Mr. President,

Although more than half a century has elapsed, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the core of which remains the question of Palestine has been the crux of endless pain and sufferings. The historic breakthrough of the Madrid conference promised to usher in a new era of peace and tranquility in the Middle East region. It led to a series of positive developments, strengthening our hopes and aspirations that one of the most tragic conflict situations would be finally resolved.

However, in recent years, our expectations were dashed with a stalemate in the peace negotiations, compounded by reneged commitments and unimplemented agreements and the promise of peace receded into the background. Through this entire arduous period, the Palestinian, Syrian and Lebanese leaders have demonstrated great fortitude and commitment to the peace process not only through words but also by deeds.

As was evident from our deliberations on item 44 entitled "Question of Palestine" before the General Assembly, the message of the international community was made resounding clear that ever lasting peace can only be established with the full and unfettered exercise of the inalienable rights of the Palestinians and the complete withdrawal of Israel from all occupied Arab lands, including the holy city of Al-Quds Al-Sharif, while addressing all aspects of the situation in the Middle East, including the issue of refugees.

The step forward within the framework of the peace negotiations between the Governments of Palestine and Israel, particularly, the signing of Sharm el-Sheikh Memorandum of 4 September 1999 was therefore gratifying. Our optimism is premised on the fact that the aforementioned Memorandum touched on a number of significant issues including a timeline for implementation of all commitments reached between the two sides since the 1993 Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements. Moreover, its importance lies in the parties' reaffirmation to reach a final settlement of all permanent status issues by September 2000. Aware of the tenuous path ahead to bring to an end over more than half a century of enmity, hatred and mistrust, we remain confident that the unwavering commitment of the Palestinian leaders will be fulfilled.

It is against this backdrop that actions intended to change the demographic composition in the occupied territories including the Holy City and the confiscation of Arab lands for the expansion of settlements must cease. For not only do such activities contravene the spirit and letter of the accords already reached but they also undermine the trust and confidence so essential to moving the peace process forward.

Mr. President,

Over the years, scores of resolutions and decisions of the General Assembly have reiterated that a just and final settlement of the Palestinian issue is deemed an imperative but concurrently, lasting peace demands the attainment of a comprehensive peace to the whole Middle East conflict. Thus, simultaneous progress is of utmost importance to address the fundamental unresolved questions, especially on the Syrian-Israeli and Lebanese-Israeli tracks.

Indonesia remains firmly convinced that there can be no lasting solution to the Middle East conflict without an unconditional withdrawal of Israel from all Palestinian and Arab territories occupied since 1967, including Al-Quds Al-Sharif, the Syrian Golan Heights as well as southern Lebanon and the full implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973) and 425 (1978) and based on the land for peace formula. Only through such an approach can the rights of all peoples and countries in the region to independence and security within internationally recognized boundaries be respected.

The United Nations continues to bear a historical and moral responsibility to resolving this intractable conflict in all its aspects. Undoubtedly, the Organization and its specialized agencies have a valuable role to play in the scope of its assistance to the peoples of the occupied territories. My delegation welcomes the appointment of the United Nations Special Coordinator Mr. Terje Roed-Larsen from Norway, to ensure that the support of the United Nations and donors are integrated and coordinated in the vital field of development assistance.

The end of the twentieth century, Mr. President, demands that the strong yearning of peoples in the region for freedom, independence and justice will soon be realized. Strife and instability should be relegated to history and sustained development and prosperity be facilitated to become the order of the next millennium. For this to materialize, however, the historic opportunity for peace should be seized so that a comprehensive, just and lasting peace can ultimately reign in the Middle East.

Thank you, Mr. President.