Statement delivered by Mr. Vice Skracic, Minister Counsellor of the Republic of Croatia to the United Nations, on the situation in the Middle East.
Croatia shares the sense of urgency to secure an early resumption and conclusion of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations aimed at the two-State solution, as a key part of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East.
The current moment is a critical one, and failure to move forward risks deepening disillusionment and impasse. We are pleased to see that imperative reflected in the statements emanating from the high-level meetings held in New York this September, including the Quartet statement and that of US President Obama in his statement to the General Assembly. The continuing efforts of the US administration and Special Envoy Mitchell to enable negotiations have our full support.
Croatia believes that, in order to advance the peace process, all sides need to rise to their responsibilities and make a meaningful contribution towards creating conditions conducive to negotiations. Israel and the Palestinians would need to implement their obligations under the Road Map (without preconditions). The Palestinians would need to pursue their reform agenda, particularly in the area of security. The Arab states would need to take early and tangible confidence-building steps in the spirit of the Arab Peace Initiative. The international community should be ready to assist the parties in creating an atmosphere conducive to peace and ensure that all efforts remain focused on our shared objective of achieving peace. It's time to remove the road-blocks to peace.
In light of the ongoing efforts, provocative actions which risk undermining attempts to create an atmosphere conducive to credible negotiations are a cause for concern. We are very concerned with the recent clashes in Jerusalem; we appeal for restraint and appreciate the UN's efforts to diffuse tensions. We also call for the cessation of other provocative actions, including demolitions and evictions. As recognized in repeated calls by the international community, Israel's settlement activities are an obstacle to peace and should be immediately brought to an end, including „natural growth“ settlements, and outposts erected since 2001, which should be dismantled.
Mr. President, we condemn the marked increase in attacks directed at Israel from the Gaza Strip over the past month. At this critical stage, another outbreak of violence must not be allowed.
Croatia finds encouragement in Palestinian state-building efforts, as well as in recent trends in the West Bank where improvements in security are opening space for economic revival as part of the groundwork for a sustainable Palestinian state. We welcome the recent removal by Israel of a number of the road blocks and welcome further steps in that direction. We understand that, should the restrictions on movement and access continue to be eased, for the first time since 2005 there is a realistic chance that the downward trend in Palestinians' living standards in the West Bank can be reversed in the near future. It remains crucial that the Palestinian Authority continue with its agenda of self-empowerment, including building and consolidating an effective and reformed security sector, as well as functioning institutions and the rule of law, as building blocks of a viable and independent Palestinian state. At the same time, Israel must be assured that this objective does not go against its legitimate security interests, including through addressing the threat of renewed rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip.
The situation in Gaza is our continuing preoccupation. We believe that finding a durable solution for Gaza should be part and parcel of the peace effort. In order to put an end to the protracted humanitarian and human dignity crisis in Gaza, full implementation of resolution 1860 remains a priority. Croatia believes that the controlled and sustained opening of crossings, matched with the appropriate monitoring arrangements, is key for the humanitarian recovery and reconstruction of Gaza, and for eradicating the “tunnel economy”.
We continue to call for the release of Gilad Shalit, whose recent video-message was an encouraging sign, and reiterate our support for the efforts of Egypt towards restoring Palestinian unity.
Croatia has taken note of UN Fact Finding Mission's Report on the Gaza Conflict, of which the Human Right Council is currently seized. Croatia takes seriously the issues which are at the heart of the report. The Human Rights Council has decided that the consideration of the Report be postponed to its next session in March 2010, and we respect its scope of competence within the UN system. At this stage, let me just state that Croatia believes that it is obligation of all States to ensure respect for international humanitarian law. Where and when violations of international humanitarian and human rights law are committed, individual accountability needs to be established. This is what constitutes a basis of a lasting peace. This is a duty that falls principally on the national authorities of States themselves who need to carry out a credible domestic process and investigate situations where there are indications that such violations may have been committed.
Before concluding, Mr. President, allow me to say a few words of appreciation for UNRWA, which marked its sixtieth anniversary in September. I would like to pay tribute to the Agency's dedication and commitment in providing assistance to the Palestinian refugees over the past 60 years, often under challenging and dangerous circumstances. Croatia will continue to support its vitally important work. Equally, we believe that the interests of both parties, of the region, and the international community as a whole, are best served by pursuing a shared, clear and fundamental objective: the establishment of an independent, democratic and viable Palestinian State, living side by side in peace and security with Israel, and a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the region on the basis of Security Council resolutions and the Madrid principles.
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