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Speech by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Aziz Pahad
to the Parliamentary Debate on the Middle East Crisis on Thursday 17 August 2006,
Cape Town The civil war in Iraq, the deterioration of the situation in Afghanistan,
the inability to deal with the Palestinian issue, the war in Lebanon all reflects
that we are living in the most dangerous times in the last 50 years. I am sure
that we all agree that events in the Middle East continue to threaten international
peace and security. We are faced with a complex situation with several inter-related
dimensions, consisting primarily of security issues, geo-strategic interests,
control of oil resources". The strategic objective to carve out a "New
Middle East" and an increasing militaristic approach to combat the threat
of terrorism. A logical consequence of this reality was reflected by Caspit a
leading Israeli columnist who commented that "Israel is dealing with radical,
messianic Islam, which extend its arms like an octopus, creating an axis from
Tehran to Gaza by way of Damascus and Beirut. With people like these there is
nothing to talk about. The fire of a war against infidels burns in them. Another
commentator, Ron-Ben-Yishai wrote " the only fitting response in this is
a military one in order to create a new strategic balance between us and radical
Islam". These forces refuse to accept that the Palestinian issue is
the key issue that needs to be resolved if there is to be long-term peace and
stability in the Middle East. The South African government policy on the
Palestinian-Israeli issue is driven b the Oslo Agreement, the Arab Plan of 2002,
the Road Map and various UN Resolutions, which have concluded that the only viable
solution is a two-state solution; i.e. a viable Palestinian state based on the
1967 borders living side by side with a secure Israeli state. The Road Map
to achieve this objective driven by the Quartet [UN, EU, USA, Russia] unfortunately
has not made any significant progress. The UNSC has also been ineffective. In
the absence of any progress, to find a political solution, the Palestinian resistance
continued and Israeli military action in occupied Palestine was intensified; vast
majority of Palestinians in the occupied territories literally have became prisoners.
Israeli settlements continued to be expanded, the Wall [determined to be illegal
by the ICJ] continued to be built, the Palestinian Authority continued to be weakened
and poverty continued to increase. In an already difficult and volatile
situation, Hamas swept into power in a democratic, free and fair election. Israel,
the USA and the EU imposed severe sanctions against the Hamas led government.
This, interalia, resulted in all donor funding being stopped; Israel withholding
millions of dollars due to the Palestinians and the movement of goods, services
and people was further restricted. The South African government believes
that such a response to a democratic process does not help us to create conditions
for peace, stability and prosperity in the Middle East. The newly elected
Israeli government announced that they did not have partners to negotiate with
and would have to consider unilateral actions to determine secure borders. We
also believe that any unilaterally imposed solution will not be accepted and will
be a recipe for more violence. We welcomed the results of a free and fair
election and believe that we can't campaign for democracy and when the people
democratically elect their government we then refuse to accept the will of the
people. Objective to interact constructively with the Hamas leadership to convince
them that they came to power because of the Oslo Agreement and UN Resolutions
and therefore in the interest of the Palestinian people they should comply with
these agreements. I am pleased to report that all Palestinian groups adopted
the "Prisoners document", in terms of which a government of national
unity would be established; a two-state solution would be accepted and all violence
would be suspended. A few hours after this historic development and when
the prospects of a united Palestinian approach to seek a negotiated solution had
become a reality an Israeli soldier was captured by Palestinian militants. This
resulted in a massive military offensive against the Palestinians, which has resulted
in the destruction of most of the remaining infrastructure in Gaza. This has caused
hundreds of more deaths and casualties. This, coupled with the Israeli closure
of crossing points and the sanctions imposed has resulted in a catastrophic humanitarian
crisis. All this combined with the arrest of many Hamas Ministers and Parliamentarians;
the destruction of many government institutions; the continuing extra-judicial
killings; the prevention of movement of Palestinians from the West Bank to Gaza
has practically led to the collapse of the Palestinian Authority. On another
front the capture of two Israeli soldiers by Hizbollah in Lebanon also resulted
in a massive military offensive against Lebanon. Much of Lebanon's villages,
towns and infrastructure have been destroyed. Over a thousand have been killed
and many more injured [mostly children, women and elderly]. Over a million Lebanese
have been displaced, and a catastrophic humanitarian tragedy created. Analysis
Israel's disproportionate use of force and the collective punishment
of people in Palestine and Lebanon violate international law and the Geneva Convention
and many have called it "war crimes". Such military actions resulting
in so many civilian casualties can't justify any security concerns. Reality 1.1
Increased support for Hizbollah and Hamas. 1.2 Arab "streets"
volatile. 1.2.1 Threat to moderate governments in region.
1.3
Unprecedented anti-Americanism; and the potential for increased terrorism. 1.4
Iranian dimension. 1.5 Syria dimension. It is unacceptable that while
the carnage continued for five weeks and the possibility of the conflict engulfing
the whole region was becoming a reality the Security Council was immobilised. Events
have proved that this approach was unrealistic and dangerous. Finally, after
much death and destruction a resolution calling for immediate cessation of hostilities
was passed by the UNSC. Despite some misgivings the Resolution has been accepted
by the Lebanese government, Israel and the international community. The truce
is holding and we have called on all parties to maintain the cessation of hostilities.
The UNSC must seek a comprehensive solution based on UN Resolutions and the Lebanese
Prime Minister's 7-point plan.
| Prime
Minister Siniora's 7-point plan | An immediate
and comprehensive cease-fire and a declaration of agreement on the following issues:
a-
An undertaking to release the Lebanese and Israeli prisoners and detainees through
the ICRC.
b- The withdrawal of the Israeli army behind the Blue Line,
and the return of the displaced to their villages.
c- A commitment from
the Security Council to place the Shebaa Farms area and the Kfarshouba Hills under
UN jurisdiction until border delineation and Lebanese sovereignty over them are
fully settled. While in UN custody, the area will be accessible to Lebanese property
owners there. Further, Israel surrenders all remaining landmine maps in South
Lebanon to the UN.
d- The Lebanese government extends its authority over
its territory through its own legitimate armed forces, such that there will be
no weapons or authority other than that of the Lebanese state as stipulated in
the Taef national reconciliation document.
e- The UN international force,
operating in South Lebanon, is supplemented and enhanced in numbers, equipment,
mandate and scope of operation, as needed, in order to undertake urgent humanitarian
and relief work and guarantee stability and security in the south so that those
who fled their homes can return.
f- The UN, in co-operation with the relevant
parties, undertakes the necessary measures to once again put into effect the Armistice
Agreement signed by Lebanon and Israel in 1949, and to insure adherence to the
provisions of that agreement, as well as to explore possible amendments to or
development of said provisions, as necessary.
g- The international community
commits to support Lebanon on all levels, and to assist it in facing the tremendous
burden resulting from the human, social and economic tragedy which has afflicted
the country, especially in the areas of relief, reconstruction and rebuilding
of the national economy. |
Deputy Speaker Humanity is
consciously marching towards an abyss, which will result in a disaster. Today
the whole region is in turmoil. At the beginning of the war against the Lebanese
85% of the Israeli population supported Israel's military offensive. Today there
are serious divisions within the Israeli society. There are also the dangers
of a "backlash" from Arab "streets" and governments. All these
factors are making a new catastrophic regional war a reality. Parliament
has the responsibility to ensure that the international community accepts its
responsibility, discard its failed policies and genuinely and urgently take decisive
steps to solve the root cause of instability i.e. the creation of a viable Palestinian
state based on the 1967 borders living side by side with a secure Israeli state. Nobody
who has seen the graphic consequences of the Israeli military offensive in Lebanon,
can not remain shocked and angered Parliament must constructively and critically
express its view that collective punishment, violation of international law and
the Geneva Convention is unacceptable. Anger and concern of millions of
people throughout the world is manifesting itself in South Africa. All parties
must co-operate to ensure that the conflict between the Palestinian and Israelis
do not spill into our streets. Issued by Department of Foreign Affairs
Private
Bag X152
Pretoria
0001 17 August 2006
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