UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Statement by Senator Sue Knowles, Parliamentary Adviser to the Australian Delegation to the United Nations
Item 37: The Situation in the Middle East
New York 2 December 2003
Mr President
When I spoke last year under this item the situation in the Middle East was grim. I began my statement by passing on my Government�€™s condolences to the peoples of Kenya and Israel following the terrible terrorist attacks in Mombasa. We all hoped then that by now reason would have prevailed and that we might have seen an end to such barbarous acts. But this year I find myself repeating my Government�€™s deepest condolences this time to the Governments and peoples of Turkey and Saudi Arabia over the deplorable attacks in Istanbul and Riyadh in the past month. An Australian citizen was among the dead in Turkey. Australia, Indonesia and other countries marked the one-year anniversary of the 2002 Bali bombings in October. These appalling acts have been rightly condemned by Governments around the world and here in the United Nations. It is imperative that we work together decisively to eradicate this scourge, but this is not the only cause for concern in the Middle East.
Mr President
Australia is one of a large Coalition of countries supporting rehabilitation and stabilisation efforts in Iraq. Addressing Saddam�€™s legacy of oppression and abuse is a major challenge. There are also groups that will stop at nothing to impede Iraq�€™s transition to a democratic, peaceful and prosperous nation �€“ as the recent deaths of Spanish and Japanese officials sadly demonstrate. However, it is not all bad news from Iraq. Steady progress is being made on rehabilitation, Iraqis are increasingly taking responsibility for their security, and a new timetable has been agreed which will accelerate the return of sovereignty to the Iraqi people. Australia and its Coalition partners are determined to stay the course in Iraq.
Mr President
The international community has recently been faced with the need to address revelations of the extent of Iran�€™s previously undeclared nuclear activities. Australia welcomes the adoption by consensus on 26 November by the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency of a resolution on Iran�€™s nuclear program. The resolution acknowledges positively Iran�€™s 21 October promises of full cooperation with the IAEA, suspension of uranium enrichment and reprocessing, and signature and immediate adherence to a safeguards-strengthening Additional Protocol. The resolution also calls on Iran to take corrective measures and cooperate fully with the IAEA. It is in the interests of both Iran and the non-proliferation regime that Iran heed this clear message.
Mr President
Australia has consistently supported efforts to resolve the tragic Israeli-Palestinian dispute. There can be no military solution to the conflict, just as there is no alternative to a negotiated settlement. We are strongly committed to Israel�€™s right to live in peace and security within internationally recognised boundaries. Australia has also consistently supported the emergence of a viable Palestinian state living at peace with its neighbour Israel. Our position is based on Security Council Resolutions 242, 338, 1397 and the principle of land for peace. Australia is a strong supporter of the Roadmap to Middle East peace and we welcome Security Council Resolution 1515. We call on both sides to return to negotiations and resume implementation of the Roadmap without delay. The Roadmap sets out the path to Palestinian statehood. But to realise this legitimate aspiration, the Palestinian Authority must take firm action to end the violence.
Mr President
The situation in the Middle East today presents a major challenge for its inhabitants and the wider international community. Let us not give in to the fatal temptation of seeing terrorist acts, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and other calamities as inevitable. It is now more important than ever that international community and the United Nations work together to overcome the destructive forces in the Middle East and to build a better future for all its peoples.