H.E. Dr. Fayez Tarawneh
The Fifty-Second Session of the General Assembly (1997)
General Debate
New York
October 3, 1997
Peace Process || Jerusalem || Security || Chemical Weapons Convention || Iraq || former Yugoslavia || Refugees and UNRWA || International Humanitrian Law || UN reform || International peace and security || disarmament and arms control || world economy || global environment
Mr. President,
It gives me great pleasure to begin my statement by congratulating you and the Government and people of your friendly country on your election to the Office of the President of the fifty-second session of the General Assembly. I am quite confident that you will conduct the proceedings of this session efficiently and competently, given your renowned skill and experience in diplomacy and international affairs.
I would like also to express our utmost appreciation and gratitude to your predecessor, Mr. Razali Ismail, for his successful and distinguished conduct of the affairs of the 51st session which just ended.
It is my pleasure also to heartily congratulate H.E. the Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan, on his election to the office of Secretary General of the United Nations at the beginning of this year. I wish him success and wish our organization progress and prosperity under his leadership.
Mr. President,
Since the inception of the peace process in the Middle East, Jordan has carefully upheld the purposes and terms of reference of this process, which began in Madrid in 1991, and by the participation of all the concerned parties. After recovering its territory and water under the Peace Treaty signed with Israel in October 1994, Jordan has maintained its pivotal role in the process and continued its efforts with the other parties to achieve the desired goals of establishing a just, comprehensive and lasting peace which will be accepted, preserved and protected by future generations. We fully believe that the durability of peace is closely tied to its being just and comprehensive. We understand comprehensiveness in its broadest sense, i.e., encompassing all parties to the conflict without exception and dealing with all aspects of the conflict, whether its inherent causes or those which evolved and were aggravated over the years and during the various phases of the conflict.
Jordan has always expressed its tenacity to Security Council resolutions, particularly Resolutions 242, 338 and 425, as the basic terms of reference for the peace process, in addition to the principle of returning occupied Arab territory in return for peace. Based on this and relative United Nations resolutions, legitimacy and justice, we call for the resumption of negotiations on the Syrian-Israeli track and the Lebanese-Israeli track. We have also made and continue to make our best efforts to achieve the implementation of the transitional period agreements and go on to the final status negotiations on the Palestinian track. We do this out of our firm conviction that the peace process will not be comprehensive or just without the Israelis and Palestinians arriving at a just solution for the Palestine Question, including the right of self-determination for the Palestinian people and the establishment of their independent state on their national territory.
Jerusalem, the city of peace, which encompasses the holy places of the three divine religions, and to which the hearts of believers the world over turn, deserves our utmost attention with a view to reaching a satisfactory solution that ensures to all freedom of access to the Holy Places, preserves the holiness of the City and keeps it as a symbol of peace among peoples across the world. We affirm that East Jerusalem is an occupied Palestinian Arab city to which Security Council resolution 242 applies as it applies to all occupied Arab territory.
If the security problem is a major obstacle to peace, confidence-building and peace-making are the best means to achieve individual and regional security as well as stability in the Middle East. There is no peace without security and no security without peace.
Accordingly, we do from this international rostrum, call upon Israel--the state with whom we have concluded a peace treaty--to do everything possible to build and consolidate confidence with the peoples of the region in general and the Palestinian people in particular. A first step leading to that would be to abandon, in its dealing with security matters, the language of force, the language of siege and restricting the livelihood of the Palestinian people. At the same time, Israel must abide by the Fourth Geneva Convention by abandoning the settlement policy and the policy of creating new faits accomplis on Palestinian territory, including its attempts to change the demographic structure and the religious and historical character of the occupied territories, including Jerusalem. We also call upon Israel to implement the agreements concluded with the Palestinian side in latter and spirit as soon as possible. For delay and siege will create a state of despair in which it would be impossible to control extremism and prevent it form playing havoc with security and stability. Extremism, undoubtedly, finds in these policies a fertile ground for the achievement of its anti-peace objectives.
On the other hand, in order to build confidence with the governments and peoples of the region, Israel has to abandon the production and development of weapons of mass destruction, particularly nuclear weapons. All the Middle East states, except Israel, have become parties to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The whole world recognizes that the current situation in the region is a unique situation unparalleled in other regions of the world. A single state has a monopoly of nuclear capabilities while the other states of the region are bound by treaties and international law.
Because the presence of nuclear weapons is a major obstacle preventing the peace process from reaching its goals, the ideal solution for this problem would be to remove this obstacle by establishing in the Middle East a zone free from all weapons of mass destruction.
In this context, permit me, Mr. President, to announce the decision of the Government of Jordan to adhere to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). This decision was motivated by Jordan's belief that weapons, including weapons of mass destruction, do not establish security nor restore stability to the Middle East region or to any region in the world unless there is full confidence among its governments and peoples.
Mr. President,
The Iraqis no longer see any ray of hope of ending their suffering caused by the blockade that has been imposed on them for the last seven years. Iraqis have suffered enough and tasted enough bitter pain. It is high time that our international organization move to alleviate their suffering and dress their wounds, so that they may recover their livelihood and contribute anew to the development and prosperity of the region.
In issuing this serious and sincere call for the lifting of the blockade imposed on the peoples of Iraq, we reaffirm that it is necessary to preserve Iraq's sovereignty and territorial integrity. We also call upon the Iraqi government to fully implement all Security Council resolutions and to endeavor for reaching a solution for the problem of Kuwaiti prisoners and missing persons to pave the way for re-establishing normal and friendly relations among the states of the region on the basis of mutual respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states.
As the Iraqi people are suffering from the blockade, so are the Libyan people. Since the sanctions were imposed on Libya, they have been suffering under a ban on flights. We, therefore, call for a peaceful settlement of the problem arising rom the Lockerbie tragedy within a framework of international law and diplomacy.
We call upon Iran to enter into serious negotiations with the sisterly United Arab Emirates in order to reach a peaceful solution, ensuring the return of the three occupied islands, Abu Mousa, and the bigger the lesser Tunbs, which would effectively contribute to the establishment of peace, security and stability in the Gulf region.
Mr. President,
Since war started in former Yugoslavia, Jordan has joined its voice to those of all the states that called for an end to the suffering of the people of the nascent Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina, that shocked the conscience of the whole world and moved the international community, which had held high hopes following the conclusion of the Dayton peace agreement. We now reaffirm that peace, security and stability in Bosnia, even in all the Balkans, depend largely on the full and honest implementation of this agreement. A strong international commitment is essential for making the peace process an irreversible fact. The international community must do what it is required to do in this regards, including providing effective assistance to reconstruction in Bosnia-Herzegovina and ensuring the effective management of public corporations as provided for the Dayton agreement. This would have an important impact on the preservation of Bosnia's unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Mr. President,
The problem of refugees, the resolution of which has been left to the final status negotiations, is one of the most intricate problems faced by the Middle East region. In spite of that, the international community regrettably does not accord this problem the attention that it deserves. The financial crisis which grips the United Nations Relief Work Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has been escalating year after year, without a solution being found. UNRWA has been forced this year to announce austerity measures involving big reduction in services offered to the Palestine refugees, including:
Although all these measures have been suspended following pledges by certain donor countries during their meeting with UNRWA and host countries held recently in Amman to increase their voluntary contributions by an amount sufficient to cover this year's deficit, which amounts to 20 million dollars, the danger of cutting down on services remains as long as no final solution has been found, taking into consideration the meeting of the requirements of natural population growth among refugees and the inflation factor.
Mr. President,
Since the inception of the refugee tragedy, more than five decades ago, Jordan has borne the heaviest burden out of all host countries. The number of refugees hosted by Jordan is one and a half million, twenty percent of whom live in refugee camps serviced by UNRWA, and the rest scattered throughout Jordanian cities and villages. Out of its sense of humanitarian responsibility, the government of Jordan has provided all services needed by the refugees, including infrastructure, education, health and welfare services and financial support, in addition to public security and civil defense services. Thus, Jordan, in spite of its scarce resources and limited means, spends 340 million dollars annually on services provided to refugees--an amount almost equal to UNRWA's total budget. Not only that, but the Government of Jordan has developed this year a strategic plan called "the Social Security Package", aiming at the development of infrastructure for refugee camps and disadvantaged areas, providing sustainable development and reducing poverty. The total share of refugee camps in this plan costs nearly 240 million dollars, which will be allocated to the rehabilitation of water systems, solid waste treatment, sewage systems, water purification plants, road and electricity projects and the provision of essential public services.
While Jordan affirms that improving the standards of living for the Palestine refugees does not diminish their political rights of return and compensation, as provided for in General Assembly resolution 194 of 1948, it affirms again that supporting UNRWA is a collective responsibility of the international community. It also stresses the legal, political and humanitarian responsibility for this question would negatively reflect on the political responsibility.
My country, therefore, calls from this rostrum for taking serious and sincere action and making all efforts to continue the services provided by UNRWA to Palestinian refugees until a lasting, just and comprehensive solution to their question is reached. It also calls for the abandonment of any attempts to abolish UNRWA, suspend its operations, reduce the services it provides to refugees, or turnover its mandates and responsibilities to any other agency, for that would impact negatively on the political and legal dimensions of the refugee question. It would also negatively impact on the peace process and stability in the region.
We call for compliance with the letter and spirit of General Assembly resolution 194 of 1948 on the question of refugees and with Security Council resolution 237 (1967) which called for the facilitation of the return of displaced persons. We call upon donor countries to fulfill their commitments to UNRWA and increase their contributions to an extent commensurate with the natural increase in the numbers of refugees. We also call upon the international community in general, and potential donors, in particular, to pay sufficient attention to this matter.
Mr. President,
The refugee problem reminds us of international humanitarian law in general and the need for its full application. This subject has always been of interest to Jordan. Since 1981, Jordan has been submitting a draft resolution to the Third Committee entitled: " A New International Humanitarian Order" calling for the respect of the full application of international humanitarian law. My government has also adapted Jordanian laws to give priority and immense importance to the application of this law. I recall here the call by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of Jordan for working hard with the international community to bring a new international humanitarian order into existence.
The report of the Secretary-General entitled: "Renewing the United Nations: A Programme for Reform", which he submitted last July, constitutes a good basis for the reform process and a deliberate plan for the future, embodying a serious and real desire for change to the better. The report reviews the main strategic functions of the organization and provides for each of them specific proposals charting the way and making member states real partners in achieving an organization better prepared to deal with humanitarian and political crises; an organization based on more efficiency, qualified to play a more vital role in the areas specified by the Charter and made imperative by the changing security, economic, social and political circumstances of this world. Jordan calls for opening membership of the United Nations to all peace-loving states in accordance with article IV (1) of the Charter, in order to achieve the universality of the Charter.
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, while fully appreciating the good efforts of the Secretary-General in preparing his plan, stresses the fact that the purpose of reform is not confined to cutting costs or dealing with unwieldiness. It goes far beyond that--to reactivate the role of the Organization to discharge its responsibilities and carry out its functions with a high degree of efficiency, transparency and credibility. We agree with the Secretary-General that reform is not an isolated event, but a continuing process that does not stop at the implementation of the proposals contained in the report. It extends to encompassing the general direction in which the Organization will evolve as a result of the implementation of the proposals. The coming century will witness deeper and quicker global changes. The United Nations must be prepared to deal with these changes in the five major areas corresponding to the main mandates of the United Nations, namely peace and security, economic and social affairs, development cooperation, humanitarian affairs and human rights.
Mr. President,
In the area of international peace and security, we find that the multiplicity and variety of armed conflicts in the post-cold-war era have made the Security Council a hub of international efforts to establish peace and security throughout the world. This makes it very important to restructure and reform the Council. The Security Council established after the second World War no longer reflects the balance of power prevalent in today's world. It has become absolutely necessary to review its structure and rules of procedure. The Working Group on the Restructuring and Reform of the Security Council has made tireless efforts over the past few years to achieve this purpose. There are many useful and feasible conceptions which appeared in the context of reform. What has been lacking so far is the collective political will to translate these conceptions into reality.
In this regard, Jordan feels that nay new restructuring of the Security Council must take into account the representation of the developing countries all over the globe. We feel that the Arab Group, in view of its major and effective role, in entitled to a permanent seat on the Security Council.
Mr. President,
There is no doubt that the United Nations peace-keeping operations will continue to be one of the most important activities of the Organization to enhance international peace and security. Out of belief in this noble aim, Jordan has, on the direction of the Hashemite Leadership, participated for many years in these activities to the extent that, at one point in time, it ranked second, in terms of the size of its contributions, among all the troop contributing countries.
I must, however, point to the financial difficulties faced by some troop-contributing states, including Jordan, as a result of the financial crisis gripping the Organization, because reimbursements have not been made in a timely manner. I appeal from this rostrum to all member states to pay up their assessed contributions to the Organization without conditions and within the specified time limit.
On the other hand, Jordan has participated in the United Nations Stand-by Arrangements. It was the first country to sing a memorandum of understanding with the United Nations under this system. It also participated effectively in crystallizing the idea of establishing a rapidly deployable mission headquarters, to contribute to enhancing the Organization's ability to make a rapid response in order to solve crises as they occur.
As for disarmament and arms control, the progress witnessed by the world during the past few years is really encouraging. The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty has been extended indefinitely and it is now approaching universality. Last year, the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty was concluded, in addition to other significant achievements in the reduction of nuclear weapon arsenals of the United States and the Russian Federation. The eyes are now set on the Conference on Disarmament to se it crown its achievements with a treaty banning the production of fissionable materials used in the manufacturing of nuclear weapons and another treaty providing full security assurances to non-nuclear-weapon states against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons.
Mr. President,
Since development in both the economic and social fields is one of the primary objectives of the United Nations, serious attention must be directed towards reform of the United Nations organs functioning in these two spheres, particularly the Economic and Social Council. This reform will enhance international cooperation for introducing effective national policies aiming at advancing growth in all member states with no exceptions.
Mr. President,
The most important characteristics of the world economy, as we stand on the threshold of the twenty-first century, are two: The first one is the global transition to market economy; and the second is the rapid technical development of communication and information technology, making knowledge the most important factor of production. The new world economy is also characterized by break-neck competition, speed, intensive use of information and increasing globalization. We must, however, wonder how one can find the means to avoid the negative effects of globalization, like marginalizing some developing countries--because of their declining exports and an increase in their external indebtedness--and the marginalization of social groups in these countries as a result of inequitable distribution of income. Globalization in not concerned with the problems of distribution, but with being a prime mover of economic growth in general.
In view of the situation, the industrialized countries are called upon to increase their official development assistance to the developing world, to find comprehensive solutions to the problem of external indebtedness, to integrate the developing countries into the world free trade system and to improve these countries' terms or trade.
Jordan, as a developing country, has suffered economic problems since the end of the 1980s, which were aggravated following the Gulf crisis at the beginning of this decade. By pursuing structural adjustment policies, however, with the assistance of the International Monetary Fund, it was able to achieve very good result that exceeded expectations. The budget deficit was substantially reduced and so was the size of external debt. All macro-economic indicators have improved. Substantial progress has been achieved in the area of privatization and the reform of internal financial regulations and the banking sector, which gave the private sector a chance to participate effectively. Jordan has gone ahead on the way to development. It has initialed a partnership agreement with Europe and is now taking the preparatory measures needed to join the World Trade Organization. To that end, we are doing our best to adjust our economy and prepare it for full integration in the world free trade system. In association with our Arab brethren and other countries in the Middle East, we are making tremendous efforts to widen the area of cooperation, trade and investment in the region. We have succeeded in attracting substantial investments in the stock exchange and other industrial and tourist projects. The Government of Jordan is working hard to remove the remaining restrictions which limited the inflow of regional and global investments, including lifting all restrictions on foreign currencies.
Mr. President,
The world recognizes the historical responsibility that we assume towards future generations to preserve a sound global environment, in compliance with the principles adopted by the Earth Summit. In spite of its scarce resources, Jordan is committed to apply the Rio principles and it is working hard to make its contribution as a partner with other countries in sustainable development. Although we are committed, as a developing country, to do what is required of us by this partnership, we, along with other developing countries, have noticed a regression and procrastination by developed countries in discharging their obligations under this partnership. We also felt that the Nineteenth Special Session was held to consecrate this regression in the discharge of obligations rather than to enhance them and cooperate in carrying out those not yet implemented.
Finally, Mr. President, if the establishment of peace, security and stability in this world is one of the noble purposes of our international organization, we must provide the solid ground for that, which is to reduce poverty, control disease, illiteracy and unemployment and work towards the creation of a clean environment and sustainable development for future generations.
Thank you, Mr. President.