador Jarring returned to New
Assembly, as appropriate, on the progress made by the
York, where he continued to see representatives of the
Special Representative in the implementation of Security
parties until 24 March, Subsequently, Ambassador
Council resolution 242 (1967) and of General Assem-
Jarring returned to Headquarters from 1 to 4 May and
bly resolution 2799 (XXVI).
from 1 to 12 August for a further review of the
positions of the parties and consultations with all
3. Immediately after the adoption of the resolution, concerned. He also had other contacts elsewhere with
Ambassador Jarring held meetings with the Ministers representatives of the parties and met twice with me
for Foreign Affairs of Egypt and Israel, who were still in July 1972 in Geneva to discuss ,what further useful
in New York, and with the Permanent Representative action might be taken.
of Jordaa to the United Nations to discuss arrange- 5. In spite of QUA continued efforts, it has not been
* Also circulated as a General Assembly document under
possible to make any substantial progress. As can be
the symbol A/8815.
seen from pu,blished statements of the parties, an agreed
20 See Oficial Records of the Security CounciI, Twenty-sixth basis for discussions under Ambassador Jarring’s
Year, Supplement for October, November and December 1971, auspices does not seem to exist at the present time,
document S/10403, annex I. Despite this situation, we shall continue our efforts.
DOCUMENT S/10794
Letter dated 16 September 1972 from the representative of Israel
to the President of tbe Security Couucil
[Original: English]
[16 September 19721
On instructions from my Government I have the honour to draw your attention
to the murderous terror attacks perpetrated from Lebanon in the last few
days, resulting in the death of three Israelis.
On 6 September a murder squad which had penetrated from Lebanese
territory attacked an Israeli patrol in the area of Kibbutz Baram. An Israeli soldier
was killed.
On 14 September two Israeli soldiers were killed in a similar attack in the
Har Dov area.
Yesterday evening a murder squad from Lebanon carried out another attack
in the same area. Two Israeli soldiers were wounded.
These assaults are part of the Arab campaign of atrocity and slaughter,
carried on in the Middle East and elsewhere, culminating in the barbaric massacres
at Lod Airport and at Munich.
According to information in our possession the murder squads have been
concentrating in recent days along the Lebanese frontier in preparation for further
attacks.
102
,J
UNITED NATIONS
GENERAL SECURITY
ASSEMBLY COIJNCIL
Distr.
GENERAL
A/31/270
s/12210
18 October 1976
ORIGINAL: ENGLISH
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Thirty-first session
Agenda item 29
SECURITY COUNCIL
This Lye--~,f.i rci+ y c:eL~
THI? SI'I'rJATLON IN 1'HE MIUDLE EAST
1. The General Assembly, at its 2429th plenary meeting held on 5 l)ermher ly'p,
adopted resolution 3414 (XXX) on the situation in the Middle East, In paragraph 5
of that resolution, the Assembly requested ,the Secretary-General to inform all
concerned, including the Co-Chairmen of the Peace Conference on the Middle East,
about the resolution, to follow up its implementation and to report thereon to
the Security Council and to the General Assembly at its thirty-first session.
2. By identical letters dated 18 December 1975, addressed respectively to the
Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the
Secretary of State of the United States of America in their capacity as Co-Chairmen
of the Peace Conference on the Middle East,
resolution 3414 (XXX) to their attention.
the Secretary-General brought
On the same day the Secretary-General
transmitted the text of the resolution to the Security Council. In so doing, he
drew particular attention to paragraph 4, in which the General Assembly requested
the Council to take all necessary measures for the speedy implementation of all
relevant resolutions of the Assembly and the Security Council aiming at the
establishment of a just and lasting peace in the Middle East through a
comprehensive settlement, worked out with the participation of all the parties
concerned, including: the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), and within the
framework of the United Nations.
3. In accordance with a decision taken in its resolution 381 (1975) of
30 November 1975, the Security Council reconvened on 12 January 1976 to continue
the debate on the Middle East problem, including the Palestinian question, taking
into account all relevant United Nations resolutions. The Council devoted
10 meetings to this debate held from 12 to 26 January, 1_! but no resolution was
adopted. It is relevant to mention also that subsequently the Security Council
-l/ See S/Pv.1870-1879.
76-19962 / . . I *
A/31/270
s/12210
English
Page 2
held three series of meetings, one on the "request by the Libyan Arab Republic
and Pakistan for consideration of the serious situation arising from recent
developments in the occupied Arab territories" from 22 to 25 March 1976, 2/
another on "the situation in .the occupied Arab territories" from
4 to 26 May 1976 x/ and the third series on "the question of the exercise by
the Palestinian people of its inalienable rights" from 9 to 29 June 1976. i/
Likewise, no resolutions were adopted by the Security Council on these occasions.
4. On 26 January 1976, at the conclusion of the 'Security Council's debate on
the Middle East problem including the Palestinian question, the Secretary-General
made a statement in which he noted that the discussions of the Council had
emphasized the Palestinian dimension of the Middle East problem and had reaffirmed
the right of every State in t,he area to live in peace within secure and recognized
boundaries. He informed the Council that he would be in touch with the Co-Chairmen
of the Peace Conference on the Middle East and the parties concerned on further
steps to resume the negotiating process. The next day the Secretary-General
addressed identical letters to the Co-Chairmen in which he stated that he was
concerned not only at the evident dangers of stalemate and stagnation of the
Middle East problem, but also at the prospect of the difficulties which might
arise when new deadlines were faced on peace-keeping in the absence of any progress
towards a settlement. He then requested the Co-Chairmen to inform him of their
views on ways of making prog:ress towards a solution of the Middle East problem.
5. In response to the Secretary-General's communication, the Minister for
Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Union, in a letter dated 12 February 1976
(A/31/53-S/11985, annex), stated that there was no other reliable way to achieve
agreement on all the questions involved in a Middle East settlement except
through the resumption of the work of the Geneva Peace Conference. He further
indicated that the Geneva Peace Conference should be well prepared and that all
the parties directly concerned, including the PLO, as well as the Soviet Union
and the United States as the Co-Chairmen of the Conference, should participate
in its work.
6. In his reply to the Secretary-General dated 20 February 1976 (see A/31/54-
S/11991), the Secretary of State of the United States indicated that there would
be no chance of progress if the negotiating framework, erected fundamentally
around Security Council resziutions 242 (1967) of 22 November 1967 and 338 (1973)
of 22 October 1973, were disrupted. The Secretary of State recalled that the
United States had agreed that a resumption of the Geneva Peace Conference,
after careful preparation, would serve the goal of achieving progress in the
negotiating process and that in this connexion it had proposed, as a practical
gf See S/PV.l893-1899.
3/ See S/PV.1916-1922.
&/ See s/Pv.1924, 1928 and 19334938.
I . . .
A/31/270
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Page 3
way of proceeding, the convening of a preparatory conference of those who had
,participated so far in negotiations looking towards a settlement within the
Geneva Conference framework. The Secretary of State went on to state that the
United States was prepared to consider holding bilateral consultations with the
Soviet Union in advance of such a preparatory conference.
7. As a follow-up to the communication addressed to the Co-Chairmen, the
Secretary-General requested his Personal Representative for the Peace Conference
on the Middle East, Under-Secretary-General Roberto E. Guyer, to undertake an
exploratory mission to the Middle East. Mr. Guyer visited the area from
25 February to 2 March 1976 and held talks with the parties concerned in Amman,
Cairo, Damascus and Jerusalem. Following his: visit to the Middle East he met
with senior Soviet officials in Moscow on 10 March 1976 and senior American
officials in Washington on 26 March 1.976 in view of the responsibilities of the
Soviet Union and the United States as Co-Chairmen of the Geneva Peace Conference.
a. On the basis of the findings of Mr. Guyer's exploratory mission, the
Secretary-General decided to continue his efforts to find ways and means to
:resume the negotiating process. Initially he felt it appropriate to make contacts
with the representatives of the parties at United Nations Headquarters. In this
connexion, identical aide-m&oires were handed to each of those representatives,
including that of the PLO, on 1 April 1.976. In these aide-m&noires the Secretary-
General requested the parties concerned to convey to him any ideas of a procedural
or substantive nature which they might have with respect to action to be taken
by the United Nations with a view to bredin@; the impasse in the peace efforts.
9. In their replies all the parties concerned welcomed the Secretary-General's
initiative. Egypt, Jordan and the Syrian Arab Republic reiterated their
demand for the withdrawal of the Israeli foxes from all the Arab territories
occupied since June 1967. They further underlined the urgency for a comprehensive
solution of the Middle East -problem. Egypt stated that they wanted the Secretary-
General to continue his efforts to reactivate the negotiating process, which
should focus on the resumption of the Geneva Peace Conference with the full
participation of the PLO. In its reply, the Soviet Union affirmed that the vast
appropriate forum for working out a solution to the Middle East problem was the
Geneva Peace Conference with the participation of all directly concerned parties,
including the PLO and the Co-Chairmen of the Peace Conference. The reply also
underlined that the Secretary-General, in his efforts to reactivate the
negotiating process, should act in accordance with the relevant decisions of
the United Nations, including General Assembly resolution 3375 (XXX) of
10 November 1975. The representative of the United States, in conveying the
reply of his Government to the Secretary-General, emphasized that it was the
intention of the United States to actively pursue contacts with the parties on
efforts to bring about an agreement which would end the state of war in the
Middle East as soon as the situation in Lebanon had improved. Israel in its
reply emphasized that it favoured the reconvening of the Geneva Peace Conference
with the original participants in accordance with Security Council resolutions
242 (1.967) and 338 (1973) and with the terms stated in the letters dated
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English
Page 4
18 December 1973 addressed to the Secretary-General by the Soviet Union and
the United States, respectively, concerning the Geneva Peace Conference. 51
10. It seems clear from the replies mentioned above that, while there is general
agreement on the necessity of resuming negotiations for a just and lasting
settlement of the Middle East problem, there are still important differences of
view among the parties concerned. The Secretary-General will continue his
efforts towards the resumption of the negotiating process.
5/ See Official Records of the Security Council, Twenty-eighth Year,
Supplement for October, November and December 1973, document s/11161.
UNITED NATIONS
GENERAL SECURITY
ASSEMBLY COUNCIL
Distr.
GENERAL
n/32/498
s/12512
30 December 1977
ORIGINAL: ENGLISH
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
'Thirty-second session
Agenda item 126
RECENT ILLEGAL ISRAELI MEASURES IN THE OCCUPIED
ARAB TERRITORIES DESIGNED TO CHANGE THE LEGAL
STATUS, GEOGRAPHICAL NATURE AND DEMOGRAPHIC
COMPOSITION OF THOSE TERRITORIES IN CONTRAVENTIOM
OF THE PRINCIPLES OF THE CHARTER OF THE UNITED
NATIONS, OF ISRAEL'S INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS
UNDER THE FOURTH GENEVA CONVENTION OF 1949 AND
OF UNITED NATIONS RESOLUTIONS, AND OBSTRUCTION
OF EFFORTS AIMED AT ACHIEVING A JUST AND LASTING
PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST
SECURITY COUNCIL
Thirty-second year
Report of the Secretary-General
1. This report is submitted in pursuance of General Assembly resolution 32/5 of
20 October 1977, in which the Assembly requested the Secretary-General to undertake
urgent contacts with the Government of Israel to ensure the prompt implementation
of the resolution and to submit a report to the General Assembly and the Security
Council, not later than 31 December 1977, on the results of his contacts. The text
of the resolution was circulated on 1 November 1977 as a document of the General
Assembly (A/RES/32/5).
2. Following initial contacts with the Permanent Representative of Israel to the
United Nations, the Secretary-General addressed to him the following note verbale
on 16 November 1977:
"The Secretary-General of the United Nations presents his compliments
to the Permanent Representative of Israel to the United "d&ions and has the
honour to refer to General Assembly resolution 32/5 of 28 October 1977, in
which the General Assembly, among other things, requested the Secretary-General
to under-take urgent contacts with the Government of Israel to ensure the
prompt implementation of the resolution,and to submit a report to the General
Assembly and the Security Council, not later than 31 December 1977, on the
results of his contacts.
"As indicated during recent discussions on this matter and in view of
his reporting responsibility under General Assembly resolution 32/5, the
77-30478 / . . .
Secretary-General would be grateful if the Government of Is&e1 would
provide him with all available information relevant to the implementation
of the General Assembly resolution by 12 December 1977.”
3. On 9 December 1977, the Permanent Representative of Israel sent the following
reply to the Secretary-General.:
"The Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations presents
his compliments to the Secretary-General of the United I\!ations and, in
reference to the latter's note of 16 November 1977 concerning General Assembly
resolution 32/5 of 28 October 1977, has the honour to state that the position
and views of the Governnxnt of Israel were explained in detail in his
interventions lade in plenary on 26 and 28 October 1977 in the course of the
debate on agenda item 126 (M32lPV.47, pp. 32-67, and AI32bV.52, pp. 26-28,
respectively)."
--
UNITED NATIONS
GENERAL SECURITY
ASSEMBLY COUNCIL
Distr.
GENERAL
A/33/311
s/I2096
17 October 1978
ORIGINAL: ENGLISH
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Thirty-third session
Agenda item 30
THE SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST
SECURITY COUNCIL
Thirty-third year
Report of the Secretary-General
CONTENTS
Paramxphs Page
I. INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 2
II. STATUS OF THE CEASE-FIRE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 - 27 2
III. SITUATION IN THE OCCUPIED TERRITORIES . . . ~ . . ~ . . 28 - 43 7
IV. PALESTINE REFUGEE PROBLEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 - 50 11
v. PALESTINIAN RIGHTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ 51 - 60 12
VI. SEARCH FOR A PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 - 99 15
78-22664 / . . .
A/33/311
s/12896
English
Page 2
I. INTRODUCTION
1. The present report is submitted in pursuance of General Assembly resolution
32/20 of 25 November 1977, in which the Assembly requested the Secretary-General
to submit to it at its thirty-third session a comprehensive report covering the
developments in the Middle E:ast in all their aspects. A summary of that
resolution appears in paragraph 91 of section VI below.
2. It may be recalled that, on 18 May 1973, the Secretary-General submitted a
comprehensive report to the Security Council (S/10929) in which he gave an
account of the efforts undertaken by the United Nations since June 1967 to deal
with the various aspects of the situation in the Middle East. A similar pattern
is followed in the present report. Emphasis is given to the search for a peaceful
settlement in the Middle East and to the status of the cease-fire which has a
direct bearing on the effort.s towards such a settlement. The other aspects of
the Middle East problem arc dealt with more briefly since they will be the subject
of separate reports to be submitted to the General Assembly at its thirty-third
session in pursuance of the relevant decisions of the Assembly.
3. The present report is based mainly on information available in United Nations
documents. In view of the decisions of the General Assembly on the control and
. .
luntatlon of United Nation:; documentation, reference will be made to the
comprehensive report of 18 i4ay 1973 and to other reports of the Secretary-General
and official United Nations documents concerning the Middle East, whenever
appropriate, in order to avoid duplication.
:11. STATUS OF THE CEASE-FIRE
4. The status of the cease-fire in the Middle East up to May 1973 is described in
the report of the Secretary-General of 18 May 1973 to the Security Council
(S/10929, paras. 3-13). There was only one United Nations peace-keeping
operation in the area at that time, namely, the United Nations Truce Supervision
Organization in Palestine (LJNTSO). Its main activities were to carry out three
cease-fire observation operations established in pursuance of the Security Council,
one in the Israel-Syria sector (Security Council resolution 235 (1967) of
9 June 1967), another in the Egypt-Israel or Suez Canal sector (consensus approved
by the Security Council on 10 July 1967) and a third one in the Israel-Lebanon
sector (consensus of the Security Council of 19 April 1972).
A. Establishment of UNEF
5. On 6 October 1973, has-tilities broke again in the Egypt-Israel and Israel-
Syria sectors. On 22 October the Security Council adopted resolution 338 (1973)
in which it called for an immediate cease-fire, called upon the parties concerned
to start immediately after the cease-fire the implementation of Security Council
resolution 242 (1967) and decided that, immediately and concurrently with the
I . . .
A/33/311
s/12896
English
Page 3
cease-fire, negotiations start between the parties concerned under appropriate
zauspices aimed at establishing a just and durable peace in the Middle East. The
next day, as fighting continued in the Egypt-Israel sector, the Council adopted
resolution 339 (1973) by which it confirmed its call for an immediate cease-fire
and requested the Secretary-General to take measures for the immediate dispatch of
IJnited Nations observers to supervise thee cease-fire between Egyptian and Israeli
forces. In pursuance of this resolution, UNTSO observers were dispatched to the
battle zone, but fighting continued (S/793O/Add.2219).
6. On 25 October the Security Council met again and adopted resolution 340 (1973)
in which it demanded that immediate and complete cease-fire be observed and
that the parties return to the positions occupied by them at 1650 hours GMT on
22 October 1973, decided to set up immediately under its authority a United Nations
Emergency Force (UMEF) to be composed of personnel drawn from States Members of
the United Nations except the permanent members of the Security Council and
requested the Secretary-General to report within 24 hours on the steps taken to
this effect.
7. On 26 October the Secretary-General submitted to the Security Council a
report (S/llO52/Rev.l) in which he set forth the terms of reference of UNEF, the
general considerations and guidelines for the functioning of the Force and the
steps he proposed to take in order to set up the Force without delay. The next
day the Security Council, by its resolution 341 (1973), approved the report of
the Secretary-General and decided that UNEF should be established for an initial
period of six months, subject to extension.
8. Shortly after the adoption of this resolution the first elements of UNEF
arrived in the area of operations, and following their arrival tension subsided,
and the cease-fire was restored. The situation in the Egypt-Israel sector has
remained generally quiet since then. An account of the establishment and the
activities of UNEF is contained in the reports of the Secretary-General to the
Security Council on the subject (S/11248 and Add.l-7, s/l1536 and Add.1, s/l1670
and cow.1 and 2, S/11758, s/11849, S/12212 and s/12416).
9. The mandate of the Force has been extended as necessary by the Security Council
on the recommendation of the Secretary-General and with the agreement of the
parties concerned. The last extension of UNEF, as decided by the Security Council
in its resolution 416 (1977) of 21 October 1977, was for a further ,period of one
year, until 24 October 1978. The general terms of reference of UNEF remain as
contained in the Secretary-General's report mentioned in paragraph 7 above, but
the .tasks of the Force were expanded in the light of subsequent agreements
concluded between the parties (see paras. 67-76 below). The present task of the
Force is essentially to supervise the Agreement between Egypt and Israel of
4 September 1975. In this connexion, the Force mans and controls a buffer zone
between the Egyptian and Israeli forces, inspects areas of limited forces and
armaments on both sides of the buffer zone and supervises the demilitarized
character of the Abu Rodeis and Ras Sudar oil fields area.
10. The total strength of UNEF was initially to be in the order of 7,000, and this
level was reached bjj January 1974. Later, as the situation in the Egypt-Israel
/ . . .
A/33/311
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sector quieted down, the strength of the Force was gradually reduced. At present,
the Force is composed of seven contingents, from Australia, Canada, Finland, Ghana,
Indonesia, Poland and Sweden, and has a strength of about 4,300. It may be
mentioned for the record that four contingents which participated in UNEF at its
early stages were withdrawn at the request of their Governments, the Irish
contingent in May 1974, the Nepalese in August 1974, the Panamanian in
November 1974 and the Senegalese in June 1976. Two other contingents, from Austria
and Peru, were transferred to the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force
together with parts of the Canadian and Polish logistic components when that Force
was established in May 1974.
11. Following the establishment of UNEF, the cease-fire observation operation
carried out by UNTSO was discontinued, and UNTSO observers assigned to the area are
now assisting UNEF in the performance of its tasks.
B. Establishment of UNDOF
12. Towards the end of the hostilities of October 1973, the Israeli forces moved
forward of the 1967 cease-fire lines in the Israel-Syria sector and occupied a
salient around the village of Sassa, some 40 kilometres west of Damascus.
Following the adoption of Security Council resolutions 338 (1973) and 339 (1973),
the cease-fire arrangements were adjusted to the new situation and some of the
UNTSO observers were redeployed around the new forward defended localities of the
opposing forces (S/11057, para. 9). With these adjustments the cease-fire
observation operation in the Israel-Syria sector continued. There was no further
forward movement of troops, but the cease-fire was marred by many firing
incidents, mainly in the Sassa Salient, during the early months of 1974 (see
reports of the Secretary-General in the S/llO57/Add. series).
13. As described in paragraph 73 below, an agreement on the disengagement of the
Israeli and Syrian forces was concluded on 31 May 19'74. This Agreement and its
Protocol provided essentially for the strict observance of the cease-fire, a
partial withdrawal of the Israeli forces on the Golan Heights, the redeployment of
the Israeli and Syrian forcer; along agreed lines, the establishment of an area of
separation between those two lines and of areas of limitation in armaments and
forces on both sides of the area of separation. The provisions of the Agreement
were to be supervised by a United Nations Disengagement Observer Force.
14. On 31 May, after being ,informed by the Secretary-General of the signing of the
Agreement, the Security Council adopted resolution 350 (1974) in which it decided
to set up immediately under its authority the United Nations Disengagement Observer
Force (UNDOF) and requested ,the Secretary-General to take the necessary steps to
this effect. The Force was established for an initial period of six months,
subject to extension by the Security Council.
15. UNTSO observers in the Israel-Syria sector were immediately assigned to the
new Force and were soon joined by contingents transferred from UNEF. The
/ . . .
n/33/311
s/12896
Engl,ish
Pals- 5
cease-fire became effective upon the conclusion of the disengagement agreement.
The area has remained generally quiet since then. The establishment and the
activities of the Force are outlined in the reports of the Secretary-General on the
subject (S/l1310 and Add.l-4, s/11563 and Add.1, s/11694, S/11883 and Add.1,
S/l2083 and Add.1, S/12235, S/12453 and S/12710).
16. The mandate of UMDOF has been extended as necessary by the Security Council,
on the recommendation of the Secretary-General, in much the same way as for TJNEF.
The last extension was for a period of six months, until 30 November 1978, in
accordance with Security Council resolution 4,29 (1970) of 31 May 1978.
17. As stipulated in the Agreement on disengagement of forces between Israel and
Syria, the strength of UNDOF has been maintained around 1,250. The Force, which
is composed of personnel from States Members of the United Nations except the
permanent members of the Security Council, consists of four national contingents
and 90 observers detailed from UNTSO. Originally the four contingents were the
Austrian and Peruvian infantry battalions and the Canadian and Polish logistic
elements detached from UNEF. Later, in July 1975, the Peruvian contingent was
withdrawn at the request of its Government and replaced by an Iranian contingent.
18. The UNTSO cease-fire observation operation in the Israel-Syria sector was
discontinued after the establishment of UNDOF and, as indicated above, 90
observers were incorporated into UNDOF.
19. With the establishment of UNDOF, the United Nations had two peace-keeping
forces and one observer mission in the Middle East. Consequently, the Secretary-
General felt that it would be desirable to establish a co-ordinating mechanism
for the activities and administration of those operations, and in August 1975,
with the agreement of the Security Council (S/11808), he appointed
:Lieatenant-General Ensio Siilasvuo as Chief Co-ordinator of United Nations
Peace-keeping Missions in the Middle East.
C. Establishment o_f_ -- UNIFIL
20. The cease-fire observation operation set up by UNTSO in the Israel-Lebanon
sector continued to Sunction until March 1978. Following the outbreak of the
Le.banese crisis in 1975, the UNTSO area of operations in southern Lebanon came
under the control of various de fact2 forces, and this situation often made thtz
'UXTSO operation very difficult. 1ievertheless, UNTSG observers continued to man
the five observation posts in southern Lebanon as well as their forward
headquarters at Naqoura as best they could under exceptionally difficult
conditions, and they continued to observe and report on the observance of the
cease.-fire between Israel alnd Lebanon alone the armistice demarcation line (see
reports of the Secretary-General on the S/ll663/Add/Series).
21. In a letter dated 13 March addressed to the Secretary General (A/33/64-S/12598),
the Permanent Representative of Israel complained about an incident in Israel on
A/33/311
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English
Paw G
11 March, which resulted in 37 civilians dead and 76 others wounded and for which
the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) had claimed responsibility. On 15 March
the Israeli forces invaded Lebanon and by 19 March they had occupied all territory
south of the Litani River except for a pocket around the city of Tyre.
2%. On 19 March the Security Council adopted resolution 425 (1978) in which it
called upon Israel immediately to -ease its military action against Lebanese
territorial integrity and to withdraw forthwith its forces from all Lebanese
territory, decided to establish immediately under its authority a United Nations
Interim Force for southern Lebanon for the purpose of confirming the withdrawal of
Isrsell forces, res.toring international peace and security and assisting the
Government of Lebanon in ensuring the return of its effective authority in the
area, the Force to be composed of personnel drawn from States Members of the United
Nations, and requested the Secretary-General to report to the Council within
24 hours on the implementation of that resolution.
On the same day, the Secretary-General submitted a report to the Security
%xncil (s/12611) settifig forth the terms of reference of the United Nations
Interim Force in Lebanon (UNI:FIL), the general considerations and guidelines for the
functioning of the ??orce and a proposed plan of action. The general considerations
and guidelines proposed by the Secretary-General are similar to those applied to
'JNEF and UNDOF. The Secretary-General envisaged the task of UNIFIL as a two-stage
operation. In the first stage, the Force would confirm the withdrawal of Israeli
forces from Lebanese territory to the international border. Once this was ach~ieved,
it would establish and maintain an area of operation as defined. In this connexion,
it would supervise the cessation of hostilities, ensure the peaceful character of
the area of operation, control movement and take all measures deemed necessary to
assure the effective restoration of Lebanese sovereignty. Later on the same day,
the Security Council adopted resolution 426 (1978) by which it ;.pproved the report
of the Secretary-,General and decided that UNIFIL should be established for nn
initial period of six months, subject to extension.
24. The authorized strength of UNIFIL was initially set at 4,000. Subsequently, on
the recommendation of the Secretary-General, the Security Council decided to
increase it to 6,000 (Security Council resolution 427 (1978) of 3 May 1978). As at
the beginning of September 15178, the Force was conposed of contingents from Canada,
Fiji, France, Iran, Ireland, Nepal, Nigeria, Norway and Senegal and had a total
strength of about 5,900.
25~ The establishment and activities of UNIFIL have been described in the reports
submitted by the Secretary-.General to the Security Council on this subject
(S/12620 and Add.l-5 and S/12845). As indicated in his periodic report of
13 September 1978 (S/12845), the Israeli forces completed their withdrawal from
Le.hanese territory on 13 June 1978, but the fact that they handed over control of
the border area to Lebanese <ie facto armed groups, rather than to UIVIFIL, has
continued to make impossible the full deployment of the Force and the restoration
of the authority of the Lebanese Government in the whole area of operation. Thus,
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while UNIFIL has made good initial prot;ress, much rmains ,to be done before the tesk
entrusted to UNIFIL by the Security Council is fulfilled.
26. After considering the report of the Secretary-General, the Security Council
decided, by its resolution 434 (1978) of 18 September 1978, to extend the mandate
of UNI7IL for a further period of four months, until 19 January 1979.
27. Before concludir@ this section, a reference should be made to a recent
development which is not directly related to the United Nations Interim Force in
Lebanon. On 6 October 1978, the Security Council adopted resolution 436 (1978) in
which the Council, after noting the deteriorating situation in Beirut and its
surroundings and the appesl made on 4 October by the President of the Security
Council and the Secretary-General, called upon all those involved in hostilities in
Lebmon to put an end to acts of violence and observe scrupulously an immediate and
effective cease-fire and cessation of hostilities so that internal peace and
national reconciliation could be restored, based on the preservation of Lebanese
unity ~ territorial integrity, independence and national sovereignty. In the seme
resolution the Council also called upon all involved to permit units of the
Tnternational Committee of the Red Cross into the area of conflict to evacuate the
wounded and provide humanitarian assistance, and supported the Secretary-General in
his efforts and requested him to continue these efforts to bring about a durable
cease-fire. One day earlier the Secretary-General had asked
F'rince Sadruddin Aga Khan to undertake a humanitarian mission to the area with a
view to extending the Secretary-General's good offices to facilitate the cessation
of hostilities.
III. SITUATION IX THE OCCUPIED TERRITORIZS
28. The effor-ts undertaken by the United Nations concerning the situation in the
occupied territories and the question of Jerusalem from June 1967 until May 1973
have been described in the report of the Secretary-General of 18 May 1973
(S/10929, paras. 14-34).
39 n The mandate of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices
Affecting the Iiunan Rights of the Population of the Occupied Territories has been
renewed by the General Assembly at every session since 1973, and the Special
Committee has continued to report yearly to the Assembly on the situation in the
occupied territories, including East Jerusalem.
30. 'The General Assembly, at its thirty-second session, after considering the
report of the Special Committee (~/32/Z&) adopted three resolutions on
13 Decenber 1977. By resolution 32/91 A, it reaffirmed that the Geneva Convention
relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, I_/
was applicable to all the Arab territories occupied by Israel since 1967, including
Jerusalem, and called again upon Israel to acknowledge and to comply with the
provisions of that Convention. By resolution 32/91 B, it condemned ?he mssiw
deliberate destruction of Quneitra perpetrated during the Israeli occupation and
&/ United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 75, No. 973, p" 287.
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prior to the withdrawal of Israeli forces from that city in 1974". By
resolution 32/91 C, it condemned certain Israeli policies and practices in the
occupied territories and &man&4 that Israel desist forthwith from those policies
and practices.
31. At its thirty-third session, the General Assembly will have before it reports
of the Special Committee concerning Israeli policies and practices in the occupied
territories, the destruction of Quneitra and the treatment of civilians in
detention in the occupied territories and a report of the Secretary-General
concerning the facilities m&e available to the Special Committee to carry out its
tasks and to ensure the widest circulation of information regarding its activities
and findings.
32. The General Assembly has also given special attention to three problems
relating to the situation in the occupied territories, namely, the establishment of
Israeli settlements in the occupied territories, the question of permanent
sovereignty over natural resources and the living conditions of the Palestinian
people.
33. At its thirty-second session, the General Assembly decided to include in its
agenda an additional item entitled &cent illegal Israeli measures in the occupied
Arab territories designed to change the legal status, geographical nature and
demographic composition of those territories in contravention of the principles of
the Charter of the United Nations, of Israel's international obligations under the
fourth Geneva Convention of l949 and of United Nations resolutions, and obstruction
of efforts aimed at achieving a. just and lasting peace in the Middle East".
34. After considering the item at its 47th to 52nd plenary meetings, the General
Assembly, on 28 October 1977, adopted resolution 3215, in which it deplored the
Israeli activities listed in the item, called upon Israel to desist from such action
and requested the Secretary-General to undertake urgent contacts with the Government
of Israel to ensure the prompt implementation of the resolution and to re,port to the
General Assembly and the Security Council.
35. In pursuance of that resplution, the Secretary-General addressed an
appropriate request tathe Permanent Representative of Israel to which the latter
replied that the position and views of his Government had been explained in detail
in his interventions during the debate of the General Assembly on the item. The
Secretary-General conveyed t:his reply to the General Assembly and the Security
Council in his report of 30 :December 1977 (A/32/498-S/12512).
36. The General Assembly also considered the question of permanent sovereignty
over natural resources in occupied territories and the question of the living
conditions of the Palestinians in occupied territories at its thirty-second session.
By its resolution 32/161 of 19 December 1977, the General Assembly took note of the
report of the Secretary--General on the first of these subjects (A/32/204),
reaffirmed that all measures undertaken by Israel to exploit the human, natural and
all other resources, wealth and economic activities in the occupied Arab territories
were illegal, and called upon Israel immediately to desist forthwith from all such
I...
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measures. By its resolution 321171, it requested the Secretary-General to submit
to it at its thirty-third session a comprehensive and analytic report on the social
and economic impact of the Israeli occupation on the living conditions of the
Palestinian people in the occupied territories.
3’7 . The Security Council examined questions relating to the situation in the
occupied territories on several occasions. By a letter dated 19 March 1976
(S/12017), the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya and Pakistan requested an urgent meeting of
the Security Council to consider the serious situation arising from recent
developments in the occupied territories. The Security Council met from
22 to 25 March, but no decision could be adopted, owing to the negative vote of a
permanent member (~/~~.1893-1899).
30. In a letter dated 3 May 1976 (s/12066) the representative of Egypt drew the
attention of the Security Council to developments in the West Bank and the
Gaza Strip, which were "a pitiful result of the continuation of Israeli occupation
as well as an outright affirmation of the Palestinian people's refusal of the
Israeli terrorist practices", a& he requested an urgent meeting of the Security
Council to consider the continued deterioration of the situation,
39. The Security Council held seven meetings on this item between 4 and 26 May
(S/PV.1916-1922). At the close of the debate on 26 May, the President declared
that, after consulting all the members of the Security Council, the majority of the
members agreed on the following:
"Grave anxiety was expressed over the present situation in the occupied
Arab territories; concern was also expressed about the well-being of the
population of those territories. The Fourth Geneva Convention relative to the
Frotection of Civilian Persons in Time of War is applicable to the Arab
territories occupied by Israel since 1967. The occupying Power was therefore
asked strictly to respect the provisions of that text and to refrain from and
rescind any measure which would violate them. In this connexion, the measures
taken by Israel in the occupied Arab territories, which are such as to modj~fy
their demographic composition or geographical character, and in particular the
establishment of settlements, were deplored. These measures, which cannot
prejudge the outcome of the efforts to achieve peace, constitute an obstacle
to peace. The Security Council should continue to follow the situation
closely.r7
40. In a lettw dated 20 October 1976 (s/12218), the Permanent Representative of
Egypt requested a meeting of the Security Council to consider the dangerous and
explosive situation in the occupied Arab territories resulting from continuing
repressive measures by Israel against the inhabitants of those territories.
41. The Security Council held four meetings on this item between 1 and
11 November 1976. .At the conclusion of the debate, the President of the Security
Council stated, after consulting all the members, that the Council had agreed on
the following:
"(1) TO express its gra.ve anxiety and concern over the present serious
situation in the occupied Ar,zb territories as a result of continued Israeli
occupation;
(2) Reeffi rmation of its call upon the Government of Israel to ensure the
safety, welfare md security of the inhabitants of the territories and to
facilitate the return of those inhabitants who have fled the areas since the
outbreak of hostilities;
(3) It s reaffirmation that the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection
of Civilian Persons in Time of War is applicable to the Arab territories
occupied by Israel since 1967. Therefore, the occupying Power is called upon
once again to comply strictly with the provisions of that Convention and to
refrain from any measure tha.t violates them. In this regard, the measures
taken by Israel in the occupied Arab territories that alter their demographic
composition or geographical nature and particularly the establishment of
settlements zwe accordingly strmgly deplored. Such measures which have no
legal validity and cannot prejudice the outcome of the search for the
establishment of peace constitute an obstacle to peace;
(4) It considers once mm-e that all legislative and adninistrative measures
and actions taken by Israel, including expropriation of land and properties
thereon and the transfer of populations which tend to change the legal status
of Jerusalem, are invalid and cannot change that status, and urgently cells
upon Israel once more to rescind all such measures already taken and to desist
forthwith from taking any further action which tends to change the status of
Jerusalem. In this connexion the Council deplores the failure of Israel to
show any regard for Security Council resolutions 237 (1967) of 14 June 1967,
252 (1968) 0f 21 May 1968 and 298 (1971) 0f 25 September 1971 and General
Assembly resolutions 2253 (ES-V) and 2254 (ES-V) of 4 and 14 July 1967;
(5) Its recognition th:%t any act of profanation of the Holy Places, religious
buildings and sites or i%ny encouragement of, 01‘ connivance at, any such act ma.y
seriously endanger intwnational peace and security".
42. The United Nations Commission on Human Rights has continued to give EhtentiOn
to the question of human rig~hts in the occupied territories. Most recently, it
adopted resolutions 1 A and 'B (XXXIV) entitled "Question of the violation of human
rights in the occupied Arab territories, including Palestine". Those resolutions,
which condemned Israeli policies and practices along lines similar to those of
Generel Assembly resolution 32191 mentioned above, were brought to the attention of
the General Assembly and the Security Council by the Secretary-General at the
request 0f the Commission by & note dated 29 tune 1976 (~/33/161-S/12758).
43. Since the General Assembly last discussed the matter, the situation in the
occupied territories has been the subject of a number of communications addressed to
the President of the Security Council or the Secretary-General and circulated as
official documents of the United Nations (s/12563, A/33/60-S/12575, A/33/78-S/12640,
A/33/8&8/12669, A/33/116-S/12725, A/33/151, A/33/153-S/12752, A/33/164--5/12762,
A/33/165, A/33/175-S/12767, A/33/184-S/12777, A/33/203-S/12805, A/33/204-S/12806.
A/33/206, ~/33/211-s/12816. A/33/218-S/12820, A/33/230-S/12838, A/33/233-S/12844).
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IV" PALESTINE REFUGEE PROBLEM
44. The Palestine refugee problem and the United Nations effort to assist the
refugees up to May 1973 were dealt with in the report of the Secretary-General of
18 May 1373 (S/10929, paras. 35-42).
45. The General Assembly has continued to review annually the activities of the
United Nations Relief and kiorks Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East
(UNRVA) on the basis of the reports submitted by the Commissioner-General of the
Agency. Following its consideration of the Commissioner-General's report / at
its thirty-second session, the Assembly, by resolution 32/90 A of 13 December 19'77,
reiterated its gratitude to the Agency in providing essential services for the
Palestine refugees and, after noting with deep regret that the situation of the
refugees continued to be a matter of serious concern, extended the Agency's
mandate until 30 June 1981. The Assembly took this action without prejudice to
the provisions of paragraph 11 of General Assembly resolution 194 (III), calling
for repatriation or compensation of the refugees, which it noted with regret had
not been effected. The Assembly also noted with regret that the United Nations
Conciliation Commission for Palestine had been unable to find a means of achieving
progress in the implementation of paragraph 11 of General Assembly resolution
194 (III) and requested it to continue its work towards that objective.
46. The problem of financing LJNR\JA's operations has been a matter of increasing
concern to the Geweral Assembly. UNRWA's funding is derived almost entirely
from voluntary contributions, mainly from Governmen,ts, and for many years it has
experienced difficulty in securing the financial support necessary to maintain
its services. In its resolution 32/90 A, the Assembly noted with profound concern
that the level of income available to UNRWA was still insufficient to cover
essential budget requirements and called upon all Governments as a matter of
urgency to make the most generous efforts possible to meet UNRWA's needs. In
particular, it urged non-contributing Governments to contribute regularly and
contributing Governments to consider increasing their contributions. In a
related decision, in resolution 32/90 D, the Assembly extended for another year the
mandate of the Working Group on the Financing of UNRWA and requested it to continue
its efforts, in co-operation with the Secretary-General and the Commissioner-
General, to assist in assuring the Agency's financial security.
47. The General Assembly has continued to give attention to the population and
refugees displaced as a. result of the hostilities of June 1.967. In its resolution
32/90 B, it endorsed the efforts of UNRWA to provide humanitarian assistance to
those persons. After considering a report of the Secretary-General on the matter
(A/32/263), the Assembly adopted resolution 32/90 E, it reaffirmed the right of
the displaced inhabitants to return to their homes and camps in the territories
occupied by Israel since 1967 and called once more upon Israel (a) to take
immediate steps for the return of the displaced inhabitants and (b) to desist
from all measures that obstruct the return of the displaced inhabitants,
including measures affecting the physical and demographic structure of the
occupied territories.
/ -O- fficial Records of the General Assembly, Thirty-second Session,
&qAement No. 13 (A/32/13).
/...
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48. The situation of Palestine refugees in the Gaza Strip has been of special
cmcern to the General Assembly since 1971 when the Commissioner-General
reported (A/6383 and Add.1) that, as a result of operations carried out by the
Israeli military authorities, large numbers of shelters in refugee camps had
been demolished and approximately 15,000 refugees had been removed. At its
thirty-second session, after considering the reports of the Secretary-General
on this subject (A/32/264 and Add.l), the General Assembly adopted resoltition
32/90 E, in which it called once more on Israel (a) to take effective steps
immediately for the return of the refugees concerned to the camps from which they
had been removed and to provide adequate shelters for their accommodation and
(b) to desist from further removal of refugees and destruction of their shelters.
49. At its thirty-second session, the General Assembly also directed attention
to two new questions concerning Palestine refugees. By resolution 32/90 F, it
appealed to all States to make? special allocations of scholarships and grants
to Palestine refugees and requested UNRWA to act as recipient and to make awards
to qualified Palestinian refugee candidates. By resolution 32/111 on the health
needs of Palestinian refugee children, the General Assembly requested the
Secretary-General, in collaboration with Governments of host countries and with
relevant United Nations bodies, to undertake a sample survey to ascertain the
needs of Palestinian children in refugee camps with a view to averting adverse
effects on their health.
50. In addition to the annual report of th? Commissioner-General of UNRWA, x/
the Assembly will have before it at its thirty-third session reports of the
Secretary-General on the return of refugees to their camps in the Gaza Strip
and the provision of shelters for them (A/33/285), on the return of the displaced
inhabitants of the territories occupied by Israel since 1967 (A/33/286), on the
allocation of scholarships and grants to Palestinian refugees (A/33/287) and on
the health needs of Palestinian refugee children (A/33/181), a report of the
United Nations Conciliation Commission for Palestine (A/33/276) as well as a
report to be submitted by the Working Group on the Financing of UNRWA.
v. PALESTINIAN RIGHTS
51. In its consideration of -the problem of the Palestinian refugees, the General
Assembly zdopted, in 1969, 1370, 1971, 1972 and 1973, resolutions in which it
recognized that the problem arose from the denial of the inalienable rights of the
Palestinian people under the United Nations Charter and -the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights and that the full respect for those rights was indispensable for
the establishment of a just and lasting peace in the Middle East
(resolutions 2535 B (XXIV), 2672 C (XXV), 2792 D (XXVI), 2963 E (XXVII) and
3089 D (XXVIII)).
3/ Ibid., Thirty-third Session, Supplement No& (A/33/13).
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52. In 197:r, at its twenty-ninth session, the General Assembly included the item
"Question of' Palestine" in its agenda at the request of 56 States Members. In
an explanatory memorandum attached to the request, the sponsors of the item
stated that, although the General Assembly had been continuously seized with the
question of Palestine since 194,7, it had not at any time considered the inalienable
rights of the people of Palestine as a separate item. It was therefore deemed
incumbent upon the Assembly to consider the question of Palestine in its true and
proper form, particularly as the General Assembly had in recent years recognized
and reaffirmed the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people.
53. During that session, three resolutions were adopted on the question of
Palestine. On 14 October 1974, the General Assembly adopted resolution 3210 (xX::Xj>
in which it invited the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), the representative
of the Palestinian people, to participate in its deliberations on the question of
Palestine in plenary meetings. On 22 November 1974, by resolution 3236 (XXIX),
the General Assembly reaffirmed the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people
in Palestine, including the right of national independence and sovereignty and
the right to return to their homes and properties from which they had been displaced
and uprooted, emphasized that full respect for and the realization of the rights
of the Palestinian people were indispensable for the solution of the question of
Palestine and requested the Secretary-General to establish contacts with the PLO
on all matters concerning the question of Palestine. On the same day, the
General Assembly also adopted resolution 3237 (XXIX), by which it invited the
PLO to participate in the capacity of Observer in the sessions and the work of
the General Assembly and of all international conferences convened under its
auspices.
54. In accordance with the request contained in resolution 3236 (XXIX), contacts
with the PLO were established and members of the Secretariat met with
representatives of the PLO as the occasion required. Following the adoption
of resolution 3237 (XXIX), the PLO appointed Permanent Observers to the
United Nations, both in New York and Geneva. The observers of the PLC have since
attended meetings of the General Assembly, the Security Council and other
United Nations bodies on various occasions.
55. At its thirtieth session, the General Assembly adopted resolution 3375 (XXX)
of 10 November 1975 by which, among other things, it requested the Security Counci
to consider and adopt the necessary resolutions and measures in order to enable
the Palestinian people to exercise its inalienable rights and called for the
invitation of PLO in all deliberations on the Middle East held under the auspices
of the United Nations. On the same day, the General Assembly adopted resolution
3376 (XXX) by which it decided to establish a Committee an the Exercise of the
Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, composed of twenty Member States
(by resolution 31/318 of 22 December 1976, the General Assembly raised the number
of members to 23) and entrusted it with the task of recommending to the General
Assembly a programme of implementation of the rights of the Palestinian people.
The Committee on the Exercise of the Inaliecable Rights of the Palestinian People
was requested to submit its report and recommendations not later than 1 June 1976
to the Secretary-General, who was to transmit it to the Security Council for its
consideration.
56. In June 197% the Committee submitted its report requested by General Assembly
resolution 3376 (XXX) (S/12090).
57. 'The Security Council considered the report of the Committee during seven
meetings, between 18 and 29 June 1976, but no resolution could be adopted owing to
the negative vote of a permanent member (S/PV.1928, 1933-1938). On 21 July the
Coti~ttee, taking note of the Security Council's action, reaffirmed its
recommendations and subinitted its report to the General Assembly. L/
58. At its thirty--first session, the General Assembly, by resolution 31/20 of
29 :::ovember 1976, endorsed the recommendations of the Committee on the Exercise of
the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, urged the Security Council to
consider these recommendations once again and authorized the Committee to exert all
efforts to promote the implercentation of its recormnendations. In pursuance of
Assembly resolution 31/20, the Security Council met on 27 October 1977 to consider
the question of the exercise by the Palestinian people of its inalienable rights, but
it decided to adjourn the deba-te on this item (S/~v.2041).
59. Fhhe Ccmmittee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian
People, in its report to the Gmsneral Assembly z/ at its thirty-second session, stated
that it had unanimously decided to reaffirm the validity of its recommendations
endorsed by the General Assembly at its thirty-first session. The Assembly endorsed
the report of the Committee and adopted two resolutions. By its resolution 32/40 A,
it urged the Security Council ,to take, as soon as possible, a decision on the
recomizendations endorsed by the General Assembly in its resolution 31/20 as a basis
for the solution of the proble,m of Palestine. By its resolution 32&O B, the
Generai Assembly requested the Secretary-General to establish within the Secretariat
of the United Nations a Special Unit on Palestinian Rights, which would "prepare . . .
studies and publications relating to the inalienable rights of the Palestinian
people" and "promote maximum publicity for such studies and publications". In
accordance with that resolution, the Secretary-General established the Special Unit
on Palestinian Rights at the beginning of 1978.
60. Since the General Assembly last discussed the matter, the rights of the
Palestinian people have been the subject of a number of communications addressed to
the Secretary-General and circulated as United Nations official documents (A/33/54,
A/33/llE, A/33/151, A/33/154, A/33/165, A/33/206). The Committee on the Exercise of
the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People has submitted a further report to
the General Assembly for its consideration at its thirty-third session. 6/
&/ Ibid., Thirty-first Session, Supplement No. 35 (A/31/35).
/ g&t 9 Thirty-second Session, Sulsplement No. 35 (A/32/35).
6/ Ibid., Thirty-third Session, Supplement No. 35 (A/33/35).
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VI. SEARCH FOR A PEACEFUL SET'TIZKENT
A” $x&.t:r Council resolution -_ 242 (1967-)- ,-_-a.-n_d the efforts of
-th-_e- _--S- pecial liepsative ----__o-f. _--t_h_e SecretarpGeneral
61. 'The search for a :$eaceful settlement in the Middle East after the June 1967
hostilities was highlighted by the adoption of Security Council resolution
242 (1967) of 22 November 1967 and the efforts of the Special Representative of the
Secretary,-G~enersl,~ Ambassador Gunnar .Jarrin&, within the frmework of that
resolution.
62. Resolution 242 (1967), which was unanimously adopted by the Security Council,
defined the principles and requirements for the establishment of a just and lastinp;
peace in the Middle East. The efforts of bbassador Jarring to promote agreement
among the parties have been described in detail in the report of the Secretary-
General of 18 May 1973 (S/10929, paras. 45".67, 70-.72, 99-108). It is sufficient to
recall here that in May 1973 the parties continued to maintain irreconcilable
positions and thus the basic deadlock in the search for a peaceful settlement of the
conflict persisted.
63. The report of the Secretary-General was considered by the Security Council from
6 to 15 June 1973. The debate was adjourned on the understanding that the Council
would resume its examination of the situation in the Middle East at a later date.
64. In August 1973 the Secretary-General, after meeting with his Special
Representative in Geneva, paid a visit to the Middle East to discuss the situation
with the Governments concerned and to deternline in what way .the United Nations and
he as the Secretary-.General might be helpful in the search for a peaceful
settlement. In the introduction to the annual report to the General Assembly
atibmitted during the same month, 7/ the Secretary-General stated that, despite all
the efforts made by him and his S$cial Representative and the recent deliberations
of the Sec.urity Council, a peaceful settlement in the Middle East rerilained elusive.
The Secretary-General went on to point out that "time is not on our side in this
highly explosive situation". I/
Ii, -H--o stilities of October 1973 and adoption of Security Council
resolution 338 (1973)
-~-
65. As stated~ earlier, hostilities .broke out again in the Middle East in
October 1973. On 22 October, the Sec.urity Council adopted resolution 338 (1973) in
which, after calling for an inlrnediate cease-fire, the Council called upon all the
parties concerned to start immediately after the cease-fire the implementation of
Security Council resolution 242 (1967) and decided that, immediately and
concurrently with the cease-fire, negotiations start between the parties concerned
under appropriate auspices aimed at establishing a just and durable peace in the
-7 / -I-b*i7d TWnty--ei&th Session, Supplement No.. - 1A (A&OOl/Add.l).
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Middle Ea.st. lke subsequent decisions of the Security Council, including the
est&blishment of the United Nations Emergency Force in the Egypt-Israel sector,
have been dealt with earlier in this report (see paras. 5-11 above).
66. Following the establishment of the Emergency Force and the cessation of
hostilities in the area, the Secretary of State of the United States of America
launched an initiative to bring about agreements on a disengagement of forces, first
between Egypt and Israel, and :Later between Israel and Syria. In the event, four
agreements were concluded between November 1973 and September 1975. In each case,
an agreement in principle was achieved through indirect negotiations between the
parties, conducted with the assistance of the Secretary of State, and then the
detailed implementation of the agreement was worked out in direct discussions
between the military representatives of the parties under the auspices of the United
Nations.
C. Six-point agreement of 11 November 1973
67. On 9 November the Secretary of State of the United States informed the
Secretary-General (S/11091) that the Governments of Egypt and Israel were prepared
to accept a six-point agreement under which the two parties would scrupulously
observe the cease-fire and would immediately begin discussions to settle the
question of the return of forces to the positions that they had occupied on
22 October 1973 in the framework of agreement on the disengagement and separation
of forces under the auspices of the United Nations. The Secretary of State also
indicated that the parties would hold a meeting under the auspices of the Commander
of UNEF to sign this agreement and to provide for its implementation.
68. On 11 November, the six-point agreement was signed by the military
representatives of Egypt and Israel and by the Commander of UNEF,
Lieutenant-Generdi Ensio Siilasvuo, as witness, at a meeting held at kilometre
marker 101 on the Cairo-Suez road. Discussions on the implementation of the
agreement began immediately thereafter under the auspices of the United Nations, and
on 14 November the parties reached an accord providing for an exchange of prisoners
of war, the supply of the Egyptian Third Army by United Nations convoys and the
replacement of Israeli checkpcmints by UNEF checkpoints on the Cairo-Suez road.
Further discussions were held during November for the purpose of bringing about
a disengagement of Egyptian and Israeli forces (S/ll056/Add.k-6).
D. The Geneva Peace Conference on the Middle East
69. In December 1973, there were diplomatic contacts under the auspices of the
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United States of America, aimed at the
convening of a peace conference on the Middle East in Geneva. On 15 December, the
Security Council held a private meeting to discuss the arrangements for the proposed
conference and adopted a resolution 344 (1973), in which, after noting that a peace
conference on the Middle East situation was to begin shortly in Gene-w under the
auspices of the United Nation:;, the Council expressed its confidence that the
Secretary-General would play a full and effective role in the Conference, and that
he would preside over its proceedings. Tne Council also requested the Secretary-
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General to keep it informed of the developments in the negotiations at the Geneva
Conference and to provide all the necessary assistance and facilities for the work
of the Conference.
70. By identical letters dated 18 December 1973 (s/11.1.61), the Permanent
Representatives of the Union of Soviet Socialist ,Repub:Lics and the United States of
America informed the Secretary-General that agreement had been reached among the
parties to the Middle East dispute to participate in the Peace Conference under the
auspices of the United Nations and under the co-chairmanship of the USSR and the
United States.
71. The Peace Conference on the Middle East was convened in Geneva by the Secretary-
General on 21 December 1973. The Conference, in which the Governments of Egypt,
Israel, Jordan, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United States of
America were represented, held three meetings, over which the Secretary-General
presided. The Conference agreed to continue its work through the setting up of a
military working group as well as of other working groups as needed. The Military
Working Group was to start discussing forthwith the question of disengagement of
forces. The working groups were to report to the Conference, which was to continue
at the ambassadorial level, and the Conference at the foreign ministers' level was
to convene in Geneva as needed in the light of developments (see ~/11169). The
Secretary-General appointed Mr. Roberto Guyer, Under-.Secretary-General for Special
Poli-tical Affairs, as his Personal Representative to the Conference.
E. Agreement between Egypt and Israel of 18 January 1974
7%. The discussions held by the Military Working Group under the chairmanship of
the Commander of UNEF in late December 1973 and early January 1974 led to an
agreement on the disengagement of forces between Egypt and Israel. It was signed on
18 January 1974 at kilometre marker 101 by the military representatives of Egypt and
Israel and by General Siilaswo as witness (S/llO56/Add.8). l'he Agreement provided
essentially for a limited withdrawal of Israeli forces to the east, for the
redeployment of Egyptian and Israeli forces in the Sinai, leaving between them a
zone of disengagement where TJNEF was to be stationed, and for the establishment of
areas of limited armaments and forces on both sides of the zone of disengagement to
'be inspected by UmF (S/11198 and Add.1).
F. Agreement between Israel and Syria of 31 May 1974
73 ~ In May 1974, negotiations took pl.ace towards a disengagement of forces betw~een
Israel and Syria. The agreement was signed on 31 May 1974 by the military
representatives of Israel and Syria and by the Commander of UNJZF as witness at a
meeting of the Egypt-Israel Military Working Group of the Geneva Peace Conference
on the Middle East, in which the representatives of the Co-Chairmen of the Conference
also participated. In addition to the redeployment of the Israeli and Syrian forces
in accordance with arrangements similar to those applied in the Egyptian-Israeli
Agreement of 18 January 1974, the Israeli-Syrian Agreement also provided for the
return of the Syrian civilian administration to the area of separation and the
supervision by a United Nations force of the demilitarized character of that area.
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74. On 31 May 1974, the Security Council adopted resolution 350 (1974) by which
it welcomed the agreement on disengagement between Israel md Syria, negotiated in
implementation of its resolution 338 (19731, and decided to set up the United
Nations Disen@gement Observ~er Force (see paras. 12-19 above).
G. -A greement between Egypt and Israel of 4 September 1-9 75
75. In August and September 1975, new newtiations were held under the auspices
of the Secretary of State of the United States towards -the conclusion of a second
agreement between Egypt and Israel. It was signed in Geneva on 4 September 1975
by the representatives of Egypt and Israel and witnessed by General Siilasvuo, now
Chief Co-ordinator of United Nations Peace-keeping Missions in the Middle East
(S/ll818/Add.2). The agreement provided essentially for a further withdrawal of
Israeli forces to a line east of the Gidi and Mitla Passes and from the oil fields
of Abu Rodeis and Ras Sudar on the coastline of the Gulf of Suez, the establishment
of a larger buffer zone controlled by LINEF and the return of Egyptian civilian
administration to the oil fj.elds, whose demilitarized character w&s to be supervised
by UNEF. On the same day the military representatives of Egypt and Israel formally
accepted a proposal by the Secretary of State of the United States, which provided
for the establishment of an early warning system in the UNEF buffer zone to be
manned separately by the United States and each of the two parties.
76. The detailed arrangements for the implementation of the above agreement were
worked out by the Plilitary Working Group of the Geneva Peace Conference and laid
down in a Protocol to the agreement, which w&s signed by the representatives of the
two parties and witnessed by General Siilasvuo (S/11818/Add.5). In his report to
the Security Council, dated 17 October 1975 (S/11849), the Secretary-General
outlined the implications o:? the agreement for the operation of UNEF in the Egypt.-
Israel sector. The Security Council considered the report of the Secretary-General,
and by its resolution 378 (1975) of 23 October 1975 decid~ed to renew the mandate of
UNEF for a period of one year. The Permanent Mission of the Union of Soviet
Socialist Republics to the United Nations informed the Secretary-General by a note
verbale dated 30 December 1976 that the Agreement of September 1975 was concluded
on a separate basis and actually circumvented the Geneva Peace Conference;
consequently the USSR could not bear any responsibility for the implications of the
agreement ~ including the financing of additional expenses of UNEF ,resulting from it.
H. Efforts to reconvene the Geneva Peace Conference_
77. The agreements between Egypt and Israel of 18 January 1974 and of
4 September 1975, as well as the agreement between Israel and Syria of 31 May 1974,
contained clauses stating in varying terms that the parties did not consider them
as final peace agreements b,ut as steps towards a just and lasting peace in the
liiddle East, as called for ~by Security Council resolution 338 (1973). In his
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periodic reports on the activities of UNEF and UNDOF, which were submitted to the
Security Council before the expiry of the mandates of those Forces, the Secretary-
General expressed the view that, although the areas of operations of the two Forces
vere quiet, the situation in the Middle East as a whole was unstable and would
remain so unless and until a comprehensive settlement covering all aspects of the
Middle East problem could be reached. The Security Council, in renewing the
mandates of the two Forces, expressed its concurrence with this view and called
upon the parties concerned to implement immediately its resolution 338 (1973).
78. In 1975, at its thirtieth session, the General Assembly considered both the
clue&ion of Palestine and the situation in the Middle East. In its resolution
3375 (XXX) of 10 November 1975 on the question of Palestine, which has already
been mentioned earlier in this report (see para. 55 above), it requested the
Secretary-General to take the necessary steps to secure the invitation of the
:Palestine Liberation Organisation to participate in the work of the Geneva Peace
Conf, "'e1,I: ,)
79. Later at .the same session, the General Assembly considered the situation in
the Middle East and on 5 December 1975 adopted resolution 3414 (XXX) whereby it
requested the Security Council to take all necessary measures for the speedy
implementation of all relevant resolutions of the General Assembly and the
Security Council, aiming at the establishment of a just and lasting peace in the
region through a r:omprehensive settlement, vorked out with the participation of all
parties concerned, including the Palestine Liberation Organisation, and within the
framework of the IJni-ted Nations.
80. In pursuance of the request contained in General Assembly resolution
3375 (XXX), the Secretary-General on 19 November 1975 addressed identical letters
to the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
and the Secretary of State of the United States of America, in their capacity as
Co-Chairmen of the Peace Conference on the Middle East, to bring the resolution to
t:heir attention. He also requested the Co-Chairmen to keep him informed of any
action they might take in relation to the resolution. In his reply to the
Secretary-General dated 9 January 1976 (A/31/h4-S/11931), the Minister for Foreign
Affairs of the USSR advocated the speediest possible resumption of the Geneva
Peace Conference with the full and equal participation of the representatives of
the PLO.
8x1. Shortly after the adoption of General Assembly resolution 3375 (XXX), the
Security Council met to consider the mandate of the United Nations Disengagement
observer Force (UNDOF). In its resolution 381 (1975) of 30 November 1975 on the
renewal of the mandate of LJNDOF, the Council also decided to reconvene on
12 January 1976 in order to continue the debate on the Middle East problem,
including the Palestinian question. In accordance with its decision of
30 November 1975, the Security Council discussed the Middle East problem,
including the Falestinian question, in a series of 10 meetings in January 1976,
b\lt no resolution could be adopted, owing to the negative vote of a permanent
member (S/PV.1870-1879), At the end of the Security Council debate, on
/...
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26 January 1976, the Secretary-General made a statement in which he noted that the
discussions of the Council had emphasized the Palestinian dimension of the Middle
East problem and had reaffirmed the right of every State in the area to live in
peace within secure and recognized boundaries and announced his intention to
undertake a new initiative.
82. In identical letters addressed to the Co-Chairmen of the Geneva Peace
Conference on 27 January 1976, the Secretary-General requested them to let him know
their thinking on ways of making progress towards a solution of the Middle East
problem. In his reply the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Union of Soviet
Socialist Republics expressed the view that the only reliable way to achieve
agreement on all the questions involved in a settlement was the resumption, after
careful preparation, of the work of the Geneva Peace Conference with the
participation of all those directly concerned, including the PLO and the
Co-Chairmen of the Conference. The Secretary of State of the United States of
America took the position that the resumption of the Geneva Peace Conference should
be carefully prepared and he proposed a preparatory conference of those that had
participated so far in the negotiations.
83. As a follow-up to the -ommunications addressed to the Co-Chairmen, the
Secretary-General requested his Personal Representative for the Peace Conference
on the Middle East, Under-Secretary-General Roberto E. Guyer, to undertake an
exploratory mission to the Xddle East. During that mission, which took place
from 25 February to 2 March 1976, and the subsequent talks which Mr. Guyer held
in Moscow and Washington, a number of issues were discussed, including the question
of the participation of the PLO in peace efforts.
84. Following Mr. Guyer's exploratory mission, the Secretary-General addressed,
on 1 April 1976, identical aide-m&noires to the parties concerned, including the
PLO, requesting their views as to the action which might be taken by the United
Nations in order to break the impasse in the peace efforts.
85. As described in the report of the Secretary-General of 18 October 1976
(A/31/2704/12210), all the parties welcomed his initiative. Egypt, Jordan and
Syria reiterated their demand for the withdrawal of the Israeli forces from all
the Arab territories occupied since June 1967. They further underlined the
urgency of a comprehensive solution of the Middle East problem. Egypt stated that
it wanted the Secretary-General to continue his efforts to reactivate the
negotiating process, which should focus on the resumption of the Geneva Peace
Conference with the full participation of the Palestine Liberation Organization.
The Soviet Union affirmed that the most appropriate forum for working out a
solution to the Middle East problem was the Geneva Peace Conference with the
participation of all directly concerned parties, including the Palestine Liberation
Organization and the Co-Chairmen of the Conference. The United States emphasized
that it was their intention actively to pursue contacts with the parties in efforts
to bring about an agreement; which would end the state of war in the Middle East as
soon as the situation in Lebanon had improved. Israel, in its reply, emphasized
that it favoured the reconvening of the Geneva Peace Conference with the original
participants.
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86. In the same report the Secretary-General observed that, while there was
general agreement,on the necessity of resuming negotiations for a just and
lasting settlement of the Middle East problem, there were still important
differences of view among the parties concerned, which had to be resolved before
the negotiating process could be usefully resumed.
87. During its thirty-first session, on 9 December 1976, the General Assembly
adopted resolution 31/61 on the situation in the Middle East, in which it
requested the Security Council to take effective measures for the implementation
of all relevant resolutions of the Council and the Assembly. It also requested
the Secretary-General to inform the Co-Chairmen of the Geneva Peace Conference
of its resolution and to submit a report on its implementation to the General
Assembly at its thirty-second session. On the same day, the General Assembly
further adopted resolution 314'62 concerning the Peace Conference on the Middle
East. In that resolution, the General Assembly called for the early convening of
the Geneva Peace Conference not later than the end of March 1977, requested the
Secretary-General to resume contacts with all the parties to the conflict and the
Co-Chairmen of the Peace Conference in accordance with his initiative of
April 1976, with a view to convening the Peace Conference, and to submit a report
to the Security Council on the results of his contacts and on the situation in the
Middle East no later than 1 March 1977. The General Assembly further requested
the Security Council to convene, subsequent to the submission of the Secretary-
General's report, in order to consider the situation in the area and to promote
the process towards the establishment of a just and lasting peace in the area.
88. In pursuance of General Assembly resolution 31/62, the Secretary-General
held initial consultations with the representatives of the parties and of the
two Co-Chairmen. In February 1977 he travelled to the Middle East, where he held
extensive consultations with leaders of Egypt, the Syrian Arab Republic, Saudi
Arabia, Lebanon, Jordan and Israel, as well as with the Chairman of the PLO. On
28 February 1977, he submitted a detailed report to the Security Council
(S/l2290 and Corr.l), in which he described the positions of the parties with
regard to the questions of participation, timing, terms of reference, agenda, and
organization of the work of the Peace Conference. He also reported the views of
the two Co-Chairmen on the modalities for reconvening the Geneva Peace Conference.
From his consultations, the Secretary-General concluded that, while all concerned
were earnestly desirous of moving towards a negotiated settlement, a determined
effort was necessary to overcome the lack of confidence and the mutual distrust
and fears of all the parties as to the consequences of making compromises and
concessions. He stated that although the main elements of the Middle East problem
remained intractable, there was an increasing consciousness in the area that an
opportunity existed at the time to resume negotiations in a meaningful way, and
he warned that, if this opportunity were not seized, there were grave dangers that
the situation would deteriorate once again.
89. On 25, 28 and 29 March 1977, the Security Council considered the situation
in the Middle East in the light of the Secretary-General's report, but it
adjourned the debate without adopting a resolution (S/PV.1993, 1995 and 1997).
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90. In the following months, efforts were made at various levels to reach
agreement on the modalities for resumption of the Geneva Peace Conference. On
1 October 1977 the Foreign Ministers of the USSR and the United States, as
Co-Chairmen of the Conference, issued a joint declaration in which they outlined
their common position on substantive as well as procedural questions connected
with the search for a just and lasting settlement of the Middle East problem. In
particular, they expressed their belief that the only right and effective way for
achieving a fundamental solution to all aspects of the Middle East problem in its
entirety was negotiation within the framework of the Geneva Peace Conference,
specially convened for this purpose, with the participation in its work of the
representatives of all the parties involved in the conflict, including those of
the Palestinian people. The next day, the Secretary-General issued a statement
welcoming the joint declaration.
91. The General Assembly considered again the situation in the Middle East
during its thirty-second smsion. On 25 November 1977 it adopted resolution
X2/20 in which, among other things, it reaffirmed that "a just and lasting peace
in the Middle East, in which all countries and peoples in the region can live in
peace and security within recognized and secure boundaries, cannot be achieved
without Israel's withdrawal from all Arab territories occupied since 5 June 1967
and the attainment by the Pizlestinian people of their inalienable national
rights ;" called anew "for the early convening of the Peace Conference on the
Middle East, under the auspices of the United Nations and the co-chairmanship of
the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United States of America, with
the participation on an equal footing of all parties concerned, including the
Palestine Liberation Organization;" urged "the parties to the conflict and all
other interested parties to work towards the achievement of a comprehensive
settlement covering all aspects of the problems and worked out with the
participation of all parties concerned within the framework of the United
Nations."
I. -In itiative of the President of Egypt
92. A new element was introduced into the Middle East situation on
9 November 1977, when President Anwar Al-Sad& of Egypt announced that he was
prepared to go to Israel in order to achieve progress towards a peaceful
settlement. He was subsequently invited by the Government of Israel and
travelled to Jerusalem on 19 November 1977 for a two-day visit. After his return
to Cairo, President Sadat invited the parties to the Middle East conflict,
including the PLO, as well as the two Co-Chairmen of the Geneva Peace Conference
on the Middle East and the Secretary-General, to talks in Cairo to prepare for a
resumption of the Geneva Peace Conference. This invitation was accepted by
Israel and the United States. On 29 November, the Secretary-General designated
the Chief Co-ordinator of Llnited Nations Peace-keeping Missions in the Middle East,
Lieutenant-General Ensio Siilasmo, to be present at the meeting in Cairo. At
the same time, noting that it was apparent that the meeting in Cairo would not be
attended by all those invit:ed and having in mind the urgent need for an early
convening of the Geneva Peace Conference, the Secretary-General suggested that
consideration be given to the holding of a preparatory meeting at United Nations
Headquarters, or any other generally agreed venue, of all those invited to the
Cairo meeting.
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93. By a letter dated 5 December 1977 (A/32/411), the Permanent Representative
of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya conveyed to the Secretary-General the text of a
declaration issued by the representatives of Algeria, Democratic Yemen, the Libyan
Arab Jamahiriya, the Syrian Arab Republic and the PLO at the conclusion of their
summit conference from 2 to 5 December 1977 at Tripoli. In a letter to the
Secretary-General dated 8 December 1977 (A/32/419-S/12478), the Charg6 d'iiffaires
of Egypt responded to this declaration.
94. The Cairo Conference convened on 14 December 1977. After several meetings
the Conference recessed to await the result of a summit meeting between
Prime Minister Begin and President Sadat, scheduled to be held at Ismailia on
25 and 26 December. At the conclusion of that meeting, it w&5 decided to
establish two working groups at the ministerial level - a political Committee in
Jerusalem, and a military committee in Cairo. Thereupon, the Cairo Conference
adjourned sine die.
95. The Military Working Committee began its work on 11 January 1978 and the
Political Working Committee on 17 January. The Egyptian delegation withdrew
from that Committee on 18 January. Shortly thereafter, the Military Working
Committee also became inactive.
96. Subsequently, the Government of the United States undertook an effort +a
reactivate direct negotiations between Egypt and Israel. This led to a meeting of
the Foreign Ministers of Egypt and Israel and the Secretary of State of the
United States at Leeds Castle near London from 17 to 19 July 1978, and,
later on, frcm 5 to 17 September,, to R sumi.t conference between ~th,e P?esid.ent
of :Egypt , the I 'rime Minister of Israel and the President of the .United States
at Camp David near Washington
97. At the conclusion of the Camp David conference the President of the
United States informed the Secretary-General that the President of Egypt and
the Prime Minister of Israel had concluded two agreements, one on a framework
for peace in the Middle East and the other on a framework for the conclusion Of
a peace treaty between Egypt and Israel.
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98. In their statements in the general debate of the thirty-third session of
the General Assembly, a number of speakers have commented on these agreements.
In a letter dated 27 September to the Secretary-General, the Chairman of the PLO
expressed his views on the agreements.
*
w *
99. I have not received any additional official information on the subject from
the parties concerned and therefore do not feel I am in & position to put
forward any considered views at this stage, except to express my earnest hope
that urgent efforts will be pursued by all concerned until & comprehensive, just
and durable peace settlement covering all aspects of the Middle East problem
can be fully achieved.
-----
GENERAL SECURITY
ASSEMFUY COUNCIL
Distr.
GE1'$ERAL
ORIGINAL: ENGLISH
G,ENERAL ASSEMBLY
Thirty-fourth session
Agenda item 25
*em
SECURITY COUNCIL
Thirty-fourth year
THE SITUATION IN TIlE MIDDLE EAST
Report of the Secretary-General
CONTENTS
Paraiirmhs I'Bpe
1. 18TRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 2
II. STATUS OF THE CEASE-FIRE . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 - 19 2
III. SITUATION IN THE OCCUPIED TERRITORIES . . . . . . . 20 - 30 6
IV. PALESTINE REFUGEE PROBLEM ~ . . ~ . ~ . . . . 31 - 30 8
V. PALESTINIAN RIGHTS . . . . . . . . . ~ . . . ~ ~ . 33 - 43 11
VI. SEARCH FOR A PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT . . . . . . . . a 44 - 52 12
73-27154
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Pwe 2
I. INTRODUCTION
1. The wesent resort is submitted in pursuance of General Assembly resolution
33/29 of 7 December 1978. In that resolution, which is summarized in paragraph 45
below, the Assembly requested the Secretary-General to renort to the Security
Council periodically on the development of the situation in the Middle East and to
submit to xhe Assembly at itij thirty-fourth session a comprehensive report covering
the developments in the repjon in all their asaects.
2. It may be recalled that, on 17 October 1970, the Secretary-General submitted
a. comnrehensive report to the General Assembly and the Security Council
(A/33/311-S/12&6), in pursuance of General Assembly resolution 32/20 of
5 Novem~ber 1977. In that reoort, the Secretary-General have an account of the
efforts undertaken by the Unit& Nations to deal with various asnects of the
situation in the Middle East, namely, the status of the cease-fire, the situation
in the occupied territories, the Palestine refugee aroblem, Palestinian rights and
the search for a peaceful settlement. A similar pattern is followed in the nresent
report.
3. The present report is based mainly on information available in United Nations
documents. In order to avoid duplication, reference will be made to reports of
the Secretary-General and other official United Nations documents concernin,? the
Middle East, whenever apuronriate.
II. STATUS OF THE CEASE-FIRE
4. The status of the cease--fire in the Middle East up to October 1978 was
described in the report of the Secretary-General (m., paras. 4-27). At that
time, there were three United Nations peace-keeping forces in the area: the
United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) in the EEy?t-Israel sector, the United Nations
Disengagement Observer Force (UriDOF) in the Israel-Syria sector, and the United
Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in the Israel-Lebanon sector. In
addition, observers of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (LINTSO)
assisted and co-operated with the three peace-keepinn forces in the performance
of their tasks in their reswctive areas, as separate p;roups in the case of UNEF
and Ul?rIFIL and as an inte,gral part of the Force in the case of UNDOF.
A. Activities of UWEF and expiry of its mandate
5. On 23 October 1978, the Security Council, havinE considered the report of the
Secretary-General on the activities of UNEF for the period from October 1977 to
October 1978 (S/12897)) adooted resolution 11311 (1978) by which it extended the
mandate of the Fwrce for a further period of nine months, until 24 July 1973.
6. Durinys this period of its mandate, UNEF continued to operate in accordance
with the functions and guidelines of the Force as outlined in the Secretary-General's
I . . .
report to the Security Council of 27 Ocmbrr 1973 (S/llO52/Eev.l) and to discharirr
the specific tasks entrusted to it by the Agreement between EiJypt and Israel of
4 September 1975 (S/11849). In brief, it manned and controlled a buffer zone in
the western part of Sinai, and it carried out periodic inspections of the -2rea of
limited forces and armaments on both sides of the buffer zone.
7. On 26 March 1979, a peace treaty w&s concluded~ by Egypt and Israel and, on
25 May, in pursuance of an agreement reached by Eirypt and Israel under that treaty,
Israeli forces withdrew from a northern coastal area in the Sinai to the east of
El Arish and the Eby"tian authorities took over control of that area. UMEF was not
involved in this mcwe except by germittinE access of Egyptian personnel to the
buffer zone a&the areas of limited forces and armaments and by providing escorts
to the parties within these areas as the Israeli withdrawal WRS being carried out.
Subsequently, two further withdrawals have taken place, on 25 ,Tuly 1979 from a
central area of the western Sinai alone the Gulf of Suez and from its adjacent mea
farther to the east and south on 25 September 1979.
a. During this period as before, UNEF continued to be composed of seven
contingents from Australia, Canada, Finland, Ghana, Indonesia, Poland and Sweden.
On 15 March 1979, a reinforced company of the Finnish continwnt w&s detached to
UNDOF, thus reducing the total strength of UNEF to slightly over 4,000.
9. On 19 July 1979, the Secretary-General submitted to the Security Council a
report on .the activities of UNEF coverinf? the period from October 197s ,to July 1979
(s/13460 and Corr.1). The report noted that the oriinal context in which UNl?F
had been created and in which it had previously functioned had basically changed
during the period under review. Mhilr the Governments of Egypt and Israel had
both expressed themselves in favour of an extension of the mandate of TJNEF, others
had expressed opposition to such a cowse. In this regard the Secretary-General
recalled that, under the guidelines approved by the Security Council, all matters
which might affect tine nature 01‘ the continued effective functioning: of the Force
would be referred to the Council for its decision.
10. The mandate of UNEF was not extended by the Security Council and therefore
lapsed at mid~ni(iht on 24 July 1979. On that day, the Secretary-General conveyed
to the President of the Security Council his intention to make all the necessary
srran@nents for an orderly withdrawal of UNEF (S/13466).
B. Activities of UNDOF
11 . The activities of UNDOF since the issuance of the Secretary-General's report
of 17 October 1978 (n/33/311-~/12096) are cutlined in the two most recent periodic
reports of the Secretary-General to the Security Council on the subject (S/129311
and S/13350). The mandate of the Force has been extended ,twicr during this period
by .the Security Council, on the recommendation of the Secretary-Genmal and with
th? a.@"eement of the parties concerned. The last extension of UNDOF, as decided
by the Security Council in its resolution 449 (1979) of 30 May 1979, was for a
further period of six months, until 30 November 1973.
I . . .
12. The functions and ,guidelines of UMDOF have remained a.s outlinerl~ in the reDort
of 27 November 1974 (S/11563, paras. 8-10). UMDOF has continued, with the
co-weration of the parties, -to supervise the area of sewration and the areas of
limitation in armam~n~ts and forces, in accordance with the disengagement agreement
of May 1974 between Israel an,? Syria. The situation in its ar?a of oneration has
remained generally quiet.
13. In March 1979, the Iranian continp;ent of UWDOF, consisting of 390 of all
ranks, was repatriated at the request of the Government and was partially replaced
by a reinforced company of 150 men from the Finnish contingent of UNEF. In
August 1979, the Finnish contingent was increased to 390 men. The Force has now a
total strength of about 1,250 and is comnos?d~ of four contingents - from Austria,
CCXXida, Finland and Poland - and 90 observers detailed from U?TSO.
c ,. Activities of UNIFIL
14. In January 1979, the Swurity Council decided to extend the mandate of lJNIFIL
for a period of five months, ,until 19 June 1979. In June, the mandate was
exte'nded for a further period of six months, until 19 December 1979. The activities
of UNIFIL since October 1978 are outlined in the Secretary-General's rrnorts on
the Force to the Securi~ty Council (S/12929, S/13026, S/13%54, S/13258, S/13308 and
S/13%4).
UNIFIL has continued to function in accordance with the Euidelines set out in
,'?I, rmort of 19 March 1978 (S/12611)
resolution 426 (1978).
and approved by the Security Council in its
It will be recalled th&t UNIFIL was envisap;ed as a twostap
operation. In the first stap,e, the !?orce was to confirm th? withdrawal of
Israeli forces from Lebanese territory. Once this was achieved, UNIFIL w&s to
establish and maintain an area of oneration. In this connexion, the Force was to
supervise the cessation of hostilities, ensure the peaceful character of the area
of operation, control movement and take all measures deemed necessary to ensure the
effective restoration of Lebanese sovereignty in the area,. As stated in th? last
comprehensive report of the Secretary-General (A/33/311-S/12896, psra. 25), the
Israeli forces completed their withdrawal from Lebanese territory on 13 June 1978.
However, they handed over control of the border area to Lebanes? &e facto arrwd
forces, rather than to UNIFIL, thus creating serious nroblems for the full
deployment of the Force in the whole area of oneration and to the fulfilment of its
mandate.
16. Despite intense and persistent efforts, UmIFIL has not been able to make
significant progress in overcominy( these difficultiFs during: the period under
review. A positive develoDment was the introduction, described in the Secretary-
General ' s report of 19 April 1979 (S/13258), in pursuance of Security Council
resolution 444 (1979), of a Lebanese army unit and increased civilian administrative
I . . .
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rage 5
presence in southern Lebanon in April 1979. 1/ Horrever, Lebanese de facto forces,
composed of Christian and allied militias, continue to occupy the border area turned
over 'to tha by the Israeli forces in June 1978 and to encroach upon the UNIFIL area
of operation and harass UNIFIL personnel and local civilian population. Efforts by
UNIFIL to prevent and control infiltration by armed elements, which include the
Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as well as the Lebanese National Movement
and other Lebanese groups, have also led to incidents, Incursions 'by Israeli forces
into southern Lebanon continue to be reported. Heavy exchanges of fire between
opposing armed groups over and across the UNIFIL area of operation have been
frequent. It is relevant to mention that a cessation of firing vas arranged by
UNIFIL on 26 August 1979 and the situation has remained generally quiet as of the
time of writing, despite isolated cases of firing.
17. In October 1978, the Canadian signals unit was withdrawn from UNIFIL and an
Irish headquarters company joined the Force. The Iranian contingent was withdrawn
in January 1979. In March 1979, the French infantry battalion was withdrawn and a
new contingent fron? the Netherlands arrived. The Norwegian helicopter wing was
withdrawn and replaced by an Italian helicopter unit in July 1979. In September,
R new Ghanaian contingent of 300 men was added to the Force. As at the beeinning
of October 1979, UNIFIL was composed of contingents from Fiji, France, Ghana,
Ireland, Italy, Nepal, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway and Senegal and had a total
strength of about 6,000.
D. Activities of UNTSO
18. Observers of UNTSO have continued to assist and co-operate with UNDOF and
UNIFIL in the performance of their tasks. In the Golan Heights, UNTSO observers
assigned to UNDOF man observation posts in the area of separation and carry out
periodic inspections in the area of limitation of armament and forces. In southern
Lebanon, observers assigned to the UNIFIL area of operation man observation posts,
conduct patrols as necessary and provide liaison teams with various parties. The
headquarters of the Israel/Lebanon Mixed Armistice Commission in Beirut functions
also as a liaison office for UNIFIL.
19. Until July 1979, TINTS0 observers assigned to the Egypt-Israel sector assisted
and co-operated with UNEF in the performance of the latter's tasks. In this
connexion, they manned observation posts and checkpoints along the borders of the
buffer zone and undertook periodic inspections of the areas of limited forces and
armaments established on both sides of the buffer zone. As indicated earlier, the
mandate of UNEI? lapsed on 24 July 1979. In a statement issued on the same day, the
Secretary-General declared that, in view of the fact that the withdrawal of UNEF
was without prejudice to the continued presence of the LJNTSO observers in the area,
it was his intention to make the necessary arrangements to ensure the further
functionin& of UNTSO, in accordance with existing decisions of the Security Council..
L/ It is relevant to mention in this connexion that, in pursuance of General
Assembly resolution 331146 on the question of assistance for reconstruction and
development of Lebanon, the Secretary-General established a-t Beirut a Committee on
Assistance for the Reconstruction and Development of Lebanon to co-ordinate ~the
assistance to Lebanon provided hy the specialized agencies and other orpxmizations
within the United Nations system. On 17 September 1979, the Secretary-General
announced the appointment of Mr. Iqbal A. Akhund as Co-ordinator of Assistance for
Reconstruction and Developm~ent of Lebanon.
I . . .
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III. SITUATION IN THE OCCUPIED TERRITORIES
20. The efforts undertaken by the United Nations concernin,? the situation in thr
occupid territories and the ,question of Jerusalem are outlined in the Secretary-
General's reports of 18 "lag 1’173 (S/109%9, 13aras. 14-34) and of 17 October 197"
(A/33/311-S/12&6, paras. 2&43).
21. The General Assembly, at its thirty-third session, after considerinn the
report of the Special Committee to InvestiRate Israeli Practices .Affecting the
Human Rights of,the Populatio,n of the Occupied Territories (A/33/356), adopted
three resolutions on 18 Decem:ber 1978. By resolution 33/113 A it reaffirmed that
the Gmeva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of
War, of 12 Aumst 1949, 2-1 was npplicable to all the Arab territories occupied by
Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem, and called a&n upon Israel to acknow1ed.m
and to comply with the provisions of that Convention. By resolution 33/113 B, the
Assembly determined that all 'measures and actions taken by Israel desimed to
chanp,e the legal sratus, p, eopraphical nature and demo@-aphic comosition of the
occunied Arab territories had no leEa validity and constituted a serious
obstruction to efforts aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace in the Middle
East. It called once more umn the Government of Israel to desist forthwith from
taking such measures, in particular, the establishment of settlements in the
Palestinian and other Arab territories. By resolution 33/113 C, the Assembly
condemned certain Israeli mlicies and nractices in the occupied territories and
demanded that Israel desist forthwith from those nolicies and practices. It
renewed the mandate of the Special Committee and requested it to report to the
Secretary-General as soon as possible and whenever the need arose thereafter.
22. In n related decision, the General Assembly, in resolution 33/110, took note
of the renort of the Secretary-General on the living conditions of the Palestinian
people in the occupied Arab territories (A/33/354). The Assembly noted that it had
not been possible to prenare the full report called for in its resolution 32/171
of 19 December 1977 and requested the Secretary-General, in collaboration with the
relevant United Nations organs and in consultation with the Palestine Liberation
Organization, to urepare and submit to the Assembly at its thirty-fourth session a
comrehensive and analytical report on the social and economic impact of the
Israeli occupation on the living conditions of the Palestiniiin people in the
occunied Arab territories.
23. The United Nations Commission on Human Rights considered, as a mat,ter of
nriority, the question of hurran rights in the occupied Arab territories at its
thirty-fifth session held from 12 February to 16 March 1979 and adopted
resolutions 1 A and R (XXXV). Those resolutions, in which the Commission condemned
Israeli nolicies and practices alone lines similar to those of General Assembly
resolution 33/113 mentioned above, were browht to the attention of the General
Assembly and the Security Council by the Secretary-General at the wguest of the
Commission by a note dated 11 July 1979 (A/34/338-5/13419).
-2 / United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. '75, No. 973, p. 287.
I . . .
24. nUestioms relating; to the situation in the occunird~ territories were discussed
by the Security Council at several meetinKs. In a letter dated 23 February 1979
(S/13115), the representative of Jordan req.uested that the Security Council be
convened to consider the accelerating erosion of the status of Jerusalem and of
the rest of the occunied Arab territories as a result of Israeli policy a&
nractice of settlement and colonization of those territories.
The Security Council held eipht meetinps on this item between 3 and
%March 1979 (S/PV.2123-2128, 21% and 2134). Pt its 2134th meeting:, on
22 &rch, the Security Council adopted resolution I!& (1979), by which it determined
that the policy and practices of Israel in establishin& settlements in the
Palestinian and other Arab territories occunied since 1967 had no legal validity
and constituted a serious obstruction to achicvinfi a comrehensive, just and
lastinr: peace in the Middle East. I,t stronfrly deolored the failure of Israel to
abide by existing decisions of the 'United Nations and called once more upon Israel
to abide scrupulously by the 1949 Fourth Geneva Convention, to rescind its previous
measures and to desist from taking any action which would result in changing the
leEa1 status and Reographical nature and materially affecting the demographic
composition of the occupied Arab territories. The Council also decided to
establish a Commission consisting of three members of the Security Council to
examine the situation relating to settlements in the occupied territories,,
including Jerusalem.
24. The Commission, composed of the representatives of Portugal (Chairman),
Bolivia and Zambia, submitted its report to the Security Council on 12 July
(S/13450 and Corr.1 and Add.1).
27. The Security Council considered the report of the Commission at four meetinm
held between 18 and 20 July 1979 (S/PV.2156-2159). On 20 July, the Council
adopted resolution 452 (1973), by which it commended the work of the Commission
and accented .the recommendations contained in its report. It called upon the
Government and peonle of Israel to cease, on an urgent basis, the establishment,
construction and planning of settlements in the occupied Arab territories,
incl.udini( Jerusalem, and requested the Commission to keen under close survey the
imglementstion of the resolution and to report back to the Security Council before
1 November 1979.
28. As mentioned in paragraph 7 above, following the conclusion of the peace
treaty between EgyDt and Israel, the Israeli forces withdrew from three areas in
the Sinai in the course of 19'79 and the Ryyptian authorities took over control of
those areas.
29. Since the General Assembly last discussed the matter, the situation in the
occupied territories has been the subject of a number of communications addressed
to the President of the Security Council or the Secretary-General and circulated
as official documents of the United Nations. These communications dealt with .tbe
question of Jerusalem (A/34/63-5/13034, A/34/75-S/13065, A/34/100-5/13145,
h/3)1~/178-S/13243), .the question of the closure of the University of Bir Wit
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(A/34/72, .A/34/101-S/13126, A/34/159-5/13215, S/13313, S/13316, A/34/304-S/13305,
A/34/349-S/131432, A/34/356-5/13441), the auestion of Israeli settlements and
purchase or exnropriation of land in occupied territories (A/34/95? A/34/110-
S/13149, $113273, S/13341, S/:13378, S/l31425 9 a/34/360-S/13445, S/13465, A/34/384-
5113471, s/13491, A/34/453-S/13528, A/34/501, A/34/505-5/17546, n/34/506-s/13547)
and other questions affectins the human riqhts of the population of the occupied
territories (A/34/73, A/34/76,-5/13068, A/34/82-S/13080, S.'l3139, Ai34/110-S/13149,
A/34/152-S/13207, A/34/166-Sjl3229, S/13455, a/34/388-S/13476).
30. At its thirty-fourth session, the General Assembly will have before it the
report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices AffectinP the
Human Rights of the Population of the Occupied Territories and a report of the
Secretary-General concerninfz the facilities made available to the Snecial
Committee to carry out its ta:;ks and to ensure the widest circulation of information
regardinK its activities and :findinp;s.
IV. PALESTIQ REFUGEi? PRORLEM
31. The Palestine refuriee problem and the United Nations effort to assist the
refugees up to October 1978 were dealt with in the reports of the Secretary-
General of 18 May 1973 (S/10929, ~&~-as. 35-142) and of 17 October 1976 (A/33/311-
S/12896, parss. 114-50).
32. Followinfi its consideration of the report of the Commissioner-General of the
United Nations Relief and Works A~;ency for Palestine Refuwes in the Near East
(UNRWA) 3/ at its thirty-third session, the General Assembly adopted on
18 December 1978 resolutions 33/112 A to F dealinK with various aspects of the
problem. By resolution 33/112 A, the Assembly noted with deen remet that the
situation of the refugees continued to be a matter of serious concern and
reiterated its Eratitud~e to the apencg in doinK all it could for the Palestine
refugees within the limits of available resources. I-IavinF: noted with ren,ret that
part of UNRWA headquarters had been relocated outside the area of UPIRWA activities,
the Assembly requested the reconsolidation of the headquarters within the area of
UNRM operations as soon as practicable. The Assembly also noted with regret that
the United Nations Conciliation Commission for Palestine had been unable to find
a means of achieving nroeress in the implementation of pnragrmh 11 of General
Assembly resolution 194 (III), nrovidinn for repatriation or compensation of the
refugees, and requested it to continue its work towards that objective.
33. The financin,? of UXRWA's operations continued to be a matter of increasing:
concern to the General Assembly. UMRMAss funding is derived almost entirely
from voluntary contributions 9 mainly from Governments, and for many years it has
experienced difficulty in securing the financial support necessary to maintain its
services. In its resolution 33/1X A, the Assembly directed attention to the
continuing seriousness of VIMA's financial position, noted with lsrofound concern
-3-/ Official Records of tEenera Assembly, Thirty-third Session_,
Supplement No. 13 (A/33/13).
I...
,thn;t, despite the commmdabl@ and successful efforts of the Commissioner-General
to collrct additional contributions, the level of income available to UNRWX was
&ill insufficient to cover essential bud@ requirewnts and called upon all
Governments its a. matter of urgency to make the most generous efforts possible to
meet UNRw~T/I's needs. In particular, it urged non-contributing Governments to
contribute regularly and contributing Governmxts to consider increasing their
contributions. In a rrlztcrd d~ecision, in resolution 33/112 D, the Assembly
extended for mother year the mandate of the Vorkiw Grow> on the Financing of
UNRWA and requested it to continue its efforts, in co-operation with the Secretary-
General and the Commissioner-General, to assist in assurinc .the ap,ency's financial
security.
34. . Regarding the problem of the population displaced as a result of the
hostilities of June 1967, the General Assembly, in its resolution 33/112 B,
endorsed the efforts of UMRIJA to provide humanitarian assis,tance to those versons.
After considering a report of the Secretary-General on the matter (A/33/286),
the Assembly also adopted resolution 33/112 F; in which it waffirmed the
inalienable right of all thr displaced inhabi-tants to return to their homes or
formrr places of residence in the territories occwied by Israel since 1967, and
declared tha-t any attemnt to restrict, or to attach conditions to, the free
exercise of the right of return by any displaced arson was inconsistent with that
inalienable right and inadmissible. The Assembly also deplored the continued
:refusal of .the Israeli authorities .to take stqs for the return of all the disr‘laced
,lnhabitants and called once more upon Israel (a) to take immediate steps for the
:return of all the d~isnlaced inhabitants and (b) to desist from all measures that
obstructed their return, includin,: rwasures affecting the physical and demographic
structure of the occupied territories.
35. The situation of Palestine refuses in the Gaza Strio has been of swcial
concern to the General Assembly since 1971 when the Commissioner--General reported
(A/8%3 and Add.11 that, as a result of onerations carried out by the Israeli
military authorities, large numbers of s'heltprs in refupee camps had been
demolished and approximately 15,000 refugees had been removed~. A.t its thirtythird
session, after considering the renort of the Secretary-General on this
subjwt (A/33/285), the General Assembly adopted resolution 33/112 E, in which it
called once more unon Israel (a) to take effective steps immediately for the
return of the refugees concerned to the camps from which they had been removed
and to provide adequate shelters for their accommodation and (b) to desist from
further removal of refqees and destruction of their shelters.
36. In another decision, the General Assembly, by resolution 33/112 C, ap;ain
appealed to all States to make special allocations of scholarships and {{rants to
I?al,estine refu,q~s , invited relevant United X&ions nzencies, including the United
Nations University, to consider the inclusion of assistance for higher education
for Palestinian refuKre students, appealed to all States, swcialized agencies and
non-governmen%al organizations to contribute generously to Palestinian universities
in the territories occupied by Israel since 1967, as well as to offer scholarships
to Palestinian refu,qee students in those universities, and requested UWRWAto act
iis reciaient and to make awards to qualified Palestinian refugee candidates.
I . .
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37. Ay resolution 33/01 on the health needs of Palestinian refugee children,
the General Assembly requested Member States and the qencies concerned to
co-operate with UNRl"!A in takin,? effective action to remedy the basic deficiencies
identified in the annex to the Secretary-General's report on this subject
(A/33/181).
38. In addition to the annua.1 report of the Commissioner-General of IJPWJA, 4/ the
Assembly will have before it at its thirty-fourth session reports of the Sec&nry-
General on the return of refugees to their camps in the Gazs Strip and the
Frovision of shelters for them (A/34/517), on the return of the displaced
mhabitants of the territories occupied by Israel since 1967 (A/34/518), on the
allocation of scholarships and grants to Palestinian refupees (A/311~/480) and on
the health needs of Palestinian refugee children (A/34/463), as well as a report
of the United Nations Conciliation Commission for Palestine (A/34/5149) and a report
by the Working: Group on the Financing of LJNRVA (A/34/567).
&/ Ibid., Thirty-fourth Session, Supplement No. 13 (A/34/13 and Corr.1).
I . . .
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v. PALESTINIAN RIGHTS
39. The developments concerning the question of Palestinian rights up to
October 1978 were outlined in the report of the Secretary-General (.b/33/311-s/128g6,
paras. 51-60).
40. At its Lhirty-third session, the General Assembly considered the report of the
Convnittee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, z/
in which the Committee reaffirmed the validity of its recommendations endorsed by
the General Assembly at its thirty-first and thirty-second sessions, and adopted
three resolutisns. By its resolution 33/28 A, the Assembly expressed its grave
concern that no just solution to the problem of Palestine had been achieved and'that
this problem, therefore, continued to aggravate the Middle East conflict, of which
it was the core, and to endanger international peace and security; reaffirmed that
a just and lasting peace in the Middle East could not be established without the
achievement, inter alia, of a just solution of the problem of Palestine on the basis
of the attainment of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including
the right of return and the right to national independence and sovereignty in
Palestine, and reiterated the call for the participation of the Palestine Liberation
Organization in all efforts, deliberations and conferences on the Middle East which
were held under the auspices of the United Nations, on an equal footing with other
parties. It also declared that the validity of agreements purporting to solve the
problem of Palestine required that they be within the framework of the United
Nations and its Charter and its resolutions on the basis of the full attainment and
exercise of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including the right
of return and the right to national independence and sovereignty in Palestine, and
with the participation of PLO. The General Assembly endorsed the report of the
Committee, and once again urged the Security Council to take, as soon as possible,
a decision on the recommendations endorsed by the General Assembly in its
resolutions 31/20, 32/40 A and 33128 A. It also authorized and requested the
Committee to consider the situation and make the suggestions it deemed appropriate
in the event that the Security Council failed to consider or to take a decision on
those recommendations by 1 June 1979. By its resolution 33128 B the Assembly
authorized the Committee to continue its efforts to promote the implementation of
its recommendations. By its resolution 33/28 C the Assembly took note of the
establishment, within the Secretariat of the United Nations, of the Special Unit
on Palestinian Rights, and requested the Secretary-General to ensure that that
Unit continued to discharge the tasks assigned to it. It further requested the
Secretary-General 'to consider, in consultation with the Committee, the
strengthening and possible reorganization and renaming of the Special Unit.
41. In another decision which has a bearing on the Falestinian question, the
General Assembly adopted resolution 33/147 of 20 December 1978 on assistance to the
Palestinian people. Having considered the relevant reports of the Secretary--General
/ m. 3, Thirty-third Session, Supplement No. 35 (A/33/35 and Corr.l/Rev.l)
I . . .
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(~/Go05 and Add.1 and E/1978/5:5 and Add.l-3), the Asszmbly endorsed the resolutions
of the Economic and Social Council concerning this subject and called upon the
United Nations Development Progremne, in consultation with relevant organizations
within the United Nations system, to intensify efforts to implement the relevant
resolutions of the Council in order to improve the social and economic conditions
of the Palestinian people by identifying their economic and social needs and by
establishing concrete projects to that end, without prejudice to the sovereignty
of the respective Arab host countries, and. to provide adequate funds for that
purpose.
42. As urged by the General Assembly in resolution 33/28 A, the Security Council
considered the item "Question of Palestine" at four meetings on 29 June, 27 July,
and 23 and 24 August 1979. At the close of the debate on 24 August, the President
announced that consideration of the item would be continued at a later date to be
fixed after consultation amongst the members of the Council.
43. Since the General Assembly last discussed the matter, a nmber of communications
have been addressed by the Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the
Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People to the President of the Security
Council or the Secretary-General (A/34/83, S/13132, s/13164, A/34/155-5/13210,
5113291, A/34/238-S/13322, A/34/258-5/13334, S/13418, A/34/395-5/13482,, A/34/492-
s/13544). In addition, the rights of the Palestinian people have been the subject
of a number of communications received from Member States and circulated as
United Nations official documents (A/34/111-5/13151, A/34/161-S/13217, A/34/439-
S/13515).
VI. SEA,RCH FOR A PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT
44. The search for a peaceful settlement in the Middle East from the June 1967
hostilities until October 1978 was fully described in the two comprehensive reports
of the Secretary-General issued on 18 May 1973 (S/10929, paras. 43-113) and
17 October 1978 (A/33/311-S/12896, paras. 61-99).
A. Consideration at the thirty-third session
of the Gem
45. The situation in the Middle East was considered again by the General Assembly
at its thirty-third session. On 7 December 1978, it adopted resolution 33/29,
in which it condemned Israel's continued occupation of Palestinian and other Arab
territories and declared that peace was indivisible and a just and lasting
settlement of the Middle East problem must be based on a comprehensive solution,
under the auspices of the United Nations, which took into account all aspects of
the Arab-Israel conflict, in particular the attainment by the Palestinian people of
all its inalienable national rights and the Israeli withdrawal from all the occupied
Palestinian and other Arab territories. The Assembly called anew for the early
convening of the Peace Conference on the Middle East, under the auspices of the
I . . .
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United Nations and the co-chairmanship of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
and the United States of America, with the participation on an equal footing of all
parties concerned, including the Palestine Liberation Crganization, and urged the
parties to the conflict and all other interested parties to work towards the
achievement of a comprehensive settlement covering all aspects of the problem and
worked out with the participation of all parties concerned within the framework
of the United Nations.
B. Security Council resolutions on the implementation
of resolution 338 (1973)
4.6 . During the period covered by the present report, the Secretary-General, in his
periodic reports on the activities of UNEF and UNDOF (S/12934, S/13350 and s/13460),
reiterated the view that, although the areas of operaticn of the two Forces were
quiet, the situation in the Middle East as a whole was unstable and would remain
so unless and until a comprehensive settlement covering all aspects of the Middle
East problem could be reached. The Security Council, in renewing the mandate of
UNDOF for further periods of six months in November 1978 and again in May 1979,
concurred with this view and called upon the parties concerned to implement
immediately its resolution 338 (1973).
C. Peace treaty between Egypt and Israel
4.7. Following the conclusion of the Camp David agreements, the Prime Minister and
Minister for Foreign Affairs of Egypt, in a letter dated 16 Mar-:h 1979 (A/34/124),
informed the Secretary-General that a treaty of peace had been negotiated between
Egypt and Israel. The letter also referred to a supplementary agreement between
E:gypt andIsraelon negotiations aimed at "establishing Palestinian authority in the
West Bank and the Gaza Strip and the realization of the inalienable rights of the
Palestinian people". Subsequently, the Permanent Representatives of Egypt (A/34/214)
and of Israel (A/34/231) informed the Secretary-General of the approval of the
treaty, which had been signed on 26 March 1979, by the legislative organs of their
countries and its entry into force on 25 April 1979.
48. In a letter dated 30 March 1979 (A/34/155-S/13210) addressed to the
,Secretary-General, the Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable
Rights of the Palestinian People conveyed the Committee's concern with regard to
these developments "the consequences of which seem to it by no means conducive to
the implementation of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, as defined
by various organs of the United Nations".
49. By a letter sated 2 April1979 (A/34/l,60-S/13216 and Corr.l), the Permanent
Representative of Iraq transmitted to the Secretary-General the text of the
resolutions adopted on 31 March 1979 by the Council of the League of Arab States
meeting in liaghdad. In these resolutions, the participating countries called upon
all countries to refrain from supporting the treaty between Egypt and Israel. The
/ . . .
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same paragraph of the resolutions was also referred to in a letter dated
29 May 1979 (A/34/284-S/12354) addressed to the Secretary-General by the Permanent
Representative of the United Arab Emirates in his capacity as the then Chairman of
the Arab Group. The letter stated further that the Arab group, accordingly, was
opposed to any direct or indirect action which any principal or subsidiary organ of
the United Nations, including the Security Council, might take vhicb would "either
confer any legitimacy whatsoever or be interpreted to grant recognition, express
or implied, to the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty'?.
50. The treaty between Egypt and Israel has since been the subject of additional
comivunications addressed to the President of the Security Council or the
Secretary-General by certain Member States and circulated as official documents of
the United Nations. These communications came from the Permanent Representative
of Yemen (s/13169), the Permanent Representative of Iraq (A/34/129-S/13189,
A/34/182-S/13246), the Permanent Representative of the Syrian Arab Republic
(A/34/133-S/13194), the Permanent Representative of Jordan (A/34/138-5/13201), the
Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka in his capacity as the Chairman of the
Co-ordinating Bureau of Non-Aligned Countries (A/34/161-S/13217), the Permanent
Representative of Kuwait (s/13467, A/34/392-S/13478) and the Permanent
Representative of Qatar in his capacity as the Chairman of the Arab Group in
September (A/34/520-S/13559).
51. In regard to the over--all situation, it will be recalled that the
Secretary-General, in his report on the work of the Organization 6/ stated,
inter-alia:
"A just and lasting peace in the Middle East can UltimatelY OfiY be
achieved through a comprehensive settlement covering all aspects of the
question, including in ,particular the inalienable rights of the Palestinian
people. Evidently, all parties concerned must be involved."
52. The Secretary-General is maintaining his contacts with all concerned on
this and other matters relating to the situation in the Middle East.
51 See m. ) Thirty-fo+h Session, Supplement Mo. 1 (A/34/1).
UNITED AS
NATIONS
General Assembly Security Council Distr.
GENERAL
A/35/563
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24 October 1980
ORIGINAL: ENGLISH
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Thirty-fifth session
Agenda item 26
SECURITY COUNCIL
Thirtv-fifth year
THE SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST
Report of the Secretary-General
CONTENTS
Paragraphs
I. INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
II. STATUS OF THE CEASE-FIRE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 - 14
III. SITUATION IN THE OCCUPIED TERRITORIES . . . . . . . . . 15 - 28
IV. PALESTINE REFUGEE PROBLEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 - 35
V. PALESTINIAN RIGHTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 - 41
VI. SEARCH FOR A PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . 42 - 48
=
2
2
5
11
13
15
So-26683 82223 (E) / . . .
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I. INTRODUCTION
1. The present report is submitted in pursuance of General Assembly resolution
34/70 of 6 December 1979. In that resolution, which is summarized in paragraph 43
below, the General Assembly requested the Secretary-General to report to the
Security Council periodically on the development of the situation in the Middle
East and to submit to the General Assembly at its thirty-fifth session a report
covering, in all their aspects, the developments in the Middle East.
2. It may be recalled that, on 24 October 1979, the Secretary-General submitted a
report on the same subject to the General Assembly and the Security Council
(A/34/584-5/13578), in pursuance of General Assembly resolution 33/29 of
7 December 1978. In that report, the Secretary-General gave a" account of the
efforts undertaken by the United Nations to deal with various aspects Of the
situation in the Middle East, namely, the status of the cease-fire, the situation
in the occupied territories, the Palestine refugee problem, Palestinian rights and
the search for a peaceful settlement. A similar pattern is followed in the present
report.
3. The present report is based mainly on information available in United Nations
documents. I" order to avoid duplication, reference will be made to reports of the
Secretary-General and other official United Nations documents concerning the Middle
East, whenever appropriate.
II. STATUS OF THE CEASE-FIRE
4. The status of the cease-fire in the Middle East up to October 1979 was
described in the report of the Secretary-General of 24 October 1979 (paras. 4-19).
At that time, there were three United Nations peace-keeping operations in the
area: a" observer mission, the united Nations Truce Supervision Organization
(UNTSO) I and two peace-keeping forces, the United Nations Disengagement Observer
Force (UNDOF), and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
A. Activities of UNDOF
5. UNDOF, established by Security Council resolution 350 (1974) of 31 May 1974,
is deployed on the Golan Heights in the Israel-Syria sector. Its activities since
October 1979 are outlined in the two most recent periodic reports of the Secretary-
General to the Security Council on the subject (S/13637 and S/13957). The mandate
of the Force has been extended twice during the period under review by the Security
Council. The last extension of UNDOF, as decided by the Security Council in its
resolution 470 (1980) of 30 May 1980, was for a further period of six months, until
30 November 1980.
6. The functions and guidelines of UNDOF have remained as outlined in the
Secretary-General's report of 27 November 1974 (S/11563, paras. 8-10). UNDOF has
continued, with the co-operation of the parties, to supervise the area of
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separation and the areas of limitation of armaments and forces, in accordance with
the disengagement agreement of May 1974 between Israel and Syria. The situation in
its area of operation has remained generally quiet.
7. The Force has now a total strength of about 1,290 and is composed of four
COntingentS - from Austria, Canada, Finland and Poland - and 20 observers detailed
from UNTSO. In addition, other UNTSO observers assigned to the Israel-Syria Mixed
Armistice Commission assist UNDOF as occasion requires.
8. Activities of UNIFIL
8. UNIFIL was set up by Security Council resolutions 425 (1978) and 426 (1978) Of
19 March 1978 and operates in southern Lebanon. Its activities since October 1979
are outlined in the Secretary-General's reports on the Force to the Security
Council (S/13691, S/13888 and Corr.1 and Add.l-3 and S/13994). The mandate of
the Force has been extended by the Security Council twice during the period under
review. The last extension of UNIFIL, as decided by the Security Council in its
resolution 474 (1980), was for a further period of six months, until
19 December 1980.
9. UNIFIL has continued to function in accordance with the guidelines set out in
the Secretary-General's report of 19 March 1978 (S/12611). According to that
report, UNIFIL was envisaged as a two-stage operation. In the first stage, UNIFIL
was to confirm the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory to the
international border. Once that was achieved, UNIFIL was to establish and maintain
an area of operation. In this connexion, the Force was to supervise the cessation
of hostilities, ensure the peaceful character of the area of operation, control
movement and take all measures deemed necessary to ensure the effective restoration
of Lebanese sovereignty in the area. As stated in the report of the
Secretary-General of 17 October 1978 (A/33/311-5/12896, pare. 25), the Israeli
forces completed their withdrawal from Lebanese territory on 13 June 1978.
However, they handed over controi of the border area to Lebanese de facto armed
forces, rather than to "NIFIL, thus creating serious problems foe the full
deployment of the Force in the whole area of operation and to the fulfilment of its
mandate.
10. Despite intense and persistent efforts, WNIFIL has not been able to make
significant progress in overcoming these problems during the period under review.
The de facto forces, which are supported by Israel, have not only prevented a
further deployment of UNIFIL in the enclave, but they have maintained four
positions previously established in the UNIFIL area of operation and have attempted
to establish additional encroachments. These attempts have been resisted by UNIFIL
and have led to serious confrontations. The presence of Palestinian and other
armed elements, and the general political and security situation in Lebanon itself,
have also contributed to the extremely difficult situation in the south. While the
leadership of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) has renewed its assurance
of co-operation with UNIFIL, the Force has continued to be subjected to attempts by
armed elements to infiltrate personnel and weapons into its area. There have been
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several incidents in Israel for which the PLO took responsibility. Israeli forces
have attacked PLO targets in southern Lebanon both in retaliation and in
pre-emptive actions. Further exchanges of fire between opposing armed groups over
and across the UNIFIL area of operation have been frequent. In these
circumstances, UNIFIL has continued to exert its best efforts to prevent
infiltration and encroachment and to restore and maintain the cease-fire in the
area. UNIFIL has also continued in its endeavour to consolidate its position and,
in co-operation with the Lebanese Government, to increase and make more effective
the Lebanese presence, both civilian and military, in its area of operation. As
pointed out in his last periodic report on UNIFIL dated 12 June 1980 (S/13994,
para. 71), the very complex situation in southern Lebanon is interrelated with the
wider problem of the Middle East, which still awaits a just and comprehensive
settlement. Despite all the difficulties it faced, UNIFIL is performing an
indispensable service to peace, not only in Lebanon, but also in the Middle East as
a whole. While continuing to strive to fulfil all the terms of its mandate, UWIFIL
provides a vital mechanism for conflict control in an extremely volatile situation.
11. UNIFIL has now a total strength of some 6,000. It is composed of contingents
from Fiji, France, Ghana, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Senegal
and Sweden. UNTSO observers in the Israel-Lebanon sector assist and co-operate
with UNIFIL in the performance of its tasks.
C. Activities of UNTSO
12. As indicated above, observers of UNTSO have continued to assist and co-operate
with UNDOF and UWIFIL in the performance of their tasks. On the Golan Heights,
UNTSO observers assigned to UNDOF man observation posts in the area of separation
and carry out periodic inspections in the areas of limitation of armament and
forces. In addition, observers assigned to the Israel-Syria Mixed Armistice
CmiSSiOn assist UNDOF as occasion requires. I” southern Lebanon, observers
asigned to the UNIFIL area of operation man observation posts, conduct patrols as
necessary and provide liaison teams with various parties. The headquarters of the
Israel-Lebanon Mixed Armistice Commission in Beirut functions also as a liaison
Office Of UNIFIL. In pursuance of security Council resolutions 459%(1979),
467 (1980) and 474 (1980), the Secretary-General has continued his efforts to
reactivate the Israel-Lebanon Mixed Armistice Commission. In this connexion, the
representative of Lebanon, in letters dated 14 and 18 October 1980, addressed to
the President of the Security Council and to the Secretary-General, protested that
Israel was continuing to violate Lebanese territory and called for a meeting of the
Mixed Armistice Commission to discuss the situation (A/35/534, S/14218,
A/35/552-5/14223).
13. Until July 1979, UNTSO observers assigned to the Egypt-Israel sector assisted
the United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) in the performance of the latter's
tasks. When the mandate of UWEF lapsed on 24 July 1979, the Secretary-General
declared in a statement issued on the same day that, in view of the fact that the
withdrawal of UNEF was without prejudice to the continued presence of the UNTSO
observers in the area, it was his intention to make the necessary arrangements
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to ensure the further functioning of UNTSO, in accordance with existing decisions
of the Security Council. Thus, a number of observers continue to be stationed in
the area.
14. UNTSO also maintains a liaison office in Amman. The Officer-in Charge of that
liaison office is also nominally the Chairman of the Mixed Armistice Commission
between Israel and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
III. SITUATION IN THE OCCUPIED'TERRITORIES
15. The action taken prior to October 1979 by the united Nations concerning the
situation in the Arab territories occupied by Israel and the question of Jerusalem
were outlined in the Secretary-General's report of 24 October 1979
(A/34/584-S/13518, pares. 20-30).
16. The General Assembly, at its thirty-fourth session, after considering the
report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the
Human Rights of the Population of the Occupied Territories (A/34/631), adopted
three resolutions on 12 December 1979. By resolution 34/90 A, the Assembly
condemned certain Israeli policies and practices in the occupied territories and
demanded that Israel desist forthwith from those policies and practices. It
renewed the mandate of the Special Committee, which is composed of Senegal, Sri
Lanka and Yugoslavia, and requested it to report to the Secretary-General as soon
as possible and whenever the need arose thereafter. By resolution 34/90 8, it
reaffirmed that the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian
Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949 , L/ was applicable to all the Arab
territories occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem, and called again
upon Israel to acknowledge and to comply with the provisions of that Convention.
By resolution 34/90 C, the Assembly determined that all measures and actions taken
by Israel designed to change the legal status, geographical nature and demographic
composition of the occupied Arab territories had no legal validity and constituted
a serious obstruction to efforts aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace in the
Middle East. It called once more upon the Government of Israel to desist forthwith
from taking such measures, in particular the establishment of settlements in the
Palestinian and other Arab territories.
17. The Special Committee was kept informed of developments concerning the human
rights situation in the occupied territories by the periodic communication to the
members of information gathered or received from several sources. The Special
Committee held periodic meetings to review such information and to hear oral
testimony of persons from the occupied territories and to assess the human rights
situation in the occupied territories with a view to deciding whether any action
could be undertaken. The report, submitted by the special Committee under General
Assembly resolution 34/90 A, has been circulated as document A/35/425.
y United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 75, No. 973, p. 287.
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1s. Earlier in the session, on 16 November 1979, the Assembly adopted
resolution 34/29, entitled "Situation in the occupied territories", in which it
called upon Israeli authorities to rescind its decision to deport the Mayor of
Nablus outside the occupied Palestinian territory. The Assembly also requested the
Secretary-General to report to it as soon as possible on the implementation of the
resolution. In his report of :24 November 1979 (A/34/720) in pursuance of that
resolution, the Secretary-General said that the Prime Minister of Israel, in
response to his request for al:L relevant information, had informed him that the
decision in question was based on local regulations in force and would be reviewed
by the Supreme Court of Israel in accordance with the due process of law. The
Secretary-General added that he was continuing to follow developments closely.
On 5 December, the General Assembly was informed by the representative of Israel
that the deportation order had been set aside (A/SPC/34/SR.42).
19. During its thirty-fourth !jession, the General Assembly also adopted,
on 14 December 1979, resolution 34/113 on the living conditions of the Palestinian
people in the occupied territories. In that resolution, the General Assembly,
after taking note of the report of the Secretary-General of 25 October 1979 on this
subject (S/34/536 and Corr'.l), requested the Secretary-General, in collaboration
with the relevant united NatiOns organs and specialized agencies, to prepare and
submit to the General Assembly at its thirty-fifth session a comprehensive and
analytical report on the social and economic impact of the Israeli occupation on
the living conditions of the Palestinian people in the occupied Arab territories.
The Assembly also requested the Secretary-General, in preparing this report, to
consult and co-operate with the Palestine Liberation Organization. The requested
report of the Secretary-General has been circulated as document A/35/533.
20. In a related decision, the General Assembly, in resolution 34/136 adopted
0" 14 December 1979, emphasized the right of the Arab States and peoples whose
territories were under Israeli occupation to full and effective permanent
sovereignty and control over their natural and all other resources, wealth and
economic activities; reaffirmed that all measures undertaken by Israel to exploit
the human, natural and all other resources, wealth and economic activities in the
occupied Arab territories were illegal and called upon Israel immediately to desist
forthwith from all such measures; further reaffirmed the right of the Arab States
and peoples subjected to Israeli aggression and occupation to the restitution of,
and full compensation for the exploitation, depletion and loss of and damages to,
their national resources and called upon Israel to meet their just claims. In this
connexion, the Assembly also called upon all States to support and assist the Arab
States and peoples and called upon States, international organizations and all
other institutions not to recognize, or co-operate with or assist in, any measures
undertaken by Israel to exploit the resources of the occupied territories or to
effect any changes in the demographic composition or geographic character or
institutional structure of those territories. The Assembly also requested the
Secretary-General to prepare and submit to the General Assembly at its thirty-fifth
session a report which took into consideration the provisions of paragraph 2 of
resolution 32/161. In a note dated 7 October 1980 (A/35/514), the Secretary-
General stated that the secretariat of the Economic Commission for Western Asia, to
which the task of preparing the report was entrusted, had been unable, despite every
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effort to engage the necessary consultant services, to prepare a report for
submission to the General Assembly at its thirty-fifth session, and that
arrangements were being made to prepare a report for submission to the General
Assembly at its thirty-sixth session.
21. On 13 February 1980, the Commission on Human Rights adopted resolutions 1 A
and B (XXXVI) conc@,rning the question of the violation of human rights in the
occupied Arab territories. These resolutions, in which the Commission condemned
Israeli policies and practices in the occupied territories along lines similar to
those of General Assembly resolution 34/90 A mentioned above, were brought to the
attention of the General Assembly and the Security Council by the Secretary-General
in a note dated 10 July 1980 (A/35/325-5/14057).
22. The Security Council held a number of meetings during the period under review
to examine various matters relating to the situation in occupied territories and
the question of Jerusalem. On 15 February 1980, the Permanent Representative of
Jordan requested a meeting of the Security Council to consider Israeli actions in
disregard of resolutions 446 (1979) and 452 (1979), by which the Security Council
had called on Israel to cease the establishment of settlements in occupied
tecritories (S/13801). On the same date, the Permanent Representative of MOCOCCO,
as Chairman of the Islamic Grup, also requested an urgent meeting of the Security
Council to consider the grave and disturbing situation created by the measures
taken by Iscael in the city of Al-Khalil (Hebron) on the West Bank (S/13802).'
The Security Council held five meetings between 22 February and 1 Match 1980
(S/PV.2199-2203). On the latter date, it unanimously adopted
resolution 465 (1980), in which the Council, after taking note of the
reports of its Commission established under resolution 446 (1979) (S/13450 and
Corr.1 and S/13679), determined that all measures taken by Israel to change the
physical character, demographic composition, institutional structure or status of
the Palestinian and other Arab territories occupied since 1967, including
Jerusalem, or any part thereof, had no legal validity and that Israel's policies
and practices of settling parts of its population and new immigrants in those
territories constituted a flagrant violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention
relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War and also constituted
a serious obstruction to achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the
Middle East; strongly deplored the continuation and persistence of Israel in
pursuing those policies and practices and called upon the Government and people of
Israel to rescind those measures, to dismantle the existing settlements and in
particular to cease, on an urgent basis, the establishment, construction and
planning of settlements in the occupied territories, including Jerusalem. In the
same resolution, the Security Council called upon all States not to provide Israel
with any assistance to be used specifically in connexion with settlements in the
occupied territories and requested the Commission to continue to examine the
situation relating to settlements in the occupied territories and to report to the
Security Council before 1 September 1980. At the request of the Commission, the
date of submission of the report was subsequently extended until 25 November 1980
(S/14116).
23. On 6 May 1980, the Permanent Representative of Tunisia requested an urgent
meeting of the Security Council to consider the expulsion measure taken by the
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Israeli authorities against the Mayors of Al-Khalil (Hebron) and Halhoul and the
Sharia judge of Al-Khalil (Hebron) (S/13926). The Security Council met on 8 May
(s/PV.2221) and adopted resolution 468 (1980), in which it expressed deep concern
at the expulsion by the 1srae1 military occupation authorities of the Mayors of
Hebron and Halhoul and of the Sharia judge of Hebron; and called upon the
Government of ISrSel, as occupying Power, to rescind those illegal measures and to
facilitate the immediate return of the expelled Palestinian leaders so that they
could resume the functions for which they had been elected and appointed. It
further requested the secretary-General to report upon the implementation of the
resolution. In his report of 13 May 1980 (S/13938), the Secretary-General said
that he had immediately brought the text of resolution 468 (1980) to the attention
of the Government of Israel and noted that he had also previously made
representations to the Government of Israel in that regard. On 9 May 1980 the
GOvernment of Israel had informed him that it was unable to allow the expelled
Mayors of Hebeon and Halhoul and the Sharia judge of Hebron to return, for reasons
indicated in the statement made by the Permanent RepreSentStiVe of Israel before
the Security Council (s/~v.2221). The Secretary-General noted in this connexion
reports that the three Palestinian leaders had been denied w-entry into the West
Bank by the Israeli authorities on 11 May.
24. On 16 May 1980, the Permanent RepresentatiVe of Jordan requested that the
Security Council meet to consider Israel’s defiance of its resolution 468 (1980)
(S/13941). The Security Council held two meetings on 20 May (S/PV.2222-2223) and.
after considering the Secretary-General’s report on this matter (S/13938), adopted
resolution 469 (1980), in which it strongly deplored the failure of the Government
of Israel to implement resolution 468 (1980) and called again upon the Government
of Israel, as occupying Power, to rescine the illegal measures taken by the Israel
military occupation authorities in expelling the MayOrs of Hebcon and Halhoul and
the Shaeia judge of Hebron, and to facilitate the immediate return of the expelled
Palestinian leaders. It also requested the Secretary-General to continue his
efforts in order to ensure the immediate implementation of that resolution and.
report to the Security Council at the earliest possible date. In his report of
24 May 1980 (S/13960), the Secretary-General said that he had once again addressed
an appeal to the Prime Minister of Israel to take the necessary action to respond
to the call of the Security Council. In reply, the Prime Minister, of Israel had
said that the three men in questiowhad openly incited to violence; however, a
petition to allow their return had been submitted to the High Court of Justice and
the matter was sub judice in his country. The Secretary-General added that he was
continuing to follow closely developments in regard to that important matter. On
10 October, in reply to a letter addressed to him by the Chairman of the Committee
on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People
(A/35/513-S/14209), the Secretary~eneral stated that he had continued his efforts
in regard to the implementation of Security Council resolution 469 (1980) and had
raised this matter on a number of occasions with the Israeli authorities. He had
received information, which had been confirmed by the Permanent Mission of Israel
to the United Nations, that the Government of Israel had decided on 6 October to
allow the Mayors of Hebron and Halhoul to return to the West Bank to appeal their
deportation order before a military review board (see A/35/530-S/14215).
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25. On 3 June 1980, the Permanent Representative of Bahrain, in his capacity as
Chairman of the Group of Arab States, requested an immediate meeting of the
Security Council to consider the assassination attempts on the Mayors of Nablus,
Ramallah and Al Bireh and the arbitrary detention of a great number of Palestinian
students in the occupied territory (S/13977). At a meeting held on 5 June 1980
(S/PV.2226), the Security Council adopted resolution 471 (1980), in which it
condemned the assassination attempts on the lives of the Mayors of Nablus, Ramallah
and Al Bireh and called for the immediate apprehension and prosecution of the
perpetrators of those crimes. 1n the same resolution, the Council expressed a deep
concern that Israel, as occupying Power, had failed to provide adequate protection
to the civilian population in the occupied territories in conformity with the
provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention, called upon the Government of Israel to
provide the victims with adequate compensation for the damages suffered as a result
of those crimes and to respect and comply with the provisions of the Fourth Geneva
Convention as well as with the relevant resolutions of the Security Council. The
Council further called upon all States not to provide Israel with any assistance to
be used specifically in connexion with settlements in the occupied territories, and
reaffirmed the overriding necessity to end the prolonged occupation of the occupied
Arab territories, including Jerusalem.
26. The situation in the occupied territories, with specific reference to
Jerusalem, was considered by the Security Council at eight meetings held between
24 and 30 June (S/PV.2233-2236, 2238, 2239, 2241, 2242), at the request of the
Acting Permanent Representative of Pakistan (S/13966), the current Chairman Of the
Ocganization of the Islamic conference, in pursuance of the decision taken by the
Eleventh Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers. On 30 June 1980, the Security
Council adopted resolution 476 (1980). in which it reaffirmed the overriding
necessity to end the prolonged occupation of the occupied Arab territories,
including Jerusalem, and strongly deplored the continued refusal of Israel, the
occupying Power, to comply with the relevant resolutions of the Security Council
and the General Assembly. The Council reconfirmed that all legislative and
administrative measures and actions taken by Israel which purported to alter the
character and status of the Holy City of Jerusalem had no legal validity and
constituted a flagrant violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention and a serious
obstruction to achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle
East, and reiterated that all such measures which had altered the geographic,
demographic and historical character and status of the Holy City of Jerusalem were
null and void and must be rescinded in compliance with the relevant resolution of
the Security Council. The Council urgently called on Israel to abide by this and
previous Security Council resolutions and to desist forthwith from persisting in
the policies and measures affecting the character and status of the Holy City of
Jerusalem, and reaffirmed its determination, in the event of non-compliance of
1srae1 with the resolution, to examine practical ways and means in accordance with
relevant provisions of the Charter of the United Nations to secure the full
implementation of the resolution.
27. In a letter dated 1 August 1980 (s/14084), the Acting Permanent Representative
of Pakistan and cuerent Chairman of the Organization of the Islamic Conference said
that Israel, in violation of the Security Council resolutions including 476 (1980).
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had persisted in its measures to alter the status of the Holy City of Jerusalem and
enacted a law proclaiming it as the capital of Israel. Recalling that the Security
Council, in resolution 476 (1980), had reaffirmed its determination, in the event
of the non-compliance of Israel, to examine practical ways and means in accordance
with relevant provisions of the Charter to secure its full implementation, he
requested an immediate meeting of the Security Council. On 20 August 1980 the
Security Council adopted (S/PV.2245) resolution 478 (1980), in which it censured in
the strongest terms the enactment by 1srae1 of the "basic law" on Jerusalem and the
refusal to comply with relevant Security Council resolutions; affirmed that the
enactment of the "basic law" by Israel constituted a violation of international law
and did not~affect the continued application of the Fourth Geneva Convention in the
Palestinian and other Arab territories occupied since June 1967, including
Jerusalem; determined that all legislative and administrative measures and actions
taken by Israel which had altered or purported to alter the character and status of
the Holy City of Jerusalem, and, in particular, the recent "basic law" on
Jerusalem, were null and void and must be rescinded forthwith; and affirmed also
that that action constituted a serious obstruction to achieving a comprehensive,
just and lasting peace in the Middle East. The Security Council further decided
not to recignize the "basic law" and such other actions by Israel that, as a result
of that law, sought to alter the.character and status of Jerusalem; called upon all
Members of the United Nations to accept this decision and called upon those States
that had established diplomatic missions in Jerusalem to withdraw such missions
from the Holy City; and requested the Secretary-General to report to it on the
implementation of the resolution before 15 November 1980. Since the adoption of
resolution 478 (1980). the 10 States which maintained a diplomatic mission in
Jerusalem at the time have informed the Secretary-General that they had decided to
withdraw their respective diplomatic missions from the Holy City (S/14124, S/14126,
S/14127, S/14135, S/14137, S/14138, S/14144, S/14151, S/14163 and S/14168). The
Secretary-General's report in pursuance of resolution 478 (1980) will be circulated
shortly.
28. Since the General Assembly last discussed the matter, the situation in the
occupied territories has been the subject of a number of additional communications
addressed to the President of the Security Council or the Secretary-General and
circulated as official documents of the United Nations. These communications dealt
with the question of Israeli settlements and the expropriation of land in the
occupied territories (A/35/102-S/13795, S/13798, A/35/103, S/13811, A/35/111,
S/13830, S/13839, S/13843, S/13844, A/35/133-S/13845 and Corr.1, S/13849, S/13851,
S/13859, S/13997), the que!jtion of expulsion of and attacks against Palestinian
leaders in occupied territories (A/35/218-5/13928, S/13936, A/35/225,
A/35/278-S/13976, S/13979, A/35/281-S/13983, A/35/283-S/13988), the question of
Jerusalem (S/13840, S/14017, S/14018, S/14032, s/14049, S/14098, s/14103, s/14115,
S/14169, A/35/508-5/14207) and other questions affecting the human rights of the
population of the occupied territories (S/13720, A/35/60-5/13732, A/35/64-S/13738,
S/13765. A/35/77-5/13766, A/35/81-5/13772, A/35/87-5/13782, S/13791, A/35/97-
S/13792, A/35/98-S/13793, A/35/101, S/13815, S/13854, A/35/155-S/13861, A/35/158,
S/13868, A/35/166-S/13874, A/35/206-S/13922 and Corr.1, S/14075, S/14082, S/14096).
C0nWUniCatiOns were also received from Israel regarding violent incidents in
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occupied territories for which the PLO was said to have claimed responsibility
(A/35/86-S/13781, A/35/196, A/35/207-5/13923, S/14016, A/35/392, A/35/387-S/14101,
S/14125).
IV. PALESTINE REFUGEE PROBLEM
29. The Palestine refugee problem and the efforts of the united Nations to assist
the refugees up to October 1979 were dealt with in the report of the
Secretary-General of 24 October 1979 (A/34/584-S/13578, paras. 31-38).
30. Following its consideration of the report of the Commissioner-General of the
United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near
East (IJNRWA) 2/ at its thirty-fourth session,
23 November 1579 resolutions 34/52 A to F,
the General Assembly adopted on
dealing with various aspects of the
problem. By resolution 34/52 A, the Assembly noted with deep regret that the
situation of the refugees continued to be a matter of serious concern and expressed
its appreciation to the Agency in doing all it could for the Palestine refugees
within the limits of available resources. The Assembly reiterated its request that
the headquarters of the Agency should be relocated within the area of its
operations as soon as practicable. The Assembly also noted with regret that the
United Nations Conciliation Commission for Palestine had been unable to find a
means of achieving progress in the implementation of paragraph 11 of General
Assembly resolution 194 (III), providing for repatriation or compensation of the
refugees, and requested it to continue its work towards that objective.
31. The financing of UNRWA's operations continued to be .a matter of increasing
concern to the General Assembly. UNRWA's funding is derived almost entirely from
voluntary contributions, mainly from Governments, and for many years it has
experienced difficulty in securing the financial support necessary to maintain its
services. In its resolution 34/52 A, the Assembly directed attention to the
COntinuing seriousness of UNRWA's financial position; noted with profound concern
that, despite the commendable and successful efforts of the Commissioner-General to
collect additional contributions, the level of income available to KINRWA was still
insufficient to cover essential budget requirements; and called upon all
Governments as a matter of urgency to make the most generous efforts possible to
meet UNRWA’S needs. In particular, it urged non-contributing Governments to
contribute regularly and contributing Governments to consider increasing their
contributions. In a related decision, in resolution 34/52 D, the Assembly extended
for another year the mandate of the Working Group on the Financing of IREEVA and
requested it to continue its efforts, in co-operation with the Secretary-General
and the Commissioner-General, to assist in assuring the Agency's financial security.
32. Regarding the problem of the population displaced as a result of the
hostilities of June 1967, the General Assembly, in its resolution 34/52 B, endorsed
Y Official Records of the General Assembly, Thirty-fourth Session,
Supplement No. 13, (A/34/13 and Corc.1).
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the efforts of UNRWA to provide humanitarian assistance to those persons. After
considering a report of the Secretary-General on the question of the return of the
population and refugees displaced since 1967 (A/34/518), the Assembly adopted
resolution 34/52 E, in which it reaffirmed the inalienable right of all the
displaced inhabitants to return to their homes or former places of residence in the
territories occupied by Israel since 1967 and declared once more that any attempt
to restrict, or to attach conditions to, the free exercise of the right of return
by any displaced person was inconsistent with that inalienable right and
inadmissible. The Assembly considered any and all agreements embodying any
restriction on or condition for the return of the displaced inhabitants as null and
void. The Assembly also deplOred the continued refusal of the Israeli authorities
to take steps for the return of all the displaced inhabitants and called once more
upon Israel (a) to take immediate steps for the return of all the displaced
inhabitants and (b) to desist from all measures that obstructed their return,
including measures affecting the physical and demographic structure of the occupied
territories.
33. The situation of Palestine refugees in the Gaza Strip has been of special
concern to the General Assembly since 1971 when the Commissioner-General reported
that, as a result of operations carried out by the Israeli military authorities,
large numbers of shelters in refugee camps had been demolished and approximately
15,000 refugees had been removed (A/8383 and Add.1). At its thirty-fourth session,
after considering the report of the Secretary-General on this subject (A/34/517),
the General Assembly adopted resolution 34/52 F, in which it called once more upon
Israel to desist from removal and resettlement of Palestinian refugees in the Gaza
Strip and from destruction of their shelters.
34. In another decision, the General Assembly, by resolution 34/52 C, appealed to
all states, specialized agencies and non-governmental organizations to augment the
special allocations for scholarships and grants to Palestinian refugees; invited
the relevant United Nations agencies to continue to expand the inclusion within
their respective spheres of competence of assistance for higher education for the
Palestinian refugee students; appealed to all States, specialized agencies and the
United Nations University to contribute generously to the Palestinian universities
in the territories occupied by Israel since 1967 and to contribute towards the
establishment of vocational training centres for Palestinian refugees. The
Assembly requested UNRWA to act as recipient and trustee for such special
allocations and scholarships and to award them to qualified Palestinian refugee
candidates.
35. In addition to the annual report of the Commissioner-General of UNRWA, L/ the
Assembly will have before it at its thirty-fifth session reports of the
Secretary-General on the Palestine refugees in the Gaza Strip (A/35/473), on
the return of the displaced inhabitants of the territories occupied by 1srae1
since 1967 (A/35/472) and on the allocation of scholarships and grants to
21 p&d., Thirty-fifth Session, Supplement No. 13 (A/35/13).
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Palestinian refugees (A/35/438 and Corr.l), as well as a report of the United
Nations Conciliation Commission for Palestine (A/35/474) and a report of the
Working Group on the Financing of UNRWA (A/35/526).
V. PALESTINIAN RIGHTS
36. The developments concerning the question of Palestinian rights up to
October 1979 were outlined in the report of the Secretary-General
of 24 October 1979 (A/34/584-S/13578, paras. 39-43).
37. At its thirty-fourth session, the General Assembly considered the report
of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian
People, i/ and adopted resolutions 34/65 A to D. By its resolution 34/65 A, the
General Assembly reaffirmed that a just and lasting peace in the Middle East could
not be established without the achievement, inter alia, of a just solution to the
problem of Palestine on the basis of the attainment of the inalienable rights of
the Palestinian people, including the right of return and the right to national
independence and sovereignty in Palestine, in accordance with the Charter of the
United Nations; endorsed the recommendations of the Committee on the Exercise of
the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People and expressed its regret and
concern that those recommendations, endorsed by the General Assembly in its
resolutions 31/20. 32/40 A and 33/28 A. had not been implemented: once again urged
the Security Council to consider and to take, as soon as possible, a decision on
the recommendations endorsed by the Assembly; and authorized and requested the
Committee, in the event of the Council failing to consider or to take a decision on
those recommendations by 31 March 1980, to consider that situation and to make the
suggestions it deemed appropriate. By resolution 34/65 B, the Assembly noted with
concern that the Camp David accords had been concluded outside the framework of the
United Nations and without the participation of the PLO, the representative of the
Palest,inian people; rejected those provisions of the accords which ignored,
infringed upon, violated or denied the inalienable rights of the Palestinian
people. and which envisaged and condoned continued Israeli occupation of the
Palestinian territories occupied by Israel since 1967; strongly condemned all
partial agreements and separate treaties which constituted a flagrant violation of
the rights of the Palestinian people, the principles of the Charter and the
resolutions adopted in the various international forums on the Palestinian issue;
and declared that the Camp David accords and other agreements had no validity in so
far as they purported to determine the future of the Palestinian people and of the
Palestinian territories occupied by Israel since 1967. The Assembly, by
resolution 34/65 C, also requested the Committee to keep the situation relating to
the question of Palestine under review and to report and make suggestions to the
Assembly or to the Security Council, as appropriate. By resolution 34/65 D, the
Assembly requested the Secretary-General to ensure that the Special Unit on
Palestinian Rights of the United Nations Secretariat, under the guidance of the
Committee, discharged its tasks and undertook an expanded programme of work. steps
are being taken to implement the provisions of that resolution.
Y u., Thirty-fourth Session, Supplement No. 35 (A/34/35).
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38. In a letter to the President of the Security Council dated
6 March 1980 (S/13832), the Acting Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise
of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People drew attention to the relevant
provisions of General Assembly resolution 34/65 and said that the Committee was
convinced that the members of the Security Council would wish to ce-examine the
COmmittee's recommendations as urged by the General Assembly in that resolution.
On 24 March, the Chairman of the Committee requested that the Security Council
convene urgently to consider those recommendations (S/13855). The Security Council
held seven meetings between 31 March and 30 April 1980 (S/PV.2204-2208, 2219, 2220)
to consider: the question, but no resolution was adopted owing to a negative vote of
one of the permanent members of the Security Council (S/~V.2220).
39. In a letter to the Secretary-General dated 1 July 1980 (A/ES-7/l, annex),
the Permanent Representative of Senegal said that the Committee, over which he
presided, had considered the situation as required by resolution 34/65 A, and,
having in mind the escalating tension in the area, which further aggravated the
serious threat to international peace and security, and the continuing failure of
the Security Council to exercise its primary responsibility in this respect, had
suggested that an emergency special session of the General Assembly should be held
to discuss the question of Palestine. The seventh emergency special session of the
General Assembly met from 22 to 29 July 1980 to consider the question of Palestine
at the request of Senegal.
40. At its seventh emergency special sesssion, the General Assembly, in its (
resolution ES-7/Z, reaffirmed the inalienable rights in Palestine of the
Palestinian people, including the right to self-determination without external
interference, and to national independence and sovereignty, and the right to
establish its own independent sovereign State. It called upon Israel to withdraw
completely and unconditionally from all the Palestinian and other Arab territories
occupied since June 1967, including Jerusalem, and urged that such withdrawal from
all the occupied territories should start before 15 November 1980. The General
Assembly requested and authorized the Secretary-General, in consultation, as
appropriate, with the Committee, to take the necessary measures towards the
implementation of the recommendations contained in paragraphs 59 to 72 of the
report of the Committee to the General Assembly at its thirty-first session 5/ as a
basis for the solution of the question of Palestine. It also requested the
Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly at its thirty-fifth session on
the implementation of the present resolution and requested the Security Council, in
the event of non-compliance by Israel with the present resolution, to adopt
effective measures under Chapter VII of the Charter. The General Assembly decided
to adjourn the seventh emergency special session temporarily and to resume upon
request from Member States. In resolution ES-7/3 adopted by the seventh emergency
special sesssion, the General Assembly requested the Committee to study thoroughly
the reasons for the refusal of 1srae1 to comply with the relevant United Nations
resolutions, particularly resolution 31/20 of 24 November 1976, in which the
General Assembly endorsed the recommendations of the Committee and the numerous
I/ &&I., Thirty-first Session, Supplement No. 35 (A/31/35).
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resolutions demanding the withdrawal of Israel from the occupied Palestinian and
other Arab territories, including Jerusalem, and to submit the study to the
Assembly.
41. Since the General Assembly discussed the matter at its thirty-fourth session,
a number of communications have been addressed by the Chairman of the Committee on
the Exercise of the~lnalienable Rights of the Palestinian People to the President
of the Security Council or the Secretary-General (A/35/230, S/13940,
A/35/279-S/13978, A/35/377-5/14089, A/35/378-S/14090, A/35/398-5/14110). The
eights of the Palestinian people have also been the subject of communications
received from Member States (A/35/209, A/ES-7/4, A/ES-7/7, A/ES-'I/11, A/35/390).
In addition, d number of communications in which Israel expressed its view of the
Palestine Liberation Organization have been received and circulated as official
documents of the United Nations (S/13872, g/ A/35/170, S/13985, A/35/282,
A/35/395-5/14107).
VI. SEARCH FOR A PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT
42. The search for a peaceful sett!r?ment in the Middle East from June 1967 until
October 1979 was described in the reports of the Secretary-General of 18 May 1973
(s/10929, par**. 43-113). 17 October 1978 (A/33/311-5/12896, paras. 61-99) and
24 October 1979 (A/34/584-5/13578, paras. 45-53).
43. The situation in the Middle East was considered again by the General Assembly
at its thirty-fourth session. On 6 December 1979, the General Assembly adopted
resolution 34/70, in which it condemned Israel's continued occupation of
Palestinian and other Arab territories; declared once more that peace was
indivisible and that a just and lasting settlement of the Middle East question must
be based on a comprehensive solution, under the auspices of the United Nations,
which took into account all aspects of the Arab-Israeli conflict, in paeticular the
attainment by the Palestinian people of all its inalienable rights and the Israeli
withdrawal from all the occupied Arab and Palestinian territories, including
Jerusalem; condemned all partial agreements and separate treaties which violated
the recognized rights of the Palestinian people and contradicted the principles of
just and comprehensive solutions to the Middle East problem; reaffirmed that, until
Israel withdrew from all the occupied territories and until the Palestinian people
attained and exercised its inalienable national rights, a comprehensive, just and
lasting peace in the Middle East, in which all countries and peoples in the region
lived in peace and security within recognized and secure boundaries, would not be
achieved; called anew for the early convening of the Peace Conference on the Middle
East, under the auspices of the United Nations and the co-chairmanship of the Union
of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United States of America, with the
participation on an equal footing of all parties concerned, including the Palestine
Liberation Organization; urged the parties to the conflict and all other interested
6/ The comment* of the PLO on document S/13872 are contained in
document S/13898, annex.
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parties to work towards the achievement of a comprehensive settlement covering all
aspects of the problem and worked out with the participation of all parties
concerned within the framework of the United Nations ; and requested the Security
Council, in the exercise of its responsibilities under the Charter, to take all
necessary measures to ensure the implementation of relevant resolutions of both the
Security Council and the General Assembly and to facilitate the achievement of such
a comprehensive settlement aiming at the establishment of a just and lasting peace
in the region.
44. As outlined earlier in this report, the General Assembly also held a"
emergency special session in July 1980 to discuss the question of Palestine (see
paras. 39-40 above), and the Security Council held seven series of meetings to
examine various problems relating to the rights of the Palestinian people,
the situation in the occupied territories and the question of Jerusalem (see
paras. 22-27 and 38 above). The outcome of these meetings is relevant to the
search for a comprehensive settlement of the Middle East problem.
45. During the period covered by the present report, the Secretary-General, in his
periodic reports on the activities of UNDOF (S/13637 and S/13957), reiterated the
view that, although the area of operation of the Force was quiet, the situation in
the Middle East as a whole was unstable and would remain so unless and until a
comprehensive settlement covering all aspects of the Middle East problem could be
reached. The Security Council, in renewing the mandate of UNDOF for further
periods of six months in November 1979 and again in May 1980, concurred with this
view (S/13662 and S/13970) and called upon the parties concerned to implement
immediately its resolution 338 (1973) (resolutions 456 (1979) and 470 (1980)).
46. Since the thirty-fourth session of the General Assembly, a number of
communications addressed to the President of the Security Council or the
Secretary-General have dealt with the situation in the Middle East or various
aspects thereof. By a letter dated 11 February 1980 (A/35/109-S/13810), the
representative of Pakistan transmitted the text of the resolutions and the final
communique of the extraordinary session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign
Ministers held at Islamabad from 27 to 29 January 1980. In a letter dated
28 April 1980 (A/35/188-5/13912), the representatives of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
transmitted the text of the declaration made at the conclusion of the Fourth Summit
Conference of the Steadfastness and Confrontation National Front, held at Tripoli
between 12 and 15 April 1980. The texts of declarations issued by the European
Community, in Luxembourg on 5 May 1980 and in Venice on 16 June 1980 respectively,
were transmitted by the representative of Italy (S/13925 and A/35/299-S/14009). By
a letter dated 22 July 1980 addressed to the Secretary-General (A/ES-7/B), the
representative of Cuba requested the circulation, in connexion with the seventh
emergency special session of the General Assembly, of the relevant parts of the
final declaration of the Sixth Conference of Heads of state or Government of
Non-Aligned Countries, held in Havana from 3 to 9 September 1979. I" a letter
dated 8 August 1980 (A/35/384-S/14097), the representative of Jordan transmitted
the texts of final documents adopted by the Islamic Conference of Ministers
for Foreign Affairs at its second extraordinary session, held at Amman
on 11 and 12 July 1980. By a letter dated 20 August 1980 (A/35/419-S/14129),
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the representative of Pakistan transmitted the texts of resolutions adopted by
the Eleventh Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers, held in Islamabad from
17 to 22 May 1980. The communiqu4 of the Extraordinary Meeting of the Ministers
for Foreign Affairs and Heads of delegations of the non-aligned countries to the
thirty-fifth session of the General Assembly, held at Headquarters on
2 and 3 October 1980, was transmitted by the Permanent Mission of Cuba in a note
verbale dated 14 October 1980 (A/35/542).
47. The Camp David agreement and subsequent negotiations undertaken between Egypt
and Israel have been the subject of a number of communications mentioned above as
well as those addressed to the President of the Security Council or the
Secretary-General by the representative of Egypt (A/35/102-S/13795,
A/35/133-S/13845, S/13945, A/W-7/12).
48. In his annual report on the work of the Organization, I/ the Secretary-General
has indicated that the main aspects of the Middle East problem are interdependent
and cannot be separated. A continuous and determined effort must therefore be made
to achieve a comprehensive settlement through negotiations involving all the
parties concerned, including the Palestine Liberation Organization. Any future
solution of the problem will have ,to be based on the right of all States in the
area to live in peace within secure and reccgnized boundaries free from threats or
acts of force, on the inalienable rights of the Palestinians, including their right
to self-determination, and on withdrawal from occupied territories. In this
context the question of Jerusalem is of primary importance and cannot be solved
through any unilateral decision. The Secretary-General continues to believe that
the United Nations can do much to facilitate a settlement, and he earnestly hopes
that it will play an increasingly important role in this vital endeavour.
7/ g&l., Thirty-fifth Session, Supplement NO. 1 (A/35/1).
UNITED NATIONS
GENERAL S E,C U, R I T Y
ASSEMBLY, co~lyCIL
Disk.
GENERAL
A/36/655
s/l4746
11 November 1981
ORIGINAL: ENGLISH
GENERAL ASSl%5LY
Thirty-sixth session
Agenda item 33
THE SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST
Report of the Secretary-General-
.,
CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION ... .' ., ..................
II.' STATUS OF THE CEASE;FIRE .. .' ..............
A. Activities of UNTSO .................
B. Activities of UNDOF. . , . ..............
C. Activities of UNIFIL . . . .............
III. SITUATION IN THE OCCUPIED TERRITORIES . . . . . . . . . .
IV. PALESTINE REFUGEE PROBLEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
v. PALESTINIAN RIGHTS ......................
VI. SEARCH FOR A PEACEFUL SETTLE~WNT .............
SECURITY COUNCIL
Thirty-sixth year
Paragra* Page
1 2
2-14 2
3-6 2
7-9 3
10 - 14 3
15 - 21 5
22 - 24 6
25 - 28 ,7
29 - 33 0
81-298 50 / . . .
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I
I. INTRODUCTION ,'
1. The present report is submitted in pursuance of 'General Assembly resolution,
35/207 of 16 Decemberl980. In that resolution, which is summarised in
paragraph 30 below, the General Assembly requested the Secretary-General to report,
to the Security Council periodically on the development of the situation and to
submit to the General Assembly at its thirty-sixth session a report covering the
developments in the Middle East in all their aspects. The last report of the
Secretary-General on the subjtxt is contained in do,cument A/35/5634/14234 of
24 October 1980. The present report follows the pattern of that report. It is
based mainly on information available in United Nations documents. In order to ,'
avoid duplication, only brief references are made to those documents, whenever
appropriate.
II. STATUS OF THE CFASE-FIRE
2. The status of the cease-fire in the Middle East up to October 1980 was
described in the report of the Secretary-General mentioned above (paras. b-14).
There continue to be three United Nations peace-keeping operations in the area:
an observermission, the United Nations Truce Sx+pervision Organisation (UNTSO),
and two peace-keeping forces, the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force
(UNDOF), and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). While, during
the last 12 months, there have been serious breaches of the cease-fire in the
Israel-Lebanon sector (see paras. lo-lk), the other sectors have been generally
quiet.
A. Activities of UNTSO
3. Military observers of UPJTSO have continued to assist and co-operate with
JJNDOF and UNIFIL in the performance of their tasks. On~the Golan Heights, UNTSO
observers assigned to UNDOF man observation posts in the area of separation and
carry out periodic inspections in the areas of limitation of armament and forces.
In addition, observers assigned to the Israel-Syria Mixed Armistice Commission
assist UNDOF as oco.asion requires. In southern Lebanon, observers assigned to
the UNIFIL area of operation man observation posts, conduct patrols as necessary
and provide liaison teams with various parties. The headquarters of the
Israel-Lebanon Mixed Armistice Commission in Beirut functions also as a liaison
office of UNIFIL.
4. In pursuance of Security Council resolutions 459 (1979), 467 (19&I),
474 (1980), and 483 (1980), the Secretary-General has continued his efforts to
reactivate the Israel-Lebsnon Mixed Armistice Commission. In the context of those
efforts, the Chief of Staff of JJfiJTSO, who is also the Chairman of the Israel-
Lebanon Mixed Armistice Commission, convened a meeting at FJaqqura on
1 December 1980. Israel and Lebanon were represented by senior military officers.
The Israeli delegation maintained its position that Israel no longer recognised
that Commission since, in its view, the Armistice Agreement had expired~ in 1967.
/ . . .
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The Lebanese delegation held that the Armistice Agreement was still in force and
it was their aim, through this and future meetings, to reactivate the Cornmission
and to implement the Armistice Agreement fully. The Chief of Staff of UNTSO is
keeping contact with both sides with a view to arranging another meeting at the
earliest opportunity.
5. Until July 1979, UNTSO observers assigned to the Egypt-Israel sector assisted
the United Nations tiergency Force (IJNEF) in the performance of its tasks. Hhile
the mandate of UMEF lapsed on 24 July 1979, a number of observers have remained
stationed in the area in accordance with existing decisions of the Security
Council. UNTSO also maintains a liaison office in Amman. The Officer-in-Charge
of that office is also nominally the Chairman of the Israel-,Hashemite Kingdom of
Jordan Mixed Armistice Commission.
6. The authorized strength of UNTSO is 298 observers. They are made available
by the Governments of Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile,
Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway,
Sweden, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United States of America.
B. Activities of UNDOF
7. UNDOF was established by Security Council resolution 350 (1974) of
31 May 1974 and is deployed on the Golan Heights in the Israel-Syria sector. Its
activities since October 1980 are outlined in the Secretary-General's reports to
the Security Council on the Force (s/14263 and s/14482). The mandate of the Force
has been extended by the Security Council twice during the period under review,
most recently by resolution 485 (1981) of 22 May 1981, for a further period of
six months, until 30 November 1981.
8. The functions and guidelines of UNDOF have remained as outlined in the
Secretary-General's report of 27 November 1974 (s/11563, paras. a-10). UMDOF has
continued, with the co-operation of the parties, to supervise the area of
separation and the areas of limitation of armament and forces in accordance with
the Disengagement Agreement of May 1974 between Israel and Syria. The situation in
its area of operation has remained generally quiet.
9. The Force has a total strength of about 1,280 and is composed of four
contingents from Austria, Canada, Finland and Poland 2s well as 20 observers
detailed from UNTSO. As indicated above, UNTSO observers assigned to the
Israel-Syria Mixed Armistice Commission also assist UNDOF as occasion requires.
C. A--c tivities of UNIFIL
10. UNIFIL vas established by Security Council resolutions 425 ('1978) and
426 (1978) of 19 March 1978 and operates in southern Lebanon. Its activities
since October 1980 are outlined in the Secretary-General's reports on the Force
to the Security Council (S/14295, S/l4407 and S/14537). The mandate of the Force
I . . .
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has been extended by the Security Council twice during the period under review,
most recently by resolution 488 (1981) of 19 June 1981, for a further period of
six months, until 19 December 1.981.
UNIFIL has continued to function in accordance with the guidelines set out in
ik Secretary-General's report of 19 March 1978 (s/12611). Despite intensive and
persistent efforts, UNIFIL has not yet received the degree of co-operation required
of the parties to enable the Force fully to discharge its mandate. It has thus
far been unable to deploy throughout the area of operation up to the internationally
recognized border, and confrontations with armed groups and forces operating in
the area have continued to occur.
12. There have also been at times extensive exchanges of shelling over and across
the WIFIL area of deployment between armed elements (mainly Palestine Liberation
Organization (PLO) and Lebanese National Movement) and the de facto forces
(Christian and associated militias) and the'Israe1 Defence Forces, as well as air
and sea attacks by Israeli forces against targets north of the UNIFIL area. A
particularly serious cycle of hostilities took place from 10 to 24 July 1981. In
this connexion, the Security Council met on 17 July and launched an urgent appeal
for an immediate end to all armed attacks. On 21 July, the Security Council adopted
resolution 490 (1981), by which it called for an immediate end of all armed attacks.
In pursuance of the decisions of the Security Council, intensive efforts were
undertaken to secure a cease-fire. Those efforts are described in the Secretary-
General's statement to the Security Council on 21 July (S/PV.2293) and in his
report of 23 July 1981 (s/14613 and Corr.1). As a result of these efforts a
de facto cease-fire was established on 24 July (see S/l4613/Add.l), and the area
has remained generally quiet since then.
13. UNIFIL has an authorized strength of 6,000. It is composed of contingents
from Fiji, France, Ghana, Ireland, Italy, Nepal, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway,
Senegal and Sweden. UNTSO observers in the Israel-Lebanon sector assist and
co-operate with UNIFIL in the performance of its tasks.
14. A number of communications have been addressed to the President of the Security
Council or the Secretary-General concerning hostile activities in and around
southern Lebanon. Those communications were from Afghanistan (A/36/405-S/14620),
Bangladesh (A/36/398-S/14614), Cuba on behalf of the Won-aligned Countries
(~/36/311-s/14508, s/1461@), Fiji (s/14568), I srael (~/36/62-S/14322, A/36/80-
s/14355, S/14394, A/36/122, S/14398, A/36/130, A/36/212-S/14449, S/14454, A/36/219,
s/14591, s/14594, A/36/387, s/14600, s/14602, s/14603, A/36/393, n/36/394, s/14605,
s/14606, n/36/400, ~/36/401, s/14617, n/36/404), Lebanon (s/14307, s/14354,
A/36/87, S/14381, n/36/109, A/36/375, s/14586), the Netherlands on behalf of the
10 member States of the European Community (s/14421), Qatar (S/14612), and PLO
(S/14435, annex; A/36/217, annex; S/14470, annex; A/36/310-S/14507, annex;
A/36/389-5/14601, annex; A/36/395-5/14609, annex). Communications were also
received from the Permanent Reoresentative of Israel regardinn violent incidents
in Israel and in the occupied ?Xrab territories (A/36/7215/143h8, i/36/127-~/14403,
A/36/132-S/14409, ~/36/169-s/14427, A/36/186-s/14438, A/36/211-S/14448, n/36/235-
s/14476, A/36/292-5/14492, S/1.4622, A/36/413, ~/36/437-S/14631, a/36/464-~/14668,
A/36/520-S/14696, n/36/574-~/14714).
I . . .
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III. SITUATION IN THE OCCUPIED TERRITORIES
15. The action taken prior to October 1980 by the United Nations concerning the
situation in the occupied territories and the question of Jerusalem was outlined
in the Secretary-General's report of 24 October 1980 (A/35/563&/14234,
paras. 15-28).
16. The General Assembly, at its thirty-fifth session, after considering the
report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the
Human Rights of the Population of the Occupied Territories (A/35/425), which is
composed of Senegal, Sri Lanka and Yugoslavia, adopted resolutions 35/122 A to F
on 11 December 1980. By those resolutions, the General Assembly, inter alia,
called upon Israel to acknowledge and to comply with the provisions of the Geneva
Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of
12 August 1949 L/, in territories it has occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem
(resolution 35/122 A); called upon Israel to desist forthwith from taking any
action to change the legal status , geographical nature or demographic composition
of those territories (resolution 35/122 B); demanded that Israel desist forthwith
from certain policies and practices in the occupied territories
(resolution 35/122 C); called upon Israel to rescind the illegal measures taken in
expelling and imprisoning the Mayors of Hebron and Halhul and in expelling the
Sharia Judge of Hebron and to facilitate the immediate return of the expelled
Palestinian leaders (resolution 35/122 D); called upon Israel, the occupying Power,
to desist from enacting legislation purporting to alter the character and legal
status of the Syrian Arab Golan Heights and upon Member States not to recognize
such measures (resolution 35/122 E); demanded that Israel rescind all measures
against educational institutions in occupied territories and also requested the
Security Council to convene urgently to take the necessary measures, in accordance
with the provisions of the Charter, to ensure that the Government of Israel
rescind the illegal measures taken against the Palestinian mayors and the Sharia
Judge (resolution 35/122 F).
17. The Security Council considered the situation in the occupied territories at
two meetings on 19 December 1980 (A/PV.2259 and 2260). On the same day, it adopted
resolution 484 (1980)~ in which it reaffirmed the applicability of the Fourth
Geneva Convention of 1949 to all the Arab territories occupied by Israel in 1967;
called upon Israel, the occupying Power, to adhere to the provisions of the
Convention; declared it imperative that the Mayor of Hebron and the Mayor of Halhul
be enabled to return to their homes and resume their responsibilities; and
requested the Secretary-General to report on the implementation of this resolution
as soon as possible. The Secretary-General submitted a report in pursuance of
General Assembly resolution 35/122 D and Security Council resolution 484 (1980) on
30 January 1981 (A/36/85-S/14350),
18. The Special Committee was kept informed of developments concerning the human
rights situation in the occupied territories by the periodic communication to its
L/ United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 75, No. 973, Pa 287.
/ . .
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members of information gathered or received from several sources. The Special
Committee held periodic meetinf!s to review such information s.nd to hear oral
testimorzy and to assess the human ri&hts situation in the occupied territories
with a view to deciding whether any action could be undertaken. The report
submitted by the Special Committee under General Assembly resolution 35/122 C wj
be circulated as a docunent of the General .&ssembly (A/36/579). The report of
the Secretary-General requested under the same resolution has been circulated
under agenda item 64 (A/36/588).
111
19. On 11 February 1981, the Commission on Human Rights adopted resolutions 1 A
and B (XXXVII) concerning the question of the violation of human rights in the
occupied territories. These resolutions, in which the Commission condemned
Israeli policies and practices in the occupied territories alone lines
similar to those of General Assembly resolution 35/122 C, were brought to the
attention of the Geceral Assembly (A/36/344-S/14567).
20. During its thirty-fifth session, the General Assembly also adopted
resolution 35/75 on the 1ivinE conditions of the Palestinian people in the occupied
territories and resolution 35/110 concerning permanent soverei@ty over national
resources in the occupied territories. These questions are the subject of separate
reports which have been circulsted under aeenda items 69 (k) (A/36/260 and Add.l-3)
and 12 (A/36/648) respectively.
21. The situation in the occupied territories has been the subject of a number
of communications addressed to the President of the Security Council or the
8ecretary-General and circulated as official documents of the United Nations.
These communications dealt with the question of Israeli settlements and the
expropriation of land in the occupied territories (S/14418, A/36/373-5/14585,
~/36/399-S/14615, a/36/460-s/14657), Israeli activities affecting the Syrian
population in the Golan I-!eights (A/36/110-S/14383, A/36/126-s/14402, a/36/134-
S/14411, A/36/345-S/14569, A/36/369-S/14583), I sraeli plans to build a canal
&cross the Gaza Strip linking the Dead Sea and the Mediterranean (~/36/180-s/14432,
A/36/187-S/14439, A/36/575-S/14715), matters relating to Jerusalem and the Hdly
Places (A/36/58-S/14317, A/36/l25-S/14400, n/36/137-~/14416, ~/36/158-S/14424,
A/36/178-5/14431, .U%/'d%s/14684, n/36/505-s/14690, A/36/555-5/14708), and other
matters relating to the situation in the occupied territories (S/14315, S/14319,
A/36/89-S/14356, A/36/94-s/14365, n/36/105-~/14376, A/36/120-s/14404, n/36/381-
5114592, ~/36/443-S/14633, ~/36/444-s/14634).
IV. PALESTINE REFUGEE PROBLEM
22. The Palestine refugee problem and the efforts of the United Nations to a,ssist
the refugees up to October 1980 were dealt with in the report of the Secretary-
General of 24 October 1980 (A/35/563-S/14234, paras. 29-35).
23. Following: its consideration of the report of the Commissioner-General of the
United Iqations Relief and \:!orks Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East
/ . . .
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(UNRWA) 21 at its thirty-fifth session, the General Assembly adopted resolutions
35/13 a to F on 3 November 1980. These resolutions dealt with assistance to
Palestine refugees and the extension of the LlIJR!JA mandate through June 1984
(resolution 35/13 A), offers by Member States of grants and scholarships for
higher education for the Palestine refugees and the establishment of a university
in Jerusalem to cater to the needs of Palestine refugees in the area (resolution
35/13 D), assistance to persons displaced as a result of the June 1967 hostilities
(resolution 35/13 C), the Working Group on. the Financing of UNRXA (resolution
35/13 D), the population and refugees displaced since 1967 (resolution 35/13 E:) and
the Palestine refugees in the Gaza Strip (resolution 35/13 F).
24. In addition to the annual report of the Commissioner-General of UNRTIA, a/
the General Assembly will have before it at its thirty-sixth session reports of
the Secretary-General on the offers of scholarships and grants for Palestinian
refugees (n/36/385 and Add.1 and 21, on the question of establishing in Jerusalem
a university for Palestine refugees (A/36/593), on the population and refugees
displaced since 1967 (n/36/558), and on the Palestine refugees in the Gaza Strip
(A/36/559), as well as a report of the United Nations Conciliation Commission for
Palestine (A/36/529) and a report of the IJorking Group on the Financing of
umm (n/36/615).
v. PALESTI!!IAR RIGHTS
The develooments concerning the question of Palestinian rights up to
gztober 1980 were outlined in the report of the Secretary-General (A/35/563-
s/14234, paras. 36-41).
26. At its thirty-fifth session, the General Assembly considered the report of
the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian
People &/ and adopted, on 15 December 1980, five resolutions 35/169 A to E. In
those resolutions, the General Assembly, inter alia, reaffirmed that a just and
lasting peace in the Middle East could not be established without the achievement
of a just solution of the problem of Palestine on the basis of the attainment of
the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including the right of return and
the right to self-determination, national independence and sovereignty in Palestine
(resolution 35/169 A); reaffirmed its rejection of those provisions of the
/Famp David7 accords which ignored, infringed, violated or denied the inalienable
Fights of the Palestinian people and which envisaged and condoned continued
Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel since 1967
and expressed its strong opposition to all partial agreements and separate treaties
2/ Official Records of the General Assembly, Thirty-fifth Session,
Supplement No. 13 (A/35/13).
y Ibid., Thirty-sixth Session, Supplement No. 13 (A/36/13).
k/ Ibid., Thirty-fifth Session, Supplement No. 35 (A/35/35).
f . . .
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which constituted a flagrant violation of the rights of the Palestinian people
(resolution 35/169 B); requested the Committee to keep the situation relating to
the question of Palestine under review (resolution 35/169 C); requested the
Secretary-General to ensure that the Special Unit on Palestine Rights of the
Secretariat, in consultation with the Committee and under its guidance, continue
to discharge the tasks detailed in previous Rssembly decisions (resolution
35/169 D); and determined that all legislative and administrative measures and
actions taken by Israel which had altered or purported to alter the character
and status of the Holy City of Jerusalem, and, in particular, the "Basic Law" and
the proclamation of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel were null and void and must
be rescinded forthwith (resolution 35/169 E).
27. On 11 February 1981, the Commission on Human Rights adopted
resolution 2 (XXXVII) by which it, inter alia, reaffirmed the inalienable right
of the Palestinian people to self-determination without external interference and
the establishment of a fully independent and sovereign State in Palestine.
28. The report of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the
Palestinian People has been submitted to the General Assembly. >/ In addition, a
number of communications have been received from the Chairman of the Committee
(A/36/114-S/14389, A/36/177-5/14430, A/36/237-S/14477, A/36/341-~/14566, A/36/382-
5/14593, n/36/449-s/14641, A/36/519-s/14695, n/36/521-s/14698, A/36/578-s/14719,
n/36/604-~/14730, s/14739). .A number of other communications have been
circulated under agenda item 31. Some of these are referred to in paragraph 21
and 32 of the present report. In addition, a letter was received from the
Permanent Representative of Cuba transmitting the report of a mission of the
Co-ordinating Bureau of Non-aligned Countries on its visit to Lebanon in
August 1981 (~/36/547-s/14704).
VI. SEARCH FOR A PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT
The search for a peaceful settlement in the Middle East up to October 1980
zz, outlined in the report of the Secretary-General (a/35/563-~/14234,
pax-as. 42-48).
30. The situation in the Middle East was again considered by the General Assembly
at its thirty-fifth session. On 16 December 1980, it adopted resolution 35/207,
in which it, inter alia, condemned Israel's continued occupation of Palestinian
and other Arab territories and renewed its call for the immediate, unconditional
and total withdrawal of Israel from all occupied territories; reaffirmed its
conviction that the question of Palestine was at the core of the conflict in the
Middle East and that no comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the region would
be achieved without the full exercise by the Palestinian people of its inalienable
national rights; reaffirmed that a settlement could not be achieved without the
participation on an equal footing of the parties to the conflict, including the
5/ Ibid., Thirty-sixth Session, Supplement No. 35 (A/36/35).
I . . .
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Palestine Liberation Organisation; declared that peace in the Middle East was
indivisible and that a just and lasting settlement of the Middle East problem
must be based on a comprehensive solution, under the auspices of the United Nations;
rejected all partial agreements and separate treaties which violated the recognised
rights of the Palestinian people and contradicted the principles of just and
comprehensive solutions to the Middle East problem; reaffirmed its strong rejection
of Israel's decision to annex Jerusalem and related measures; strongly condemned
Israel's aggression against Lebanon and the Palestinian people as well as its
practices in the occupied Palestinian and Arab territories, particularly the
Syrian Golan Heights; and called for strict respect for the territorial integrity,
sovereignty and political independence of Lebanon.
31. During the period covered by this report, the Secretary-General, in his
periodic reports on the activities of UNDOF (s/l4263 and s/14482), reiterated
the view that, although the area of operation of the Force was quiet, the situation
regarding the Middle East as a whole continued to be potentially dangerous and
was likely to remain so unless and until a comprehensive settlem~ent covering all
aspects of the Middle East problem could be reached. The Security Council, in
reviewing the mandate of UNDOF for further periods of six months in November 1980
and again in May 1981, concurred with this view (S/l4271 and S/14485) and called
upon the parties concerned to implement immediately its resolution 338 (1973)
(resolutions 481 (1980) and 485 (1981)).
32. Since the Secretary-General's last report on this question was issued on
24 October 1980, a number of communications have been addressed to him which dealt
with the situation in the Middle East or various aspects thereof and have been
circulated as documents of the General Assembly and the Security Council. In
addition to those referred to in the preceding sections of this report
(see paras. 14, 21 and 28 above), communications were received containing the
documents of the New Delhi Conference of Ministers for Foreign Affairs of
Non-aligned Countries (A/36/116), resolutions adopted at the Third Islamic Summit
Conference (A/36/138), recommendations adopted by the Jerusalem Committee of the
Organisation of the Islamic Conference at its fifth session (A/36/379-S/14590),
resolutions of the thirty-fifth ordinary session of the Council of Ministers of
the Organisation of African Unity (A/35/463 and Corr.l), resolutions of the
Twelfth Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (A/36/421-.5/14626 and Corr.11,
the communiq& of the Meeting of the Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Heads of
Delegations of the Non-aligned Countries to the thirty-sixth session of the General
Assembly (A/36/566-S/14713), the resolutions adopted by the sixty-eighth
Inter-Parliamentary Conference (A/36/584), the communique and declaration of the
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (A/36/587) and the final communique of the
meeting of the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Conference at United
Nations Headquarters (A/36/603 and Add.1). In addition, letters were received
from the Permanent Representative of Israel, concerning statements made at the
2299th meeting of the Security Council and in the course of the eighth emergency
special session of the General Assembly (A/36/507-S/14691) and concerning the
establishment of a nuclear-free zone in the Middle East (A/36/630). Letters were
also received from the Permanent Representative of the Soviet Union, concerning a
/ . . .
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statement by his Government to the Government of the IJnited States of America
(A/36/595-S/14727), and from t.he Permanent Representative of Egypt on the same
subject (A/36/627-S/14736).
33. In his annual report on t,he work of the Organisation, 61 the Secretary-General
has indicated that the situation in the Middle East with all its complexities and
ramifications continues to be of central concern to the entire international
community, containing as it does an explosive potential of conflict endangering
world peam. The heightening of tension between Israel and the Syrian Arab
Republic, the Israeli attack on the nuclear facility in Iraq,, which was the subject
of Security Council resolution 487 (1981) of 19 June 1981, the continuing cycle
of violence in and around Lebanon have all underlined the densers inherent in the
absence of progress toward" 0 a settlement that ultimately can ensure a peaceful
and just future for all the nations ,and peoples of the region. The Secretary-
General continues to believe that the United Nations can do much to facilitate a
settlement and that the Organization provides a universal forum in the framework
of which efforts to evolve a peaceful settlement may in the end best be pursued.
g/ Ibid., Thirty-sixth Session, Supplement No. 1 (A/36/1).
~iJNITED A
General Assembly Security CouhciI Distr.
GENEML
A/37/525 a
s/15451/
12 October 1982
ORIGINAL2 ENGLISH
~ERALASSlw3LY
Thirty-sf?Venth session
SECURITY aXJNCIL
Thirty-seventh year
Agendg items 31, 34 and 61
Qt.lESTION OF pALESTINE
THE SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST
REWRT OF THlJ SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO
INVESTIGATE ISRAELI PRACTICES
AFFECTING THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF
THE POFWLATION OF THE
OCCUPIED TERKCTORIES
I
Report of the Secretary-General
CDNTENTS
I. IN'JXODUCI!ION .**".,.........*.,.....,............,...,....
IL MILITARY DEWl.QPMEN'l% AND UNITED NATIONS
PEACE-KEEPXNG OPERATIONS . . . ..*.........*.................
SITUATION IN THE OCCUPIED TERRITORIES ....................
PALESTINE MPUGEE PRO&m ................................
V. QUESTION 0F PU3STINE ....................................
VI* SEARCH FOR A PEACWUL SETTLEMIWT .........................
VII, OBSERVATIONS .............................................
Paragraphs Paqe
l-3 2
4 - 50 3
51 - 66 14
67 - 70 17
71 - 78 18
79 - a5 21
86 - 91 24
82-27088 05181 (E) / l . .
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I. INTRODDCTION
1. At its thirty-sixth session, the General Assembly adopted resolution 36/226 A
of 17 December 1982, in which it, inter alia, condemned Israel's continued
occupation of the Palestinian and other Arab territories and demanded the
immediate, unconditional and total withdrawal of Israel from all occupied
territoriest reaffirmed its conviction that the question of Palestine was the core
of the conflict in the Middle East and that no comprehensive, just and lasting
peace in the region would be achieved without the full exercise of the Palestinian
people of its inalienable national rights; reaffirmed further that a settlement
could not be achieved without the participation on an equal footing of all the
parties to the conflict, including the Palestine Liberation Organizationl declared
that peace in the Middle Hast was indivisible and must be based on a comprehensive,
jUSt and lasting solution under the auspices of the United Nations; rejected all
partial agreements and separate treaties in so far as they violated the recognized
rights of the Palestinian people and contradicted the principles of just and
comprehensive solutions to the Middle East problem; determined that Israel's
decision to annex Jerusalem and to declare it its "capital", as well as the
measures to alter its physical character, demographic composition, institutional
structure and status, were null and void and should be rescinded immediately;
condemned Israel's aggression and practices against the Palestinian people in the
occupied Palestinian territories and outside those territories, and condemned
Israel; annexationist policies and practices in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights;
condemned the Israeli aggression against Lebanon; called for strict respect of the
territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of Lebanon; deplored
Israeli violations of the airspace of various Arab countries and demanded their
immediate cessation; considered that the agreements on strategic co-operation
between the United States of America and Israel signed on 30 November 1981 would
encourage Israel to pursue its aggressive and expansionist policies and practices;
and called upon all States to put an end to the flow to Israel of any military,
economic or financial resources that would encourage it to pursue its aggressive t&
policies against the Arab countries and the Palestinian people The Assembl.y
requested the Secretary-General to report to the Security Council periodically on
the development of the situation and to submit to the General Assembly at its
thirty-seventh session a comprehensive report covering the developments in the
Middle East in all their aspects.
C.
2. At its thirty-sixth session, its ninth emergency special session and its
resumed seventh emergency special session, the General Assembly adopted resolutions
36/147 E, ES-9/l and U-7/4. In those resolutions, which are more fully referred
to below (see paras. 52, 57 and 74), the Assembly requested the Secretary-General
to submit reports on the question of the Syrian Golan Heights and the question of
Palestine at its thirty-seventh session.
3. In order to avoid duplication , the reports requested of the Secretary-General
in the above-mentioned four resolutions have been combined in the present
comprehensive report, which is being submitted to the General Assembly, under
agenda items 31, 34 and 61, and also to the Security Council. This report is based
mainly on information available in United Nations documents, to which references
are made whenever appropriate.
A/37/525
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II. MILITARY DEVELOPMENTS AND UNITED NATIONS
PEACE-KEEPING OPERATIONS
Z 4. The status of the cease-fire in the Middle East and the activities of the
United Nations peace-keeping operations in the area - the United Nations Truce
Supervision Organization (UNTSO), the United Nations Disengagement Observer
Force (UNDOF) and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) - up to
November 1981 were described in the report of the Secretary-General of
11 November 1981 (A/36/655-S/14746, paras. 2-14)'.
5. Until May 1982, the area was generally quiet , and the activities of the three
United Nations peace-keeping operations remained essentially unchanged. The
mandate of UNDCF was extended by the Security Council until 30 November 1982
(resolution 506 1982)). The mandate of UNIFIL was extended until 19 June 1982
(resolution 498 1981)). The Council also approved in February 1982, an increase in
the strength of UNIFIL from approximately 6,000 to approximately 7,000 troops
(resolution 501 (1982)).
6. In the Israel-Lebanon sector, the cease-fire which had come into effect on
24 July 1981 generally held, although there were serious breaches on 21 April and
9 May 1982, and tension remained at a high level. Intensive efforts were made both
in the field and at United Wtions Headquarters to maintain the cease-fire and to
restore it after hostile acts occurred.
7. In early June 1982, the situation in that sector changed radically, and
large-scale hostilities took place in Lebanon. On 4 June, Israeli aircraft
attacked targets in the Beirut area. This attack was followed by intense exchanges
of fire in southern Lebanon and across the Lebanese-Israeli border, involving the
armed elements (mainly the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Lebanese
National Movement) on the one hand , and the Israel Defence Forces and the de facto
forces (Christian and associated militias) on the other.
8. In the light of these developments, the Secretary-General addressed an appeal
to all concerned, on 4 June , for an immediate cease-fire. Later that day, the
President of the Security Council made a statement on behalf of its members,
urgently appealing to all the parties to adhere strictly to the cease-f ire that had
been in effect since 24 July 1981 and to refrain immediately from any hostile act
likely to provoke an aggravation of the situation (S/15163).
9. On 5 June, the Security Council adopted resolution 508 (1982), calling on all
tie parties to the conflict to cease immediately and simultaneously all military
activities within Lebanon and across the Lebanese-Israeli border and no later than
0600 hours local time on Sunday, 6 June. That same evening, the Palestine
Liberation Organization (PLO) reaffirmed its commitment to stop all military
operations across the Lebanese border. The Permanent Pepresentative of Israel
informed the Secretary-General that the resolution of the Security Council would be
brought before the Israeli Cabinet (see S/15174).
$0. On the morning of 6 June, Israeli forces moved into Lebanese territory in
Qtrength. The Commander of UNIFIL, Lieutenant-General Callaghan, immediately
/ . . .
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Paye 4
the
instructed all uNIFIL units t0 attempt to prevent the entry aAd advance of the
Israeli forces unless their safety was seriously imperilled. However, given the
overwhelming strength of the Israeli forces , UNIFIL positions in the line of
(
invasion were overrun or bypassed.
11. On the evening of 6 June, the Security Council adopted resolution 509
in which it demanded that Israel withdraw all its military forces forthwith
unconditionally to the iAterAatiOnally recognized boundaries of Lebanon and
all parties observe strictly the terms of resolution 508 (1982). The next 4
Secretary-anera reported to the Security Council on the positions of the
1982) ,
and
that
ay, the
Governments of Israel and Lebanon and that of the PLO regarding the implementation
of the resolution (see S/15178).
12. By 7 June, Israeli fOrCe8, COInpriSing InOr@ than two me&&aAized divisions, witi
air and naval supbrt, had reached positions north of the UNIFIL area
(S/l5194/Md.l) .
13. On 8 June, the Security Council met again to consider a draft resolution
submitted by Spain, according to which the Council would condemn the non-compliance
with resolutions 508 (1982) and 509 (1982) by Israel, demand that within six hours
all hostilities must be stopped in compliance with those resolutions and decide, in
the event of non-compliance, to meet again to consider practical ways and means in
accordance with the Charter of the United Nations (S/15185). The draft resolution
was not adopted, owing to the negative vote of a Permanent member (S/W.2377).
14. Meanwhile, in the light of the radically altered situation in which UNIFIL had
now to function, the Secretary-General instructed the Force to continue to man its
Positions and, as an interim task, to provide protection and humanitarian
assistance to the population of the area. On 9 June, the Secretary-General took
measures to co-ordinate Ulited Nations efforts to bring assistance to the
population affected by the hostilities (see A/37/508 and Add.1).
15. On 11 June, the Government of Israel and the Syrian Arab Republic separately
announced that, beginning 12 noon local time , each would cease fire, subject to
certain COAditiOAS being IIt&. As hostilities in Lebanon continued, however, the
Secretary-General issued a statement in which he expressed concern at the continued
hostilities and at reported statements from the Israeli side that the present
cease-fire did not apply to their actions'against the Palestinians (S/15194/Add.2) l
16. Over the week-end of 12 aAd 13 June, the Sec!retarycG?neral remained in
constant touch, with the Government of Lebanon and other parties, seeking to
explore the Possibility of sending United Nations observers to monitor the
cease-fire in the Beirut area. The Security Council held consultations in the late
evening of 13 June, but no decision was reached on this matter.
17. On 18 June,.the Security Council considered the report of the Secretary-
General on UNlFIL (S/15194 and Add.1 aAd 2)
The Council adopted resolution 511 (1982),
, whose mandate was about to expire.
in which it decided, as an interim
measure, to extend the mandate of the Force for a period of two months, until
19 August 1982, and authorized the Force during that period to carry out, in
addition, the interim tasks referred to by the Secretary-General, that is, to
extend Protection and humanitarian assistance to the population of the area.
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18. On 19 June, the Council adopted resolution 512 (1982) , in which it called upon
all the parties to the conflict to respect the rights of the civilian populations,
to refrain from all acts of violence against those populations and to take all
appropriate measures to alleviate the suffering caused by the conflict, in
particular, by facilitating the dispatch and distribution of aid provided by United
Nations agencies and by non-governmental organizations, in particular, the
International Committee of the Red Cross. In view of the circumstances which made
it difficult to obtain precise estimates on relief and rehabilitation needs arising
from the hostilities, the Secretary-General appointed , on 25 June, an interagency
survey mission, headed by Ambassador Anders Thunborg of Sweden, to assess the
situation on the spot (see S/15267).
19. In the early morning of 26 June , the Security Council met to consider a draft
resolution submitted by France according to which the Council would demand an
immediate cessation of hostilities throughout Lebanon, the immediate withdrawal of
the Israeli forces engaged around Beirut, as a first step, to a distance of
10 kilometres from the periphery of that city and the simultaneous withdrawal of
Palestinian armed forces to existing camps; the Council would request the
Secretary-General, as an immediate measure, to station United Nations military
observers, by agreement with the Government of Lebanon, with instructions to
supervise the cease-fire and disengagement in and around Beirut (S/15255/Eev.2).
The draft resolution was not adopted owing to the negative vote of a permanent
member (S/PV.2381).
20. Meeting again on 4 July, the Security Council adopted resolution 513 (1982),
in which, alarmed by the continued sufferingsof the Lebanese and Palestinian
civilian populations in south Lebanon and in West Beirut, the Council called for
respect for the rights of the civilian populations without any discrimination and
repudiated all acts of violence against those populations. It also called for the
restoration of the normal supply of vital facilities such as waterJ electricity,
food and medical provisions, particularly in Beirut.
21. On 29 July, the Security Council met at 'the request of the Permanent
Representatives of Egypt and France , who submitted to the Council a joint draft
resolution. According to the draft resolution, the Council would demand an
immediate cease-fire throughout Lebanon, call for the departure of all non-Lebanese
forces except those authorized by Lebanon , and request the Secretary-General to
station United Nations military observers, by agreement with the Government of
Lebanon, in order to supervise the cease-fire and disengagement in and around
Beirut and to prepare a report on the prospects for the deployment of a United
Nations peace-keeping force which could take up positions beside the Lebanese
interposition forces. The draft resolution also contained provisions concerning
negotiations towards a peaceful settlement of the Middle East conflict (see
para. 81 below).
22. The Council did not conclude-its consideration of that draft resolution but,
on the proposal of the representative of Spain, it adopted that afternoon
resolution 515 (1982), in which it demanded that the Government of Israel lift
immediately the blockade of the city of Beirut in order to permit the dispatch of
supplies to meet the urgent needs of the civilian population and allow the
distribution of aid provided by United Nations agencies and by non-governmental
organisations , particu' larly the International Committee of the Red Cross.
/ . . .
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Page 6
2 3. The Security Council met again on the morning of 1 August and adopted
resolution 516 (1982), in which , alarmed by the continuation and intensification Of
military activities and taking note of the latest massive violations of the
cease-f ire in and around Beirut I the Council confirmed its previous resolutions and
demanded an immediate cease-f ire and a cessation of all military activities within
Lebanon and across the Lebanese-Israeli border. The Council further authorized the
Secretary-General to deploy immediately , on the request of the Government Of
Lebanon, United Nations observers to monitor the situation in and around Beirut,
and requested him to report back to the Council on compliance with the resolution
not later than faur hours from its adoption.
24. Following the adoption of the resolution, the Permanent Representative of
Lebanon requested, on behalf of his Government, the stationing of United Nations
observers in the Beirut area to ensure that the cease-fire was fully observed by
all concerned (S/15333). The same day, the Secretary-General informed the Council
that he had instructed the Chief of Staff of LJN’JI~O, Lieutenant-General Erskine, to
make the necessary arrangements I in consultation with the parties concerned, for
the immediate deployment of United Nations observers in and around Beirut in
accordance with the resolution. He also reported that, while assurances of
co-operation Were received from the Lebanese Government and the PLO, the Israeli
authorities stated that this was a very important matter which had to be brought
before the Israeli Cabinet (s/15334) .
25. on 3 August, the Secretary-General submitted to the Security Council a second
report, informing the Council of the efforts that had continued towards the speedy
implementation of resolution 516 (1982) . The Israeli authorities had informed the
Chief of Staff of UNTSO that the Israeli Cabinet would discuss this subject on
5 August, following the return of the Foreign Minister from abroad. The
SecretarrGeneral added that, although the detailed plan for the deployment of
United Nations observers in the Beirut area had been ready since 1 August, it could
not be put into full effect until the reply from the Israeli Government was
received. Meanwhile, as a temporary arrangement, the Secretary-General had
instructed General Erskine to take immediate steps to set up initially observation
machinery in territory controlled by the Lebanese Government, in close consultation
and co-operation with the Lebanese National Army. In this connection, the United
Nations observers assigned to the Israel-Lebanon Mixed Armistice Commission were
constituted as the Observer Group Beirut (OCB) (S/15334/Add.l).
26. The Security Council held a meeting, on the evening of 3 August, at which the
President of the Council read out a statement on behalf of the members, expressing
their serious concern at the prevailing high state of tension and at reports of
military movements and continued outbreaks of firing in and around Beirut, contrary
to the demand in resolution 516 (1982) for an immediate cease-fire and cessation of
all military activities within Lebanon and across the Lebanese-Israeli border.
members of the Council expressed full support for the efforts of the Secretary-
The
General and for the steps he had taken to secure the immediate deployment of kited
Nations observers to monitor the situation in and around Beirut. They insisted
that all parties mUSt observe strictly the terms of resolution 516 (1982) and
called for the immediate lifting of all obstacles to the dispatch of supplies and
the distribution of aid to meet the urgent needs of the civilian population
(S/l5 342) .
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27. On 4 Augustr the Security Council adopted resolution 517 (1982)# in which,
exPr@ssing dew? shock and alarm at the consequences of tha Israeli invasion of
Beirut on 3 August, it confirmed its demand for an immediate cease-fire and
withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon! censured Israel. for its failure to
comply with its resolutions; and called for the prompt return of Israeli troops
which had moved forward subsequent to 1325 hours New York time on 1 August. The
Council took note of the decision of the Palestine Uberation Organization to move
the Palestinian armed forces from Beirut) authorized the Secretary-General, as an
immediate step, to increase the number of United Nations observers in and around
Beirut) and requested him to report on the implementation of the resolution not
later than 1000 hours EDT on 5 August.
28. The responses of the parties to resolution 517 (1982) were transmitted to the
Security Council by the Secretary-General in his report of 5 August 1982 (S/15345
and Add.1 and 2).
29. On the morning of 6 August , the Security Council met to consider the report of
the Secretary-General. A draft resolution was submitted by the USSR, by which the
Security Council would strongly condemn Israel for not implementing resolutions
516 (1982) and 517 (1982) and decide that , in order to carry out the abovementioned
decisions of the Security Council., all the States Members of the United
Nations should refrain from supplying Israel with any weapons and from providing it
with any military aid until the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from all Lebanese
territory (S/15347/lXev.l). The draft resolution was not adopted owing to the
negative vote of a permanent member (WPV.2391).
30. On 12 August, the Security Council adopted resolution 518 (1982), in which,
expressing most serious concern about continued military activities in Lebanon, it
demanded that Israel and all parties to the conflict observe strictly the terms of
Security Council resolutions relevant to the immediate cessation of all military
activities within Lebanon and, particularly, in and around Beirutt demanded the
immediate lifting of all restrictions on the city of heirut in order to permit the
free entry of supplies to meet the urgent needs of the civilian population in
Beirut and requested the Wnited Nations observers in and in the vicinity of Beirut
to report on the situation; and demanded that Israel co-operate fully in the effort
to secure the effective deployment of the United Nations observers, as requested by
the Government of Lebanon.
31. On 13 August, the Secretary-General reported to the Security Council on the
positions of the parties on the resolution. He further informed the Council that
efforts were continuing to bring additional observers to the Beirut area and also
to enable the 10 United Nations observers of OGB to funct;ion effectively for the
purposes envisaged by the Security Council in its resolutions. with regard to the
situation of the civilian population, Ambassador ThunboryI Chairman of the United
Nations Interagency Survey Mission, had return to the area on 10 August at the
Secretary-General's request to reassess the immediate needs of the affected
population, with special reference to those in West Beirut. The Secretary-General
concluded the report by expressing the hope that it would be possible to achieve,
without delay, a solution of this urgent humanitarian problem. He also hoped that,
with the co-operation of all concerned, the current efforts to resolve the broader
aspects of the situation would be successful and woul.d lead to the implementation
of l%e resolutions of the Security Council (S/15362) (I
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32. ~lsoon 13 August, the Secretary-General submitted to the Security Council a
report on UNFIL (S/1.5357) , whose mandate was to expire the following week. He
observed that, despite the difficulties it had faced , the Force had been deeply
engaged in extending protection and humanitarian assistance to the civilian
population in its area. It had also extended the fullest co-operation possible to
the humanitarian efforts of various United Nations programmes and the International
Committee of the Red Cross. There was no doubt in his mind that the presence of
UNIFIL had provided an important stabilizing and moderating influence in southern
Lebanon during those difficult weeks. The overall situation in the area, however,
rermined uncertain and fraught with danger. He had been in constant touch with the
Government of Lebanon, which had indicated that, in the existing circumstances,
UNIFIL should continue to be stationed in the area for an additional interim period
of two months, pending further consideration of the situation in the light of
pertinent Security Council resolutions. The Permanent Representative of Lebanon,
referring to his letter of 26 July 1982 (S/15309), had also reiterated his
Government's request that UNIFIL assist the Lebanese authorities in discharging
their responsibilities. Taking all factors into account, and bearing in mind the
position of the Government of Lebanon, the Secretary-General recommended that the
Security Council extend the mandate of UNIFIL for a further interim period.
33. Having studied the Secretary-General's report, the Security Council adopted on
17 August resolution 519 (1982) I in which it referred to the need, pending an
examination by the Council of the situation in all its aspects, to preserve in
place the capacity of the United Nations to assist in the restoration of the peace
and of the authority of the Lebanese Government throughout Lebanon and decided to
Prolong the mandate of UNIFIL for a further interim period of two months, until
19 October 1982. The Council authorized the Force during that period to carry out,
in addition, the interim tasks in the humanitarian and administrative fields
assigned to it in resolution 511 (1982)j called on all concerned to extend full
co-operation to the Force in the discharge of its tasks; supported the efforts of
the SecretaryGeneral, with a view to optimum use of UNTSO observers, as envisaged
bY relevant resolutions of the Security Council; and decided to consider the
situation fully and in all its aspects before 19 October 1982.
34. On 20 August, the Secretary-General received a letter from the Permanent
Representative of Lebanon, informing him that the Government of Lebanon had
requested the deployment of a multinational force in Beirut to assist the Lebanese armed forces as they carried out the orderly and safe departure from Lebanon of
Palestinian armed personnel in the Beirut area, in a manner which would further the
restoration of the sovereignty and authority of the Government of Lebanon over the
Beirut area. The Governments of France, Italy and the United States of America had
entered into agreement with the Government of Lebanon for the deployment of their
troops to participate in that multinational force. In total,':the force would
consist of approximately 2,000 men and would remain in West &:irut for a period of
30 days. His Government had requested the deployment of the multinational force to
make it possible to begin restoring the independence
integrity of Lebanon.
, sovereignty and territorial
It was fully committed to the observance of the purposes and
Principles of the Charter of the United Rations and the perti.nent resolutions
adopted by the Security Council relating to the situation in Lebanon, and intended
to give all necessary assistance to the United Nations observer Group Beirut in
fulfilling its mission. '< <,'
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35. In a communication dated 20 August (A/37/393-S/15371), the President of the
United States of America informed the Secretary-General that, in response to the
request of the Lebanese Government, the United States Government had agreed to
deploy a force of about 800 men to Beirut for a period not exceeding 30 days. The
President indicated that the deployment of the United States force was consistent
with the purposes and principles of Articles 1 and 2 of the Charter and that the
force would work closely with the United Nations observer group stationed in the
Beirut area. The Governments of France and Italy also informed the Secretary-
General of the participation of military personnel of their countries in the
multinational force.
36. On 2 September, the Secretary-General submitted a report (S/15382) to the
Security Council on the situation in the Beirut area. The cease-fire which had
gone into effect on 12 August had generally held. The first contingent of the
multinational force had arrived in Beirut on 21 August and the remainder on
25 and 26 August. The evacuation of the Palestinian armed elements and the Arab
Deterrent Force from the Beirut area began on 21 August and was completed on
1 September.
37. In a second report dated 15 September (S/l5382/Add.l) the Secretary-General
indicated that the withdrawal of the multinational force started on 10 September
and had been completed on 13 September. Between 2 and 8 September, elements of the
Lebanese Armed Forces and Internal Security Forces had moved to new positions in
West and South Beirut and the situation in the Beirut area had remained generally
calm until 13 September. On 14 September, however, tension had greatly increased
when President-elect Bashir Gemayel and several others were killed in a bomb
explosion. The following day, infantry personnel and armour of the Israel Defence
Forces had moved forward from their previous positions in West Beirut and had taken
new positions in the area.
38. On 16 September, the Secretary-General issued a statement in which he
expressed concern at the developments in Iebanon following the assassination of
President-elect Bashir Gemayel and, in particular , at the movement of Israeli
,forces into West Beirut. The same day, the Security Council met at the request of
the Permanent Representative of Lebanon and on 17 September adopted resolution
520 (1982), in which it condemned the recent Israeli incursions into Beirut in
violation of the cease-fire agreements and of Security Council resolutionst
demanded an immediate return to the positions occupied by Israel before
15 September, as a first step towards the full implementation of Council
resolutions! called again for the strict respect for Lebanon's sovereignty,
territorial integrity; unity and political independence under the sole and
exclusive authority of the Lebanese Government through the Lebanese Army throughout
Lebanon; and reaEfirmed its resolutions 512 (1982) and 513 (1982) calling for
respect for the rightd'of the civilian population. The Council also expressed its
support for the efforts of the Secretary-Ganeral to implement resolution 516 (1982)
concerning the deployment of United Nations observers to monitor the situation in
and around Beirut and"'requested all the parties concerned to co-operate fully in
the application of the resolution.
39. On 18 September; 'United Nations observers of CGB reported that, on
17 September, fighting in the Sabra Camp in the southern suburbs of Beirut had been
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in progressf tzhat the presence of Kataeb (~halange) units had been observed at
~~~ bSSans in tie hospital and the airpact ageas in the vicinity of Sabra Cam?;
and that west Beirut, with the exception of Sabra Campp had been under control by
tie lsrael ~~~~cx POKCW around 1500 hours GMT on 17 September. 6n the morning Of
18 Septe&er, all of West Beirut had been ulader control by the Israel Defence
Forces and the presence of Kataeb units had again been observed in the Same general
areas as on the previous day. TWO teams of OGB observers had reached the Sabra
amp at 0830 hours GMT and found many clusters of bodies of men@ women and children
in civilian clothes who appeared to have been massacred in groups of 10 or 20.
Observer Group Beirut had received information from the Lebanese Army that the
units seen in the Sabra area and its vicinity were in fact Kataeb units mixed with
&banes@ -d-e facto forces coming from southern Lebanon,
40. On the morning of 18 September 1982, the Secretary-General was informed by the
Israeli Foreign Ministry that I as previously announcede the presence of the Israel
Defence Forces in West Beirut would be of limited duration and that the Government
of Israel had instructed those Forces to evacuate their positions in West Beirut
when the Lebanese Army was ready to assume control over them. Discussions to that
end had been arranged between the Governments of Israel and Lebanon and had
resulted in several positions being handed over by the Israel Defence Forces to the
Lebanese Army. The Israel Defence Forces surrounded the camps when it became aware
of what had happened there during the night, so as to prevent repetition.
41" At 1640 hours on 18 September, the Permanent bpresentative of Israel informed
the Secretary-General that the Israel Defence Forces had been deployed west of the
camps and had left the access to the east open in the expectation that the Lebanese
Army would enter the camps and take up positions as called for by the Habib plan.
When the Iq'ael Dafence Forces had found out p on the morning of 18 September, that
this had not happened, they had surrounded the camps to protect the population. In
a further messagep the Permanent Representative of Israel stated that an
arrangement had been reached between the Israel Defence Forces and the Lebanese
' AKnaY for the latter to enter the three camps@ FakhaniI Sabra and Chatila, at
1000 hours local time on 19 September.
42. UPon receiVing the first reports of the killings, the Secretary-General
i~~ued~ an the morning of 18 September, a statement expressing shock and horror and
calling urgently for an end to the violence.
43. titer the Sam@ morning, the Secretary-General submitted a report to the
Security &llfEi.L on the developments mentioned in paragraphs 39 to 42 above
(S/15400). In that reportl the Secretary-General also informed the Council that he
had received a visit by the Permanent Representatives of France# Italy and the
United States, who had urged the immediate dispatch of United Nations observers to
the Beirut area* After recalling his repeated efforts in this regard since
13 June j.9821 the Secretary-General indicated that he had instructed
General Erskine to make a renewed approach to the Israeli authorities in order to
obtain their co-operation in increasing the number of United Nations observers in
Beirutm At the same time, the Secretary-General expressed the view in his report
that, in tie situation that prevailed, unarmed military observers, however
cOU~a9@o~~0S: : numerous8 .were not enough. He also noted that, i.n the UNIFfL area in
the south8 conditions had remained quiet and uNIPIL had successfully prevented the
harassment of the civilian population by any armed groupss
/ . . .
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44. On the evening of 18 :September, the Security Council met to consider the above
developments. In the early morning of 19 September, it adopted resolution
521 (1982), by which, noting that the Government of Lebanon had agreed to the
dispatch of United Nations observers to the sites of the gxeatest human suffering
and losses in and around Beirutr it condemned the criminal l~iassacre of Palestinian
civilians in that city, reaffirmed its resolutions 512 (1982) and 513 (L982), which
called for respect for the rights of the civilian populationa authorized the
Secretary-General. as an immediate step to increase the number af United Nations
observers in and around Reirut from 10 to 50 and insisted that there should be no
interference with the deployment of the observers; requested the Secretary-General,
in consultation with the Government of Lebanon, to ensure the rapid depILoyment of
those observers in order that they might contribute to the effort to ensure full
protection for the civilian population8 and requested the Secretary-@neral to
initiate urgent consultations, in particular with the Government of Lebanonr on
additional steps which the Council might take p including the possible deployment of
United Nations forces, to assist that Government in ensuririg fuJ.1 protection for
the civilian population in and around Beirut. The Council also insisted that all
concerned must permit the United Nations observers and forces established by the
Council in Lebanon to be deployed and to discharge tbei.r mandates and called
attention to the obligation of alI. Member States under ~rt,ic.:le 25 of the Charter to
accept and carry out the decisions of the Council.
45. Oh 20 September, the Secretary-General, submitted to the Security Council a
report in pursuance of resolution 521 (1982) (S/15408). He indicated that,
immediately after the adoption of the resolution, he had instructed the Chief of
Staff of UNTSO, General Erskine, to contact the Israeli authorities with a view to
getting the necessary co-operation for sending 40 additional United Nations
observers to Beirut without delay. On the morning of 20 September, General Erskine
was informed of the decision of the Israeli Cabinet to concur with the di.spatch of
the observers and, on the same day, a first group of 25 United Nations military
observers was dispatched to Beirut, The Secretary-General also reported that,
following the adoption of the resolution, he had requested the Commander of UNIFIL,
General Callaghan, to comment on the possibility of sending UNIFIL units to the
Beirut area should the Lebanese Government so request and tl~e Security Council SQ
decide. General Callaghan had informed the Secretary-Gener<?L that he could send
some 2,000 men without seriously impairing the capacity of U!\JIPIL to perform its
own interim tasks. On the morning of 20 September, however( the Permanent
Representative of Lebanon had informed the Secretary-General. that his Government
had formally requested the reconstitution of the multinational force, (XI the same
day, the Permanent Observer of the Palestine Liberation Organisation had informed
him that the PLO insisted that "military forcesl or United N::itions military Eorcesl
or agreed multinational forces I should be deployed immediat+rl.y to uradertaka the
effective safeguards",
46. On 21 September, the Permanent Representative of Franc<, informed the
Secretary-General of his Government"s decision to accede tc> ?.he Lebanese
Government's request for co-operation in the deployment in i.;zad around Reitut of a
multinational force (S/15420) 0 Subsequently, the Secretary Generak was simiBarly
informed by Italy (S/115442) and by the United States (S/15435) e On 1 8ctoberB the
Minister for Foreign Affairs of L&an~n informed the Secret;ir:y-General that his
Government had requested the deployment of the MultinatSona:l Force !zo make it
J se m
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possible to begin restoring the independence , sovereignty and territorial integrity
of Lebanon, pending further consultations with the SeCretarY-GfXH2ralt in accordance
with Security council resolution 521 (1982) (S/15445)'.
41. On 24 September 1982, the General Assembly, meeting in a resumed seventh
emergency special session, adopted resolution ES-7/Q, by which it, inter alia,
condemned the criminal massacre of Palestinian and other civilians in Beirut on
17 September 1982; urged the Security Council to investigate, through the means
available to it, the circumstances and extent of the massacre and to make public
the report on its findings as soon as possible) decided to support fully the
provisions of Security Council resolutions 508 (1982) and 509 (1982); resolved
that, in conformity with its resolution 194 (XII) and subsequent relevant
resolutions, the Palestinian refugees should be enabled to return to their homes
and property, and demanded that Israel comply unconditionally and immediately with
the present resolution) urged the Security Council , in the event of continued
failure by Israel to comply with Security Council resolutions 508 (1982) and
509 (1982) and the present resolution, to meet in order to consider practical ways
and means in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations) and called upon all
States and international agencies and organizations to continue to provide the most
extensive humanitarian aid possible to the victims of the Israeli invasion of
Lebanon.
48. At the end of September, the Secretary-General submitted two further reports
in pursuance of resolution 521 (1982) (5/15408/I!dd .l and 2). He indicated that
10 additional observers had arrived in Beirut on 21 September and 5 the next day,
thus bringing the total strength of oGB to 50. !The situation in the Beirut area
had remained generally calm. Contingents of the multinational force had started
arriving on 24 September and, by 30 September, the total strength of the force,
consisting of French, Italian and United States contingents, had reached
approximately 4,000. The Lebanese Armed Forces operating in Beirut as of
30 September had a strength of 3,500. The Israeli forces began withdrawing from
the Beirut area and, by 30 September, OGB observed only two Israeli check-points
near Khalde, south of the Beirut airport. That airport was reopened to civilian
traffic on that day.
49. Since the thirtysixth session of the General Assembly, a number of
communications have been addressed to the President of the General Assembly, the
President of the Security Council or the Secretary-Gneral concerning military
developments and hostile activities in and around Lebanon. Those communications
were from Afghanistan (A/37/364), Australia (S/15356), Belgium on behalf of the
10 member States of the European Community (A/37/277-5/15195, A/37/328-5/15265),
Brazil (A/37/331+$/3.5276), China (A/37/293-S/15224, A/37/336+/15284,
A/37/343-S/15297), Cuba on behalf of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries
tA/37/95+/14880, S/15165,A/37/281-S/15200, S/15233, A/37/299-S/15243, A/37/300,
A/37/332, S/15274, S/15322), Cyprus (A/37/294+/15225), Czechoslovakia
(A/37/284-5/15211), Egypt (A/37/270-5/15183), Ethiopia (S/15302), Fiji
(A/37/276+/15190), France {A/37/309, S/15254), the German Democratic Republic
(A/37/272+3/15186, A/37/313-S/15262, A/37/383-S/15352), Hungary (A/37/306-S/15251),
Iraq on behalf of the Organization of the Xslamic Conference (A/37/286-5/15220),
Israel (A/37/257-5/15132, S/15271, A/37/327, S/15341), Japan ('S/14994,
A/37/399-S/15372), Jordan (A/37/304-5/15248, S/15272, S/15328), the Lao People's
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Democratic Republic (A/37/303), Lebanon (S/14875, S/14888, S/14962, S/14989,
S/15064 and Corr.1, S/15087, A/37/228, S/15161, S/15162, S/15261, A/37/316,
A/37/346+/15300, S/15309, A/37/360, S/15310, S/15324, S/15326, S/15333, S/15353,
A/37/491), Madagascar (A/37/312-5/15259) , Mauritania (A/37/314-5/15263), Mongolia
(S/15034, A/37/280-5/15197), Mpzambique (A/37/302), Nicaragua (S/15349, A/37/379)#
Niger (A/37/282-5/15209), Qnan on behalf of the Member States of the League of Arab
States at the United Nations (S/15170), Pakistan (A/37/287-S/15221, S/15288),
Saudi Arabia on behalf of the Third Islamic Summit Conference (A/37/269+/15180),
Seychelles (A/37/341-5/15294), Sierra Leone (A/37/278), Singapore on behalf of the
States members of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (A/37/283-5/15210),
Thailand also on behalf of the States members of ASEAN (A/37/324-5/15268,
A/37/387-S/15364), the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (S/15005, S/15187,
A/37/289+/15223, A/37/361-S/15312, A/37/374-5/15346), Viet Nam (A/37/273,
A/37/298, A/37/369, A/37/385) and the Palestine Liberation Organisation (S/15164,
annex; A/37/295-5/15226, annex; A/37/345-5/15299, annex? S/15308, annexes; S/15318,
annexes; S/15332, annex) S/15336, annexes1 S/15340, annex1 S/15348, annex; S/15350,
annex; S/15354, annex). A number of communications have also been received from
Israel regarding violent incidents in Israel, the Israeli occupied territories and
elsewhere (A/37/65-S/14836, A/37/71-S/14842, A/37/79+/14856, A/37/116-S/14906,
A/37/118 and Corr.l-S/14910 and Corr.1, A/37/165, S/14938, S/14939, A/37/166,
S/14951, S/14965, A/37/175, S/14972, A/37/190, S/15066, A/37/223, S/15107,
A/37/253, S/15158, A/37/266). Communications were also received from the Permanent
Representative of Cyprus transmitting the text of the final communiqu6 of the
Extraordinary Ministerial meeting of the Co-ordinating Bureau of Non-Aligned
Countries on the Question of Palestine, held at Nicosia from 15 to 17 July 1982
(A/37/366-S/15327) and from the Permanent Observer of the League of Arab States,
transmitting the text of the declaration issued by the Committee of Six of the
League during its meeting at Jeddah on 28 and 29 July 1982 (S/15329). In addition,
two communications were received from the Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise
of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People (A/371274-S/15188,
A/37/288-5/15222).
50. Developments in and around Beirut since 15 September 1982 and, in particular,
the killing of civilians in Palestine refugee camps in that city were the subject
of a number of communications addressed to the President of the Security Council or
the SecretaryGeneraL. These communications, which were circulated as documents of
the Security Council or the General Assembly, were from Austria (S/15416), China
(A/37/483-S/15430), Cuba on behalf of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries
(A/37/470-5/15418), Egypt (A/37/464-S/15412), France (S/15407), Guyana
(A/37/486+/1543 3) , Jamaica (A/37/487-S/15434), Jordan (A/37/463-5/15411), the
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya (A/37/456%/15397; A/37/472)
Mongolia (A/37/480),
, Madagascar (A/37/465-S/15413),
Pakistan (A/37/502-S/15438), Suriname (S/15406), Tunisia
(S/15396), the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (A/37/471-S/15419), Viet Nam
(A/37/489) and the Palestine Liberation Organisation (S/15399, annex; S/15404,
annex). A communication was also received from the Chairman of the Committee on
the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People (A/37/462-S/15410).
Other communications on the same subject were also addressed to the Becretary-
General by Bangladesh, Finland, Israel, Maldives, Mexico, and Romania, as well as
by the Secretary-General of Organization of the Islamic Conference.
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III* SITUATION IN THE OCCUPIED TBBRNQBI='
51. The action taken by the United Nations prior to'Bovember 1981 on the situation
in the occupied territories I including Jerusalem" was outlined in the Secretary-
General's report of 11 November 1981 (~/36/655-S/14746, Paras. 15-21).
52. The General AssemblyI at its thirty-sixth SeSSiOnr after considering the
report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the
Human Rights of the Population of the Occupied Territories (A/36/579) I which was
composed of Senegal@ Sri Lanka and Yugoslavia , adopted resolutions 36/147 A to G on
16 December 1981. By these resolutions , the General Assembly, inter alia,
reaffirmed that the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian
Persons in Time of War, of 12 June 1949, 1/ was applicable to the territories
occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem, and demanded that Israel
acknowledge and comply with those provisions (resolution 36/147 A)) demanded that
the Government of Israel desist forthwith from taking any action which would result
in changing the legal status, geographical nature or demographic composition Of
those territories (resolution 36/147 B)! demanded that Israel desist forthwith from
a number of policies and practices mentioned in the resolution (resolution
36/147 C)r demanded that the Government of Israel rescind the expulsion of the
Mayors of Hebron and Halhul and the Sharia Judge of Hebron and that it facilitate
their immediate return (resolution 36/147 D); determined that all legislative and
administrative measures and actions taken or to be taken by Israel that purport to
alter the character and legal status of the Syrian Arab Golan Heights were null and
void and constituted a violation of international law (resolution 36/147 E);
condemned Israeli Policies and practices against Palestinian students and faculty
in the educational institutions in the occupied Palestinian territories and
demanded that it rescind all actions and measures taken against these institutions,
in particular the orders for the closure of the universities of Bir Zeit, Bethlehem
and Al-Wajah (resolution 36/147 I?); and demanded that Israel inform the Secretary-
General of the results of the investigations relevant to the assassination attempts
against the Mayors of Nablus, Ramallah and El Bireh, after expressing its concern
that Israel had failed to apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators of those
attempts (resolution A/36/147 G).
53. On 17 December 1981, the General Assembly adopted resolution 36/226 B, by
which it declared that Israel"s decision to apply Israeli law to the occupied
Syrian Golan Heights was null and void; determined that the Geneva Convention of
12 August 1949 continued to apply to the Syrian territory cxxupied in 19671 and
demanded that Israel rescind its decision and all measures relating to it. me
Assembly requested the Security Council, in the event of Israel's failure to
implement the resolution, to invoke Chapter VII of the Charter of the United
Nations.
54,
which
On 17 December 1981, the Security Council adopted resolution 497 (1981) in
it decided that the Israeli decision to impose its laws, jurisdiction and
administration In the occupied Syrian Golan Heights was null and void, and demanded
that Israel rescind forthwith its decision. The Security Council requested the
SeCretarY-@neral to report to it on the imPlementation of this resolution within
two weeks and decided that in the event of non-compliance by Israel it would meet
urgently, and not later than 5 January 1982, to consider taking appropriate
measures.
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55. The position of the Israeli Government on Security Council resolution
497 (1981) was set forth in the Secretary-General's reports of 21 December
(A/36/846-S/14805 and Corr.l) and 31 December (S/14821).
56. The Security.Council held eight meetings on this question in the course of
January 1982. On 20 January, it voted on a draft resolution submitted by Jordan8
by which the Council would strongly condemn Israel for its failure to comply with
resolution 497 (1981) and General Assembly resolution 36/226 B and decide that all
Member States should consider applying concrete and effective measures in order to
nullify the Israeli annexation of the Syrian Golan Heights and to refrain from
providing any assistance to and co-operation with Israel in all fields
(S/14832/Rev.l). The draft resolution was not adopted owing to the negative vote
of a permanent member. On 28 January, the Council adopted resolution 500 (1982)
calling for an emergency special session of the General Assembly to examine this
question.
57. On 29 January 1982, the General Assembly met in emergency special session and,
on 5 February 1982, adopted resolution Es-g/l, by which it strongly condemned
Israel for its failure to comply with Security Council resolution 497 (1981) and
Assembly resolution 36/226 Bt declared that Israel's decision of 14 December 1981
to impose its laws, jurisdiction and administration on the occupied Syrian Golan
Heights constituted an act of aggression under the provisions of Article 39 of the
Charter of the United Nations and Assembly resolution 3314 (XXIX); reiterated that
this decision, as well as all action taken by Israel to give effect to it, was null
and void, determined that the continued occupation of the Golan Heights constituted
a continuing threat to international peace and security1 called upon all Member
States to refrain fro,m supplying Israel with any weapons and to apply other
measures to isolate Israel, urged non-member States , specialized agencies of the
United Nations system and international institutions to act in conformity with the
provisions of the resolution; and requested the Secretary-General to follow up the
implementation of the resolution and to report thereon at intervals of two months
to Member States as well as to the Security Council and to submit a comprehensive
report to the Assembly at its thirty-seventh session.
58. Information on the implementation of the resolution was received, at the
request of the Secretary-General, from 14 Member States and 5 specialised
agencies. These replies were brought to the attention of the General Assembly and
the Security Council (A/37/16!+5/14953 and Add.1 and 2).
59. On 11 February 1982, the Qnunission on Human Rights adopted resolutions
1982/l A and B concerning the question of violation of human rights in the occupied
territories. These resolutions, in which the Commission condemned Israeli policies
and practices in the occupied territories along lines similar to those of General
Assembly resolution 36/147 C were brought to the attention of the Assembly
(A/37/322-S/15269).
60. The situation in the occupied territories was again the subject of
consideration by the Security Council at four meetings in March and April 1982. A
draft resolution submitted by Jordan (S/14943), by which the Council would have
denounced the violation of the liberties and rights of the inhabitants of those
territories and called on Israel to rescind its decision disbanding the elected
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municipal COUnCil Of El Bireh and its decision to remove the myors of Nablus and
&mall-ah, was not adopted owing to the negative vote of a permanent member
(s/~V.2348) 0
61. In April, the Security Council held six further meetings to consider a
shooting incident which took place on 11 April at the Al-Fysa Mosque in Jerusalem.
On 20 April, the COUnCil voted on the draft resolution (S/14985), by which the
Council would condemn in the strongest terms the acts of sacrilege perpetrated
within the precincts of al-Haram al-Shareef (Z+l-Aqsa Mosque). The draft resolution
was not adopted OWing to the negative vote of a permanent member (S/PV.2357).
62, The Special Committee held periodic meetings in implementation of the request
of the General Assembly under resolution 36/147 C. During the period between these
meetings, the Special Committee was kept informed of events taking place in the
occupied territories relevant to its mandates the information was gathered from a
variety of sources including oral testimonies and written communications. At its
periodic meetings, the Special Committee reviewed this information and assessed the
human rights situation in the occupied territories with a view to deciding whether
any action would be undertaken. The report of the Special Committee under Assembly
resolution 36/147 C (A/37/485) will be submitted to the thirty-seventh session of
the AssemblY.
63. During its thirty-sixth session, the General Assembly adopted three further
resolutions which are relevant to the situation in the occupied territories, BY
its resolution 36/73 of 4 December 1981, the General Assembly took note of the
report of the SecretaryGeneral on the living conditions of the Palestinian people
(A/36/26 and Add.1, 2 and 3) i condemned Israel for the deteriorating living ;
conditions of the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territories; I
affirmed that the elimination of the Israeli occupation was a prerequisite for :$he
social and economic development of the Palestinian people in those territoriesli and i
requested the Secretary-General to submit to the General Assembly at its
thirty-seventh session, through the &onomic and Social Council, a comprehensive
and analytical report on the deteriorating living conditions of the Palestinian
people in the occupied territories. The report requested of the Secretary-General
will be issued shortly.
64. By its resolution 36/150 of 16 December 1981, the General Assembly demanded
that Israel cease forthwith implementation of its project of a canal linking the
Mediterranean Sea and the Dead Sear requested the Security Council to consider
initiating measures to halt the execution of this project; called upon all States
not to assist in the preparation for and the execution of this project; and
requested the Secretary-General to submit to the Assembly and the Security Council,
by 30 June 1982, a study on the Israeli canal and its effects on Jordan and the
Palestinian territories occupied since 1967. The report of the Secretary-General
on this subject was circulated on 30 June (A/37/328+/15277).
65, Lastly, by its resolution 36/173 of 17 December 1981, the General Assembly "
emphasized the right of the Arab States and peoples whose territories were under
Israeli occupation to full and effective permanent sovereignty and control over
their natural and all other resources o wealth and economic activities) reaffirmed
that all measures undertaken by Israel to exploit the human I natural and all other
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aid resourcesl wealth and economic activities in the occupied Palestinian and other
Arab territories were illegal and called upon Israel to desist immediately from
such measures) called upon all States to support the Arab States and peoples in the
exercise of the above-mentioned rights, and requested the Secretary-General to
submit to the Assembly at its thirty-seventh session a comprehensive report on
permanent sovereignty over national resources in the occupied territories,
including Jerusalem, and make proposals for follow-up and implementation. The
report requested of the Secretary-General on this subject will be circulated
shortly.
66. The situation in the occupied territories has been the subject of a number of
communications addressed to the President of the Security Council or the Secretary-
General. These communications dealt with the question of the Golan Heights
(A/37/59, S/14825, S/14827, s/14828, A/37/60 and Corr.l-S/14829 and Corr.1, S/14838
and Corr.1, S/14849, A/37/92-s/14876, A/37/106-s/14893, A/37/151-s/14914), the
question of Israeli settlements and the purchase or annexation of land in the
occupied territories (A/37/81-S/14859, A/37/10&s/14895, A/37/189+/14983,
A/37/215-S/15029, S/15038), matters relating to Jerusalem and the Holy Places
(A/37/80-s/14858, A/37/159-5/14928, s/14967, s/14969, s/14982, s/15091r
A/37/231-S/15093, S/15109, A/37/239-S/15114, A/37/262, S/15318) and other matters
relating to the situation in the occupied territories (S/14884, A/37/lOl, A/37/153,
S/14912, S/14916, S/14917, A/37/155, S/14923, S/14924, S/14930, A,'37/l68-S/14952,
S/14991, A/37/448-5/15391). In addition, two communications were received from the
Permanent Representative of Israel expressing reservations concerning the convening
Of the ninth emergency special session of the General Assembly (A/ES-9/4, S/14852).
IV. PALESTINE REFUGEE PROBLEM
67. The Palestine refugee problem and the efforts of the United Nations to assist
the refugees up to October 1981were dealt with in the report of the Secretary-
General of 11 November 1981 (A/36/655-S/14746, paras. 22-24).
68. Following its consideration of the report of the Commissioner-General of the
United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East
(UNRWA) 2/ at its thirty-sixth session, the General Assembly adopted eight
resolutions on 16 December 1981. In resolution 36/146 F, the Assembly noted with
regret that repatriation or compensation of the refugees as provided for in
paragraph 11 of the Assembly resolution 194 (III) had not been effected, that no
substantial progress had been made in the programme endorsed by the Assembly in
Paragraph 2 of its resolution 513 (VI) for the reintegration of refugees either by
repatriation or resettlement and that, therefore, the situation of the refugees
continued to be a matter of seriousconcernt expressed its thanks to the
C&xnmissioner-General and to all the staff of UNRWA, recognizing that the Agency was
doing all it could within the limits of available resources! reiterated its request
that the headquarters of UNRWA should be relocated within the area of its
oPerationS as soon as practicable1 noted with regret that the United Nations
Conciliation Commission for Palestine had been unable to find a means of achieving
progress in the implementation of paragraph 11 of Assembly resolution 194 (XII) and
Zequested the Commission to exert continued efforts towards the implementation of
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that paragraph and to report to the Assembly as appropriate, but no,t later than
1 October 1982; directed attention to the continuing seriousness of the financial
position of UNRWA as outlined in the report of the Commissioner-Generals noted witi
concern that, despite the commendable and successful efforts of the CornmisSioner-
General to collect additional contributions, this increased level of income to
UNHWA was still insufficient to cover essential budget requirements in 1981; and
called upon all Governments as a matter of urgency to make the most generaus
efforts possible to meet the anticipated needs of UNRWA.
69. The other resolutions adopted by the General Assembly dealt with the removal
and resettlement of Palestine refugees in the Gaza Strip (resolution 36/146 A) I
population and refugees displaced since 1967 (resolution 36/146 B), the revenues
derived from Palestine refugee properties (resolution 36/146 C), assistance to
persons displaced as a result of the June 1967 hostilities (resolution 36/146 D),
the Working Group on the Financing of UNRWA (resolution 36/146 E), the University
of Jerusalem for Palestine refugees (resolution 36/146 G) and offers by Member
States of grants and scholarships for higher education for the Palestine refugees
(resolution 36/146 B).
70. The developments since the adoption of those resolutions are described in the
annual report of the Commissioner-General of UNRWA. g/ The Commissioner-General
has also submitted a special report on the activities of the Agency to provide
emergency assistance to the Palestine refugees affected by the recent hostilities
in Lebanon (A/37/479). The General Assembly has also before it the reports of the
Secretary-General on the offers of scholarships and grants for Palestine refugees
(A/37/427), on the population and refugees displaced since 1967 (A/37/426) I on the
Palestine refugees in the Gaza Strip (A/37/425) and on the revenues derived from
Palestine refugee properties (A/37/488 and Corr.1) as well as the report of the
United Nations Conciliation Commission for Palestine (A/37/497). In addition, the
report of the Secretary-General on the University of Jerusalem for Palestine
refugees under resolution 36/146 G and the report of the Working Group on the
Financing Of UNRWA under resolution 36/146 E will be submitted shortly,
V. QlrESTION OF PALESTINE
71. The action taken by the United Nations on the question of Palestinian rights :
up to 4 November 1981 was outlined in the report of the Secretary-General of that
date (A/36/655-S/14746, paras. 25-28). ;
72. At its thirty-sixth session , the General Assembly considered the report of the
Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People A/
and adopted, on 10 December 1981, six resolutions. In those resolutions the
Assembly, inter alia, requested the Committee to keep the situation relating to the
Question of PaleStine under review (resolution 36/120 A) i requested the Secretary-
General to ensure that the Special Unit on Palestinian Rights, in consultation with
the Committee and under its guidance , continue to discharge the tasks detailed in
previous Assembly resolutions (resolution 36/120 B)t decided to convener under the
auspices of the United Nations , an International Conference on the Question of
Palestine not later than 1984 (resolution 36/l20 C); reaffirmed that a
comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East could not be established
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without the achievement of a just solution of the problem of Palestine on the basis
of the attainment by the Palestinian people of its inalienable rights in Palestine#
including the right of return and the right to self-determination, national
independence and sovereignty (resolution X6/120 D); determined that all legislative
and administrative measures and actions taken by Israel, which had altered or
purported to alter the character and status of the Holy City of Jerusalem, were
null and void and must be rescinded forthwith (resolution 36/120 E); and expressed
its strong opposition to all partial agreements and separate treaties which
constituted a flagrant violation of the rights of the Palestinian people, the
principles of ;he Charter and of the international law and declared that all
agreements and separate treaties had no validity in so far as they purported to
determine the future of the Palestinian people and of the Palestinian territories
occupied by Israel since 1967 (resolution 36/l20 F).
73. On 11 February 1982, the Commission on Human Rights adopted resolution 1982/3,
by which it, inter alia, reaffirmed the inalienable right of the Palestinian people
t0 Self-determinatiOn without external interference and to the establishment of a
fully independent and sovereign State in Palestine.
74. The seventh emergency special session of the General Assembly, which had been
suspended in July 1981, was resumed in April, June and August and again in
September 1982. On 28 April, the Assembly adopted resolution ES-7/4, in whiL Lt,
inter aliar reaffirmed,previous resolutions; reaffirmed the fundamental principle
of the inadmissibility of acquisition of territory by force; reaffirmed that all
the provisions of the Hague Conventions of 1907 and the Geneva Convention relative
to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 1949 applied to all
territories occupied by Israel since 1967) demanded that Israel should comply with
the provisions of Security Council resolution 465 (1980); demanded that Israel
should comp3y with all United Rations resolutions relevant to the status and unique
character of the Holy City of Jerusalem ; expressed its rejection of all policies
and plans aiming at the resettlement of the Palestinians outside their homeland;
condemned Israel for various actions in the occupied territories; condemned all
policies which frustrated the exercise of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian
people) and urged all Governments which had not yet done so to recognize the
inalienable rights of the Palestinian people and to renounce the policy of
providing Israel with military, economic and political assistance; condemned the
policies which encouaged the flow of human resources to Israel; declared that
IsraelOs record and actions confirmed that it was not a peace-loving Member State
and #at it had carried out neither its obligations under the Charter nor its
commitment under General Assembly resolution 273 (III); called upon Israel to
observe and apply the provisions of the Geneva Convention relative to the
Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War and the principles of international
law governing military occupation in all the occupied territories; demanded that
Israel should permit entry into the occupied territories of the Special Committee
to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Population of
the Occupied Territories and of the Commission established by Security Council
resolution 446 (1979)) urged the Security Council to recognize the inalienable
rights of the Palestinian people and to endorse the recommendations of the
Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian Peoples
called upon the Secretary-Generalr in concurrence with the Security Council and in
consultation as appropriate with the Committee, to initiate contacts with all
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parties to the ArabISraeli conflict: , including the Palestine Liberation
Organization, with a view to finding concrete ways and means to achieve a
comprehensive, just and lasting solution in conformity with the principles of the
Charter and relevant resolutions and based on the implementation of the
recommendations of the Committee as endorsed by the Assembly at its thirty-first
session; and requested the Secretary-General to follow up the implementation of the
resolution and to report thereon at appropriate intervals to Member States as well
as to the Security Council and to submit a comprehensive report to the Assembly at
its thirty-seventh session under the item entitled "Question of Palestine".
75. On 26 June, the General Assembly adopted resolution ES-7/5, in which it
decided to support fully the provisions of Security Council resolutions 508 (1982)
and 509 (1982)) urged the Security Council, in the event of continued failure by
Israel to Comply With the demands contained in those resolutions, to meet in order
to consider practical ways and means in accordance with the Charter of the United
Nations; and requested the Secretary-General to delegate a high-level commission to
investigate and assess the extent of LOSS of human life and material damage and to
report on the result of this investigation to the Assembly and the Security Council,
76. on 19 August, the General Assembly adopted three further resolutions - ES-7/6,
ES-7/7 and Es-7/8. In those resolutions, the Assembly demanded that Israel carry
out the provisions of Security Council resolutions 509 (1982), 511 (1982),
512 (1982), 513 (1982), 515 (1982), 516 (1982) , 517 (1982) and 519 (1982); urged
the Secretary-General, with the concurrence of the Security Council and the
Government of Lebanon and pending the withdrawal of Israel from Lebanon, to
undertake effective measures to guarantee the safety and security of the
Palestinian and Lebanese civilian population in South Lebanon! it requested the
Secretary-General and organizations of the United Nations system, in co-operation
with the International Committee of the Red Cross and other non-governmental
organizations, to investigate the strict application by Israel of the provisions of
the Geneva Convention of 1949 and other instruments in the case of those detained?
and called upon the Secretary-General to initiate contact with all the parties to
the Arab-Israeli conflict, including the Palestine Liberation Organization, with a
view to convening an international conference, under the auspices of the United
Nations, to find concrete ways and means of achieving a comprehensive, just and
lasting solution, conducive to peace in conformity with the principles of the
Charter and relevant resolutions (resolution ES-7/6); decided to convene the
International Conference on the Question of Palestine at the headquarters of the
United Nations Educational,,Scientific and Cultural Organization in Paris from 16
to 27 August 1983 (resolution ES-7/7); and also decided to commemorate 4 June of
each Year as the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression
(resolution ES-7/8).
77. On 24 September 1982, the General Assembly adopted resolution B-7/9, to which
a reference has already been made (see para. 47 above).
78. The report of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the
Palestinian People has been submitted to the General Assembly. g The General
Assembly will also have before it at its thirty-seventh session the report of the
Secretary-General on the International Conference on Palestine. i/ In addition,
Since the General Assembly discussed the matter at its thirty-sixth session, a
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number of communications have been received from the Chairman or the Acting
Chairman of the Committee (A/37/75-S/14844, A/37/94-S/14879, ~/37/109-S/14897,
A/37/240-s/15120, A/37/301-S/15244, A/37/339-S/15290, A/37/449-S/15393). BY a
letter dated 20 April 1982 (A/37/205-S/14990), the Permanent Representative of
Kuwait transmitted to the Secretary-General the text of the final communique of the
Extraordinary Ministerial Meeting of the Co-ordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned
Countries on the Question of Palestine# held in Kuwait from 5 to 8 April 1982. The
final communiqud and other documents of the Ministerial Meeting of the
Co-ordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Countries, held at Havana from 31 May to
5 June 1982, were transmitted to the Secretary-General by the Alternate Permanent
Representative of Cuba in a letter dated 22 June 1982 (A/37/333-S/15278). In
addition, letters were received from the Permanent Representatives of Israel
(A/%-7/18, A/ES-7/20, A/37/499) and the United States of -erica (A/ES-7116,
A/ES-7/17) expressing reservations concerning the resumption of the seventh
emergency special session of the General Assembly.
VI. SEARCH FOR A PEACEFUL SE'ITLEJQXNT
79. An outline of developments relating to the search for a peaceful settlement of
the Middle East problem from November 1967 until November 1981 may be found in the
Secretary-General's reports of 18 May 1973 (S/10929), of 17 October 1978
(A/33/311-S/12896), of 24 October 1979 (A/34/584-,5/13578), of 24 October 1980
(A/35/563-S/14234) and of 11 November 1981 (A/36/655-5/14746).
80. At its thirty-sixth session I resumed seventh emergency special session and
ninth emergency special session, the General Assembly adopted several resolutions
on various aspects of the Middle East conflict which are pertinent to the search
for a settlement in the region. Of particular relevance are resolutions 36/226 A
on the situation in the Middle East and resolutions 36/120 and ES-7/4 on the
question of Palestine. These resolutions are summarized in earlier parts of this
report (see paras. 1, 72 and 74 above).
81. In July 1982, during the recent hostilities in Lebanon, Egypt and France
submitted a joint draft resolution (S/15317) to the Security Council which was
aimed both at bringing about an immediate cease-fire in Lebanon and at promoting a
peace settlement in the Middle East as a whole. The latter part of the draft
resolution read, inter alia:
“[The Security Council] considers that the settlement of the Lebanese problem
should contribute to the initiation of a durable restoration of peace and
security in the region within the framework of negotiations based on the
principles of security for all States and justice for all peoples, in order
namely to:
(a) Reaffirm the right of all States in the region to existence and
security in accordance with Security Council resolution 242 (1967);
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(b) Reaffirm the legitimate national rights Of the Palestinian People,
including the right to self-determination with all its implications, On the
understanding that to this end the Palestinian people shall be represented in
the negotiations and , consequently, the Palestine Liberation Grganimati*n
shall be associated thereinr
lc) ~11 for the mutual and simultaneous recognition of the parties
cone erned”.
NO action has as yet been taken on the draft resolution.
82, mllming the evacuation of the Palestinian armed elements from Beirut (see
paras. 34-36 above) , the President of the United States of America made a statement
on 1 September 1982 in which he put forward certain proposals for the search of a
peaceful settlement in the Middle East. The statement, the text of which was
communicated to the Secretary-General , contained the following main points;
(a) The Camp David Accords remain the foundation of United States policy, the
aim of which is to reconcile Israel’s legitimate security concerns with the
legitimate rights of the Palestinians. But a fresh start is needed.
(b) There must be a five-year transition period during which the Palestinians
of the West Sank and Gaza will have full autonomy. This period would begin after
free elections for a self-governing Palestinian authority.
(c) The United States wiull not support the use of any additional land for
settlements during the transitional periodt an immediate settlement freeze by
Israel could create confidence for wider talks.
(d) Th@ purpose of the transition period is the peaceful and orderly transfer
of authority from Israel to the Palestinians of the West Bank and Gaza. Such a
transfer must not interfere with Israel's security requirements.
(e) Beyond the transition period, the United States will not support the
establishment Of an independent PaLestinian State in the West Rank and Cana, nor
annexation or permanent control by Israel. Self-government by the Palestinians of
the West Bank and Gaza in association with Jordan offers the best chance for a just
and lasting peace.
(f) Security CblnCil IXSOhJtiOn 242 (1967) remains wholly valid as the
foundation stone of the Middle East peace effort of the United States. In return
for Peace, the withdrawal provision of that resolution applies to all fronts,
including the West Sank and Gasa.
(4) When the border is negotiated between Jordan and Israel, the extent to
which Israel should be asked t0 give up territory will be heavily affected by the
extent of normalisation and the security arrangements offered in return.
00 Jerusalem must remain undivided, but its final status should be decided
through negotiations.
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(i) The United States will oppose any proposal that threatens the security of
Israel, and its commitment to Israel's security is ironclad.
83. The Twelfth Arab Summit COnference, meeting at Fez, Morocco, adopted on
9 September 1982 the following principles for a settlement of the Israeli-Arab
conflict:
(a) The withdrawal of Israel from all the Arab territories occupied by it
in 1967, including Arab Al wds (Jerusalem)!
(b) The dismantling of the settlements established by Israel in the Arab
territories since 1967;
(c) The guaranteeing of freedom of worship and practice of religious rites
for all religions in the Holy Places;
(d) The reaffirmation of the right of the Palestinian people to
self-determination and to the exercise of their inalienable and imprescriptible
national rights, under the leadership of the Palestine Liberation Organization,
their sole and legitimate representative ,‘and the indemnification of all those who
do not desire to return;
(e) The placing of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip under the control of the
United Nations for a transitional period not exceeding a few months)
(f) The establishment of an independent Palestinian State with Al Qods
(Jerusalem) as its capital!
(g) The establishment by.the Security Council of guarantees of peace among
all States of the region, including the independent Palestinian State1
(h) The guaranteeing by the Security Council of the implementation of these
principles.
84. On 15 September 1982, the President of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of
the USSR made a statement (A/37/457-S/15403) in which he set out the following
principles as the basis for a peaceful settlement in the Middle East;
(a) The principle of the inadmissibility of the acquisition of foreign
territories by aggression must be strictly observed. Accordingly, all the
territories occupied by Israel since 1967 - the Golan Heights, the West Sank of the
Jordan, the Gaza Strip and the Lebanese territory - must be returned to the Arabs.
The borders between Israel and its Arab neighbours must be declared inviolable.
(b) The inalienable right of the Arab people of Palestine to selfdetermination
and to the establishment of their own independent State in the
Palestinian territories which will be freed from Israeli occupation - the West Bank
and Gaza - must be guaranteed in practice. Palestinian refugees must be granted
the opportunity to return to their homes or receive compensation for properties
which they left.
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(c) East Jerusalem must be returned to the Arabs and become an integral part
of the Palestinian State. Freedom of access of the faithful to the Holy Places Of
the three religions must be guaranteed throughout Jerusalem.
(d) The right of all States in the region to security, independent existence
and development must be guaranteed on a basis of complete reciprocity.
(e) The state of war must be ended and peace established between the Arab
States and Israel. ~l.1 parties to the conflict, including Israel and a Palestinian
State, must undertake to respect each other's sovereignty, independence and
territorial integrity and to settle any dispute through negotiations.
(f) International guarantees for the settlement must be worked out and
adopted. The permanent members of the Security Council or the Council as a whole
could assure the role of guarantors.
Such a settlement, he said, could be worked out and implemented only through
collective efforts with the participation of all interested parties, including the
Palestine Liberation Organization, as provided for in the USSR proposal for an
international conference on the Middle East.
85. Since the Secretary-Gneral's last comprehensive report on this item was
issued on 11 November 1981, a number of communications have been addressed to him,
to the President of the Security Council or to the President of the General
Assembly, which dealt with the situation in the Middle East or specific aspects
thereof. These communications have been circulated as documents of the Security
Council or the General Assembly, as appropriate. In addition to those referred to
in the preceding sections of this report (see paras. 49, 50, 66 and 78 above), the
Permanent Representative of Belgium transmitted the text of the statement issued by
the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the 10 member States of the European
Community, meeting at Luxembourg on 26 and 27 April 1982, concerning the Israeli
withdrawal from Sinai on 25 April 1982 (a/37/2l8-S/15039). The Israeli withdrawal
was also the.subject of communications from the Union of Soviet socialist Republics
~~&L37/;2l3-S~1505) and Egypt (A/37/220+/15051). Other communications relating to
the search for a settlement in the Middle East were also received from Eigypt and
France (S/15315, S/15316), Egypt (A/37/411-8/15376) and Israel (A/37/423-S/15386).
The text of the statement made by the Heads of State and Government of the
10 member States of the European Community meeting at Brussels on 29 and
30 March 1982 was transmitted by the Permanent Representative of Belgium
(A/37/170-S/14954). The statement on the situation in the.Middle East issued at
Brussels on 20 September 1982 by the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the 10 member
States of the European Community was transmitted by the Permanent Representative of
Denmark (A/37/473-$/15421).
VII. OBSERVATIONS
86. The Palestinian problem and the Israeli-Arab conflict in the Middle East have
been a major concern of the United Nations for some 35 years. They have probably
claimed more time and more attention from our Organization than any other
international problem.
/ . . .
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87. The pilst 35 years have seen a long series of efforts to resolve that conflict
by peaceful means, many undertaken under United Nations auspices. The approval of
the Partition Plan by the General Assembly in November 1947, the conclusion Of the
General Armistice Agreement of 1949 under the auspices of the United Nations
Mediator for Palestine, the unanimous adoption of Security Council resolution
242 (1967) of 22 Nopember 1967 and the Jarring mission, the adoption of Security
Council resolution 338 (1973) of 21 October 1973, the convening of the Geneva Peace
Conference in December 1973 and the disengagement agreements of 1974 are important
milestones on the rocky road of the search for peace in the Middle &St. Each of
these events could have led to a general peace settlement but failed to do SO
because one or another of the parties concerned refused to make the necessary
accommodations.
88. Thus, instead of generai peace , there have been in the Middle East a
succession of cease-fires. In most cases, the cease-fires were called for by the
Security Council and supervised by United Nations peace-keeping operations. In
difficult and often dangerous circumstances, United Nations military observers and
soldiers of United Nations forces carried out their thankless peace-keeping tasks
through observation, supervision, interposition, liaison and good offices. F3utl
lacking enforcement means, United Nations peace-keeping operations can function
properly only with the cooperation of the parties and on a clearly defined mandate
from the Security Council. In the complexity of the situation in the Middle East,
these conditions could not always be met. Nevertheless, with dedication and
courage, the United Nations observers and soldiers did much to maintain a
precarious peace. But, in the absence of a resolution of the underlying political
and security issues, the situation remained unstable, and over the years the
cease-fires were marred by numerous incidents and five full-fledged wars. With the
development of increasingly sophisticated weapons , each succeeding war has become
more destructive and each new round of fighting has added to the complexity of the
conflict and made it more difficult to resolve. The recent tragic events in
Lebanon have forcefully highlighted the urgent need to seek a peaceful settlement
Of the Palestinian problem and other aspects of the Middle East conflict.
89. It is therefore with keen interest that I have noted the various initiatives
undertaken recently to this effect I including the Franc-Egyptian draft resolution
of 29 July 1982, the proposals put forward by the bited States Government
following the evacuation of Palestinian armed elements from Beirut, and the
subsequent proposals from the League of Arab States and the Government of the
USSR. Although the above-mentioned proposals contain provisions that are, for the
time being at least, unacceptable to one party or another, I feel that they deserve
careful study and that every opportunity should be seized to overcome &e present
impasse and shift the conflict from military confrontation to peaceful
negotiation. It is important, however, that the intermediate steps that may be
required should not obscure the ultimate necessity for a comprehensive Settlement
which alone can ensure'a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.
90. After so many years of debate, the issues dividing the opposing sides are now
well known. There is, it seems to me, a wide measure of agreement that, in order
to reconcile the basic aspirations and the vital interests of all the parties
concerned, a settlement must meet the following conditionsz the withdrawal of the
Israeli forces from occupied territories , which now must include those in Lebanont
/ . . .
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respect for and acknowledgement of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and
political independence of every State in the area and their right to live in peace
within secure and recognized boundaries free from threats or acts of force) and,
lastly, a just settlement of the Palestinian problem based on the recognition of
the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including self-determination. In
this context, the question of Jerusalem also remains of primary importance.
91. I am deeply conscious of the formidable difficulties which still lie on the
way to the attainment of a comprehensive settlement, The parties to the conflict
continue to be divided by extreme distrust and fear and are still reluctant to
envision those concessions and adjustments without which no compromise is
possible. In a situation of such deeply rooted conflict, it is often easier for
the parties to adopt radical positions rather than conciliatory policies and the
stronger party may be tempted to use force to achieve its objectives. A peaceful
settlement would require from the Governments and authorities concerned and from
their leaders an extraordinary measure of understanding, compassion, courage and
statesmanship. It would also require the selfless support of all third-party
Governments that are in a position to help, particularly the major Powers, I am
also convinced that the United Nations and especially the Security Council should
and could play a constructive and crucial role in this connection, both in the
peace-making process and the peace-keeping efforts which would be essential in
order to prevent a renewal of hostilities and to promote an atmosphere conducive to
negotiations.
Note5
l.J United Nations Treaty Series, vol. 75, No. 973, p. 287.
2J Official Records of the General Assembly, Thirty-sixth Session,
Dlement No. 13 (A/36/13).
3J e., Thirty-seventh Session.
u _IbIid ., Thirty-sixth Session, Supplement No. 35 (A/36/35).
y z., Thirty-seventh Session, Supplement No. 35 (A/37/35).
u Ibid., Supplement No. 49 (A/37/149).
-.9.--m
General Assembly Security Couhcil Distr.
tiENERAL
9/38/458
S/16015
30 September 1983
ORIGIN&L: EN3LISB
GENEBAL ASSmBLY
Thirty-eighth session
Pgenda items 33 and 34
QUFsTION OF PALESTINE
SFLXRITY CCXJKIL
Thirty-eiyhth year
'ME SITUATION IN THE MIDLtE EAST
Report of the Secretary-General
,,, ,I,
CONTENTS
I. INTROULCTION .............................................
II. MILITARY D'EVELOPMENX AND UMTED NATIONS Pti:RCE-KEWIINL;
XTIVITIES ...............................................
III. SITUATION IN THE OCCUPIED TERRITORIES .. . ....... ..w ........
IV. PALESTINE REFUXE PROELm ................................
V. QUESTION OF PALESTINE ....................................
VI. SEAKH FOR A PEACBFUL SWTLF,WNT .........................
VII. OBSERVATIONS .............................................
Paragraphs
l-2
3 -8
9 - 17
18 - 21
22 - 32
33 - 36
39 - 47
i?si!z
2
2
4
6
7
10
12
03-24602 1033~ (ki:) / . . .
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I. INTRODUC'IION
1. The present report is submitted in pursuance of General Assembly resolution
37/123 F of 20 December 1982, adopted by the Assembly at its thirty-seventh
session, concerning the situation in the Middle East. In paragraph 11 of that
resolution, the Assembly requested the Secretary-General to report to the Security
Council periodically on the development of the situation and to submit to the
Assembly at its thirty-eighth session a comprehensive report covering the
developments in the Middle E&t in all their aspects. In the preceding paragraphs
of that resolution, the Assembly dealt with various aspects of the situation in the
Middle East, including the search for a comprehensive settlement of the Middle East /
problem (see para. 35 below). \
2. At the same session, the General Assembly adopted resolutions 37/86 D and E of
10 December 1982 in which it requested the Security Council to take action on the >'
\
establishment of an independent Arab State in Palestine and on the promotion of a
just and comprehensive solution of the question of Palestine, and resolution
37/123 E concerning the question of Lebanon. In order to avoid duplication, the
reports requested of the Secretary-General in those three Kesolutions have been
incorporated in the present comprehensive report, which is being submitted to the
Assembly, under agenda items 33 and 34, and also to the Security Council. The
report is based mainly on information available in United Nations documents, to
which references are made whenever appropriate.
II. MILITARY DBVELOPMENTS AND UNITED NATIONS PEACE-KEEPING ACTIVITIfiS
3. The status of the cease-fire in the Middle East and the activities of the
United Nations peace-keeping operations in the area up to October 1982 were dealt
with in the report of the Secretary-General of 12 October 1982 (A/37/525+/15451,
paras. 4-50). The involvement of the United Nations in this field has remained
essentially the same. There continue to be three United Nations peace-keeping
operations in the area: two peace-keeping forces, the United Nations Disengagement
Observer Force (UNWF) and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL),
and one observer mission, the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization
(UNTSO) . At present they operate mainly in the Israel-Syria and Israel-Lebanon
sectors.
(a) Israel-Syria sector
4. UNDOF, with about 1,280 troops provided by Austria, Canada, Finland and
&land, is deployed between the sraell and S
-+
rw n the Golan Heights in
accordance with the disengagement agreemen concluded between Israel and Syria in
May 1974. A group of UNTSO observers is detailed to the Force and assists it in
the performance of its tasks. The mandate of UNDOF has been extended twice by the
Security Gxncil during the period under review, rhe last time on 16 May 1983 for a
further period of six months until 30 November 1983 (resolution 531 (1983)). The
activities of the Force since October 1982 are outlined in two reports of the
Secretary-General to the Security Council dated 18 November 1982 and 20 May 1983
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(S/15493 and S/15777). As reported by the Secretary-General, the situation in the
Israel-Syria sector has remained generally quiet; UNDCF has continued to perform
its functions effectively with the co-operation of the parties and there have been
no serious incidents. UNDO is undoubtedly an important element of stability in a
very sensitive area.
(b) Israel-Lebanon sector
5. There are at present two United Nations peace-keeping operations in Lebanon;
-U--N IFIL and the_ __O_~blsne-rl_vel.lrl l),~G~~ro--" ~&&&&&@& which is an arm of UNTSO. UNIFIL,
which is daoyed in southern Lebanon, was established by the Security Council on
19 March 1978 following the first Israeli invasion of Lebanon. Its terms of
reference were to confirm es as called for by the
Security Council, to restore international peace and security and to assist the
Government of Lebanon in ensuring the return of its effective authority in the
area. The second Israeli invasion of Lebanon, which was launched in June 1982,
radically altered the situation in which UNIFIL had to function. tibllowing the
invasion, the Security Council instructed the Force, as interim tasks, to maintain
its positions in its area of deployment and to provide protection and humanitarian
assistance to the local population to the extent possible. With the approval of
the Security Council, the Force has continued to carry out these interim tasks.
The activities of UNIFIL since October 1982 are described in the reports submitted
by the Secretary-General to the Security Council on 14 Cctober 1982,
I.3 January 1983 and 12 July 1983 (S/15455 and Corr.1, S/15557 and S/15863). mrirq
the period under review, the mandate of UNIFIL has been extended three times on an
interim basis, the last time on 18 July 1983 for a further interim period of three
months (resolution 536 (1983)). The authorised strength of UNIFIL is 7,000 but,
because of its reduced activities, its present establishment consists of some
5,880 troops, from Fiji, Finland, France, Ghana, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands,
Norway~egal and Sweden. A group of UNTSO observers is assigned to the Force
and assists it in the performance of its tasks.
6. OGB was set up in early August 1982 in pursuance of Security Council
resolution 516 (1982). In that resolution, which was adopted on 1 August 1982
following intensification of military activities in the Beirut area, the Security
Couxil authorized the Secretary-General to deploy innnediately, on the request of
the Government of Lebanon, United Nations observers to rmnitor the situation in and
around Beirut. (X;B has now 50 observers headed by an officer-in-charge under the
overall command of the Chief of Staff of UN'ISO.
7. &I 5 September 1983, following the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the
Beirut area, the Secretary-General submitted a report to the Security Couxxil on
the Israeli withdrawal and related developments in and around Beirut, based on
information received frq&O$?B&~S~15956). On 8 Septetier, following the outbreak of
fighting in &%e of the areas evacuated by the Israeli forces, the Sscretary-
General issued an appeal to all concerned to support current efforts to achieve a
cease-fire and to help restore national unity with the participation and the
co-operation of all the Lebanese parties. In the context of this appeal, the
Secretary-General asked the United Nations Co-ordinator of Assistance for the
Reconstruction and Development of Lebanon,to exert all possible efforts, within his
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present mandate, to alleviate the suffering of the afflicted people in the area and
to help to provide them with emergency humanitarian assistance. He also instructed
the United Nations military observers of CGB to continue to follow closely the
developrwnt of events in the area and, as far as possible, to facilitate
humanitarian efforts. %B is continuirq its activities on the basis of Security
Council resolution 516 (1982) and the Secretary-General's appeal of 8 September.
8. Since the thirty-seventh session , a number of communications have been
addressed to the Secretary-General concerning the situation in Lebanon. Those
communications were from Egypt (A/38/93-S/15610), the Federal Republic of Germany
on behalf of the 10 member States of the Buropean Community (4/38/297-S/15867),
Lebanon (A/38/380 and S/15953) and Mongolia (S/15773).
i'
c
III. SITUATION IN ME OXUPIED T1SRRITORIES
r
9. The action taken by the United Nations prior to October 1982 on the situation (,
in the occupied territories, including Jerusalem, was outlined in the Secretary-
General's report of 12 October -=/1545i, paras. 51-66).
10. The General Assembly, at its thirty-seventh session, after considering the
report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the
Human Bights of the Population of the Occupied Territories (A/37/485), which was
composed of Senegal, Sri Lanka and Yugoslavia, adopted resolutions 37/88 A to G on
10 December 1982. By these resolutions, the General Assembly, inter alia,
reaffirmed that the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian
Persons in Time of War, of 12 June 1949, &/ was applicable to the territories
occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem, and demanded that Israel
acknowledge and comply with those provisions (resolution 37/88 A); demanded that
the Government of Israel desist forthwith from taking any action which would result
in changing the legal status, geoyraphical nature or demographic composition of
those territories (resolution 37/88 8); demanded that Israel desist forthwith from
a number of policies and practices roentioned in the resolution and renewed the
mandate of the Special Committee (resolution 37/88 C); demanded that the Government
of Israel rescind the expulsion of the Mayors of Hebron and Halbul and the Sharia
Judge of Hebron and that it facilitate their immediate return (resolution 37/88 D);
determined that all legislative and administrative measures and actions taken or to
be take” by Israel that purport to alter the character and legal status of the
Syrian Arab Golan Heights were null and void and constituted a violation of
international law (resolution 37/88 ti:); condemned Israeli policies and practices
against Palestinian students and faculty in the educational institutions in the
occupied Palestinian territories and demanded that it rescind all actions and
measures taken against those institutions, and ensure freedom of those institutions
and refrain from hindering the effective operation of those universities
(resolution 37/88 F) and demanded that Israel inform the Secretary-General of the
results of the investigation:; relevant to the assassination attempts against the
Mayors of Nablus, Ramallah and Al Bireh, after expressing its corxxrn that Israel
had failed to apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators of those attempts
(resolution 37/88 G).
/ . . .
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11. The Security Council held nine meetings on the situation in the occupied Arab
territories; three in mid-Wbruary, one in May and five at the end of July and the
beginning of August 1983 (S/PV.2412-2414, 2438, 2457-2461). On 2 August 1983, the
Council voted on a draft resolution (S/15895), but it was not adapted, owing to the
negative vote of a permanent member.
12. Co 4 April 1983, the members of the Security Council met in informal
consultations in connection with complaints that there had been mass poisonings of
Palestinian schoolgirls in the West Bank. QI the same day, the President of the
Council issued a statement requesting tbe Secretary-General to conduct independent
inquiries and to report on the findings (S/15680). The Secretary-General contacted
the Director-General of the World Health Organisation and requested that it conduct
such an inquiry in pursuance of the wishes of the Security Council. The Director-
General agreed to do so, and on 10 May the Secretary-General transmitted his report
to the Council (S/15756).
13. m 15 February 1983, the Commission on Human Rights adopted resolutions
1983/l A and B concerning the question of violation of human rights in the occupied
territories. Those resolutions in which the Coumission condemned Israeli policies
and practices in the occupied territories, along lines similar to those of General
Assembly resolution 37/88 C, were brought to the attention of the Assembly
(Aj38/409).
14. Furthermore, the Commission adopted resolution 1983/2 of 15 February I.983 by
which it declared the decision of Israel of 14 December 1981 to impose its laws,
jurisdictiorxand administration on the occupied Syrian Golan Heights an act of
aggression under article 39 of the Charter and Assembly resolution 3314 (XXIX), and
without legal validity, and called upon Israel to rescind its decision. By
resolution 1983/3 of the same date, the Commission condemned in the strongest terms
the massacre of Palestinian civilians in the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps and
requested the General Assembly to declare 17 September a day to commerrorate the
memory of the victims of that massacre. The Commission reaffirmed the right of the
Palestinian people to self-determination and rejected the plan of "autonomy" within
the framework of the "Camp David accords" and declared that those accords had no
validity in so far as they purport to determine the future of the Palestinian
people and of the territories occupied sirrce 1967.
15. The Specialconimittee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human
Rights Of the Population of the Occupied Territories held periodic meetings in
implementation of the request of the General Assembly under resolution 37/S&7 C.
Luring the period between the meetings, the Special Committee was kept informed of
events taking place in the occupied territories relevant to its mandate; the
information was gathered from a variety of sources, including oral testimonies and
written conrnunications. At its periodic meetings, the Special Committee reviewed
this information and assessed the human rights situation in the occupied
territories with a view to deciding whether any action would he undertaken. The
report of the Special Committee under Assembly resolution 37/88 C (4/38/409) will
be submitted to the Assembly at its thirty-eighth session.
/ .*.
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16. r*lring its thirty-seventh session , the General Assembly also ad-ted
resolution 37/l22 concerning Israel's decision to build a canal linking the
Mediterranean Sea to the Dead sea, resolution 37/135 concer"ing permanent
sovereignty over national resources in the occupied Palestinian and other Arab
territories, and resolution 37/222 concerning living conditions of the Palestinian
people in the occupied Palestinian territories. These questions are the subject of
separate reports, which have been circulated under agenda items 75 (A/38/ ),
12 (A/38/282-FJ1983/84 and 4/38/265-E/1983/85), and 78 (h) &‘3fJ/278-E/1983/77)
respectively.
17. The situation in the occupied territories has been the subject of a number of
conununications addressed tb the President of the Security Council or the
Secretary-Gzneral and circulated as official documents of the United Nations.
These communications dealt with Israeli settlement activity (A/38/78-S/15572,
'\
A/38/82-S/15574, A/38/112-S/15635, A/38/116-S/15640 and Cotr.1, &/38/123-S/15655,
W38/257-S/15810, S/15869, A/36/306-S/15BBO, A/38/331-S/15916, 9/38/369-S/15942); I
COmphintS of mass poisonings (s/15659, A/38/128-5/15667, S/15673, S/15674, \
S/15683, &/38/365-S/15939); matters relating to the Holy Places at Jerusalem
W/38/115-5/15639 and Corr.1, &/38/117-S/15642, ~3H/llB-S/15646); and other
'matters relating to the situation in the occupied territories (S/15553, S/15561,
4/38/73-S/15562, 4/38/122-S/15653, S/15660, S/15854, It/38/2Y5+/15S65, S/15886,
S/l5901).
IV. PALBSTIhiE REFIGEB PROBLEM
18. The Palestine refugee problem and the efforts of the United Nations to assist
the refugees up to October 1982 were dealt with in the report of the Secretary-
General of 12 October 1982 (W/37/525-5/15451, paras. 67-70).
19. Fbllowin9 its consideration of the report of the Cormnissioner-General of the
United Nations A?lief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Mar East
(UNRtyA) y at its thirty-seventh session, the General Assembly adopted
11 resolutions on 16 December 1982. I" resolution 37/l20 K, the Assembly noted
with regret that repatriation or compensation of the refugees as provided for in
paragral;h 11 of Assembly resolution I.94 (III) had not been effected, that no
substantial progress had been made in the programme etiorsed by the Assembly in
paragraph 2 of its resolution 513 (VI) for the reintegration of refugees either by
repatriation or resettlement and that, therefore, the situation of the refugees
continued to be a matter of serious concerni expressed its thanks to the
Commissioner-General and to all the staff of UNRWA, recogniziq that the Agency was
doing all it could within the limits of available resources; reiterated its request
that the headyuarters of UNRWA should be relocated to its former site within its
area of operations as soon as practicable) noted with regret that the United
Nations Conciliation Cormnission for Palestine had been unable to find a means of
achieving progress in the implementation of paragraph il of Assembly resolution
194 (III) and requested the Cormoission to exert continued efforts towards the
implementation of that paragrqh and to report to the Assembly as appropriate, but
not later than 1 October 1983) directed attention to the continuing seriousness of
the financial position of UNRWA as outlined in the report of the Commissioner-
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Generalr noted with concern that, despite the commendable and successful efforts of
the Commissioner-General to collect additional contributions, this increased level
of income to UNRWA was still insufficient to cover essential budget requirements in
1982; and called upon all Governments as a matter of urgency to make the most
generous efforts possible to meet the anticipated needs of UNRWA.
20. The other resolutions adapted by the General Assembly dealt with the Working
Group on the Financing of UNRwA (resolution 37/l20 A), assistance to persons
displaced as a result of the,June I.967 and subsequent hostilities, (resolution
37/l20 B), the University of Jerusalem for Palestine Refugees (resolution
37/120 C), offers of grants and scholarships foe Palestine refugees (resolution
37/120 D), Palestine refugees in the Gaza Strip (resolution 37/l2.0 E), resumption
of the ration distribution to Palestine refugees (resolution 37/120 F), pcpulation
and refugees displaced since 1967 (resolution 37/l20 G), revenues deriwd from
Palestine refugee properties (resolution 37/l20 H), special identification cards to
all Palestine refugees (resolution 37/l20 I) and protection of Palestine refugees
(resolution 37/120 J) .
21. The situation of UNRK4 refugees and the activities of the Agency since the
adaption of those resolutions are described in the annual report of the
Cormnissioner-General of UNRWA for the period 1 July I.982 to 30 June 1983. y At
its thirty-eighth session, the General Assembly will have before it the report of
the Working Group on the Financing of UNRWA. It will also have before it the
reports of the Secretary-General on the subjects mantioned in the preceding
paragraph.
-sI,Ix.l,. ,,.
V. QUEsTION OF PALESTINE
22. The action taken by the United Nations on the question of Palestinian rights
up to 12 October 1982 was outlined in the report of the Secretary-enera
(q/37/525+15451).
23. At its thirty-seventh session , in resolution 37/86 A, the General Assembly
endorsed the recommendations of the Committee on the IPtercise of the Inalienable
Rights of the Palestinian People and drew the attention of the Security Council to
the fact that action on the Committee's recommendations , as endorsed by the General
Assembly in resolution 31/20, was kzegm . The Assembly authorised the
Committee to continue to exert all efforts to promote the implementation of its
recommendations.
24. In resolution 37/86 B, the General Assembly requested the Secretary-General to
ensure that the Division for Palestinian Rights continued to discharge its tasks,
in consultation with the Cormnittee and under its guidance. It invited all
Governments and organisations to lend their co-operation to the Committee and the
Division foe Palestinian Rights and noted with appreciation the action taken by
Member States to observe annually on 29 Mvember the International my of
Solidarity with the Palestinian People and the issuance by them of special postage
stamps for the occasion.
/ . . .
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25. In resolution 37/86 C, the General Assembly endorsed the recommendations of
the Preparatory Committee for the International Conference on the Question of
Palestine concerning the preparatory activities for the Conference, its objectives,
the documentation, the draft provisional agenda, the draft provisional rules of
procedure, participation in the Conference and the organisation of work. It urged
all Member States to promote heightened awareness of the importance of the
Conference and to intensify preparations at the national, subregional and regional
levels in order to ensure its 8uccess. It called upon all Metier States to
contribute to the achievement of Palestinian rights and to support modalities for
their implellentation, and to participate in the Conference and the regional
preparatory meetiws preceding it.
26. In resolution 37/86 Di the General Assembly reaffirmed once again that a
comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle JZast could not be established
without the unconditional withdrawal of Israel from the Palestinian and other Arab
territories occupied sirrce 1967. including Jerusalem, and without the exercise and
attainment by the Palestinian people of their itilienable rights in Palestine, in
accordance with the principles of the Charter and the relevant resolutions of the
Assembly. The Assembly requested the Security Council to discharge its
responsibilities under the Charter and recognise the inalienable rights of the
Palestinian Arab people, including the right to self-determination and the right to
establish an independent Arab State in Palestine. It reiterated its request that
the Security council take the necessary measures, in execution of the relevant
mited Nations resolutions, to implement the plan which, inter alia, recommends
that an independent Arab State shall come into existence in Palestine.
27. In resolution 37/86 E, the General Assembly recalled, in particular, the
principles relevant to the question of Palestine that have been accepted by the
international community, including the right of all States in the region to
existence within internationally recognised boundaries, and justice and security
for all the peoples, which required recognition and attainment of the legitimate
rights of the Palestinian people. It reaffirmed the inalienable rights of the
Palestinian people, including the right to selfA.etermination and the right to
establish an independent state in Palestine. In conformity with the fundamental
principle of the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by force, the
Assembly demanded that Israel withdraw c afp+Jely,and u~onditic$-+ly ffom all the
Palestinian and other Arab territories oc upred since June 1967, lncludlng
Jerusalem. The Assembly urged the Security Council to facilitate the process of
Israeli withdrawal and recomruended that, following the withdrawal, those
territories should be subjected to a short transitional period under the
supervision of the United Nations, during which the Palestinian people would
exercise its right to self-determination. The assembly also called for the
achievement of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace, based on the resolutions of
the United Nations and "tier its auspices, in which all the parties concerned,
including the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), the representative of the
Palestinian people, would participate on an equal footing.
28. Q1 the basis of Oeneral Assembly resolutions 36/120 C, ES-7/7 and 37/86 C, the
International Conference on the Question of Palestine was convened at the United
Nations Office at Geneva from 29 August to 7 September 1983. It was opened by t,he
/ . . .
/-
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Secretary-General of the United Nations and presided over by the Minister for
Foreign Affairs of Senegal.
29. The Conference considered the question of Palestine in all its aspects and
adopted a Declaration and a Programme of Action. In the Declaration, the
Conference reaffirmed that a just solution of the question of Palestine, the core
of the problem, is the crucial element in a co~~~~~~~~,~
~ti~.a,~~~~~~t~,~~~~~~~~,~n,~,~~~~,.,Mi~l~~~s~~~~~..,Ict onsidered that the various proposals,
consistent with the principles of international law, which had been presented on
this question, such as the Arab Peace Plan ad-ted by the Twelfth Arab Summit
Conference held at Fez in September 1982 (see 9/37/525-S/15451, sect. VI), should
serve as guidelines for coxerted international effort to resolve the question of
Palestine. These guidelines included the following:
(a) The attainment by the Palestinian people of its legitimate inalienable
rights, including the right to return, the right to self-determination and the
right to establish its own independent state in Palestine;
(b) The right of the PM, the representative of the Palestinian people, to
participate on an equal footing with other parties in all efforts, deliberations
and conferences on the Middle East;
(c) The need to put an end to Israel's occupation of the Arab territories, in
accordance with the principle of the inadmissibility of the acquisition of
territory by force and, consequently, the need to secure Israeli withdrawal from
the territories occupied since 1967, izluding Jerusalem;
(d) The need to oppose and reject such Israeli policies and practices in the
occupied territories, including Jerusalem, and any de facto situation created by
Israel as are contrary to international law and relevant United Nations
resolutions, particularly the establishment of settlements, as these policies and
pKacticeS constitute major obstacles to the achievement of peace in the Middle East;
(e) The need to reaffirm as null and void all legislative and administrative
measures and actions taken by Israel, the occupying Power, which have altered or
purported to alter the character and status of ~Q&&xf&awde&zem~
including the expropriation of land and property situation thereon, and in
particular the so-called "Basic Law" on Jerusalem end th==&&%z&~&.$~@&&Qrn
a~~c~~~~~~.~~~~~~~a,el;
---
(f) The right of all States in the region to existence within secure and
internationally recognized boundaries, with justide and security for all the
people, the sine qua non of which is the recognition and attainment of the
legitimate inalienable rights of the Palestinian people as at (a) above.
30. In order to give effect to these guidelines, the Conference considered it
essential that an international peace conference on the Middle !&St be convened on
the basis of the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the relevant
resolutions of the United Nations, with the aim of achieving a canprehensive, just
and lasting solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict, an essential element of which
/ . . .
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would be the establishment of a" independent Palestinian state in Palestine. The
peace conferemze should be convened under the auspices of the Uhited Nations with
the participation of all parties to the Arab-Israeli conflict, including the PLO,
as well as the Wited States of America and the Soviet Union and other concerned
States, on a" equal footing. In this context, the Security Council had a primary
responsibility to create appropriate institutional arrangements on the basis of
relevant whited Nations resolutions in order to guarantee and to carry out the
accords of the international peace conference.
31. The Conference also adopted a detailed Programme of Action enumerating
measures to be taken in the political , eco"omic and information fields. The
Conference invited the Security Council, to take prompt, firm and effective steps
and actions to establish a" independent, sovereign Palestinian state in Palestine
through the implementation of the relevant united Nations resolutions, by c
facilitating the organisation of the international peace conference on the Middle
East, as called foe in the Geneva Declaration. The text of the Programme of PEtion /"'
may be found in document ~CCQiF.ll4/41 and Corr.1. \.
32. The report of the Inter"atio"a1 Conference on the Question of Palestine will
be issued as a" official documnt of the thirty-eighth session of the, General
Assembly (A/CONF.114/42). The Assembly will also have before it at its
thirty-eighth session the reports of the Committee on the Exercise of the
Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People 4/ and of the Preparatory Committee
for the International Conferewe on the QuestTo" of Palestine. 5/ I" addition,
since the thirty-seventh session of the General Assembly, a "umber of
conmunications have been reoeivedr from Israel (u38/350, c/ A/38/364 and Corr.1,
A/30/367 and Corr.1). Bulgaria (A/38/398), Mongolia (S/15609) and the Union of
Soviet Socialist Republics (4/38/373). The final documents of the Seventh
Conference of Heads of State or Governments of Non-Aligned Countries, held at New
Celhi from~7 to 12 March 1983, were transmitted to the Secretary-General by the
Permanent Representative of India in a letter dated 30 March 1983 (A/38/132-S/15675
and Core.1).
VI. SEARCH FOR A PEKEFUL SEWLFMENT
33. A" outline of developments relating to the search for a peaceful settlement of
the Middle East problem from Wwerober 1967 until October 1982 may be found in the
secretary-General's reports of 18 May 1973 (s/10929), of 17 October 1978
(A/33/311-5/12896), of 24 October 1979 (A/34/584-5/13578), of 24 October 1980
(A/35/563+14234), of 11 Wvenlber 1981 (A/36/655-S/14746) and of 12 Gctober 1982
(4/37/525-S/E451).
34. As indicated in the last of those reports , various Governments put forward
last year proposals aimed at promoting a peaceful settlement of the Middle East
problem. These included a draft resolution suhnitted by Egypt and Frarre to the
Zecurity Council on 29 July 1982 (S/15317), a peace initiative announced by the
President of the United States on 1 September 1982, a peace plan adopted by the
Twelfth Arab anunit Conference at Wz on 9 September 1982 and a statement by the
President of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on 15 September 1982
/ . . .
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setting forth certain principles as the basis for a peaceful settlement in the
Middle East. The Secretary-General stated that although all those proposals
contained elements that were unacceptable to one party or another, he felt that
they deserved careful study and that every opportunity should be seized to overcome
the present impasse and shift the conflict from military confrontation to peaceful
negotiation.
35. At its thirty-seventh session, on 20 Lkzember 1982, the General Assembly
adopted resolution 37/X23 F in which it condemned Israel's continued occupation of
the Palestinian and other Arab territories and demanded its irmnediate,
unconditional and total withdrawal! reaffirmed its conviction that the question of
Palestine was the ccxe of the conflict in the Middle East and that no
comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the region would be achieved without the
full exercise by the Palestinian people of its inalienable national rights8
reaffirmed that a just and comprehensive settlement could not be achieved without
the participation on an equal footing of all the parties to the conflict, including
the Palestine ,Liberation Organisationi declared that peace in the Middle Sast was
indivisible and must be based on a comprehensive, just and lastiw mwmseo..lu"#ti"o.Tn ~~>*u7n- der the auspices of the Wited Nations) rejected all ag~%‘WX’arraqemenf~~~%o
far as they violated the recognised rights of the Palestinian people and
contradicted the principles of just and comprehensive solutions to the Middle East
problem; determined that Israel's decision to annex Jerusalem and to declare it as
its "capital", as well as the measures to alter its physical character, demogqaphic
composition, institutional structure and status, were null and void and demanded
that they be rescinded immediately# condemned Israel's aggression and practices
against the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territories and outside
those territories, and condemned Israel's annexationist policies and practices in
the occupied Syrian Golan Heights ; considered that the agreements on strategic
co-operation between the united States of Junerica and Israel signed on
30 November 1981 would encourage Israel to pursue its aggressive and expansionist
policies and practices; and called upon all States to put an end to the flow to
Israel of any military, economic and financial aid, as.well as of human resources,
aimed at encouraging it to pursue its aggressive policies against the Arab
countries and the Palestinian people.
36. At the same session, the General Assembly also adcpted resolutions 37/86 A
to E concerning the question of Palestine, parts of which have a direct bearing on
the search for a peaceful settlement in the Middle East. Thoseresolutions are
outlined in the preceding section of the present report.
37. Luring the period under review, the Secretary-General discussed the Middle
East problem with the parties directly concerned and other Governroents. At the
last session of the General Assembly and earlier this year, contacts were held
between various interested Oovernnents with a view to examining the possibility of
promoting the resumption of the negotiating process on the basis of the peace
initiatives of September 1982. The Secretary-General was fully briefed on those
contacts but tangible progress has yet to be achieved.
36. Since the thirty-seventh session of the General Assembly, a number of
communications have been addressed to the President of the Security Council or the
Secretary-General. In addition to those referred to in the preceding sections of
/ . . .
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this report (see paras. 9, 18 and 30), communications were received from the
Federal Republic of Germany on behalf of the 10 members of the EurOpean Community
(A/38/124-5/15657), Israel (A/36/60-S/15548, A/38/61-5/15549, S/15569, A/38/80),
Jordan (A/38/179-S/15748) and the Syrian Arab Republic (S/15566, A/38/76,
~/38/84-S/15576 and Corr.1).
VII. OBSERVATIONS
39. The developments in the Middle East during the past year have given little
cause for hope that the problems of that region are nearer to solution. Great
efforts have been made to bring about conditions in which the State of Lebanon
could regain the full exercise of its sovereignty with the withdrawal of all
non-Lebanese forces, but so far the achievement of this objective is not in sight.
Preoccupation with the events in Lebanon has tended to overshadow the consideration
of major aspects of the Middle East problem, and there can be little doubt that
developments in this year of frustration will prove to have made even more
difficult the comprehensive settlement which alone can eventually bring COeXiStenCe
and peace to this vital part of the world. The central problem of the legitimate
rights and the future of the Palestinian people , a matter for which all members of
the international community share a clear obligation, has been further complicated
by the growth of Israeli settlements on the west Bank and by the failure once again
to get down to meaningful negotiations. The basic problems of the withdrawal of
the Israeli forces from occupied territories, the recognition and the low-term
security of all States in the region and the future of Jerusalem have also been
left in abeyance.
40. The delay in qetting to the roots of the Middle Dst problem cannot, in the
long run, serve the cause of peace. The process whereby the aims enunciated by the
united Nations, especially in Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and
338 (1973), are steadily receding can only increase bitterness and tension. In the
end we run the risk by this process of procrastination, of a far more fundamental
and destructive crisis in this unique region of the world.
41. I believe that the time has come to take a searching look at the actual state
of affairs in the Middle East. I do this in the full knowledge that such an effort
may be unpopular in many quarters. But it is of little value to pretend that
things are as they were in 1948, or 1967, or indeed even two years ago. The facts
and the principles involved mu& be faced, if any genuinely effective' action is to
be taken, and if this intractable and increasingly dangerous problem is to be
resolved in a relatively peaceful manner. Israeli withdrawal from occupied
territories, the rights of the States in the area to live in peace within secure
boundaries and the future and rights of the Palestinians still constitute the main
elements of the Middle East conflict as it now faces US. These problems have been
repeatedly discussed by the General Assembly and the Security CoUnCil, and mOSt
recently by the International Conference on the Question of Palestine.
42. It is worth observing that since 1948 the Middle East problem ha8 been
bedevilled by the fact that the parties have invariably been out of phase with each
other in relation to the question of discussing a peaceful solution, a problem
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exacerbated by lack of mutual recognition and communication. Thus, we have come,
after 35 years, to the present extremely dangerous impasse, a situation given
tragic dimensions especially by the plight of the Palestinians and by the travail
and tragedy of Lebanon. The Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982 and its aftermath
have oll~e again shown that the use of force cannot resolve the Middle East
conflict, but serves only further to complicate and embitter it. They have also
pointed to the tragic situation of the Palestinians as a major human and political
problem to which a just solution must be found most urgently.
43. In this great historical tragedy, no State or party is likely ultimately to
achieve all of its stated aims. The safety and survival of all the parties
concerned can ultimately be achieved only through an agreed settlement that will
take due account of the basic aspirations and the vital interests of each, I
continue to believe that such a settlement must be based on the principles outlined
in Security Council resolution 242 (1967) of 22 Noverber 1967, namely, "withdrawal
of Israel armed forces from territories occupied in the recent conflict" and
"termination of all claims or states of belligerency and respect for and
acknowledgement of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political
independence of every State in the area and their right to live in peace within
secure and recognised boundaries free from threats or acts of force". A just
settlelnent of the Palestinian problem based on the recognition of the legitimate
rights of the Palestinian people is vital to any such settlement. The question of
Jerusalem remains of primary importance.
44. If we are not to be the helpless witness of further futile rounds of fighting
in the Middle East, with the potential danger of an escalation into a broader
confrontation, serious and realistic negotiations encompassi- all of the parties
must somehow be initiated.
45. I am deeply conscious of the formidable difficulties that lie on the way to
the attainment of this objective. The issues involved are complex in the extreme
and after 35 years of deadlock and violence , the parties are divided by mutual
enmity, fear and mistrust. The major Powers which are involved in various ways in
the Middle East conflict are also divided. Their opposing views have often made it
impossible for the Security Council to take decisive action at critical times.
This has had adverse effects not only on the peace-making process, but also on the
effectiveness and even the potential of United Nations peace-keeping. The events
of the last year have highlighted both the advantages and the weaknesses of united
Nations peace-keeping operations, which, lacking enforcement power, can function
effectively only with the coveration of the parties and the full support of the
Security Council.
46. It is my earnest hope that, confronted with the increasing dangers of the
Middle East conflict, which threaten the security of the region and beyond, the
major Powers will find it possible to work with each other in the search for a just
and durable peace in the Middle East as they have at various times in the past. If
they were to adopt this course of action , they could bring their powerful influence
to bear and, with their support, the Security Council would be in a far better
position to fulfil the responsibilities entrusted to it by the Charter through the
peace-making and peace-keeping process. It is relevant to note in this connection
/ . . .
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that the Security Council might provide a practical framework for such a process
since its existing procedures enable the participation of all parties concerned.
47. I am not convinced that the present impediments of the Security Coulr:il are
insuperable if its approach could be dictated by the gravity of the problem and an
appreciation of the fears and interests of all parties. I continue to believe that
the Council could become a key instrument for resolving the Middle East conflict
and eliminating an increasingly dangerous element of instability in world affairs.
I believe that this and other rueans of approaching the problem, for example,
through the institution of a suitable negotiating process, including, in an
appropriate form, an international conferexe , should be very seriously considered
by the metiership. The plight of the victims on all sides and the peace of the
world demand no less. (+
L.
Notes I'
y mited Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 75, lie. 973, p. 287.
?v Official Records of the General Assembly, Thirty-seventh Session,
Supplement No. 13 (w37/13).
Y Ibid., Thirty-eiqhth Session, Supplement No. 13 (A/38/13).
+I Ibid., s upplement No. 35 (A/38/35).
w Ibid., Supplement No. 46 (A/38/46).
iv See also the Secretary-General's reply (W38/351).
-----
UNITED
NATIONS
AS
General Assembly Security Council DiStr.
GENERAL
A/39/600
S/1&92
26 October 1984
ORIGINAL: ENGLISH
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Thirty-ninth session
Agenda item 36
THE SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST
SECURITY COUNCIL
Thirty-ninth year
Beport of the Secretary-General
CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION ............................................
II. MILITARY DEVELOPMENTS AND UNITED NATIONS PEACE-KEWING
ACTIVITIES ..............................................
III. SITUATION IN THE OCCUPIED TERRTTORIES ...................
IV. PALESTINE REFUGEE PROBLEM ...............................
V. QUESTION OF PALESTINE ...................................
VI. SEARCH FOR A PEACEFUL SE'ITLBMENT .........................
VII. OBSERVATIONS ............................................
Paragraphs
1
2-9
10 - 1s
19 - 22
23 - 26
27 - 33~
34 - 49
w
2
,2
4
6
7
8
10
84-25546 14289 (E) / . . .
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I. INTRODUCTION
1. This report is submitted in pursuance of General Assembly resolution 3S/lSO D
of 19 December 1983. In that resolution, the Assembly dealt with various aspects
of the situation in the Middle East and request&d the Secretary-General to report
to the Security Council periodically on the development of the situation and to
submit to the Assembly at its thirty-ninth session a report covering the
developments in the Middle'East in all their aspects. The report is based mainly
on information available in United Nations documents, to which reference is made
whenever appropriate.
II. MILITARY DEVELOPMENTS AND UNITED NATIONS
PEACE-KEEPING ACTIVITIES
2. The status of the cease-fire in the Middle East and the activities of the
United Nations peace-keeping operations in,the area up to September 1983 were dealt
with in the report of the Secretary-General of 30 September 1983 (A/38/458-.5/16015,
paras. 3-S). The activities of the united Nations in this field have remained
essentially the same. There continue to be three United Nations peace-keeping
operations in the area: two peace-keeping forces, the United Nations Disengagement
Observer Force (UNDOF) and the finited Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL),
and one observer mission, the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation
(UNTSO). At present, they operate mainly in the Israel-Syria and Israel-Lebanon
sectors.
(a) Israel-Syria sector
3. UNDOF, with some 1,300 troops provided by Austria, Canada, Finland and Poland,
is deployed between the Israeli and Syrian forces on the Golan Heights in
accordance with the disengagement agreement concluded between Israel and the Syrian
Arab Republic in May 1974. A group of UNTSO observers is detailed to the Force and
assists it in the performance of its tasks. The mandate of UNDOF has been extended
twice by the Security Council during the reporting period, the last time on
.30 May 1984 for a further period of six months until 30 November 1984
(resolution 551 (1984)). The activities of the Force since September 1983 are
described in two reports of the Secretary-General to the Security Council, dated
21 November 1983 and 21 May 1984 (S/16169 and S/16573 and Corr.1). As reported by
the Secretary-General, the situation in the Israel-Syria sector has remained
generally quiet1 UNDOF has continued to perform its functions effectively with the
co-operation of the parties , and there have been no serious incidents.
(b) Israel-Lebanon sector
4. There are two United Nations peace-keeping operations in Lebanon: UNIFIL and
the Observer Group Beirut, which is a part of UNTSO. UNIFIL, which is deployed in
southern Lebanon, was established by the Security Council on 19 March 1978
following ,the first Israeli invasion of Lebanon. Its terms of reference were to
confirm the withdrawal of the Israeli forces as called for by the Security Council,
to restore international peace and security and to assist the Government of Lebanon
in ensuring the return of its effective authority in the area. The second Israeli
/ . . .
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invasion of Lebanon, which was launched in June 1982, radically altered the
situation in which UNIFIL had to function. Following the invasion, the
Secretary-General instructed the Force, as interim tasks, to maintain its positions
in its area of deployment and to provide protection and humanitarian assistance to
the local population to the extent possible. With the approval of the Security
Council, the Force has continued to carry out these interim tasks. The activities
of UNIFIL since September 1983 are described in three reports of the
Secretary-General to the Security Council dated 12 October 1983, 9 April 1984 and
9 October 1984 (S/16036, S/16472 and S/16776). During the reporting period, the
Security Council has extended the mandate of UNIFIL on an interim basis three
times, the last time on 12 October 1984 for a further interim period of six months
until 19 April 1985 (resolution 555 (1984)). The authorised strength of UNIFIL is
7,000, but, because of its reduced activities, it had until recently some 5,680
troops provided by Fiji, Finland, France, Ghana, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands,
Norway, Senegal and Sweden. A group of UNTSO observers assists the Force in the
performance of its tasks.
5. observer Group Beirut (CGB) was established in August 1982 in pursuance of
Security Council resolution 516 (1982) and given the task of monitoring the
situation in and around Beirut. CGB comprises up to 50 observers headed by a"
officer-in-charge under the overall command of the Chief of Staff of UNTSD.
6. I" February 1984, following heavy exchanges of fire in the Beirut area, the
Security Council met at the request of France (S/PV.2514-2516, and 2519) and on
29 February voted on a French draft resolution by which it would have issued a"
urgent appeal for a" immediate cease-fire throughout Lebanon and decided to
constitute a United Nations force to take up a position in the Beirut area as soon
as all elements of the Multinational Force had withdrawn from Lebanese territory'
and territorial waters (S/16351/Rev.Z). The draft resolution was not adopted,
owing to the negative vote of a permanent member of the Council.
7. In August/September 1984, the Security Council met at the request of Lebanon
(S/PV.2552-2556), and on 6 September voted on a draft resolution submitted by the
Lebanese representative by which it would have affirmed that the provisions of the
Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of
12 August 1949, I/ applied to the,territories occupied by Israel in southern
Lebanon and demanded that Israel immediately lift all restrictions and obstacles to
the restoration of normal conditions in the areas under its occupation in violation
of that Convention (S/16732). The draft resolution was not adopted, owing to the
negative vote of a permanent member of the Council.
8. During the period under review, the Security Council also dealt with
hostilities that took place in northern Lebanon in the autumn of 1983. On
11 November 1983, the President of the council made a statement (S/16142) and, oh
23 November, the Security Council adopted resolution 542 (1983), in which it
deplored the loss of human life caused by the events in northern Lebanon;
reiterated its call for the strict respect for the sovereignty, political
independence and territorial integrity of Lebanon within its internationally
recognised boundaries; requested the parties concerned immediately to accept a
cease-fire; and requested the Secretary-General to follow the situation, to consult
with the Government of Lebanon and to report to the Council. On 26 November,
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a cease-fire was agreed by the parties involved in the fighting in the Tripoli
area. on 1 December, the Secretary-General received a request from the Chairman of
the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) for
permission to use the united Nations flag to facilitate the departure of PLO forces
from Tripoli. In a statement made on 3 December during consultations of the
Security Council, the Secretary-General indicated that he had decided, on
humanitarian grounds, to authorise the flying of the United Nations flag alongside
the national flag of the ships which would evacuate the armed elements of PLO
(S/16194). That statement was supported by the members of the Council (S/16195).
The evacuation took place on 20 December 1983 (see the Secretary-General's report
of 21 December 1983 (S/16228)).
9. Since the thirty-eighth session, a number of communications have been
addressed to the President of the Security council and the Secretary-General on
various aspects of the situation. Those communications, which have been circulated
as official documents of the General Assembly and/or the Security Council, were
sent by France on behalf of the 10 States members of the European Economic
Community (A/39/123-5/16389), Israel (A/39/57-5/16233, A/39/75-S/16276, S/16377,
A/39/120, A/39/125, S/16391, S/16458, A/39/166, A/39/171-S/16474, S/16479,
A/39/181, A/39/32&S/16645, A/39/350-5/16671, A/39/355-S/16678, A/39/377-S/16691,
A/39/410-S/16706, A/39/542-5/16762), Lebanon (A/39/63-5/16252, S/16471,
A/39/282-5/16597, A/39/330-5/16650, A/39/340-S/16660, A/39/365+/16682, S/16772)
and the Syrian Arab Republic (S/16520, A/39/360). Communications were also
received from PLO and were circulated at the request of Egypt (S/16570, annex) and
Democratic Yemen (A/39/509-5/16749, annex).
III. SITUATION IN THE OCCUPIED TERRITORIES
10. The action taken by the United Nations prior to September 1983 on the
situation in the occupied territories , including Jerusalem, was outlined in the
Secretary-General's report (A/38/458-S/16015, paras. 9-16).
11. The General Assembly, at its thirty-eighth session, after considering the
report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the
Human Rights of the Population of the Occupied Territories (A/38/409), which is
composed of Senegal, Sri Lanka and Yugoslavia, adopted resolutions 38/79 A to Ii on
15 December 1983. By these resolutions, the General Assembly demanded that Israel
immediately release Ziad Abu Eain, as well as other prisoners who were duly
registered to be freed (38/79 A)I reaffirmed that the Geneva Convention relative to
the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, was
applicable to the Arab territories occupied by Israel since 1967, including
Jerusalem, and demanded that Israel acknowledge and comply with its provisions
(resolution 38/79 a), demanded that the Government of Israel desist forthwith from
taking any action that would result in changing the legal status, geographical
nature or demographic composition of the occupied territories (resolution 38/79 C);
demanded that Israel desist forthwith from certain policies and practices mentioned
in the resolution and renewed the mandate of the Special Committee (resolution
38/79 D); demanded that the Government of Israel rescind the expulsion of the
mayors of Hebron and Halhul and the Sharia Judge of Hebron and that it facilitate
/ . . .
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their immediate return (resolution 38/79 E)r determined that all legislative and
administrative measures and actions taken or to be taken by Israel that purported
to alter the character and legal status of the Syrian Arab Golan Heights were null
and void and constituted a,violation of international law (resolution 38/79 F);
condemned Israeli policies and practices against Palestinian students and faculty
in the educational institutions in the occupied Palestinian territories and
demanded that'it rescind all actions and measures taken against those institutions,
ensure their freedom and refrain from hindering the effective operation of those
institutions (resolution 38/79 G)! expressed deep concern that Israel had failed to
apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators of the assassination attempts against the
Mayors of Nablus, Ramallah and Al Bireh,,and demanded that Israel inform the
Secretary-General of the results of the relevant investigations (resolution
38/79 H).
12. The reports submitted by the Secretary-General under resolutions 3&l/79 E, F, G
and Ii have been circulated as documents A/39/527, A/39/532 and Core.1, A/39/501 and
A/39/339 respectively. The reports under resolutions 38/79 A and D will be
submitted at a later date.
13. In January 1984, concern was expressed to the President of the Security
'Council regarding legislation then under consideration by the Israeli Knesset (see
S/16249, S/16255 and A/39/70-S/16261). The President of the Council also received
a letter from the Permanent Representative of Israel on the subject (S/16269).
Following consultations of the Security Council on 26 January 1984, the President
issued a statement saying that the Council recalled in this connection its previous
reSOlutions stressing the applicability of the Geneva Convention relative to the
PrOteCtiOn of Civilian Persons in Time of War , and urged that no steps be taken
that could lead to further aggravation of tension in the area (S/16293).
14. On 20 February 1984, the Commission on Human Rights adopted reSOlutiOnS
1984/l A and B concerning the question of violation of human rights in the occupied
territories. In those resolutions the Commission condemned Israeli policies and
Practices in the occupied territories along lines similar to those,of General
Assembly resolution 38/79 D.
15. Furthermore, the Commission adopted resolution 1984/Z of 20 February 1984 by
which'it declared that Israel's decision of 14 December 1981 to impose its laws,
jurisdiction and administration on the occupied Syrian Golan Heights had no legal
validity, and called upon Israel to rescind it. By resolution 1984/3 of the Same
date, the Commission condemned Israel for its continued occupation of and
persistence in developing the colonialisation of the occupied Palestinian and other
Arab territories, including Jerusalem, which aimed at changing their demographic
composition, institutional structure and status. The Commission reaffirmed that
such measures constituted a grave violation of the Geneva Convention relative to
the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 12 August 1949 and the Hague
Convention of 1907, and that they were null and void with regard to international
law.
16. Tbe Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human
Rights of the Population of the Occupied Territories held periodic meetings in
/ . . .
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implementation of the request of the General Assembly under resolution 38/79 D.
During the period between the meetings, the Special Committee was kept informed of
events taking place in the occupied territories relevant to its mandate.
Information was gathered from ii variety of sources, including oral testimony and
written communications. At its periodic meetings, the Special Committee reviewed
this information and assessed the human rights situation in the occupied
territories with a view to deciding whether any action was required. The report of
the Special committee under Assembly resolution 38/79 D will be circulated as
document A/39/591.
17. During its thirty-eighth session, the General Assembly also'adopted resolution
38/85 (15 December 1983) concerning Israel's decision to build a canal linking the
Mediterranean Sea to the Dead Sea, resolution 38/144 (19 December 1983) concerning
permanent sovereignty over national resources in the occupied Pelestinian and other
Arab territories, and resolution 38/166 (19 December 1983) concerning living
conditions of the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territories.
These questions are the subject of reports which have been circulated under agenda
item 77 (A/39/142), 12 (A/39/326-E/1984/111), and SO j (A/39/233-E/1984/79).
18. Since the thirty-eighth session, a number of communications have been
addressed to the President of the Security.Council or the Secretary-General on
various aspects of the situation in the occupied territories. Those
communications, which have been circulated as official documents of the General
Assembly and/or the Security Council, were sent by Democratic Yemen as President of
the Council of the League of Arab States (A/39/206-S/16501), Israel
(A/39/319-5/16640), Jordan (A/39/119-5/16379 and Corr.1, A/39/237-5/16538,
A/39/278-s/16589, A/39/283-5/16598, A/39/321-S/16642, A/39/395-5/16695) and Morocco
(A/39/257-S/16562). Communications were also received from PLO and were circulated
at the request of Egypt (S/16311, annex) S/16360, annex! S/16392, annex) S/16450,
annex).
IV. PALESTINE REFUGEE PROBLEM
19. The Palestine refugee problem and the efforts of the United Nations to assist
the refugees up to September 1983 were dealt with in the report of the Secretary-
General (A/38/458+/16015, paeas. U-21).
20. Following its consideration of the report of the Commissioner-General of the
United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East
(DNRWA) for the period 1 July 1982 to 20 June 1983, y at its thirty-eighth
session, the General Assembly adopted 11 resolutions on 15 December 1983. In
resolution 38/83 A, the Assembly noted with regret that repatriation or
compensation of the refugees as provided for in paragraph 11 of Assembly resolution
194 (III) of 11 December 1948 had not been effected, that no substantial progress
had been made in the programme endorsed by the Assembly in paragraph 2 of its
resolution 513 (VI) of 26 January 1952 for the reintegration of refugees either by
repatriation or resettlement and that, therefore, the situation of the refugees
continued to be a matter of serious concern, expressed its thanks to the
Commissioner-General and to all the staff of UNRWA, recognizing that the Agency was
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doing all it could within the limits of available resourcesl reiterated its request
that the headquarters of UNRWA should be relocated to its former site within its
area of operations as soon as practicable1 noted with regret that the United
Nations Conciliation Commission for Palestine had been unable to find a means of
achieving progress in the implementation of paragraph'11 of Assembly resolution
194 (III) and requested the Commission to exert continued efforts towards the
implementation of that paragraph and to report to the Assembly as appropriate, but
not later than 1 October 1984; directed attention to the continuing seriousness of
the financial position of UNRWA, as outlined in the report of the Commissioner-
General! noted with concern that, despite the commendable and successful efforts of
,the Commissioner-General to collect additional contributions, this increased level
of income to UNRWA was still insufficient to cover essential budget requirements in
1983) called upon all Governments as a matter of urgency to make the most generous
efforts possible to meet the anticipated needs of UNRWA; and decided to extend the
mandate of UNRWA until 30 June 1987, without preju~dice to the provisions of
paragraph 11 of Assembly resolution 194 (III).
21. The other resolutions adopted by the General Assembly dealt with the Working
Group on the Financing of UNRWA (resolution 38/83 B), assistance to persons
displaced as a result of the June 1967 and subsequent hostilities (resolution
38/83 C), offers by member States of grants and scholarships for higher education,
including vocational training, for Palestine refugees (resolution 38/83 D),
Palestine refugees in the Gaza Strip (resolution 3S/S3 E), resumption of the ration
distribution to Palestine refugees (resolution 3S/S3 F), population and refugees
displaced since 1967 (resolution 38/83 G), revenues detived from Palestine refugee
properties (resolution 38/83 H), protection of Palestine refugees (resolution
38/83 I), Palestine refugees in the West Bank (resolution 38/83 J), and the,
University of Jersualem "Al-Quds" for Palestine refugees (resolution 38/83 K).
22. The situation of the Palestine refugees and the activities of IJNRWA since the
adoption of these resolutions are described in the annual report of the
Commissioner-General of UNRWA for the period 1 July 1983 to 30 June 1984. 1/ The
reports of the United Nations Conciliation Commission for Palestine and of the
Working Group on the Financing of UNRWA under resolutions 38/83 A and B appear in
documents A/39/455 and A/39/575. The reports of the Secretary-General in pursuance
of rasolutions 38/83 D, E, G, H, I, J and K have been circulated as documents
A/39/375, A/39/457. A/39/411, A/39/464 and Add.1, A/39/538, A/39/372 and A/39/528
respectively.
V. QUESTION OF PALESTINE
23. The action taken by the United Nations on the question of Palestine up to
September 1983 was outlined in the report of the Secretary-General
(A/38/458-S/16015, paeas. 23-32).
24. At its thirty-eighth session, on 13 December 1983, the General Assembly
adopted five resolutions under the agenda item entitled "Question of Palestine".
In resolution 38/5S A, the Assembly endorsed the recommendations of the Committee
on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People and authorized
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the Committee to continue to exert all efforts to promote the implementation of its
recommendations. In resolution 38/58 B, the Assembly requested the Secretary-
General to enriure that the Division for Palestinian Rights continue to discharge
its tasks and to provide it with the necessary resources to expand its work
programme, and invited all Governments and organisations to lend their co-operation
to the Committee. I" eesol"tio" 38/58 c, the Assembly endorsed the Geneva
Declaration on Palestine of 7 September 1983, welcomed and endorsed the call for
convening a" International Peace Conference on the Middle East in conformity with
Certain guidelines! invited all parties to the Arab-Israeli conflict, including the
Palestine Liberation Organisation , as well as the United States of America, the
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and other concerned States, to participate in
the Conference; requested the Secretary-General, in consultation with the Security
Council, urgently to undertake preparatory measures to convene the Conference) and
invited the Security Council to facilitate the organisation of the Conference. It
also requested the Secretary-General to report on his efforts no later than
15 March 1984. In resolution 38/5B D, the Assembly urged the meeting of
specialised agencies and other organisations, referred to in its resolution 38/145
on assistance to the Palestinian people , to be convened in 1984, to take into
account the recommendations of the five preparatory meetings of the International
Conference on the Question of Palestine and the relevant United Nations resolutions
in developing a programme of economic and social assistance to the Palestinian
people, and to implement that programme. In resolution 38/58 E, the Assembly
requested that the Department of Public Information disseminate all information on
the activities of the United Nations system relating to Palestine and take Certain
measures to that end.
25. The report of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the
Palestinian People appears in document A/39/35. q The report requested of the
Secretary-General in resolution 38/5S C was submitted on 13 March 1984
(A/39/130-S/16409). A" addendum to that report was submitted on 13 September 1984.
26. Since the thirty-eighth session, a number of communications have been
addressed to the President of the Security Council or the Secretary-General on
various aspects of the question of Palestine. Those communications, which have
been circulated as official documents of the Security'council and/or the Security
Council, were sent by India (A/39/139-5/16430) and the Chairman of the Committee on
the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People (A/39/99-5/16327,
A/39/116-5/16366, A/39/117-S/16373, A/39/157-S/16442, A/39/201-S/16493,
A/39/234-5/16531, A/39/263-S/16568, A/39/329-S/16646, A/39/403). Communications
were also received from PI0 and circulated at the request of Yemen
(A/39/449-5/16724, annex) and Jordan (A/39/548+16766, annex).
VI. SEARCH FOR A PEACEFUL SETTLEMBNT
27. A" outline of developments relating to the search for a peaceful settlement of
the Middle East problem from November 1967 until September 1983 may be found in the
Secretary-General's reports of 18 May 1973 (S/10929), 17 October 1978
(9/33/311-S/12896), 24 October 1979 (A/34/584-S/13578), 24 Cctcber~ 1980~
(A/35/563-S/14234), 11 November 1981 (A/36/655-S/14746), 12 October 1982
(A/37/525-S/15451) and 30 October 1983 (A/38/458-5/16015).
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28. At its thirty-eighth session, on 19 December 1983, the General Assembly
adopted resolution 3S/lSO A to E concerning the situation in the Middle East. In
resolution 3S/lSO D the Assembly reaffirmed its conviction that the question of
Palestine was the core of the conflict in the Middle East and that no
comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the region would be achieved without the
full exercise by the Palestinian people of its inalienable national rights;
reaffirmed that a just and comprehensive settlement'of the situation in the Middle
East could not be achieved without the participation on a" equal footing of all the
parties to the conflict, including the Palestine Liberation Organisation; declared
that peace in the Middle East was indivisible and must be based on a comprehensive,
just and lasting solution under the auspices of the United Nations; welcomed the
Arab Peace Plan adopted unanimously at the Twelfth Arab Summit Conference at Fes$
condemned Israel's continued occupation of the Palestinian and other Arab
territories and demanded the immediate , unconditional and total withdrawal of
Israel from all the territories occupied since June 1967; rejected all agreements
and arrangements that violated the recognised rights of the Palestinian people and
contradicted the principles of just and comprehensive solutions to the Middle East
problem, determined that Israel's decision, to annex Jerusalem and to declare it its
"capital" as well as the measures to alter its physical character, demographic
composition, institutional structure and status were null and void and demanded
that they be rescinded immediately, condemned Israel's aggression, policies and
practices against the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territories
and outside, particularly Palestinians in Lebanon8 strongly condemned Israel's
annexationist policies and practices in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights!
considered that the agreements on strategic co-operation between the United States
of America and Israel signed on 30 November 1981, together wit" the recent accords
concluded in that context, would encourage Israel to pursue its aggressive and
expansionist policies and practices) called upon all States to put a" end to the
flow to Israel of any military , economic and financial aid, as well as of human
resources, aimed at encouraging it to pursue its aggressive policies against the
Arab countries and the Palestinian people1 strongly condemned the collaboration
between Israel and South Africa! and reaffirmed its call for the convening of a"
International Peace Conference on the Middle East as specified in paragraph 5 of
the Geneva Declaration on Palestine. The other parts of General Assembly
resolution 3S/lSO concern Israeli policies in the Syrian Golan Heights and the
Other occupied territories (resolution 38/180 A), Palestinian cultural property
that had been seized in Lebanon by the Israeli forces (resolution 3S/lSO B),
Jerusalem (resolution 3S/lSO C) and supply of arms and economic aid to Israel
(resolution 38/180 E).
29. The Secretary-General's report under resolution 38/1SO, which includes
comments made by Member States on the resolution, has been circulated as
document A/39/533.
30. At its thirty-eighth session, the General Assembly also adopted resolution
3S/58 C concerning a" International Peace Conference on the Middle East (see
para. 24 above). The reports submitted by the Secretary-General in pursuance of
that resolution are contained in documents A/39/130-S/16409 and Add.1.
31. During the reporting period , the Secretary-General has engaged in continuous
discussions with the parties to the Middle East conflict and with others
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concerned. In June 1984, he visited Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon and the Syrian
Arab Republic and had discussions with the leaders of those countries on various
aspects of the Middle East problem. Thereafter, in July 1984, the Secretary-
General met with the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine
Liberation Organisation in Geneva. His continuing contacts on the Middle East have
included further discussions with the permanent members of the Security Council and
others at Headquarters and with the leaders of Governments’whom he has met in
various capitals.
32. On 31 July 1984, the Chargd d’affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of the
union of Soviet Socialist Republics to the United Nations addressed to the
Secretary-General a letter by which he transmitted a text dated 29 July 1984 and
entitled “Proposals by the Soviet Union on a Middle East settlement”. The
proposals deal with the principles to be applied to a settlement as well as the
organization and the convening of an International Peace Conference onthe Middle
East (A/39/368+/16685).
33. Since the thirty-eighth session of the General Assembly, a number of
communications have been addressed to the President of the Security Council or the
Secretary-General on various aspects of ,the situation in the Middle East. In
addition to those referred to in the preceding sections of this report (see
paras. 9, 18 and 261, communications were received from Afghanistan
(A/39/287-S/16602), Bangladesh (A/39/585-S/16783), France on behalf of the ten
states members of the European Economic Community (A/39/161-S/16456), India
(A/39/560-S/16773), Israel (A/39/79 and Corr.1, A/39/180 and Corr.11, the Libyan
Arab Jamahiriya (A/39/322-5/16643), Morocco (A/39/131-S/16414 and Corr.1) and Niger
(A/39/236-5/16535). A communication was also received from PLO and circulated at
the request of Yemen (A/39/378-S/16693, annex).
VII. OBSERVATIONS
34. The Arab-Israeli conflict in the Middle East and its key issue, the
Palestinian problem, have remained unresolved despite intensive efforts undertaken
by the United Nations and individual Member States during the past 37 years.
35. The search for a peaceful settlement in the Middle East has followed a pattern
that has become all too familiar. Each of the five destructive and inconclusive
wars has been followed by a new peace effort, spurred by the renewed awar,eness of
the dangers of continued stalemate. On each occasion proposals were put forward
and in some cases partial agreement reached, but the peace effort soon became
deadlocked because of the intransigence of one party or another. In time, the
sense of urgency was lost and a deadlock was once again allowed to persist until
the next major crisis.
36. However, delay does not facilitate a solution of the problem in any way. Each
succeeding war becomes more destructive because of the development of new and more
sophisticated weapons. Far from resolving old issues, it creates new ones and
widens the circle of resentment and mistrust among opposing parties. The interests
of major Powers, which have political, economic and strategic concerns in the
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region, are also inevitably involved. New layers of complexity are thus added with
each new war and the passage of time.
37. The continued stalemate in the Middle East has also had adverse effects on the
authority and status of the United Nations itself. As I observed in my last annual
report to the General Assembly, y the international community's inability to solve
many of its problems has given rise to a process of side-stepping the United
Nations and recourse to other means - force, unilateral action or confronting
military alliances - that has weakened reliance on the Organisation. I also
mentioned that the non-implementation of resolutions, as well as their
proliferation, tend to downgrade the seriousness with which Governments and the
public view the decisions of the United Nations. Those observations apply
especially to the Middle East conflict with the antagonisms and frustrations it has
entailed.
38. It sssms obvious that the Middle East conflict, involving as it does complex
interrelated issues, can ultimately be fully resolved only by a comprehensive
settlement covering all its aspects. This fact needs to be kept firmly in mind by
the parties concerned, since all the agreements that have been reached in the past,
whether within the United Nations framework or outside it , were clearly intended as
interim steps in the search for a comprehensive peace. I continue to believe that
a comprehensive settlement in the Middle East will have to meet the following
conditions: the withdrawal of the Israeli forces from occupied territories1
respect of and acknowledgement of the sovereignty , territorial integrity and
political independence of every State in the area and their right to live in peace
within secure and recognised boundaries, free from threats or acts of force) and,
lastly, a just settlement of the Palestinian problem based on the recognition of
the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including self-determination. In
this context, the question of Jerusalem also remains of primary importance.
39. It also seems obvious that a comprehensive settlement will have to be reached,
at least in its final stage, if not earlier, through a process of negotiation in
which all the parties concerned will participate. In addition, it is generally
recognised that the support of the major Powers , especially the Union of Soviet
Socialist Republics and the United States of America, is essential for any lasting
settlement in the Middle East. From a purely rational point of view, all these
requirements could best and most readily be met if negotiations were ,undertaken
under some form of United Nations auspices.
40. At its last session, the General Assembly called for the convening of a”
International Peace Conference in an effort to reach a comprehensive settlement of
the Middle East problem and requested me, in consultation with the Security
Council, urgently to undertake preparatory measures to this end. In the light of
the consultations I have held with the parties concerned, the Members of the
Security Council and other interested Governments, it is quite evident that the
conditions required for convening the proposed conference with any chance of
success are not met at the present time.
41. The various responses to the proposal for a Middle East peace conference
exemplify many of the basic problems that have since 1948 hampered all attempts to
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negotiate a just and lasting settlement of the Middle East conflict. There has
always been the question of whether talks should be direct, or indirect through
some intermediary. There has been the question of whether negotiations should be
between Israel and her Arab neighbours one on one , or conducted by all the parties
concerned together. There has been the question of whether the negotiating process
should be comprehensive or step by step. AM there has been the controversy over
the manner in which the Palestinian people should be represented.
42. Apart from the above problems, questions of timing and of the willingness to
negotiate have tended to frustrate the efforts of third parties to initiate a
practical search for a just and lasting settlement. The history of the
Arab-Israeli conflict in the Middle East and of the Palestine question has thus
been a long record of missed opportunities punctuated by wars and violence that
have only served to complicate the situation further and to create new misery and
new obstacles to peace.
43. It seems clear to me that none of the parties to this his;toric and tragic
conflict can hope to attain its maximum demands if there is to be a state of real
peace in the region. In the changes of fortune, the shifting balance of power and
the inexorable development of underlying trends in the Middle East, no party can
view the future with equanimity, nor will the world escape the repercussions of
continuing violence in this unique area.
44. I believe that the United Nations has a special obligation to make another
determined effort to find the means by which we can move forward to a negotiated
peace in the Middle East. We have the basis for such a peace in Security Council
resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973). We have the experience of all the efforts
that have been made from many quarters since 1948 to solve this problem. Given the
pressing need for a more durable peace in the area, it should &urely be possible to
devise a negotiating process acceptable to all the parties concerned on the basis
of the two resolutions mentioned above.
45. Earlier this year, both in the Middle East and elsewhere, I discussed with a
number of Governments concerned the possibility of using the machinery of the
Security Council in a new way to work with the parties concerned on various aspects
of’the Middle East problem and to distil from the various proposals and plans that
have been put forward in recent years the common elements that could help to work,
out the basis of a negotiating structure. I believed that such a process, if it
could be initiated, might still have served to clear the ground and to prepare for
a full-fledged effort to negotiate the problem.
46. As far as the proposal for a Middle East peace conference is concerned, I
recall that the previous peace conference that met in December 1973, and of which
the United States and the Soviet Union were co-chairmen, did in fact serve a useful
purpose in relation to the arrangements that followed the 1973 war in the Middle
East.
47. I think it is important to consider what a Middle East peace conference could
now entail. It could mean many things. It does not necessarily have to be a
conference in permanent session. what is now needed, it seems to me, is a
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framework for negotiations and an umbrella under which the necessary contacts could
develop according to the demands of the problems that were being considered. It is
this kind of framework or auspices that I believe could most usefully serve the
needs of all the parties to the Middle East conflict.
48. I do not expect such a concept to be immediately acceptable in the light of
views that have been expressed, in some cases very strongly, in the past year. I
do however urge that the concept be given careful consideration.
49. Poe my part, I intend to remain in close consultation with all the parties to
the Middle East conflict in case, at any particular juncture, the Secretary-General
can play a useful role in furthering the negotiating process. In the liaht of the
deep tension in the Middle East
nothing could be less realistic
present situation of no peace -
and the emergence of new factors in the situation,
than to expect the indefinite continuation of the
no war.
Notes
Y United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 75, No. 973, p. 287.
Y Official Records of the General Assembly, Thirty-eighth Session,
Supplement No. 13 (A/38/13).
Y g&l., Thirty-ninth Session, Supplement No. 13 (A/39/13).
Y- Ibid., Supplement No. 35 (A/39/35).
Y w., Supplement No. 1 (A/39/1).
UNITED
NATIONS
_. _ _ .
AS
c”. IJiRtr.
v4. t’
t*,) General Assembly Security Council GENERAL
q&+&
A/40/779
S/l 7FiRl
22 Octotwr 19A5
ORIGINAL: ENGLISH
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Fortieth session
AqendA itam 3S
THE SITUATION IN
SECURITY COUNCIL
Fortieth vear
THE MIDDLE EAST
Rw,ort of the Secretarv-General
CONTENTS
PAraaraohs PAae
I. INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..I...........................~. 1 ?
IT. MILITARY DEVELOPMENTS AND [INSTED NATIONS PEACE-KKePING
ACTIVITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...*. 7 - 11 2
111. SITUATION IN THE OCCUPIED TERRTTORTKS . . . . . . ..*............ 12 - 1A 4
IV. PAIJ?Sl’INE REFUGEE PRORI,I?M . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 - 22 fi
V. (WESTION OF PALESI’INE .,.,,..,.,.........,,................ 77 - 26 7
VI. SEARCH FOR A PEACGFIII, SRTTl,ISMKNl . . . ..*.................... 17 - ‘17 H
VII. OBSERVATIONS . ..~...,,...,...,......,,..,.................. 11 - 42 9
HCI-?9OT, ! 2OH4d (151 / . . .
A/40/779
S/17581
Enqlish
Paqe 2
I. INTRODUCTION
1. The present ceoort is submitted in oursuance of General Assemhlv resolution
39/146 A of 14 December 1984. In that resolution, the Assemhlv dealt with various
aspects of the situation in the Middle East and reauested the Secretary-General to
report to the Securitv Council periodicallv on the development of the situation and
to submit to the Assemhlv at its fortieth session a report covcrinq the
develooments in the Middle East in all their asoects. The report is based mainlv
on information available in United Nations documents, to which references are made
whenever appropriate.
II. MILITARY DEVELOPMENTS AND UNITED NATIONS PEACE-KEEPING
ACTIVITIES
2. The status of the cease-fire in the Middle East and the activities of the
United Nations peace-keeoinq operations in the area up to Cctoher 1984 were dealt
with in the report of the Secretarv-General of 26 October 1984 (A/39/600-S/16792,
oaras. 2-E). The activities of the United Nations in this field have remained
essentially the same. There continue to he three United Nations DeaCe-keeOinq
operations in the area: two oeace-keepinq forces, the United Nations Disenqaqement
Observer Force (UNDOF) and the United Nations Interim Force in Lehanon (UNIFIL);
and one observer mission, the United Nations Truce Suoervision Orqaniaation (UNTSO).
(a) United Nations Disenqaoement Observer Force
3. UNDOF, with some 1,300 troops provided hv Austria, Canada, Finland and Poland,
is deployed hetween the Israeli and Svrian forces on the Golan Heiqhts in
accordance with the disenqaqement aqreement concluded between Israel and the Svrian
Arab Republic in Mav 1974. A qroup of UNTSO observers is detailed to the Force and
assists it in the performance of its tasks. The main functions of the Force are to
supervise the cease-fire between the Israeli and Syrian forces and to man the area
of separation established by the disenaaqement aqreement. The mandate of UNDOF has
been extended twice hv the Securitv Council durinq the reoortinq oeriod, the last
time on 21 MaV 1985 for a further period of six months, until 30 November 1985
(resolution 563 (1985)).
4. The activities of the Force since October 1984 are described in two reports of
the Secretarv-General to the Securitv Council, dated 16 Novemher 1984 and
13 May 1985 (S/16829 and S/17177). As reoorted hv the Secretary-General, the
situation in the Israel-Svria sector has remained qenerallv auiet; UNDOF has
continued to oerform its functions effcctivelv with the co-operation of the
oarties, and there have been no serious incidents.
(h) United Nations Interim Force in Lehanon
5. UNIFIL, which is deoloved in southern Lebanon, was established by the Securitv
Council on 19 March 1978, followinq the first Israeli invasion of Lehanon. Its
terms of reference were - and still are - to confirm the withdrawal of the Israeli
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Paae 7
forcea as called for hv the Securitv Council, to restore tnternational oeace and
eecuritv and to aaftist the Government of Lahanon in enBurina the return of itR
effective authoritv in the area.
6. The mandate of the Force has since heen ewtended as necessarv, the last time
on 17 October 1985 for a further Deriod of RIX months until 19 Aoril 1986
(reeolut ion 575 (1985) ) , The authorised atrenath of UNIFIL is 7,000, hut hecause
of its reduced activities, it has currentlv some 5,700 trooDs, Drovided hv Fiji,
Finland, France, Ghana, Ireland, Italv, NeDal, the Netherlands, Norwav and Sweden.
A aroup of UNTSO observers assists the Force in the performance of its tasks.
7. The activities of UNIFIL from October 19R4 until Qctoher 198s are described in
the Secretarv-General’s rewrts of 11 April and 10 OctohQr 19R5 to the Securitv
Council (S/17093 and S/17557),
(c) United Nat inns Truce SuDQrvision Oraaninat ion
8. As indicated in the orecedinq Rections, oh.servers of UNTSO have continued to
assist. UNDOF and UNIFIL in the performance of their tbsks. In addition, UNTSO
conducts two ohservation operation8 of its own, the Ohmerver GrOUD in Beirut and
the Ohserver Grouo in Eavot.
9. The Ohserver GrouD in Beirut was set UD hv the Sscurttv Council in AuauRt 1982
followins the first incursion of Israeli trooos into Wst Beirut. Its ta3k wan to
monitor the situation in and arr3und Beirut with DarticlJlar emDhaRis on deVPlODmen!-R
involvina Israelt forces and Palestinians. Since thQ withdraw61 of thQ Israeli
forces from the Beirut area in September 19R3, the aCtiVitiPft nf thQ OhsQrtler GrouD
have heen reduced and itR total strenqth hrouaht flown from SO to 18.
10. When the mandate of the uecond United Nations Emeraencv Force ZapRed in
JII~V 1979, the then Secretarv-General stated that, sincQ the withdrawal of the
Force was without Dreiudice to the continued DrQRencQ of thQ UNTSO 0hserver.s in the
arear it was his intention to ensure the further fonctioninq of UNTSO in accordance
with existinq decisions of the Securttv Council. on this hasis, a numher of UNTSO
OhSerVers have rematned in Eqvot with the aareement ot thQ Eavotian Government.
The Observer Group in Eavpt has a total strenqth ot ahout 50 ohgervers. Tt
maintains, in addition to a liaison office in Cairo, fivQ ohRervation Dosts in the
Sinai,
11. Since the thirtv-ninth session, a number of communicationff have heen addressed
to the PresidQnt of the SQcuritv Council anal the Secretarv-General on various
a%eCtR of the gituation. Those communicat inns, which have heen circulated as
official documents of the General Aasemhlv and/or the SQcuritv Council, were sent
hv Australia (S/17192), India on behalf of the Movement of Non-Alianed Countries
(S/1700A and A/40/163), Israel (A/40/58-S/16A71, S/17007 and A/40/165,
A/40/253-S/17110, A/4fl/270 and Corr.l-S/17137 and Corc.1, A/40/301-S/1718?,
A/40/314-S/17192, A/40/399-S/17791, A/40/477-5/1737n, A/40/507-5/17357,
A/40/567-S/1 7412, A/40/603-S/1 743H, S/1744R anfi A/40/670, A/40/6HR-S/175021,
Ttalv on hehalf the Ten States Members nf the EurooPan (‘ommlrnitv
(A/40/286-S/17153), Jordan (A/40/h 14-S/1 7467) , LPbannn (S/l 6957 and A/40/1 77,
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S/16974 and Add.1 and A/40/14R and Add.1, A/40/1 56-S/16990, A/40/1 5R-!i/1fi997,
A/40/205-5/17055, S/17062, A/40/223-S/17080, A/40/4ti2 and corr.l-S/17325
and Corr.11, the Lihvan Arah Jamahiriva (S/17195) and the llnited StateR af America
(A/40/504-S/17358). Further, two CommunicationR were received from the countries
contrihutinq troopR to UNIFIL (S/17067 and S/17251), CommunicetionR were alRo
received from the Palestine Iiheration Orqanization (PLO) and were circulated
at the reauest of Eqvpt (S/16300), Qatar (A/40/123-S/16946) and the United Arab
Emirates (A/40/219-S/17075, A/40/225-S/170R5, A/40/236-S/17106, A/40/254-S/17111).
III. SITIJATION IN THE OCCUPIED TERRITORIES
12. The action taken bv the United NationR Drier to OctohPr 1984 on thP Rituation
in the O~cupid territories WBR outlined in the Secretarv-General’R resort of
26 October 1984 (A/39/600-S/1679?, paraR. 11-I 7).
13. The Gene ta 1 ARRemhlv , at itR thirtv-ninth ReaRion, after considerinq the
rewrt of the Soactal Committee to InvPRtiqstP Israeli PracticPR Affectina the
Human Riqhts of the Population of the Occupied Territories (A/39/591), which was
composed of Seneaal , Sri Lanka and YuqoRlavia, adopted re~olut ions 39/95 A to H
on 14 December 1984. Bv these reaolutiona, the General ARRemhlV, inter olia,
condemned Israel for its failure to comolv with reRol\Jtion 3fl/79 A anrl demanded the
immediate release of all DriRonerR, includinq Zivad Ahu Eain, who were dulv
reqietered to he freed (39/95 All reaffirmed that the Geneva Convention rf?lative to
the Protection of Civilian Persona in Time of War, of 12 Atrquat 1949, L/ WAR
aoplicahle to the Arah territories OCC!~JD~~C! hv Israel Rince 1967, includina
Jerusalem, and demanded that Israel acknowlpdap and comDlv with ItR DrovisionR
(resolution 39/95 B); demanded that the Government of IRrat=l desist forthwith from
takinq any action which would result in chanqinq thP leaal Rt.atlJs, aeoqraDhica1
nature or damoqraohic composition of the occ~~pi~rl territorieR (rcRnlution 3Q/Q5 c);
demanded that IRrael desist forthwith from cPrt.ain policies and DracticeR mcnt.ioneri
in the resolution and renewed the mandate of the Special Committee (resolution
39/95 D)J dcmanrled that the Government of IRrael rescind the euoulRion of the
Yavore of Hehron and Halhul and the Sharia ,TtJdqe of [IPhron and that it facilitate
their immediate retllrn (resolution 3Q/Q5 E) J determined that all leqialativc and
administrative actions taken or to he taken hv IRrapl that Duraorted to alter the
character and leqal RtatuR of the Svrian Arah Golan HeiqhtR vere null and void anal
constituted a Violation Of international law (reRolut.ion 39/95 F) J COnclemnPd
IRraeli policies and practicpR nqainst PaleRtinlan ntutiantcl and facultv in
edlJcationa1 inRtitlltiOnR in the occ~rpi~fl PaleRtinian territories and demanded that
Israel rescind all meaRureR aqainRt all educational inRtitcJtiona, and cnRurp their
freedom and refrain from hinderinq their effective opPration (rt?Rolution X9/95 G) J
and demander-l that IRrael inform the Sacretarv-General of the rPRultR of t.hP
investiqationa and prosecution relevant to the AuRaRRination RttemptR aqainRt thP
Mavors of NahllJR, Ramallah and Al Rireh (resolution 39/95 10.
14. On 19 Fehruarv 19A5, thP CommiRqion on HlJman RiqhtR ariopted rPRolutiOnR
1985/l A and R ConCPrnina thP atrent irJn of thP vfolatfon of hlJmsn riqhtR in the
occuDierI territories. Tn thoRP rPRf>lutilonR thP CommiRRion condemned Israeli
policies and practices in thP nccuntpd tprrirorieg nlonq 1ineR similar to thosr ot
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General ARRemhlv resolution 39/95 D. On the Rame date, the Commission adopted
resolution 1985/2 concernina the human riahtm Rituat ion in occupied Svrian
territorv, in which it declared once more that IRrael’s deciRion of
14 December 1981 to impose itR lRwR, jurisdiction and adminiRtration on the
occupied Svrian Mlan HeiqhtR had no international leqal valirlitv or effect and
called upon Tsirael to rescind it and t.0 cease itR actR of terrorism directed
aqainRt Svrian citizens.
15. The Securitv Council conRidered the Rituation in the occupied territories
durinq two meetinqs on l? and 13 September 1985 (S/PV.2604 and Corr.1 and WPV.2605
and Corr. 1). On 13 Septemher, the Council voted on a draft resolution euhmitted hy
six memhers, in which it would have deplored repressive measure8 taken hv Israel
aaainst the civilian Palestinian population in the occupied territories, called
upon Israel tc stop those meaRureR and to ahide RcrupulouRlv hv the provisions of
the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian PerRonR in Time of War
(S/17459). The draft waA not adopted, owina to the neqative vote of a permanent
member of the Council.
16. The Special Committee to Inveatiqate IRraeli PracticeR Affectinq the Human
Riqhts of the Population of the Occuoied Territories held oerindic maRtinas in
pursuance of resolution 39/95 D. Information WRR qathprcrd from a varietv of
sourcee, includinq oral testimonv and written communicattonR. The Special
Committee reviewed this information anfi aBaesRed thp human riahtR Rituation in the
occupied territories with a view to decidinq whether anv action waR reauired. The
report of the SDecial COmmittee under rcsolutinn 38/79 D has heen circulated as
document A/40/702.
17. Durinq its thirtv-ninth ReBRion, the General ARRemhlv alRo adooted resolution
39/101 concerninq TRrael’R decinion to build a canal linkinq the Mediterranean Sea
to the Dead Sea, reRolut ion 39/169 concarninq 1 ivinq cond it ion8 of the Paleat inian
DPOD~P in the occupied PalcRtinian territorieR, and decision 39/442 concerninq
IRraali economic wactices in the occupied PaleRtinian and other Arah territories.
The rcportR of the Secrctarv-General on the 1aRt two quRRtiana have heen circulated
aR documcntn A/40/373-E/1985/99 and A/40/381-E/1985/105. A report in pursuance of
resolution 39/101 will he Ruhmitted shortlv hv t.he Sccretarv-General.
1R. Since the thirtv-ninth session, a numher of communications have hecn addresacd
to the Preeidant of the Securitv Council or the Secretarv-General on varioun
aspects of the situation in the o~cuoied t.artitorieR. ThoRr communicat ionR, which
have been circulated a8 official documents of the General Asnemhlv and the Securitv
Council, were Rent hv IRraRl (A/40/5X3-8/17379) and Jordan (A/40/179-S/17035,
A/40/470-S/17332, A/40/517-S/17371). COIIIt’tIl~niC?ItiOnR WPrm also rPcPived from PLr)
and WOTP circulated at. the reauest. of Democratic Yemen (A/40/16?-S/17003,
A/40/167-S/1701?), Qatar (A/40/608-S/17439, A/40/610-S/17445, A/40/624-S/17451,
A/40/625-S/)745?, A/40/679-5/17493) and the IInited Arab Emirates (A/40/237-S/17107),
/ . . .
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IV. PALESTINE REFUGEE PROBLEM
19. The Palestine refuqee ocohlem and the efforts of the United Nations to assiFit
the refuaees up to September 1983 were dealt with in the report of the
Secretary-General of 30 September 1983 (A/39/600-S/1679?, paeaR. 20-22).
20. Follovinq ita consideration, at itR thirtv-ninth seaRion, of the reuort of the
Commissioner-General of the IJnitsd NationR Relief and WotkR Aqencv for PaleRtine
Refuqeea in the Near EaRt ([JNRWA) for the period 1 Julv 1983 to 20 June 1984, ?/
the General AsRemhlv adonted 11 refiolutiona on 14 December 1984. In reRolut to;
39/99 A, the AaRemhlv noted wit.h regret that repatriation or compensation of the
refuqees, as provided for in paraqraph 11 of Asaemhlv resolution 194 (1111, had not
heen effected, that no uuhstantial proqreau had heen made in the orcxramme endorsed
hv the Aesemhlv in paraqraph 3 of its renolution 513 (VI1 for the reinteqration of
refuqees either hv repatriation or reeettlement and that, therefore, the situation
of the refuoees continued to be a matter of serious concerni expressed its thank8
to the Commissioner-General and to all the staff of UNRWA, recoqnixinq that the
Aqencv was doina all it. could within the limit8 of availahle resourcesi reiteretcd
itR reauest that the headauarters of UNWA Rhould he relocated to its former site
within its area of operations aa Roan aR practicable; noted with reqret that the
United Nations Conciliation CommiRRion for Paleatine had heen unable to find a
meane of achievina proqrt?RR in the implementation of paraqraoh 11 of ARRemhlv
resolution 194 (III) and requested the Commission to exert continued efforts
towards the implementation of that paraqranh and to report to the AsRemhlv as
approoriate, hut not later than 1 September 19AS; directed attention to the
continuinq seriousneRR of the financial position of UNRWA aR outlined in the reDort
of the Commissioner-General; noted with concern that, despite the commendable and
eucceseful efforts of the Commissioner-General to collect additional contributions,
this increaRed level of income to IJNRWA waR Rt ill insufficient to cover eaRent ial
hudqet reauirementR in 19R4; and called upon Rll Governments aR a matter of urqencv
to make the moat qenerouR ef fortR poaoihle to meet the anticipated needa of UNRWA.
21. The other resolutions adaDted hv the General ARRemhlv dealt with the Workina
Group on the Financinq of UNRWA (reRolution 39/99 RJ , aeRistance to personR
displaced as a result of the June 1967 and suhsecruent hostilities (resolution
39/99 Cl, offerR hv Member StateR of qranta and scholarehipR for higher education,
includinq vocational traininq, for PaleRt ina refuqece (resolution 39/99 0))
Palestine refuqees in the Gaza Strio (resolution 39/99 EJ, reeumotion of the ration
dietrihutinn to PaleRtine refuqecR (resolution 39/99 F), population and refuqeae
displaced since 1967 (reRolution 39/99 G1, revenuen dcr ived from PaleRt ine ref uqce
properties (reeolut ion 39/99 111, protection of PaleRtine refuaees (reRo1ution
39/99 I), Palestine refuqeea in the West Bank (rcsolut ion 39/99 J) , and the
University of JeruRalem “Al ()IJ~R” for Palestine refugees (resolution 39/99 K1.
22. The situation of the PaleRtine refuqeeR and the activities of UNRWA Rinca the
adoption of these reRolutionR are deRc!rihed in the annual report of the
Commissioner-General of JJNRWA for the pcrind 1 ,Tulv 1984 to 30 June 1985. 1/ The
report of the IJnited NationR Conciliation CommiRRion for Paleetine under reRolution
39/99 A has been circulated aR document A/40/560, and the report8 of the
Secretarv-General under reROlutiOnR :19/99 D, E, F, G, H, I, J and K have ken
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circulated as documents A/40/612, A/40/613, A/40/766, A/40/614, A/40/616, A/40/756,
A/40/615 and A/40/543. In addition, the report of the Workino Group on the
Financinq of UNRWA under resolutions 39/99 B will he before the General Assemhlv at
its fortieth session.
V. QUESTION OF PALESTINE
23. The action taken hv the United Nations on the auestion of Palestine up to
October 1984 was outlined in the report of the Secretarv-General of 26 October 1984
(A/39/600-5/16792, paras. 24-251.
24. At its thirty-ninth session, on 11 December 1984, the General Assemhlv adopted
four resolutions under the aqenda item entitled "Question of Palestine“. In
resolutic,n 39/49 A, the Assembly endorsed the recommendations of the Committee on
the Exercise of the Tnalienahle Rights of the Palestinian People and authorised it
to continue to exert all efforts to promote their implementation. In resolution
39/49 B, the Assembly reauested the Secretarv-General to ensure that the Division
for Palestinian Riqhts continued to discharqe the tasks detailed in previous
resolutions. In resolution 39/49 C, the Assemhlv requested that the Department of
Public Information disseminate all information on the activities of the United
Nations system relatinq to Palestine and take certain measures to that end. In
resolution 39/49 D, the Assembly reaffirmed its endorsement of the call for
conveninq the International Peace Conference on the Middle East in conformity with
the provisions of resolution 38/58 C and reouested the Secretarv-General, in
consultation with the Security Council, to continue his efforts with a view to
conveninq the Conference.
25. The report of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Riohts of the
Palestinian People appears in document A/40/35. z/ The report reauested of the
Secretarv-General in resolution 39/49 D concerninq the convenino of an
international peace conference on the Middle East has been circulated as document
A/40/168-S/17014.
26. Since the thirty-ninth session, a number of communications have been addressed
to the President of the Security Council or the Secretary-General on various
aspects of the auestion of Palestine. Those communications, which have been
circulated as official documents of the General Assembly and/or the Securitv
Council, were sent h)r Lebanon (A/40/537-5/173891 and the Chairman of the Committee
on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People
(A/40/84-S/16896, A/40/119-S/16943, A/40/128-5/16954, A/40/183-S/17043,
A/40/215-S/17069, A/40/281-S/17146, A/40/339-S/17219, A/40/480-5/17340,
A/40/494-S/17346, A/40/523-5/17375, A/40/540-5/17392, A/40/628-S/17455). A
communication was also received from PLO and circulated at the reauest of !@vot
(S/172101.
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VI. SEARCH FOR A PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT
27. An outline of developments relatinq to the search for a peaceful settlement of
the Middle East problem Erom November 1967 until October 1984 may be found in the
Secretary-General’s reports of 18 May 1973 (S/10929), 17 October 1978
(A/33/311-5/12896), 24 October 1979 (A/34/584-5/13578), 24 October 1980
(A/35/563-5/14234), 11 November 1981 (~/36/655-S/14746), 12 October 1982
(A/37/525-5/15451), 30 September 1983 (A/38/458-5/16015) and 26 October 1384
(A/39/600-5/16792).
28. At its thirty-ninth session, on 14 December 1984, the General Assembly adopted
three resolutions concerning the situation in the Middle East. In resolution
39,046 A, the Assembly reaffirmed its conviction that the question of Palestine was
the core of the conflict in the Middle East and that no comprehensive, just and
lastinq peace in the reqion would be achieved without the full exercise by the
Palestinian people of its inalienable national riqhts; reaffirmed that a just and
comprehensive settlement of the situation in the Middle East could not be achieved
without the participation on an equal footing of all the parties to the conflict,
includinq PLO1 declared that peace in the Middle East was indivisible and must be
based on a comprehensive, just and lastinq solution under the auspices of the
United Nations; considered the Arab Peace Plan (A/37/696-S/15510, annex) adopted
unanimously at the Twelfth Arab Summit Conference at Fez as an important
contribution towards the achievement of a comprehensive, just and lastinq peace?
condemned Israel’s continued occupation of the Palestinian and other Arab
territories and demanded the immediate , unconditional and total withdrawal of
Israel Erom all the territories occupied since June 1967; rejected all agreements
and arranqements which violated the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people
and contradicted the principles of a just and comprehensive solution to the Middle
East problem; determined that Israel’s decision to annex Jerusalem and to declare
it as its “capital” as well as the measures to alter its physical character,
demographic composition, institutional structure and status were null and void and
demanded that they be rescinded immediately i condemned Israel’s aggression,
policies and practices against the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian
territories and outside, particularly Palestinians in Lebanon; strongly condemned
Israel’s annexationist policies and practices in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights8
considered that the agreements on strategic co-operation between the United States
of America and Israel signed on 30 November 1981, toqether with the recent accords
concluded in that context, would encouraqe Israel to pursue its aggressive and
expansionist policies and practices; called upon all States to put an end to the
flow to Israel of any military, economic and financial aid, as well as of human
resources, aimed at encouraging it to pursue its aggressive policies against the
Arab countries and the Palestinian People; strongly condemned the collaboration
between Israel and South Africa: and reaffirmed its call for the convening of an
international peace conference on the Middle East as specified in paraqraph 5 of
the Geneva Declaration z/ on Palestine. The other parts of General Assembly
resolution 39/146 concern Israeli policies in the Syrian Golan Heights and the
other occupied territories (resolution 39/146 8) and the transeer of diplomatic
missions to Jerusalem (resolution 39/146 C).
29. The above resolutions have been brouqht to the attention of Member States, and
a report oE the Secretary-General, including the comments received from Member
States on the resolution, has been circulated as document A/40/668.
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30. Durinq the reportinq period, the SecretaryGeneral has pursued his contacts
with the parties to the Middle East conflict and with others concerned reqardinq
the search for a peaceful settlement of that conflict, includinq the convenina of
an international conference as recommended by the General Assemblv.
31. In this connection, the Government of Jordan informed the SecretaryGeneral of
an aqreement reached hv Kinq Hussein and Chairman Arafat of PLO on
11 February 1985, under which Jordan and the PLO would move toqether toward the
achievement of a oeaceful and just settlement of the Middle East crisis and the
termination of Israeli occupation of the occupied Arah territories. The Government
Of Jordan kept the Se .etarv-General informed of the efforts undertaken
suhseauentlv hv Kinq Hussein to hrinq about neqotiations under the auspices of an
international conference with the participation of the five Permanent Members of
the Security Council and all the parties to the ‘conflict. In this connection, it
emphasised that the international conference should he in the framework of the
United Nations.
32. Since the thirty-ninth session of the General Assembly, a number of
communications have been addressed to the SecretaryGeneral on various aspects of
the situation in the Middle East. In addition to those referred to in the
precedinq sections of the present report (paras. 11, 18 and 261, communications
were received from Indonesia (A/40/276-S/17138), Italv on behalf of the Ten States
Members of the European Communitv (A/40/291-5/17162), Morocco (A/40/564
and Corr.1.) I the Syrian Arab Republic (A/40/584) and Yemen (A/40/173-5/17033).
VII. OBSERVATIONS
33. The search for a peaceful settlement of the Middle East problem remains
elusive and the situation in the Middle East continues to be unstable. Durinq the
past vear. the General Assembly renewed its call for an international peace
conference on tha Middle East and Kinq Hussein of Jordan launched the peace
initiative mentioned in paragraph 31 above. But the efforts undertaken in both
cases have not so far achieved the desired results.
34. The United Nations has been involved in the Arab-Israeli conflict in the
Middle East and its root cause, the Qalestine problem, since the earlv vears of the
Orqanizat ion. It has orohahlv devoted to this issue more time and more attention
than to any other international problem.
35. Until 1977 the United Nations played an important role in the search for a
peaceful settlement of the Middle East problem and in this endeavour it enjoyed the
firm hackinq of the vast majority of the Members of the Orqanization. I recall the
active support and co-operation which maior powers extended to the United Nations
in the peace process in the Middle East. Since then, while its peace-keepinq
operations have continued to plav an indispensable role in the area, the
increasinqlv divergent policies amona the permanent members of the Securitv Council
on the Middle East are one of the factors which have made it more difficult to use
the United Nations machinerv in the peace process.
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36. I qreatlv reqret this trend and verv much hooe that it may soon he reversed.
I continue to believe that the Middle East conflict with its manv complex and
interrelated issues can ultimately he fully resolved only by a comorehensive
settlement coverinq all its aspects and involvinq all the aarties concerned, and
that such a settlement can he best achieved within the framework of the United
Nations. I also believe that the support of the major Powers, especially the
Soviet Union and the United States, is essential for any lastinq settlement in the
area.
37. The efforts made within the United Nations framework in the past have produced
some important achievements which should not be allowed to be wasted. While the
position6 of the various parties to the Middle East conflict remain far apart,
there is general acceptance of Security Council resolution 242 (1967) which spelled
out two important principles for a settlement in the Middle East, namely, the
withdrawal of the Israeli forces from occupied territories and, secondly, respect
and acknowledqment of the sovereiqnty, territorial inteqrity and political
independence of every State in the area and their right to live in peace within
secure and recoqnized boundaries. In addition to these two orinciples, there is
also a wide measure of aqreement that in any settlement there must be a
satisfactorv resolution of the Palestine problem hased on the recognition of the
leqitimate riqhts of the Palestinian peoole, includina self-determination.
38. Durinq recent years, a numher of peace proposals have heen out forward hv
individual Governments or qroups of Governments. These include the proposals made
by President Reaqan of the United States on 1 Seotemher 1982, the Declaration
adopted hv the Twelfth Arab Summit Conference at Fez on 9 September 1982 and the
proposals of the Soviet Union dated 15 September 1982 and 29 Julv 1984. I have
mentioned earlier in this reoort Kinq Hussein’s peace initiative which is based on
an agreement concluded on 11 Fehruarv 1985 hy him and the Chairman of PLO on the
achievement of a settlement of the Middle East problem. Although those proposals
for various reasons are so far unacceptable to one or another of the parties
concerned, they all contain important elements that could contribute to the
formulation of a common approach.
39. In commentinq on the difficulties encountered in my efforts towards the
conveninq of an international peace conference as called for by the General
Assembly, I have suqqested on several occasions that the machinery of the Security
Council he used to enhance the search for a settlement in the Middle East. The
Council has a major and universally recoqnized responsibility for this complex and
potentially explosive prohlem and could, in my opinion, play a vital role in the
evolution of a just and lastinq settlement. Naturally, other avenues of the United
Nations could also be exolored to provide the possibilities that the search for a
last inq peace would requite.
co. I am aware of the many difficulties facinq this endeavour. Its success will
depend on the aqreement and co-ooeration of the major Powers without which the
machinery of the United Nations cannot be used effectively. It will also reauire
that the parties directly concerned be willinq to make the necessary accommodations
and adiustments without which no prwress is oossible.
/ . . .
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41. In the contacts I hnvp hiid with l~ddern ot thr pdrtirs cnncerneti dlrrinq thP
past wPekR, I havP onined the imuresnion that t.hrv are fllllv conscinug nf tl,e
urqancv of tindinq an aqrwd Aettlemant af thiH moRt complex problem rlntl of the
danqere that further delav co~rld entail for their reqian rind hsvond. t havp also
noted that althouqh their respective poRit.ionN on t.hP ha~ic issups hnvc! remaineri
Ear aPart, there havp heen some siqns of fl~xihilitv an rPqar(is the nsqot t,>t tnq
procesFl, I continue to heli@v~ that it woulri he rx)sRih]e to work ollt a qeneral Iv
acceptable procerlute which w011ld Pnahle the part ic~ to emhark on i+ neqotiatinq
process if A determined effort were matiP bv al] concernprl with the fll\l support of
other GovernmentA in a position t.o hplD. I Rtronqlv few1 that, denpite the
exiRtinq rtifficultiea, a new and rletermined cttort should he made to explore anr-l tr)
UAC? the varioue nos~ihilitie8 of the United Nations machinerv appropriately to
promote proqrens in the peace proceRa in the Middle 1Snst.
42. In my annual report to the General ARRemhlv on this fortieth anniveraarv ot
the United Nations, I stated that “WP fACe tadav a world of a]mrlRt infinitca promise
which is alan A world of patent iallv terminal rlonqer”. A/ In fin aqe when
technolosv threatens to run ahead oE our caDacitv to rpitrnjn thp IJRP of
increaminqlv hetructive wchapona , no reqional contlicts confront thP Ilnitad Nation:;
with a choice hetwecn those alternet ~VPR morp urqant lv than the Mirid]~ b:aAt
orohlem. I earneAtly hnpe that thr riqht. choicr wi 11 he miitjfa I,\, tb port JPH
concerned and by all thp Governments in a posit tnn tn he1 p.
11 UnitPd Nat.ionn, ‘I’rPdtV Srriz, ~1. ‘7 ;, NO. I)7 1, 1,. 2H’!.
‘/ Official hWorris of -the General Annpmh1.y
Sllpplemcrnt NC). 13 (A/19/1 3).
, ‘I’hlrty-ninth -.--..- !‘r:lsion,
31 Ihid., Fortieth Sesninn, Supplement NCI. 13 (A/4(1/] 3).
Y Ihid., Supplement. No . jLi (A/40/.15).
‘,/
Gcrnava, 19
Report of thp Intprnat Io--n al (-‘Mon--t.p-mre-n_r !r on tullrst. I ---.-. ion o.t- - ~~i~l~*;t~,
Auqumt-7 Ssptcmhsr 19H3 (Ilnited Nat innn put11 icat ion,
Sales No. C.HB. 1.211, CharJ. T, !~ect. A.
Y Offictal Rpcordn of the (;rneraI Assamtllv Fort irlt h :;tb!:3inn
Supplnment Nn. 1 (A/40/1).
- -.--**_I --- ..---.- -’
UNITED AS
NATIONS
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Distr I
General Assembly Security Council MNER*L
*/40/779/Corr.l
s/17581/Corr.l
8 November 1985
ENGLISH AND SPANISH ONLY
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Fortieth session
Agenda item 38
THE SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST
SECURITY COUNCIL
Fortieth year
Heport ot the Secretary..General
Cot r igendum
1.
2.
3.
4.
Page 5, paragraph 16, seventh line
resolution 38/7Y D should read
Page 6, paragraph 19, second line
resolution 39/95 D
September 1983 should read October 1984
Page 6, paragraph 19, third line
30 September 1983 should read 26 October 1984
Page 6, paragraph 20, tourth line
20 June 1984 should read 30 June 1984
85-31653 1512~ (El
.., . ,. * .
.. “<,.C IU
1,. .-

UNITED
NATIONS
(~) General Assembly
~~J
~
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Forty-second session
Agenda item 39
THE SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST
Security Council
AS
Distr.
GENERAL
A/42/714/
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ORIGINAL: ENGLISH
SECURITY COUNCIL
Forty-second year
Report of the Secretary-General
CONTENTS
I .. INTRODUCTION " '" ..
11. UNITED NATIONS PEACE-KEEPING ACTIVITIES •••••••••••••••••••
Ill. SITUATION IN THE OCCuPIED TERRITORIES •••••••••••••••••••••
IV. PALESTINE REFUGEE PROBLEM •••.•••••••••••••••••••••••••• :" •
V. QUESTION OF PALESTINE •••••••••••••••••••• , ••••••••••••••••
VI. SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST ••••••••.•••••••••••••••••••.•
VI I oil OBSERVATIONS " 1; ..
Paragraphs Page
1. 2
2 - 11 2
12 - 18 4
19 - 22 5
23 - 27 7
28 - 31 8
32 - 37 10
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I. INTRODUCTION
1. The present report is Bubmitted in pursuance of Generai Assembly resolution
41/162 A of 4 December 1986. In that resolution, the Assembly dealt with various
8Bpects of the situation in the Middle East and requested the Secretary-General to
report to the Security Council periodically on the development of the situation and
to submit to the Assembly at its forty-second session a comprehensive report
covering the deve10pm&nts in the Middle East in all their aspects. It should be
pointed out, howevQr, that this report does not address the conflict between '(ran
and Iraq. It is based mainly on information available i.n United Nations docum~nts,
to which references are made whenever appropriate.
11. UNITED NATIONS PEACE-KEEPIN~ ACTIVITIES
2. The activities of the United Nations peace-keeping operations in the area up
to the end of October 1986 were dealt with in the report of the Secretary-General
(A/41/768-S/l8427, paras. 2-12). There continue to be three united Nations
peace-keeping operations in the areal two peace-keeping forces, the United Nations
Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) and the United Nations Interim Force in
Lebanon (UNIFIL), and one observer mission, the United Nations Truce Supervision
Organization (UNTSO).
(a) United Nations D~!le'1gagelnent Observer Force
3. UNDOF, with some 1,300 troops provided by Austria, Canada, Finland and Poland,
is deployed between the Israeli and Syrian forces on the Golan Heights in
accordance with the disengagement agreement conoluded between Israel and the Syrian
Arab Republic in May 1974. A group of UNTSO observers is detailed to the Force and
assists it in the performanoe of itf! tasks. The main functions of the Force are to
supervise the cease-fire between the Israeli and Syrian forcee and to man the area
of separation established by the disengagement agreement. The mandate of UNDOF ha~
been extended twice by the Security Council durinq th~ reportinq period, the last
time on 29 May 1987 for a further period of six months until 30 November 1987
(resolution 596 (1987)).
4. The activities of the Force since Octoher 1986 are described in t~o report~ of
the Seoretary-General to the Security Counc~.1, dated 12 November 1986 and
18 May 1987 (S/18453 and S/18868). As rep~rted hy the Seoretary-General. the
situation in the Israel-Syria sector has remained generally quiet, UNOOF haA
continued to perform its furct\ons effectively with the co-operation of the
parties, and there have heen no serious incidcnt~.
(h) United Nation~~rim Force i1. Lebanon
5. UNIFIL, which is deployed in southern Lebanon, was established hy the Security
Counci 1 on 19 March lQ78, following the fir<;t Israeli invasion of T.oehi:UlOn. Its
terms of referenoe were - and still are - to confirm the withdrawal of the IsraAli
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forcoa as called for by the Seoutity Counci 1, to reatore internation~l peane and
socurity and to assist the Government of Lebanon in ensuring the raturn of its
affective authority in the area (resolution 425 (1978)).
6. The mandate of the Force has since been extended as necessary, the last time
on 31 JUly 1987 for a further period of six ~nths until 31 January 1988
(resolution 599 (1987)). UNIFIL has currently some 5,660 troops, provided by Fiji,
Finland, France, Ghana, Ireland, Italy, Nepal, Norway and Sweden. A group of UNTSO
observers assists the Force in the performance of its tasks.
7. The activities of UNIFIL and the situati~n in its area of operation in
Bouthern Lebanon from October 1986 until July 1987 are described in two reports ol
the Secretary-General to the Security Council, dated 12 January 1987 (S/18581 ~n~
Corr.l and Add.l) and 24 July 1987 (S/18990). In addition, on 5 OCtober 1987, the
Secretary-General submitted to the Security Council a special report on two gr~ve
incidents that had resulted in the deaths of two members of the Nepalese contingent
of UNIFIL (5/19175 and Corr.l).
(c) U~lted Nations Truce Supervision Organization
8. As indicated in the prec~ding sections, obaervers of UNTSO have continued to
assist UNDOF and UNIFIL in the performance of their tasks. In addition, UNTSO
conducts two observation operations of its own, tho Observer Group in Beirut and
the Observer Group in Egypt.
9. The Observer ~(OUp in Beirut was set up by the Security Council in August l~82
following the occupntion of west Beirut by Israeli troops~ Since the withdrawal or
the Israeli f~rces from the Beirut area in September 1983, the activities of the
Group have been teduced and its total strength now stands at 18 observers.
10. The Observer Group in Egypt, which was established when.the second United
Nations Emergency Force (UNEF 11) was withdrawn in July 1979, has a total strength
of about 50 observers. It maintains, in addition to liaison offir~s at Cairo and
Ismailia, six observation posts in the Sinai.
11. Since the forty-first session, a number of communications have been addressed
to the President of the Security Council or to the Secretary-General on various
uRpects of the ~ituatlon. Those communications, which have been circulated as
official documentB of the General Assembly and/or the Security Council, were from
Ghana (S/1864~), Israel (A/42/70-S/18560, A/42/94-8/18621) and Lebanon
(A/42/69-S/10559, A/42/82-S/18584, A/42/116-8/18654, A/42/259 9/18831,
A/42/268-S/18843, A/42/276-S/18848, A/42/281-S/18854, A/42/311-S/18886,
A/42r56-~/18934, 1'/42/424-8/19001, 1'/42/470-5/19032, A/42/538-S/19111,
A/42/643-S/19195, A/42/702-S/l9243).
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Ill. SITUATION IN THE OCCUPIED TERRITORIES
12. The action taken by the United Nations prior to October 1986 on the situation
in the occupied territories was outlined in the report 01' tho Secretary-General
(A/41/768-S/18427, paras. 13-19).
13. The General Assembly, at its forty-first session, after considering the report
of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human
Rights of the Population of the Occupied Territories (A/41/680), which is composed
of Senegal, Sri Lanka and Yugoslavia, ~dopted resolutions 41/63 A to G of
3 December 1986. By thoso resolutions, the Genetal Assembly called upon Israel to
relel\sc all Arabs arbitrarily detained or imprisoned as a result of their strug9 10
for self-determination and for the liberation of their territories, and demanded
that: the Government:. of Israel rescind its action against the detainees and
imprisoned Polestiniana and release them immediately (resolution 41/63 A) J
reaHirmed that the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian
Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, was applicable to the Palestinian and
other Arab territories occupied by Israel since ~967, including Jerusalem, and
demanded that Israel acknowledge and comply with its prOVisions (resolution
41/63 B) J demanded that the Government of Israel desist tOlthwith from taking any
action that would result in changing the legal status, geographical nature or
demographic composition of the occupied territodes (resolution 41/63 C); demanded
that Israel desist forthwith from certain policies and practices mentioned in the
resolution and renewed the mandate of the Special Committee (resolution 41/63 D) J
demanded that the Government of lsrael rescind the expulsion of the Mayor of Halhul
ana the Sharia Judge of Hebron and that of other Palestinian leaders expelled in
1985 and 1986, and that it facilitate their iwnediate return (resolution 41/63 E) J
determined that all legislative and adnlinistrative measures and actions laken or lo
be taken by Israel that purported to alter the character and legal status of the
Syrian Golan Heights were null and void and constituted a violation of
international law (resolution 41/63 F), condemned Israeli policies and practices
against Palestinian students and faculties in educational institutions in the
occupied Palestinian territories and demanded that Israel rescind all actions and
measures taken against those institutions, ensure their freedom and refrain from
hindering their effective operation (resolution 41/63 G) •
14. Cln B December 1986, the Security Council adopted resolution 592 (1986)
following some grave incidents in the occupied territories, during which a number
of civUians were killed and wounded. The resolution reaffirmed that the Geneva
Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of
12 August 1949, wao applicable to the Palestinian and other Arab territories
occupied by Israel since 1967, including JerusalemJ strongly deplored the opening
of fire by the Israeli army resulting in the death and the wounding of defenceless
studentsJ called upon rsrael to abide immediately and scrupulously by the
above-mentioned Convention; further called upon Israel to release any person or
persons detained as a result of events at Bir zeit University in violation of the
Convention~ and also called on all concerned parties to exerr.ise maximum restraint,
to avoid violent acts and to contribute towards the establishment of peace. The
report requested of the Secretary-General in that resolution has been distributed
as document 8/18532.
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lS. On 19 l"ebruary 19l:n, tho Commisuion on lIuman Rightu adopted resolution 19H7/1
b'l which it declared once more that Israel's decision of 14 December 1981 to im(JOse
ita laws, jurisdiction alld adminiouf'Uon on the ocoupied Syr ial'\ Golan Heights WCla
null and void and without legal validity. On the same date, the Commisaion adopto~
roaoh'tion 19U7/2 A and Il, entitled "Queation of the violation of human rights ir.
the occupied Arab tordto(ios, includi"9 Palestine" and resolution 1987/4, entitled
"Situation in occupied Palestine". Those resolutions, in which the Commiuaion
condemned loroe1i policies and practices in the occupied territories, were brought
to the attention Of all Governments by a note verbale dated 2 J~ly 1987.
16. 'rhe Speoial Conlll\ittoo to InvelJtigate loraeH Practices Affecting the lIuman
IHghta of the PopUlation of the Occupied 'I'err itoc1tH' held per iodic meetinga in
pursuance of resolution 41/63 D. D~ring the poriod between the meetings, lhQ
Speci~l Cl.>mmittee was kept i.nformed of devolopment.u taking place in the occupied
territories; the information was gathered from a variety of sources, including oral
testimony and wl"ittcn cf" .•vnunicationa. rrhe Special Comm~ttee reviewed this
information a~Q aBsessed the human rights situation in the occupieu territories
with a view to dec~ding whether any action ~aB required. The report of the Special
Committee under resolution 41/63 0 has been circulated 00 document A/42/6S0.
17. During its forty-firstoession, the General Assembly also adopted resolution
41/181 of 8 December 1986 concerning asoistance to the Palostinian people. The
report requested of the Secretary-General in that resolution has been circulated QU
document A/42/289-E/1987/86 and Add.l and 2. Tho Secretary-General has alao
submitted a report (A/42/l83-~/19a7/S3) on the nominar on the living conditions of
the Palestinian people in the occupied Palentinian territories organized in
pursuance of rODolution 40/201.
18. Since the forty-first oOBGlon, a number of communications have beon addressod
to the Secretary-General on various aspects of the situatio" in the OCCU1)iod
tenitor ies. Those communications, which have been chculatod 8S off icial
documents of the General Assembly and the Security Council, were Bent by Donmark
(A/42/569-S/19139), Iarael (A/42/202-S/1877~, Jordan (A/42/204-S/18776,
A/42/230-S/188l5, A/42/369-S/l89S1, A/42/385-S/1~960, A/42/430-S/19009,
A/42/439-S/19013, A/42/545-S/19118), the Syrian Arab Republic (A/42/1S9, A/4~/173,
A/42/208-G/18782) and the Chairman of the COfflmittee on the Exercise of tho
Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People (A/42/297-S/18874, A/42/318-S/18893,
A/42/575-S/191S0, A/42/655-S/19203). Communications were also received from the
Palestine Liberation Organization and circulated at the request of TU'liaia
(A/42/2l8-S/18795, A/42/229-S/18812) and the Sudan (A/42/338-S/18914).
IV• PALESTl NE REFUGEE PROBLEM
19. The Palestine refugoe problem and the efforts of the Unitod Nations to asaiet
the refugees up to october 1986 were dealt with in the roport of the
Secretary-General (h/41/768-S/18427, paras. 20-23).
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20. Following its consideration, at its forty-first session, of the report of the
Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine
Refugees in the Near East (UNR~) for the period 1 July 1985 to 30 June 1986, 1/
the General Assembly adopted 11 resolutions on this subject on 3 December 1986: 1n
resolution 41/69 A, the Assembly noted with deep regret that repatriation or
compensation of the refugees as provided for in paragraph 11 of resolution
194 (Ill) had not been effected, that no substantial progress had been made in the
programme endorsed by the Assembly in paragraph 2 of its resolution 513 (VI) for
the reintegration of refugees either by repatriation or resettlement and that,
therefore, the situation of the refugees continued to be a matter of serious
concern: expressed its thanks to the Commissioner-General and to all the staff of
UNRWA, recognizing that the Agency was doing all it could within the limits of
available resources; reiterated its request that the headquarters of the Agency
should be relocated to its former site within its area of operations as soon as
practicable; noted with regret that the United Nations Conciliation Commission for
Palestine had been unable to find a means of achieving progress in the
implementation of paragraph 11 of resolution 194 (Ill), and requested the
Commission to exert continued efforts towards the implementation of that paragraph
and to report to the Assembly as appropriate, but not later than I September 1987:
directed attention to the continuing seriousness of the financial position of the
Agency as outlined in the report of the Commissioner-General: noted with concern
that, despite the commendable and successful efforts of the Commissioner-General to
collect additional contributions, this increased level of income to the Agency was
still insufficient to cover current essential requirements; and called upon all
Governments, as a matter of urgency, to make the most generous efforts possible to
meet the anticipated needs of the Agency.
21. The other resolutions adopted by the General Assembly dealt with the Working
Group on the Financing of UNR~ (resolution 41/69 B), assistance to persons
displaced as a result of the June 1967 and subsequent hostilities (resolution
41/69 C), offers by Member States of grants and scholarships for higher education,
including vocational training, for Palestine refugees (resolution 41/69 D) ,
Palestine refugees in the Gaza Strip (resolution 41/69 E), resumption of the ration
distribution to Palestine refugees (resolution 41/69 F), population and refugees
displaced since 1967 (resolution 41/69 G), revenues derived from Palestine refugee
properties (resolution 41/69 H) , protection of Palestine refugees (resolution
41/69 I), Palestine refugees in the West Bank (resolution 41/69 J) and the
University of Jerusalem "AI-Qudsn f9r Palestine refugees (resolution 41/69 K) •
22. The situation of the Palestine refugees and the activities of UNRWA since the
adoption of these resolutions are described in the annual report of the
Commissioner-General of UNR~ for the period 1 July 1986 to 30 June 1987. ~ The
reports of the Secretary-General under resolutions 41/69 D, E, F, G, H, I, J and K
have been circulated as documents A/42/445, A/42/507, A/42/446, A/42/480, A/42/505,
A/42/48l, A/42/482 and A/42/309, respectively. The report of the united Nations
Conciliation Commission for Palestine under resolution 41/69 A and report of the
Working Group on the Financing of UNRWA under resolution 41/69 B have been
circulated as documents A/42/515 and A/42/633 respectively.
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V. QUESTION OF PALESTINE
23. The action taken by the United Nations on the question of Palestine UP to
October 1986 was outlined in the report of the Secretary-General (A/41/768-sii8427,
paras. 24-27).
24. At its forty-first session, on 2 December 1986, the General Assembly adopted
four resolutions under the agenda item entitled "Question of Palestine·. In
resolution 41/43 A, the Assembly endorsed the recommendations of the Committee on
the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People~ requested the
Committee to continue to keep under review the situation relating to the question
of Palestine as well a~ the implementation of the Programme of Action for the
Achievement of Palestinian Rights; 3/ and authorized the Committee to continue to
exert all efforts to promote the implementation of its recommendations. In
resolution 41/43 a, the Assembly requested the Secretary-General to ensure that the
Division for Palestinian Rights continued to discharge the tasks detailed in
previous resolutions. In resolution 41/43 C, the Assembly requested the Department
of Public Information, in co-operation with the Committee, to continue its speeial
information programme on the question of Palestine for the biennium 1986-1987. In
resolution 41/43 D, the Assembly reaffirmed its endorsement of the call for
convening the International Peace Conference on the Middle East in conformity with
the provisions of its resolution 38/58 C; endorsed tbe call for setting up a
preparatory committee, within the framework of the Security Council, with the
participation of its permanent members, to take the necessary action to convene the
Conference; and requested the Secretary-General, in consultation with the Security
Council, to continue his efforts with a view to convening the Conference.
25. The report requested of the Secretary-General in resolution 41/43 D concerning
the convening of an international peace conference on the Middle East was
circulated as document A/42/277-S/18849. Since the publication of his report, the
Secretary-General has continued and intensified his contacts with the parties to
the conflict, and for this purpose he sent a mission to the area in June. The
mission held talks with leaders in Israel, Jordan, the Syrian Arab Republic,
Lebanon and Egypt and with the Palestine Liberation Organization in Tunisia. In
July, when at Geneva, the Secretary-General met personally with the President of
Egypt and with the Foreign Minister of Israel. His discussions on this subject
have continued during the current session of the General Assembly, when he has met,
among others, with the president of Lebanon, the Crown Prince of Jordan, the
Foreign Ministers of Egypt, Israel and the Syrian Arab Republic and with the Head
of Delegation of the Palestine Liberation Organization. Consultations have also
been pursued with the Security Council, in particular with its five permanent
members. The discussions with the parties and the Council reconfirmed wh~t had
been reported by the Secretary-General in his report, namely, that sufficient
agreement does not exist to permit the convening of the International Conference as
called for in resolution 41/43 D. There was no apparent change in the positions of
those of the parties and the members of the Security Council who do not regard the
guidelines contained in res01utior. 38/58 C as an acceptable basis for the convening
of a conference. These consultations 31so, however, confirmed that there is very
wide, though not yet unanimous, support for ~he propcsition that an international
conference, under United Nations auspicesf is the best way of negotiating a just
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and lasting 1>oaoe in the Middle East, on terms acooptable to all concorned, and
that there is an urgent noed for such a conferenco to be convened as Boon as
possiblo.
26. The report of the Committee on the Exercisu of the Inalienable IHqhtR of tho
Paleatinian people appears in docum(:nt A/42/15. y
27. Since the forty-first aeBsion, a number of communicationo have boon addroeged
to the Secretary-General on various aspects of the question of Palestine and have
been circulated as offioial documents of the General Asso.nbly and the Security
Council. Those communications were sent by Japan (A/42/131-S/18699), Lobanon
(A/42/115-S/18653), Yemen (A/42/152-S/18720) and Zimbabwe (A/42/79-8/18569).
Communications were also sent by the Chairman or Acting Chairman of the Committoe
on the Exorcise of the Inalienable Righta of. the Palestinian Peoplo
(A/42/122-S/18682, A/42/135-S/1871.3, A/42/176-S/18751, A/42/278-8/18850,
A/42/550-S/19122). In addition, communications were received from the Palestine
Liberation Organization and circulated at the requeot of Kuwait (A/42/546-9/19120)
and the united Arab Emirates (A/42/177-S/18752).
VI. SITUATION IN TtlE MIDDLE EAST
28. The action taken by the unit",d Nations on the situation in the Middle East up
to october 1986 was outlined in the report of the Secretary-General
(A/41/768-~/18427).
29. At its forty-first session, on 4 December 1986, the General Assembly adopted
three resolutions conceL'nin9 the situation in the Middle East. In resolution
41/162 A, the Assembly reaffirmed its conviction that the question of Palqstine was
the core of the conflict in the Middle East and that no comprehensive, just and
lastin9 poace in the re9ion would be aohieved without the full exercis9 by the
Palestinian people of its inalienable national ri9hts and the withdrawal of Is~acl
from all the Palestinian and other occupied Arab territories, reaffirmed that a
just and comprehensive settlement of the situation in the Middle Eayt could not be
achieved without the participation on an equal footing of all the parties to the
conflict, including the Palestine Liberation Organization, declared that peace in
the Middle East was indiVisible and must be based on a comprehensive, just and
lasting solution under the auspices of the /lnHed Nations, considered the Arab
Peace Plan adopted unanimously at the TWelfth Arab Sumlnit Conference, held at Fez
and reiterated by the Extraordinary Summit Conterence, held at Casablanca, as an
important contribution t.owards the realh:ation of the ina11eO(. ,1e r.ights of the
Palestinian people throu9h the achievement of a comprehensive, just and lastinq
peace, condemned Israel's continu"ad occupation of the Palestinian and other Arab
territories and demanded the immediate, unconditional and total withdrawal of
Israel from all the territories ocoupied since 1967, rejected all a9reements and
arrangement& that violated the inalienable ri9hts of the Palestinian people an~
contradicted the principles of a just and comprehens~ve solution to the Middle East
problem, determined that Israel's decision to annex Jerusalem and to declare it as
its "capital" as well as the measures to alter its physical character, demographic
composition, institutional structure and status were null and void and demanded
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thut thoy bn rescinded inulIocUutoly, condomnocl lsrael's aqqroa:-:ion, policiofl and
practices against the Palestinian peopte in the occupien Paleatinian territorins
and outRide those tel' r itorica, atrongly condomned Israol' El annexationist polici<HI
and practicea in the' occupied Byl'ian (.alan lIeights, considered that the agreements
on strategic cO-vper~tion betwoen tho United States of America and 10raol of
30 Novembel" 1981 and the continued supply of modorn arms and materiel to Israel,
augment(~d by fJubet.an..:hl economic aid, had encouraged Israel to pursue i tfJ
aggressive and expanBioni~t policiQ2 ~nd prac~ices, had had adverse effects on
~fforts for tho estaolishment of peace in the Middle East and posed a threat to the
security of the reqion, called upon all States to ~ut an end to the flow to l&rQol
of any military, economic, financial and technoloqical aid, as wp.ll as of human
resources, aimod at encouragtnq it to pursue its aggressive policip.B aqainst the
Arab countries and the Palestinian people, stronqlv condemned the collaboration
between Israel and South Africa, reaffirmpd its call for the convening of the
International Pea~e COnference on the M;Jdle East, as specified in the Geneva
Declaration on Palest in£' and endorsed by the Goneral Assembly, and endorsed the
call for sott in9 up a preparatory committee to take the necessary act, ion to conven(!
the Conferonce. The other parts of resolution 41/162 deal with Israeli policies in
the Syrian Go] an Heiqhts and the other occupled ter ritories (resolution 41/162 D)
and the tra nshH by Bome Stat,es of the ir diplomat ic missiol"B to J('ruoal('m
(resolution 41/162 C) •
30. The above resolutIons have been blOught to the attention of Member States, and
a report of the Secretary-General including the relevant comments received from
Member States has been circulated aa docum~~t A/42/465 and Add.l.
31. Since the Secretary-General's last comprehensive report on this item was
Circl' :atpd on 29 October 1986 (A/4l/768-s/18427), 8 number of communications have
been addressed to him on various aspects of the situation in the Middle ~ast,
inclUding, in particular, the convening of an international peace conference. In
addition to those r('ferred to in tho precedinq sections of tnis report (spe
paras. 11, 18 and 27), communications were received trom the P~rmanent
Repr:esentative of Belqium (A/42/151-S/1871B) and the Charge d'affairel3 of Donmark
(A/42/40l-s/lB978) transmittinq dpclarat ions adopted on 23 February and
13 July 198'1 respectively hy the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the twelve StateR
members of the European Community concerning the Middle East. By a letter dated
3 March 1987, the PermanHnt Representat ive of Kuwai t transmitted to the
Secretary-General the final communique and resolutions adopted by the Fifth Islamic
Summit Conferer.ce, held at Kuwait from 26 to 29 January 1987 (A/42/l7R-s/18753).
On 19 October 1987, the Permanent Representative of Kuwait also transmitted to the
Secretary-General the text of the communique issued on that day by the meetinq of
i'he men~ers of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (A/42/666). Excerpts
from the joint communi~le or the twentieth ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, hpld at
Sinqapore on 15 and 16 June 1987, were transmitted to the Secretary-General by the
Permanent Representative of Thailand in a letter dated 13 Auqust 1987
(A/4~/477-s/l9048). On 5 May 1987, thp. Permanent Representative of Zimbahwe
transmitted to the Secretary-General the final clocument adopted at the Meetinq of
the Ministers ot Foreign Affairs of t:he Committee of Nine Non-Aliqned Countries on
Palestine, held at "arare on 14 and 15 April 1987 (A/42/284-s/18856). The tpxt of
the communique adopted by the Meetinq of the Co-ordinatinq Dureau of the Movement
/ ...
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Page 10
of Non-Aligned Countries, held in New York on 16 October 1987, was also transmitted
to the Secretary-General by the Permanent Representative of Zimbabwe on
27 October 1987 (A/42/696-S/19237). In addition, communications were received from
Israel (A/42/ll9-S/l8660, A/42/l34-S/18709, A/42/345-S/l892l), Romania
(A/42/342-S/18919) and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (A/42/78-S/1B567).
A communication was also received from the Palestine Liberation Organization and
circulated at the request of Tunisia (A/42/267-S/18841).
VII. OBSERVATIONS
32. Since I reported to the General Assembly last year, I have undertaken a
special effort to pranote the convening of an international peace cOl.ference on the
Middle East. I have done so in light of the Widespread agreement on the part of
the international community that the convening of such a conference, under United
Nations auspices, offers the best chance of successfully negotiating a
comprehensive settlement of the Arab-Israel conflict. Moreover, my decision to
make a special effort this year was endorsed by leaders of all parties to the
conflict. These two factors - international baCKing and the support of the
parties - have provided an important basis for the several rounds of consultations
that have been held thus far and will undoubtedly be crucial to future progress.
33. Nevertheless, the gaps between the parties remain wide. Some of those gaps
reflect well-known differences about the procedural aspects of a conference.
Although these procedural differences are difficult to resolve, I do not regard
them as insurmountable, for they are differences between parties who accept the
principle that an international conference is the only practical way of reaching a
comprehensive settlement of the conflict. One may reasonably hope that, with the
principle accepted, the gaps on procedure can be bridged through patient
diplomacy. The major obstacle at present, however, is one of a different kind,
namely, the inability of the Government of Israel as a whole to agree on the
principle of an international conference under United Nations auspices. Until the
Israeli Government accepts that such a conference is the best way to negotiate a
peace settlement, the way forward will remain difficult.
34. HaVing said this, I am encouraged by the fact that the past year has seen
favourable developments in the political environment, both in terms of the level
and frequency of the contacts between the permanent members of the Security Council
and between them and the parties. I am also encouraged by the fact that the idea
of an international conference under United Nations auspices has been given high
priority among the ~rab parties to the conflict, and has been the SUbject of lively
debate within Israel. These positive trends, combined with the grOWing
international consensus in favour of the early convening of a conference, demand of
us that we consolidate and build on the foundation that has so far been established.
35. Not to do so would cause increasing frustration and tension and would further
aggravate a situation that is already volatile. Israel's occupation of Arab
territory for over 2~ years has been and continues to be deeply resented by the
inhabitants. The occupation has given rise to much unrest and violence, with the
result that many innocent lives have been lost. It was in the wake of such unrest
I . ...
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that thA Security Counci 1. arlopted resolut.ion fin (1986) on R Oecemher 19R6. Ri.
then there have been more violent incidents, and more liven hdve heen lost. As I
have stated repeatedly, the situation will remain unstahle a8 lonq as a settlement
ie not reached. Meanwhile the start of a neqotiatinq proceos, under Uniterl Nat.ions
!1uepices and acceptable to all, would create Il spirit of dialogue ann would he a
aiqnificant step in the direction of peace and At3hility.
36. Forty years have passeo since the Guneral Assembly adopted ita initial
reSolutions concerning the Arah-Israel conflict. Yet neopite this long-standinq
United Nations involvement, and oospite the numerous resolutions adopted since 1947
by both the Security Council and the General Assembly, the people of the alea have
heen subjected to endless suffering and to five major wars. TenH of thousands of
lives have been lost, and the conflict continues to be explosive, with
ramificationA not only for the re~ion but for the entire international community.
And at the core of th~s conflict lies the ptight of the Palestinian people, most nf
whom now live under occupation or in ~xile.
17. We mULt seize the present opportunity to promote activp.ly the se~rch foe a
comprehensive settlement based .on Security Council resolutionR 242 (1967) and
338 (1973) and takinq fully into account the legitimate right!'! of tile Palestinian
people, includinq self-determination. This will require determination, wisdom and
patience. For my part, I will maintain my special effort and ~ontinue to explor~
with the parties wayA of advancin<) the proceus. In this endeavour I will continue
to rely on the support of the Security Coun~ll, particularly that of the permanent
members. AA I stated in my repc)rt on the work of the Organization, the right rORd
ia the one that will lead to fruitful neqotiations under United Nations aURpices i
and our central priority should he the achi(~vement of i\ ju!'!t and lastinq peace,
which will meet th" aspirations of all the people i~ the reqlon.
NoteR
1/ Official RecordA of t.he General ASflembly, F'orty-firRt Sf!SE'lion, Supplement
No. 11 (A/4l/13 and Carr.l and Adn.t and Adn.l/Carr.l).
~/ ~., Forty-second Session, Supplement No. 13 (A/42/l1 and Add.t).
1/ Report of the International Conference on t~e Question of Pale!'ltine,
Geneva, 29 August-7 Septemher 1981 (United NationA publication, Salca
No. P'.81.I.2l), chap. I, sect. B.
~/ Official RecordA of the General Assembly, F'orty-RPcond ResAion,
Supplement No. 3, (A/42/1,).
eneral Assembly
Distr.
"
\':, ,. GENERAL
A/43/691
S/20219-
30 September 1988
ENGLISH
ORIGINAL: ARABIC/ENGLISH/
FRENCH
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Forty-third session
Agenda items 37 and 40
QUESTION OF PALESTINE
SECURITY COUNCIL
Forty-third year
THE SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST
Report of the Secretarv-General
1. The present report is submitted in accordance with General Assembly resolution
421209 A of 11 December 1987 on the question of convening an international peace
conference on the Middle East. The operative part of the resolution reads as
follows:
"The General Assemblv,
"1. Reaffirms once aaain that the convening of the International Peace
Conference on the Middle East under the auspices of the United Nations and at
the invitation of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, with the
participation of the five permanent members of the Security Council and all
the parties to the Arab-Israeli conflict, including the Palestine Liberation
Organisation, the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, on
an equal footing, is the appropriate way to a peaceful, comprehensive and just
settlement of the conflict which will ensure the restoration of the occupied
Arab territories and the solution of the Palestinian question in all its
aspects and guarantee the realization of the inaiienable national rights of
the Palestinian Arab people;
"2, Calls uoon all States that have not done so to lend their support to
the convening of the Conference:
"3, Reauests the Secretary-General, in consultation with the Security
Council, to continue his efforts with a view to convening the Conference and
88-24790 0644a (El / ..*
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to apprise the General Assembly of the results Of his consultations no later
than September 1988."
2. On 2 September 1988, the Secretary-General, in pursuance of the request
contained in paragraph 3 of the above resolution, addressed the following note
verbale to the President of the Security Council:
"The Secretary-General of the United Nations presents his compliments to
the President of the Security Council and has the honour to refer to
resolution 42/209 A, which was adopted by the General Assembly on
11 December 1987, concerning the convening of the International Peace
Conference on the Middle East. The text of the resolution is enclosed.
"Operative paragraph 3 of resolution 421209 A requests the
Secretary-General, in consultation with the Security Council, to continue his
efforts with a view to convening the Conference and to apprise the General
Assembly of the results of his consultations no later than September 1988. In
order to assist him in the preparation of his report, the Secretary-General
would be grateful if the views of the Members of the Council on the convening
of the International Peace Conference on the Middle East could be conveyed to
him by 21 September."
3. On 21 September 1988, the President of the Security Council sent the following
reply:
"I have the honour to refer to your letter of 2 September 1988 concerning
the question of the convening of the International Peace Conference on the
Middle East, by which you informed me of your desire to consult the Security
Council on this question once again, taking into account the relevant
provisions of General Assembly resolution 42/209 A of 11 December 1987.
"In accordance with your desire to be informed by 21 September of the
views of the members of the Security Council on this question, I have
undertaken the necessary consultations.
"These consultations indicate that the members of the Security Council
continue to be concerned at the lack of true progress towards a solution of
the crisis in the Middle East, one result of which is the serious situation
persisting in the occupied territories. They are therefore more convinced
than ever of the need for urgent action with a view to a comprehensive, just
and lasting settlement including a solution to the Palestinian problem in all
its aspects.
"In this connection, all the members of the Security Council believe that
it is desirable to convene an International Conference on the Middle East, and
they invite the Secretary-General to pursue his efforts and consultations in
that regard.
"Almost all members of the Security Council favour the early convening of
a substantive International Conference under the auspices of the United
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Nations, with the participation of all parties concerned and of the five
permanent members of the Security Council.
"Most of those members reaffirmed their position that the Conference
should be convened on the basis of General Assembly resolution 38158 C, for
which they expressed their support and in which it is stated, inter alia, that
one of the main objectives of such a Conference should be the attainment by
the Palestinian people of its legitimate inalienable rights, including the
right to return, the right to self-determination and the right to establish
its own independent State in Palestine. They stressed that the Palestine
Liberation Organization should have the status of a full-fledged participant
in this Conference. Some of these members took advantage of the consultations
to request that, pending a settlement on the basis of these objectives, the
Palestinian territories occupied since 1967 should be the subject of interim
measures, such as the establishment of a provisional United Nations
administration.
"Some members, while recalling the reservations they had already
expressed concerning the convening of an International Conference on the basis
of resolutions 38/58 C and 42/66 D, reaffirmed the right of the Palestinian
people to self-determination, with all that this implies, as well as the right
to existence and to security of all States in the region, including Israel.
"One member of the Security Council pointed out that a peace initiative
was currently under way, consistent with Security Council resolutions 242 and
338, which provided, inter alia, for an International Conference to be
convened by the Secretary-General of the United Nations and in which the
permanent members of the Security Council and the parties involved in the
conflict would participate. This Conference, which would open the way to
direct negotiations between Israel and its Arab neighbours, should not have
the authority to impose a settlement or to oppose any agreements conciuded
bilaterally between the parties. This member considered, in contrast, that
resolution 38158 C, which it regards as one-sided and unbalanced, offers an
approach that is not conducive to a negotiated settlement."
4. On 2 September 1988, the Secretary-General addressed a note verbale to the
Permanent Representatives of Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon and the Syrian Arab
Republic, and to the Permanent Observer of the Palestine Liberation Organization.
The note drew attention to the report requested of the Secretary-General in General
Assembly resolution 421209 A, and asked for an up-to-date statement concerning
their respective positions on the convening of the International Peace Conference
on the Middle East. Their replies are reproduced below:
"The Permanent Representative of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the United
Nations ,,. with reference to the Secretary-General's note dated
2 September 1988, concerning General Assembly resolution 421209 A on convening
of the International Peace Conference on the Middle East, has the honour to
enclose herewith a message from the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for
/ l . ”
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Foreign Affairs of Egypt, H.E. Dr. Ahmed Esmat Abdel Meguid, addressed to a(~
Secretary-General on the issue in question8
‘It is the considered opinion of the Government of the Arab Repu&lbll
of Egypt that the only way available, at this jUnCtUre, to activate the
peace process in the Middle East is to convene an International Peace
Conference.
‘The International Conference should, in the opinion of the
Government of Egypt, be convened along the following lines:
‘1. Under the auspices of the United Nations,
‘2. The terms of reference should be Security Council resolutiarr.rt
242 (1967) and 338 (19731, as well as the realization of the
national political rights of the Palestinian people,
‘3. The goal is to achieve a negotiated comprehensive peaceful
settlement of the Palestinian problem in al.1 its aspects, adp
well as other related problems, also to ensure the achieve
of a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.
‘4. The active participation of all parties concerned and/or
involved, on an equal footing, including the Palestine
Liberation Organization, the sole legitimate. representative of
the Palestinian people.
‘5. The participation as well of the five permanent members of tie
Security Council,
‘The Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt wishes to underline
that the convening of such a conference would, by necessity, take into
consideration the existing pertinent initiatives which enjoy wide
regional and international consensus. Regard should be given in this
respect to the Arab Fez plan of 1982. ‘I1
Israel
“The Acting Permanent Representative of Israel . . . has the honour to
refer to the Secretary-General’s note of 2 September 1988 regarding General
Assembly resolution 421209 A adopted on 11 December 1987. It will be recs~ladi
that Israel voted against this resolution and those mentioned in the SeWna
preambular paragraph thereof.
“In the ongoing effort to expand the peace process in the Middle Eastx
Israel has long advocated direct negotiations as the most promising venue for
progress. As these General Assembly resolutions propose an International
Conference that seems to substitute for - rather than support
negotiations, they are unacceptable to Israel.
- direct
The objection of Israel to aa
International Conference proposed in resolution 42/209 A and its preceding
resolutions, does not contradict Israel’s desire to conduct direct negotiation
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with its neighbours within an international framework agreeable to the sides
involved in those direct negotiations. Moreover, these resolutions make no
Specific reference to Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973)
which constitute the only commonly acceptable basis for peace negotiations,
"In this context it should be pointed out that the PLO, which does not
accept the aforementioned Security Council resolutions, continues to resort to
violence and terrorism and rejects the reality of the State of Israel as well
as its legitimate security concerns, cannot be considered a partner to peace
negotiations.
"In addition, Israel is convinced that it is the parties directly involved
in the Arab-Israeli dispute that bear the primary responsibility for
structuring the negotiating forum and for determining its agenda and procedure.
Hence, no forum that constitutes a substitute for direct involvement of the
parties to the dispute can be authorized to act on their behalf."
Jordan
"With reference to your note dated 2 September 1988, in which you refer
to operative paragraph 3 of General Assembly resolution 42/209 A of
11 December 1988, on convening the International Peace Conference on the
Middle East, I have the honour to communicate to you hereunder the position of
the Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on the convening of the said
conference:
"1, Jordan believes that the convening of the International Peace
Conference on the Middle East under the auspices of the United Nations and at
the invitation of its Secretary-General, with the participation of the five
permanent members of the Security Council and all the parties to the
Arab-Israeli conflict, is the appropriate way to a peaceful, comprehensive and
just settlement of the conflict.
II 2, Jordan stresses its firm commitment to participation in the peace
process, which it has played a part in bringing to the stage of international
consensus in favour of convening an international peace conference on the
Middle East.
II 3. Jordan reaffirms that the Palestine Liberation Organization is the
sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people and that it must
accordingly participate in the International Conference on an equal footing
with the parties to the conflict,
“4, The work of the International Conference must be based on the
principles laid down in Security Council resolution 242 (1967), which apply to
all the occupied Arab territories: they are the basis for negotiations and,
as principles, are non-negotiable. The work of the Conference must have a
character of continuity; it must enjoy effective authority; and it must
undertake to resolve the question of Palestine and the Arab-Israeli conflict
in all their aspects.
/ . . .
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"5, Jordan is of the view that the basic obstacle which prevents the
convening of the International Peace Conference lies in the attitude adopted '
towards it by the Israeli Government."
Lebanon
"With reference to your memorandum of 2 September 1988 concerning General
Assembly resolution 42/209 A of 11 December 1987 concerning the,convening of
the International Peace Conference on the Middle East, I have the honour to
inform you that the position of the Lebanese Government with respect to the
convening of the said conference was set forth in my letter No. 88/88 of
23 March 1988, addressed to you, the text of which is included in your report
issued as document A/43/272-S/19719 of 31 March 1988."
Svrian Arab Reoublic
"The Permanent Representative of the Syrian Arab Republic to the United
Nations I . . has the honour to transmit the following reply of the Syrian Arab
Republic to the Secretary-General's note dated 2 September 1988 on the
question of convening an international conference on the Middle East.
"The Syrian Arab Republic supported General Assembly resolution 38158 C
on the convening of an International Conference on the Middle East as
indicated in its letter addressed to the Secretary-General and reproduced in II
document A/43/272-S/19719 of 31 March 1988. It also supported General
Assembly resolutions 42/66 D of 2 December 1987 and 42/209 A of
11 December 1987.
"The Syrian Arab Republic once again reaffirms the need to continue
efforts for the convening of the International Conference, with the
participation of all the parties to the conflict, including the Palestine
Liberation Organization and the permanent members of the Security Council,
provided that the Conference is effective and has competence, with a view to
achieving a just and comprehensive peace based on the principles of the
Charter of the United Nations and its resolutions relating to the Arab-Israeli
conflict, as well as on the following:
"Achievement of a complete Israeli withdrawal from all the occupied Arab :
territories, including Jerusalem;
"Guarantee of the inalienable national rights of the Palestinian Arab
people, in accordance with United Nations resolutions."
Palestine Liberation Oruanization
"In response to your note verbale regarding General Assembly resolution
42/209 A, calling for the convening of the International Peace Conference on
the Middle East, I have the honour to convey to you the position of the
Palestine Liberation Organiaation (PLO).
A/43/691
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"We would like to express our deep appreciation' for the endeavours you
are personally undertaking towards solving regional conflicts, including the
Middle East, and your efforts to achieve peace in these explosive areas.
"The recent events in the Middle East, particularly the Intifadah of our
Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territories, which has
continued since December 1987, and the exacerbating situation as a result of
the oppression by the Israeli occupation authorities against our people,
proves more than at any time in the past the resolve of our people to attain
its inalienable rights, and it also proves the increasing need to achieve a
comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East.
"The PLO, the sole, legitimate representative of the Palestinian people,
believes that peace in the Middle East can be achieved through the convening
of the International Peace Conference under the auspices of the United Nations
with the participation of the five permanent members of the Security Council
and with the participation on an equal footing and with equal rights of all
parties concerned, including the PLO, in conformity with United Nations
resolutions, particularly General Assembly resolution 38158 C. Such a
position was adopted by the Palestine National Council (PNC), and was
confirmed by successive Arab Summit meetings, the last of which was the Arab
Summit in Algiers. It is also the position reaffirmed by the General Assembly
as well as by several international conferences held under the auspices of the
United Nations.
"The PLO believes that the Intifadah and the facts it has created, as
well as other political developments, including the decision by the Hashemite
Kingdom of Jordan to sever the legal and administrative relations with the
'West Bank', all require a more effective involvement by the United Nations in
the occupied Palestinian territories. The United Nations has the duty and
responsibility to provide all kinds of protection to our people in the occupied
territories. Such measures as recommended in the report of Your Excellency
(S/19442) will contribute towards alleviating the suffering of our people, and
will ensure respect for the provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
"The PLO maintains that it is incumbent upon the United Nations to assume
the responsibility of administration of the occupied Palestinian territories
concurrently with the termination of the Israeli occupation and withdrawal of
troops, and thereafter for a specified transitional period of time pending the
exercise of the Palestinian people of its sovereignty and independence in a
Palestinian state.
"The decision by the United Nations to undertake such a step will
contribute towards the convening of the International Peace Conference and the
achievement of peace.
"The PLO is carefully considering several political options which it has
to take in light of present circumstances in order to fulfil the inalienable
rights of the Palestinian people. We trust that such steps will meet with the
support of the international community and, in particular, the support of the
United Nations,
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"Finally, we are sure that your meeting with H.E. Mr. Yasser Arafat,
Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation,
on 27 August 1988, provided an opportunity for a detailed explanation of the
PLO's position.N
gbservationa
5. It will be evident from the above statements of the positions held by the
members of the Security Council and the parties directly involved in the conflict
that the Secretary-General is again obliged to report to the General Assembly that
the necessary agreement does not exist for the convening of the International Peace
Conference on the Middle East. It is true that all the members of the Security
Council believe that it is desirable to convene an international conference and it
is at least possible to identify in the replies of the parties agreement that there
should be an international framework for the negotiation of a just and lasting
settlement. But the familiar and deep differences remain about the nature of that
framework, about its powers, about the basis on which it would be convened, and
about who should take part in it. It is thus clear that much further work will
have to be done and positions will have to change if an international negotiating
process acceptable to all is to be established. Meanwhile, all the members of the
Security Council wish the Secretary-General to pursue his efforts and consultations
for the convening of an international conference.
6. The present state of affairs is one that causes me grave concern. The
violence and suffering in the occupied territories of the West Bank and the Gaza
Strip continue unabated and underline the need for progress on the diplomatic
front. The continuing occupation of those territories is not acceptable to their
inhabitants and will not become so. It is necessary therefore to find a political
solution which will satisfy both the legitimate political rights of the Palestinian
people and the right of Israel, like other States in the area, to live in peace
within secure and recognised boundaries free from threats or acts of force.
7, Recent months have seen tangible progress towards the settlement of many of
the major conflicts which beset the world. They are not solved yet but promise is
to be found in the fact that the parties to these conflicts have come to the
conclusion that the issues cannot be resolved by war and that negotiated
settlements must be sought. These beneficent winds of change have not yet reached
the Arab-Israel conflict, which remains one of the most tragic and threatening in
the world. There is thus an urgent need to establish a process acceptable to all
for the negotiation of a just, lasting and comprehensive settlement. I shall
continue to work for that end.
me---
._