*EPF504 04/05/2002
U.N. Security Council Demands Mideast Cease-Fire "Without Delay"
(Unanimously adopts new Resolution 1403) (680)

By Judy Aita
Washington File United Nations Correspondent

United Nations -- The Security Council April 4 unanimously adopted a resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from West Bank towns.

For the second time in less than a week, the council was able to agree on a resolution responding to the increasing cycle of violence in the West Bank. Secretary General Kofi Annan warned the council that the situation "between Israel and Palestine, and across the Blue Line -- continues to deteriorate. All parties risk making serious miscalculations about the effect that their actions will have on each other."

"Such miscalculations can all too easily draw the region into greater and greater danger, whether intended or not," Annan said. "My purpose in addressing you today is to call on all members of the international community to consider urgently how best to intercede with the parties to persuade them to draw back from their present course."

The resolution, presented as a presidential text, "demands the implementation of its resolution 1402 without delay." It also reaffirms the resolution passed earlier in March -- resolution 1397.

US-sponsored resolution 1397, passed on March 12, called for an end to the violence and terror and affirmed a vision of two states within secure and recognized borders. Resolution 1402, passed March 30, calls for an immediate cease-fire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from West Bank towns, including Ramallah, and a return to the Tenet work plan.

The new resolution also "welcomes the mission of the U.S. Secretary of State to the region, as well as efforts by others, in particular the special envoys from the United States, the Russian Federation, the European Union, and the United Nations Special Coordinator, to bring about a comprehensive, just and lasting peace to the Middle East."

British Ambassador Jeremy Greenstock said that "in the trio of resolutions, we have seen the Security Council working at its best. They show the potential power of the United States' engagement in the Security Council on the Middle East issue."

Israeli Ambassador Yehuda Lancry said that he was not in a position to react to the resolution. However, during the council meeting the ambassador said that Israel is willing to work with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell toward implementing resolutions 1397 and 1402.

Israel will "spare no effort to make Secretary Powell's mission a success and pave the way for the return to the negotiating process," Lancry said. "We again have cause for hope."

Palestinian Observer, Ambassador Nasser Al-Kidwa, said that the Palestinian Authority is willing to cooperate with Powell for the success of his mission.

"We are satisfied with the results by the council," Al-Kidwa added.

Annan also had harsh words for both the Israelis and the Palestinians.

"Forcing Chairman Arafat into exile would be reckless," the Secretary General said. "He is the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people and his exile would only lead to even more violence and chaos. Deportation is specifically prohibited by the Fourth Geneva Convention."

"Even now, Chairman Arafat has the capacity to exercise political leadership, to set the course for the future of his people. Terrorism is never justified," Annan said. "The Palestinian leadership must acknowledge this and the Palestinian public must accept this."

"On both sides, bitterness and despair are at an all-time high. We all need to cling to the conviction that, in the end, however long it takes, there will one day have to be a peaceful settlement of this conflict."

"Third party mediation is needed more than ever as the parties are unable, on their own, to find a way out of the present situation. In this connection I strongly welcome President Bush's decision to send Secretary Powell to the region," Annan said.

"The road back to the negotiation table will not be easy or smooth. But, all sides can take the first steps by exercising maximum restraint so as to reverse the current dangerous deterioration of the situation," he said.

(The Washington File is a product of the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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