15 April 2003
U.S. to Vote Against Resolution on "Occupied Palestine"
(Kirkpatrick explanation of vote before U.N. Human Rights Commission)
(420)
The United States, at the 59th Session of the U.N. Commission on Human
Rights in Geneva, said it would vote against a draft resolution on the
Palestinian situation that repeatedly "strongly condemns" Israeli
policies and practices.
Ambassador Jeane Kirkpatrick, head of the U.S. delegation to the
session, said the draft taints the United Nations itself "with bias
and prejudice, polarization and mistrust."
Addressing the commission meeting April 14 on an explanation of vote,
Kirkpatrick said, "Resolutions such as the one before us only serve to
reinforce the distrust and fear that are obstacles to a genuine and
lasting peace for the Palestinian and Israeli people."
She also said President Bush is committed to implementing the "road
map toward peace" in the Middle East.
Following is the text of Kirkpatrick's prepared statement:
(begin text)
Ambassador Jeane J. Kirkpatrick
Explanation of Vote Item 5: Resolution on the Situation in Occupied
Palestine
April 14, 2003
Madame Chairperson, Distinguished Delegates:
President Bush said on March 14 that "America is committed, and I am
personally committed to implementing our road map toward peace. ... We
believe that all people in the Middle East -- Arab and Israeli alike
-- deserve to live in dignity, under free and honest governments. We
believe that people who live in freedom are more likely to reject
bitterness, blind hatred and terror; and are far more likely to turn
their energy toward reconciliation, reform and development."
It is long past time for this Commission to embrace a similar vision
for peace in this troubled region. Resolutions such as the one before
us only serve to reinforce the distrust and fear that are obstacles to
a genuine and lasting peace for the Palestinian and Israeli people.
The repeated efforts of some members of the United Nations to isolate
and vilify the government of Israel are an affront to the Charter of
the United Nations.
This resolution damages the ability of the United Nations to play a
constructive role in the search for peace in the Middle East. It
taints the organization with bias and prejudice, polarization and
mistrust. Any government which supports a role for the United Nations
in the peace process should oppose this resolution and help to shape a
debate in this Commission that can help dispel the fear and
misunderstanding that have fueled war in the region for too long.
We will therefore call for a vote on this resolution and vote no.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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