Mr. President,

The General Assembly is considering the question of Palestine at a significant moment, especially as we stand on the eve of the approaching millennium. For more than half a century, the world has borne witness to the struggle of a whole people and nation for their inalienable rights, including the right to establish a sovereign and independent homeland. Indeed, no issue has preoccupied the United Nations since its inception than the question of Palestine. It is a tragedy of momentous proportion that while the international scene has undergone profound change since a newly established United Nations placed this item on its agenda over five decades ago, the people of Palestine have yet to recover their inalienable rights that were unjustly taken away from them. The passage of all these years does not diminish the sacred cause of the Palestinians.

Mr. President,

Today the Palestinian people have reached a decisive moment in their history when the unfolding peace process could not only transform their lives and land but also, profoundly impact the region and beyond. When the historic breakthrough first took place in 1993, followed by other subsequent agreements and initiatives, we had fervently hoped along with the rest of the international community that a durable and lasting peace was within reach. During the past three years, however, the resurgence of our hopes dissipated with reneged commitments, illegal acts and transgressions. Therefore, we were gratified with the signing on 4 September 1999 by the Palestinian leaders and Israel, of the Sharm el-Sheikh Memorandum on Implementation Timeline of Outstanding Commitments of Agreements Signed and the Resumption of Permanent Status Negotiations. It is pertinent to note that the latter Memorandum touched upon some important issues, including, further phased redeployment from the West Bank, phased release of Palestinian prisoners, agreement on the safe passage between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the beginning of construction work on the Gaza seaport as well as agreement on the city of Hebron and security-related issues. While acknowledging some positive developments towards the implementation of the Memorandum since its signing, such as the first phase of deployment by Israel from the West Bank and release of 350 Palestinian prisoners, it is crucial that the remaining matters are carried out in good faith and in accordance with the agreed time-table. Likewise, the beginning of the permanent status negotiation is a welcome development. In this regard, my delegation has noted the commitment of the concerned parties to conclude a framework agreement in the next few months and additionally, to reach a comprehensive agreement by September 2000.

Mr. President,

For the peace process to move decisively forward, it is essential to replace the past years of suspicion and discord with goodwill and mutual trust. For this to occur, there must be a marked change in Israeli policies with regard to the situation on the ground that are in contravention of United Nations resolutions and international law and thereby, undermine efforts towards achieving lasting peace. Foremost among these, are the expansion of settlements and confiscation of land by the Israeli authorities in various parts of the occupied territories, especially, in and around Jabal Abu Ghneim. Such unilateral actions must cease immediately for they severely diminish the hopes and expectations generated by recent developments within the framework of the peace process.

In response to such illegal activities, the tenth emergency special session pursuant to General Assembly resolution ES-10/5 of 17 March 1998, was resumed for the fourth time on 5 February 1999, resulting in the convening of a conference on 15 July 1999, of the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Convention for the first time in its history. In this regard, it reaffirmed the applicability of the Fourth Geneva Convention to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem. Cognizant of the illegalities of Israel's settlement activities, the latter conference adjourned on the understanding that it would be re-convened should the need arise in light of developments concerning the humanitarian situation

Other issues that need to be urgently addressed are the question of refugees, the release of remaining prisoners as well as the critical water supply situation in the territories. Despite the formidable challenges and obstacles strewn along the way, the valiant Palestinian people and its leaders have held steadfast to the path towards achieving stable peace. The re-ignited peace process should be sustained and nurtured with trust and confidence fostered among the parties. Towards this end, it is imperative to forge ahead with the scrupulous implementation of all peace agreements while demonstrating the necessary flexibility and commitment to a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement to the question of Palestine. A peaceful settlement which will entail the securing of justice and freedom for the Palestinian people and sovereign statehood over their lands.

For peace to flourish and grow also requires surmounting decades of occupation and injustices inflicted on the Palestinian people and which have gravely undermined the socio-economic fabric of their society. In this regard, we believe that the United Nations, its agencies and the donor community have a central role to play in extending its support for the challenging tasks of nation building. We are therefore gratified by the appointment of Mr. Terje Rod-Larsen as the United Nations Special Coordinator of the Occupied Territories, to serve as the focal point of the efforts of the Organization, as well as to maintain contact with the donor community and other non-governmental organizations in this field. Given the paramount importance of the development of a Palestinian economy, it is gratifying to note that various donors have adopted the tripartite plan, at an Ad Hoc Liaison Committee Meeting on 15 October 1999, in Tokyo, to expedite assistance for the implementation of essential plans. These assistance efforts are crucial for the Palestinian people to transform their land from poverty and pestilence to one of prosperity and sustainable development.

In this regard, Indonesia fully supports the Bethlehem 2000 celebrations. It marks an auspicious beginning to a new era of dialogue, cooperation and reconciliation to the people of Bethlehem as well as a significant effort to mobilize the support of the international community to the urgent cause of economic recovery for the Palestinian people. We are equally appreciative of the unstinted efforts of UNRWA in discharging its mandate towards alleviating the plight of 3.6 million Palestinian refugees by undertaking activities in a number of crucial sectors.

It was more than half a century ago, Mr. President, when the General Assembly was seized with the question of Palestine by the adoption of resolution 181 (II). Throughout these long and arduous years, more time and effort has been expended on the question of Palestine than on any other international problem. Yet, the aspirations of the Palestinian people for the self-determination and statehood have not been fulfilled. Without a shadow of doubt, the United Nations has a permanent responsibility to the question of Palestine until a comprehensive settlement is attained based on the relevant United Nations resolutions and international legitimacy. Indonesia on its part, has consistently maintained that a durable and just solution to this intractable problem can only be achieved if the Palestinian people are allowed to regain their legitimate national rights, including the right of all refugees to return to their own independent homeland with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital, and based on the full implementation of Security Council resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973) and 425 (1978) and on the land for peace principle.

Mr. President,

In embracing the next millennium as the winds of peace begin to engulf the region, we fervently hope that peace will be permanently anchored in the Middle East and its people, particularly the Palestinian people who have endured much pain and suffering for too long will finally achieve their cherished aspirations in a homeland of their own, like all other peoples of the world.

Thank you, Mr. President.