DATE=10/03/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N-Mideast Violence Debate (L)
NUMBER=2-267421
BYLINE=Breck Ardery
DATELINE=United Nations
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United Nations Security Council held an open debate today (Tuesday) on the violence involving Israel and the Palestinians, with most speakers strongly condemning Israel for what they termed an excessive use of force. VOA Correspondent Breck Ardery reports from the United Nations.
TEXT: The meeting began with a statement from the chief Palestinian Observer to the United Nations Nasser al-Kidwa who, speaking through an English interpreter, said Israel used military equipment against Palestinian civilians.
/// AL-KIDWA INTERPRETER ACT ///
The Israeli military forces used large amounts
of its military power including the use of
snipers, live ammunition, hand grenades, anti-
tank missiles and later, even helicopter
gunships.
/// END ACT ///
Israel's ambassador Yehuda Lancry said it is simplistic to blame only Israel for the violence and that Palestinian protestors were not peaceful.
/// LANCRY ACT ///
Let there be no doubt, we were not faced with
peaceful demonstrators but rather with a
coordinated escalation of violent confrontations
throughout the West Bank and Gaza.
/// END ACT ///
But most members of the Council blamed Israel for overreacting to Palestinian protests. All speakers expressed sorrow over the loss of life. Many, including Israel's ambassador, noted with special sadness the death of Muhammad al-Durrah, the 12-year old Palestinian boy who died as his father was attempting to shield him from gunfire.
Many members of the Council blamed Israeli opposition leader Ariel Sharon for fomenting the violence when he visited an Islamic holy site in East Jerusalem last week.
However, United States ambassador Richard Holbrooke said now is not the time to apportion blame for the violence but time to end it.
/// HOLBROOKE ACT ///
Empty rhetoric does not forward the cause of
peace. Too often in the past positions taken by
the United Nations have tarnished this great
organization's credibility and undermined the
United Nations ability to play a constructive
role in the peace process. Let us not repeat
this error again in this cycle of history.
/// END ACT ///
The decision to hold an open debate came after Security Council members were unable to reach agreement on a formal statement regarding the violence. The Council will now await the outcome of talks in Paris (Wednesday) involving U-S Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Palestinian leader Yassir Arafat. (Signed)
NEB/BA/LSF/TVM/PT
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