TNAG-1022-FCO40-1272-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-the-United-Nations-1981 — Page 95

CONFIDI:NTIAL

6. A just solution must finally be found to the Palestinian problem, which is not simply one of refugees. The Palestinian people, which is conscious of existing as such, must be placed in a position, by an appropriate process defined within the frame-

work of the comprehensive peace settlement, to exercise fully its right to self-determination.

7. The achievement of these objectives requires the involvement and support of all the parties concerned in the peace settlement which the Nine are endeavouring to promote in keeping with the principles formulated in the declaration referred to above. The

principles must be respected by all the parties concerned and thus by the Palestinian people, and by the PLO, which will have to be associated with negotiations.

The

8. The Nine recognise the special importance of the role played by the question of Jerusalem for all the parties concerned. Nine stress that they will not accept any unilateral initiative designed to change the status of Jerusalem and that any agreement on the city's status should guarantee freedom of access for

everyone to the Holy Places.

9. The Nine stress the need for Israel to put an end to the territorial occupation which it has maintained since the conflict of 1967, as it has done for part of Sinai. They are deeply con- vinced that the Israeli settlements constitute a serious obstacle

to the peace process in the Middle East. The Nine consider that

these settlements, as well as modifications in population and

property in the occupied Arab territories, are illegal under

international law.

10.

Concerned as they are to put an end to violence, the Nine

consider that the renunciation of force or the threatened use

of force by all the parties can create a climate of confidence in the area, and constitute a basic element for a comprehensive settlement of the conflict in the Middle East.

11.

The Nine have decided to make the necessary contacts with all the parties concerned. The objective of these contacts would be to ascertain the position of the various parties with respect to the principles set out in this declaration and in the light of the reulsts of this consultation process to determine the form which an initiative on their part could take.

(66) CONFIMINTI