UN Security Council Resolution 1397      SC/7326

4489th Meeting (Night)

March 12, 2002

SECURITY COUNCIL DEMANDS IMMEDIATE CESSATION OF ALL VIOLENCE IN MIDDLE EAST; AFFIRMS VISION OF TWO STATES, ISRAEL AND PALESTINE

Resolution 1397 (2002) Adopted by Vote Of 14 in Favour to None against, with 1 Abstention

Meeting for the second time in 24 hours on the situation in the Middle  East, including the Palestinian question, the Security Council late tonight  expressed its grave concern at the continuation of the tragic and violent  events that had taken place in the region since September 2000 and demanded  immediate cessation of all acts of violence, including all acts of terror,  provocation, incitement and destruction.

Adopting resolution 1397 (2002) by a vote of 14 in favour to none  against with 1 abstention (Syria), the Council affirmed a vision of a region  where two States, Israel and Palestine, lived side by side within secure and  recognized borders.  It also called upon the Israeli and Palestinian sides  and their leaders to cooperate in the implementation of the Tenet work plan  and Mitchell Report recommendations with the aim of resuming negotiations on  a political settlement. 

By other terms of the resolution, the Council stressed the need for all  concerned to ensure the safety of civilians and the need to respect the  universally accepted norms of international humanitarian law.  Further, it  welcomed and encouraged the diplomatic efforts of special envoys from the  United States, the Russian Federation, the European Union and the United  Nations Special Coordinator and others, to bring about a comprehensive, just and lasting peace. 

It also expressed its support for the efforts of the Secretary-General and  others to assist the parties to halt the violence and resume the peace  process and welcomed the contribution of Crown Prince Abdullah of Saudi  Arabia.

A statement was made by the representative of Syria in explanation of his  delegation’s decision to abstain from voting on the resolution.

Ole Peter Kolby (Norway), Council President, made an oral amendment to the  text.   The meeting was called to order at 11:45 p.m. and adjourned at 11:59 p.m.

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Security Council                       - 2 -               Press Release  SC/7326

4489th Meeting (Night)                                     12 March 2002

`      Resolution

      The full text of resolution 1397 (2002) reads as follows:

      “The Security Council,

      “Recalling all its previous relevant resolutions, in particular  resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973),

      “Affirming a vision of a region where two States, Israel and Palestine,  live side by side within secure and recognized borders,

      “Expressing its grave concern at the continuation of the tragic and  violent events that have taken place since September 2000, especially the  recent attacks and the increased number of casualties,

      “Stressing the need for all concerned to ensure the safety of civilians,

      “Stressing also the need to respect the universally accepted norms of  international humanitarian law,

      “Welcoming and encouraging the diplomatic efforts of special envoys  from the United States of America, the Russian Federation, the European Union  and the United Nations Special Coordinator and others to bring about a  comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East,

      “Welcoming the contribution of Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah,

      “1.      Demands immediate cessation of all acts of violence, including  all acts of terror, provocation, incitement and destruction;

      “2.      Calls upon the Israeli and Palestinian sides and their leaders  to cooperate in the implementation of the Tenet work plan and Mitchell Report  recommendations with the aim of resuming negotiations on a political  settlement;

      “3.      Expresses support for the efforts of the Secretary-General and  others to assist the parties to halt the violence and to resume the peace  process;

      “4.      Decides to remain seized of the matter.”

Background

The Security Council convened late this evening to take up the  situation in the Middle East, including the question of Palestine.

Statements

OLE PETER KOLBY (Norway), Council President, drew the Council’s  attention to a revision to the text of the draft.  In preambular paragraph  six, the words “and others” would be added after “the United Nations Special  Coordinator”.

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Security Council                       - 3 -               Press Release  SC/7326

4489th Meeting (Night)                                     12 March 2002

MIKHAIL WEHBE (Syria), speaking on behalf of the Arab Group, said his  delegation had submitted a draft resolution that it believed had been simple  and which could effectively achieve the objectives of the international  community.  That draft avoided complications and dealt with the situation on  the ground in the occupied territories, as well as the tragic events in the  Middle East region.  It frankly addressed the killing and destruction of the  Palestinian people by Israel. Despite flexibility shown by the Arab side,  that spirit had not been met by those that had submitted the resolution  before the Council tonight.

The draft under consideration, he continued, did not take into account any  Arab concerns.  His delegation believed the document was weak and that it did  not deal with the root question at the heart of this issue -- the Israeli  occupation.  Indeed, the resolution treated the killer and the victim  equally.

He said the destruction committed by the Israeli occupation forces, the  killing in mass concentration camps -- holding some 2000 Palestinians -- must  be condemned.  To talk about security arrangements in the crisis situation,  especially in view of the daily massacres committed by Israel in the occupied  territories and in the densely populated camps, amounted to a failure.  The  Council must instead call for a peace that was comprehensive and just, based  on resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973), the Madrid Conference and the  principle of land for peace.  It must also make Israel responsible for  carrying out the tenets of those resolutions, or they would remain  ineffective 

He reiterated that the draft had not made any reference to the Madrid  Conference nor to the need to ensure a just and comprehensive peace in the  region. His delegation considered those two concerns among the minimum  requirements to make a strong statement.  It was also unfortunate that the  draft had not demanded that the occupying Power should respect the Fourth  Geneva Convention on the protection of civilians in armed conflict -- another  minimum his delegation had requested and which had not been included.  In  view of those facts, his delegation would abstain from the vote.

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