STATEMENT By MICHAEL MITCHELL Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. PERMANENT MISSION OF GRENADA TO THE UNITED NATIONS ON BEHALF OF THE CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY (CARICOM) BEFORE THE TENTH EMERGENCY SPECIAL SESSION (RESUMED) OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON “ILLEGAL ISRAELI ACTIONS IN THE OCCUPIED EAST JERUSALEM AND THE REST OF THE OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY” UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS NEW YORK, NEW YORK 16 January 2009 Mr. President, The member states of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) would like to take this opportunity to first thank you for convening this Emergency Special Session of the General Assembly. We welcome this opportunity to offer our views, as part of the wider membership of the United Nations, on the dire situation in Gaza. We are happy that history will not record a silent General Assembly as human suffering escalates in the Gaza as others fail to bring about effective action. Mr. President, we draw your attention to the statement issued by the ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Caribbean Community issued January 9, 2009 and which has been circulated to member states. We in the Caribbean Community express grave concern over the attack on Gaza and southern Israel, and we equally deplore the attendant loss of life, including that of non-combatant, especially innocent women and children. We deplore too the widespread destruction of essential property and infrastructure, most especially people’s homes. The Caribbean Community condemns unequivocally the deliberate attacks on UN personnel, convoys, and facilities. We join with the Secretary General in strongly denouncing these seemingly deliberate but repeated attacks. The Caribbean Community reiterates the call made by the international community for an immediate, durable and fully respected ceasefire as stated in Resolution 1860 (2009) passed by the Security Council. We are appalled by the blatant disregard of this legitimate demand by the international community. The United Nations should not condone such appalling conduct by any of its member states where the wishes of the organization are flaunted without any consequence. That is why, Mr. President, the Caribbean Community supports your specific call for an immediate ceasefire and immediate humanitarian access. We envision, Mr. President, with compliance on these two actions that the General Assembly will begin to meet its obligation under the UN Charter to promote peace and to end human suffering. Throughout this conflict we have witnessed the utter disregard for the dignity and sanctity of human life, as well as, the wanton killing and maiming of innocent civilians particularly women and children. Indeed subjecting the whole Palestinian people to collective punishment is unacceptable to us. We support every effort being undertaken by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the Arab League, other states and other international organizations. There is no doubt that peace is deeply desired by the long suffering but brave people of the Middle East region. Hence the Member States of the Caribbean Community firmly urge all parties and stakeholders to spare no effort to bring the peace process back on track. We call on the parties to adopt and adhere to meaningful benchmarks that will resolve all outstanding issues. Let there be a clear timeline for achieving lasting and durable peace between the parties for the ultimate benefit of all concerned. The economic and humanitarian embargo imposed on the people of Gaza must be lifted with immediate effect and measures must be instituted to allow unhindered flow of relief supplies, humanitarian personnel and other humanitarian aid to the civilian population. The Caribbean Community calls for strict observance to the principles of International Humanitarian Law, including the Geneva Convention; every effort should be made to uphold their integrity, we call on the parties to fully respect their obligation in this regard. The economic life of the people of Gaza must not be jeopardized. The day- to- day life supporting activities of the Palestinian people, which ensure basic human well- being and survival must never be threatened; for to do so violates the fundamental human rights principles of right to life and to dignity. It is in this spirit of the protection of peoples human rights, Mr. President, that the Caribbean Community wishes to see unfettered access be given to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNWRA), International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) and other humanitarian organizations, to enable them to carry out legitimate humanitarian work that is so desperately needed to alleviate the plight of the population in Gaza. Equally, the right to safety and protection for the people of Gaza and the people of Southern Israel must be guaranteed. Finally Mr. President in adhering to diplomacy as the language of dispute settlements, we the Member States of the Caribbean Community stand ready to play our part in finding a just and lasting solution to the international quest for durable peace between Israel and Palestine, and the wider Middle East. We do not believe that there can be a military solution to this Israeli-Palestinian conflict; and therefore we call on all parties to return to the negotiating table. Indeed, a new momentum must be generated by all concerned. The attainment of peace in the region must start with the immediate cessation of hostilities in the ongoing conflict, with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security, within internationally-recognized borders. Mr. President, once again we thank you for your strong and exemplary leadership, compassion and fortitude which you have demonstrated throughout this tragic humanitarian crisis. This is exemplified by your courage as you search with this dialogue, in search for immediate but meaningful solutions. INSIDE GRENADA NEWS