Military

DATE=10/19/00

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=UN COMMISSION PALESTINE (L-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-268177

BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN

DATELINE=GENEVA

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The United Nations Human Rights Commission has narrowly approved a resolution condemning Israel for what it calls widespread, systematic and gross violations of human rights. Lisa Schlein in Geneva reports the resolution approved Thursday also sets up an international commission of inquiry to examine the violence in the West Bank and Gaza.

TEXT: The resolution, which was drafted by Arab nations, was adopted by 19 votes in favor, 16 against and 17 abstentions. It strongly condemns Israel for what it says is the indiscriminate use of force in violation of international humanitarian law during the recent clashes in the Palestinian territories. It describes the death of more than 100 civilians as a flagrant and grave violation of the right to life and says this constitutes a war crime and a crime against humanity.

The vote on the resolution was delayed for several hours while the Arab countries tried to reach a compromise agreement with the European Union. It was unsuccessful. The French Ambassador, Philippe Petit, speaking on behalf of the European Union, says the E-U voted against the resolution because it does not contribute to the re-establishment of peace and stability in the region. He speaks through an interpreter.

/// PETIT ACT ///

The Commission of Human Rights is intended to defend human rights around the world. As the European Union has often recalled, it is not intended to indulge in political denunciations.

/// END ACT ///

Other countries such as the United States, Canada, Norway and Japan also agree that the resolution goes counter to the Sharm-el-Sheikh pact that calls for an Israeli-Palestinian cease-fire leading to the resumption of peace talks. But, the Palestinian representative, Nabil Ramlawi, denounces those who voted against the resolution and thanks those who supported it. He speaks through an interpreter.

/// RAMLAWI INTERPRETER ACT ///

They have saved this Commission of ours and they have saved the reputation of human rights -- The reputation of human rights that had been repressed and suppressed and even trampled upon in the land of Palestine.

/// END ACT ///

The resolution sets up a commission to investigate alleged human rights violations by Israel. It calls on the U-N's top human rights official, Mary Robinson, and special human rights investigators on torture and arbitrary executions to visit the region. The Israeli Ambassador, Yaakov Levy, calls the resolution divisive and inflammatory.

/// LEVY ACT ///

Contrary to the spirit of the Sharm-el-Sheik, the special session of the commission on human rights and the biased speeches we've heard over the past two days have been at the very least counterproductive, distracting us from major efforts to end the violence, restoring calm and moving ahead with the diplomatic process.

/// END ACT///

The Israeli Ambassador calls the Arab-sponsored resolution one-sided, unrealistic and unproductive. (Signed)

NEB/LS/JP