STATEMENT BY
H.E. AMBASSADOR MASAO NAKAYAMA
PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE
BEFORE THE
TENTH EMERGENCY SPECIAL SESSION OF THE
UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY
New York, October 20, 2000
Check Against Delivery
Mr. President,
My delegation has listened with sorrow to the many statements made
in this great hall of the United Nations. If one were to make a
tally, clearly there are more statements in condemnation of one side
than those that are objective and helpful. Thus, it would seem to the
people outside this hall that the United Nations debate on this issue
lack a genuine and sincere effort to soothe the tension in the Middle
East and to encourage both sides to talk peace.
The Secretary-General has reported to this body on the
conciliatory role he has just played in urging both sides of the
conflict to abandon violence and go back to talking peace. My
delegation commends the hard work and dedication by the
Secretary-General for his role in the Middle East Peace Process. We
also pay tribute to the critical roles played by the President of the
United States and the President of Egypt in the reconciliatory
process and for their efforts to rein in the cycle of violence in the
region.
Mr. President,
No one likes violence and no one condones a loss of life to
violence. My government expresses its condolences and deep sympathies
to the Israeli people and the Palestinian people for the loss of
lives, injuries, and damages to properties. We hope the recent
unfortunate events will re-enforce once again that there is no real
and better alternative than lasting peace for any people any where.
We support those delegations who have spoken before us urging both
sides to make peace.
We also would like to urge that the delegations in this August
body play a conciliatory role by supporting the peace process, and
not by passing unbalanced resolutions that would only further inflame
violence. The United Nations must remain objective and impartial in
its relentless work to find lasting peace in the region.
Thank you.
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