Pakistan on Thursday proposed a 5-point plan to help salvage the peace process in the Middle East with emphasis to seek solution of the problems through dialogue.
"Israel must abandon its repressive policies-extra judicial killings; killing of civilians; settlement activities; destruction of property; construction of separation wall; and unilateral disengagement plan," said Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sheikh Rashid Ahmed addressing the special meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Ministerial Committee on Palestine at Putrajaya, Malaysia.
The minister highlighting the points of the plan said that parties must strictly implement Quartet road map because it constitutes the most viable course for a negotiated solution of the Palestine problem and establishment of durable peace in the Middle East.
The Quartet must assume a more proactive role with a view to fulfilling their responsibilities in respect of implementation of the road map, beginning with urgent efforts to bring it back on track, he said.
The minister said NAM must uphold the right of the peoples under foreign occupation and alien domination, anywhere in the world, to exercise their right of self-determination (in pursuance of its principled stance).
The Chair of the Movement may lead, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said, on behalf of member States, the efforts of the organisation on the question of Palestine and towards achieving a comprehensive peace in the region.
The situation in the occupied Palestinian territories continues to worsen. This is a serious concern for international community, especially the Non Aligned Movement (NAM), which has always upheld the Palestinians right to self-determination, independence and statehood, he said adding there is hardly any day when we do not hear about the killing of innocent civilians as a result of attacks by Israeli helicopter gunship or tanks.
Construction of a separation wall, targeted assassination of Sheikh Ahmad Yassin and Dr Abdul Aziz al-Rantisi, and repeated threats against the life of President Yasser Arafat have created new uncertainties, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said.
The NAM must respond to these challenges effectively. As a result of these developments the Palestinians do not see any light at the end of the tunnel. They, and the people around the world are wondering if the "road map" for a negotiated peace in the Middle East will move towards its stated objectives, he said.
Sheikh Rashid said there could be no justification for targeted assassinations and extra-judicial killings as an instrument of state policy. The logic of "self-defence" cannot be extended to justify extra-judicial killings, such a policy does not contribute to peace and security; instead, it generates a sense of frustration, retaliation and revenge.
Israel's continuing violations of fundamental rights of the Palestinian people, strengthens the sense of alienation and further erodes the chances of durable peace in the region.
He pointed out that Israel continues to pursue its repressive policies-military campaign, targeted killings; massacre of the innocent civilians, construction of new settlements, building of "separation walls" and destruction of property. Israel blatantly violates its obligations as an occupying power under the international law, humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions. Israeli repression is a clear recipe for regression, not for movement towards peace and security.
The only way to come out of the cycle of violence is to engage in a dialogue process seeking a political solution of the problem.
"Israel must make genuine efforts to achieve a negotiated settlement of the Palestine issue which would be acceptable to both the parties. It is imperative that all measures are taken to prevent further deterioration of the already volatile situation in the region, he said.
The international community subscribes to the vision of a Palestinian state with secure borders contributing to the regional peace and security.
"This vision could be achieved through strict adherence to the principle of land for peace. It can be achieved through the implementation of the Security Council resolutions 242,338,1397 and 1515 and the Quartet road map, which has been endorsed by the-UN-Security Council," he said.
Shedding light on the two major proposals towards seeking a comprehensive settlement of Palestine issue have been-Prince Abdullah Plan and Quartet road map, he said, these are meant to break the logjam in the Middle East peace plan.
"There are hopes and expectations among the Palestinian people that these initiatives would guide the negotiations process to a logical conclusion. Unfortunately, Israeli, intransigence and non-co-operation have led the peace process to a complete halt, which must be revived forthwith," he said.
He welcomed the Quartet Foreign Ministers meeting in New York on May 4 to salvage the peace hopes and said, they have rightly reaffirmed their commitment to seek a two-state solution. However, the situation has been gravely aggravated by the so-called "Israeli-US "unilateral disengagement plan" as well as the Israeli-American exchange of letters, which unnecessarily convey wrong signals.
These understandings are in violation of the international law, he said the Security Council resolutions, the Quartet road map, the inalienable right of the Palestinian people, including the right of return of the refugees.
Any settlement of the issues such as borders and refugees must be mutually agreed upon by the Israelis and the Palestinians based on relevant Security Council resolutions, terms of reference of the Madrid peace process, the principle of land for peace, previous agreements, and the initiative of Prince Abdullah, which was endorsed by the Beirut Arab League summit.
The Quartet must remain engaged with the parties and exert pressure on the Israeli government to abandon its repressive policies and engage in a sustained dialogue process for a peaceful settlement of the Palestinian issue and establishment of durable peace in the region. We have reasonable expectations of the Quartet's efforts and initiatives; and confidence in the road map crafted by the Quartet. The road map must be put back on the road to restore hope for peace.
Expressing Pakistan's resolve towards the cause of peace, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said, "Pakistan has consistently supported the aspirations of the Palestinian people to freedom, and establishment of a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital. We support a two-state solution, a vision of Palestine and Israel, living side by side in secure borders.
This vision, he said, could be achieved through the implementation of Security Council resolutions 242, 338, 1397, 1515, the Quartet road map as well as the Crown Prince Abdullah initiative.
"Let us not forget that the root cause of all violence and killings is foreign occupation. Hence the foreign occupation as a phenomenon must come to an end in Palestine and elsewhere to enable peace to flourish, as a current member of the-UN-Security Council, we continue to highlight our principled position within the council and in other appropriates forums," he said.
Sheikh Rashid Ahmed appreciated the role of the chair and the government of Malaysia for extending hospitality to him and his delegation during the stay in the beautiful city of Putrajaya.
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