Negroponte explains U.S. Middle East vote to U.N. Security Council

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Negroponte said September 16 that the United States will not support any U.N. resolution that "evades the explicit threat to the Middle East peace process posed by Hamas and other such terrorist groups."
 
Negroponte used the U.S. veto against a Security Council resolution that dealt primarily with Israel's threats to either eliminate or to deport Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat. The resolution, sponsored by Syria, Pakistan, South Africa, and Sudan, received 11 votes in favor and 3 abstentions.
 
"The resolution put forward today was flawed in that it failed to include the following three elements: a robust condemnation of acts of terrorism; an explicit condemnation of Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and the Al-Aqsa Martyr's Brigade as organizations responsible for acts of terrorism; and a call for the dismantlement of infrastructure which supports these terrorist operations wherever located, consistent with resolution 1373," Negroponte told the Security Council after the vote.
 
"For its part, the United States, along with Quartet partners, will continue to work toward the implementation of President Bush's vision of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as set forth in the road map," he said.
 
Following is the transcript of the ambassador's Security Council remarks:

(begin transcript)

September 16, 2003
USUN PRESS RELEASE #141 (03)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Explanation of Vote by Ambassador John D. Negroponte, United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations, on the Resolution Addressing the Situation in the Middle East, in the Security Council, September 16, 2003

Thank you, Mr. President.

As we stated yesterday, while all parties have responsibilities in bringing peace to the Middle East, ending terrorism must be the highest priority. The resolution put forward today was flawed in that it failed to include the following three elements: a robust condemnation of acts of terrorism; an explicit condemnation of Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and the Al-Aqsa Martyr's Brigade as organizations responsible for acts of terrorism; and a call for the dismantlement of infrastructure, which supports these terror operations, wherever located, consistent with Resolution 1373.

This resolution did not take a clear stand against the actions of these terrorist groups or call for decisive action against them. The Palestinian Authority must take action to remove the capability of extremist groups to conduct terrorist outrages. In addition, Israel must move forward and fulfill its obligations and commitments under the roadmap and the Aqaba summit, including improving the daily lives of Palestinians.

As we said yesterday, we will not support any resolution that evades the explicit threat to Middle East peace process posed by Hamas and other such terrorist groups. The United States opposed the resolution as it failed to do just that.

We note once again that the Government of Israel is already aware of the views of the Council Members on the issue of Mr. Arafat. Moreover, Secretary of State Powell stated that the United States does not support either the elimination of Mr. Arafat or his forced exile. While Mr. Arafat is part of the problem, we believe that this problem is best solved through diplomatic isolation, and we have made this view clear.

For its part, the United States, along with Quartet partners, will continue to work toward the implementation of President Bush's vision of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as set forth in the roadmap. Our diplomatic personnel, including Secretary of State Powell, Ambassador Wolf, and our missions in the region, are intensively engaged with both parties at the highest levels. We remain committed to the roadmap as the way forward toward the goal of the Israeli and Palestinian people living side-by-side in peace, security and freedom.

Thank you very much, Mr. President.

(end transcript)

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