20 April 2004

U.S. Urges Continued Support for Road Map to Mideast Peace

Ambassador Cunningham's U.N. remarks on the Middle East

Urging both Israelis and Palestinians to "exercise maximum restraint," U.S. Ambassador James Cunningham said April 19 that the U.N. Security Council also should not take any action over the assassination of Hamas leader Abdelaziz Rantissi that would drive the two sides away from the road map for Middle East peace.

In a speech during a public meeting of the Security Council, Cunningham said that "for our part we have told the Israelis that they must consider carefully the consequences of their actions."

Hamas' most recent terrorist attacks "were clearly designed to perpetuate the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and prevent any progress towards the achievement of the steps outlined in the roadmap, including the withdrawal of settlements," the ambassador said.

Cunningham, the deputy U.S. representative to the United Nations, said that a lasting settlement can only be reached through direct negotiations and mutual agreement between the parties.

The council met at the request of the Arab Group to discuss the April 17 killing of Rantissi, less than a month after Israel assassinated earlier Hamas leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin.

Following is the text of Cunningham's remarks:

(begin transcript)

USUN PRESS RELEASE # 57 (04)
April 19, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Statement by Ambassador James B. Cunningham, Deputy United States Representative to the United Nations, on the Situation in the Middle East, in the Security Council, April 19, 2004

Thank you, Mr. President.

We are at a moment in which the possibility exists for advancing the roadmap to a two-state solution to the Middle East conflict, including through steps by the Government of Israel to withdraw from Gaza. This should be our focus and actions by either party that move us away from this goal are not helpful.

On Saturday, April 17, the terrorist organization Hamas claimed responsibility for a suicide attack that killed one Israeli border guard at the Erez crossing. Another Israeli policeman was critically injured. A second suicide bombing attempt was foiled. These attacks on Erez, which has been an area where Israelis and Palestinians work together, were clearly designed to perpetuate the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and prevent any progress towards the achievement of the steps outlined in the roadmap, including the withdrawal of settlements. These attacks occurred before Israel killed the leader of Hamas.

For our part, we have told the Israelis that they must consider carefully the consequences of their actions. We urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint.

Mr. President, We are committed to ensuring that Prime Minister Sharon's plan is consistent with the roadmap and with the realization of the President's vision of two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security. An Israeli withdrawal from Gaza would be a significant step forward, if it were done in a manner consistent with the roadmap and the President's two-state vision. Such a withdrawal would provide a rare opportunity for real progress.

It is particularly noteworthy that this step is being proposed by Ariel Sharon, who was one of the principal architects of Israeli settlement policy in the 1970s. The fact that one of the strongest supporters of Israeli settlement policy is now proposing to remove settlements is an important and positive development, and should be commended. This is an important precedent for future Israeli governments.

Mr. President, Israelis and Palestinians still have important obligations under the roadmap.

The Government of Israel is committed to take additional steps on the West Bank, including progress toward a freeze on settlement activity; removing unauthorized settlement outposts; and improving the humanitarian situation by easing restrictions on the movement of Palestinians not engaged in terrorist activities.

Palestinians must stop armed activity and all acts of violence against Israelis anywhere and all official Palestinian institutions must end incitement against Israel. The Palestinian leadership must act decisively against terror, and undertake comprehensive institutional reform, including genuine empowerment of the Prime Minister.

My government has no intention of prejudicing the outcome of permanent status negotiations. A lasting settlement can only be reached through direct negotiations and mutual agreement between the parties.

Thank you, Mr. President.

(end transcript)