STATEMENT

by H.E. Ambassador Le Luong Minh,

Permanent Representative of Viet Nam to the United Nations,

at the Security Council Open Debate on

“The Situation in the Middle East, Including the Palestinian Question”

New York, 14 October 2009

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I join other Council members in thanking Under-Secretary-General Lynn Pascoe for his detailed briefing. We welcome the participation of H.E. Mr. Riad Al-Malki, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Palestine, and the Permanent Representative of Israel in the Council’s meeting today. My Delegation associates itself with the statement to be delivered by distinguished Ambassador Maged Abdelaziz of Egypt on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement.

Over the past months, further efforts have been made by the international community for the resumption of negotiations aimed at achieving a two-State solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict. Such collective undertakings can be reflected in a series of events at various levels and within different frameworks during the review period, including those held on the margins of the 64^th Session of the United Nations General Assembly such as the meetings of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee for Assistance for Palestinians, of the Quartet principals, of the League of Arab States Follow-Up Committee on the Arab Peace Initiative as well as among the leaders of the United States, Palestine and Israel. We can also note that, under difficult circumstances, the Palestinian National Authority has continued efforts to strengthen socio-economic sustainability, security sector reforms and functional institutions for a future State.

The peace process, however, remains loaded with persistent challenges. No substantive progress has been recorded in implementing Security Council Resolutions 1850 (2008) and 1860 (2009). Israeli military incursions, the construction of the Separation Wall, the expansion of settlements, and the blockade of Gaza have never ceased, inflicting vast deprivations on the Palestinian civilian population. Sporadic rocket attacks have placed civilians in southern Israel under continual threats.

It is essential in this context that all parties concerned should rise to shoulder their mutual obligations under the Road Map, the Madrid terms of reference, the Arab Peace Initiative and relevant Security Council resolutions. Constructive dialogue and political negotiations remain the only viable solutions. We urge Israel to immediately halt illegal settlement activity, dismantle outposts erected since March 2001, open all border crossings, release all Palestinian prisoners, and ensure the unhindered access of humanitarian assistance. We also urge Palestinian factions to set store by their long-term national interests, resolve their differences through reconciliation, and jointly work toward the establishment of a Government of national unity.

We take note with deep concern of the findings contained in the Report prepared by the Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict which was established by the Human Rights Council to the effect that Israel seriously violated international human rights and humanitarian laws during the conflict and failed to extend cooperation to the Mission as required, and that the rocket and mortar attacks caused loss of life and property damage to southern Israel’s communities. My Delegation believes it is legitimate that the Report receives due attention and consideration by relevant United Nations agencies and the parties involved. Given the extremely explosive nature of the regional situation and in the interest of peace and justice, we underline the utmost imperative for all parties concerned to stop all acts of violence, strictly comply with international humanitarian and human rights laws, as well as the paramount priority to ensure safety and security for all civilians, diplomatic and United Nations premises and personnel.

We share the concerns about the delay in the formation of a new Government in Lebanon after the parliamentary elections last June. We hope that negotiations will soon conclude in the spirit of reconciliation and dialogue in order for the new Government to be formed, representing the interests of all communities in Lebanon. We, at the same time, welcome efforts being made by the Lebanese authorities, in cooperation with UNIFIL, to defuse the tension kindled by the recent mutiple security incidents in southern Lebanon. We urge Israel to cease flights over Lebanese territory and withdraw from the northern part of Ghajar village and an adjacent area north of the Blue Line. We reiterate our support for UNIFIL and the full implementation of Resolution 1701 (2006).

Finally, Viet Nam stands ready to join the international community’s unremitting efforts towards the peaceful settlement of Israel-Palestine and Arab-Israel conflicts, and the ultimate attainment of a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle East. In that spirit, we continue to support Russia’s initiative to convene an international conference on the Middle East in Moscow before the end of this year.