Statement by
H.E. Ambassador Rezlan Ishar Jenie
Charge d'Affaires a.i./Deputy Permanent Representative
of the Republic of Indonesia to the United Nations
New York, 15 September 2003

Mr. President,
In the past few weeks, the situation in the Middle East has reached alarming dimensions. The future of the Road Map is in great uncertainty. In our view and, we are certain, the view of most members of the international community it would be a great tragedy if all the work that has been undertaken by the Council and by the Quartet in this regard should be permitted to go to waste.

In the view of Indonesia, this is neither necessary nor inevitable. The desire for peace in the Middle East, and in the hearts of the Palestinians and Israelis for peace is, we are convinced, superior to the violence and irrationality that are currently militating against the Road Map. That desire, and nothing else is, in the view of my delegation, the measuring stick of the strategic importance of the Road Map, and it is what we should continue to measure progress by. The international community can help move the Road Map forward by standing above the situation morally, politically and practically, rather than permitting itself to become a part of the crisis.

Mr. President,
In our view, and this should be obvious, there is no reason to expect peace, or the success of the Road Map, if Israel has no faith in it. In particular, we urge the Government of Prime Minster Ariel Sharon to bring to a halt, its resettlement policy, extra-judicial killings, the construction of the separation wall, and its aggression towards Chairman Arafat and the Palestinian people. We object very strongly, in the interest of a workable peace process, to any attempts by Israel to deport or assassinate the elected Palestinian leader. Indeed, in the circumstances today, it becomes a significant part of Israeli foreign policy to protect the health and safety of the Palestinian leader. Israel must also respect international humanitarian law to the fullest, including the Fourth Geneva Convention concerning the Protection of Civilians in Time of War.

In a historic moment such as this, my delegation calls on the international community for full vigilance and suppoli for international law . The Quartet and the Security Council must ensure that Israel and Palestine fully pursue the peace process and that they avoid contradictory and inflammatory statements and policies, as well as a cycle of violence capable of worsening the situation.

Mr. President,
Today, we have reached a critical turn on the Road to peace in the Middle East. To the benefit of this Council and the international community, the right turn is obvious: it is the one by which Israel helps the international community to help the situation and to move forward by faithfully implementing existing resolutions. This Council has no option, and can do no less, than to make sure that there is no deviation from this right turn. It is the only road that leads out of conflict, and to the future.

I thank you, Mr. President.