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Statement by the Chair of the Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Committee on Palestine – 3 May 2001, Pretoria, South Africa Following a request of President Arafat to the Chair of NAM, it was agreed to convene a Ministerial Meeting of the NAM Committee on Palestine in Pretoria on 3 May 2001. The Chair also invited the NAM Security Council Caucus, a representative of the Secretary General, the Foreign Ministers of Egypt and Jordan and the Chair of the UN Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People to attend the meeting. The Meeting was indeed very successful and the Ministers trust that its results will help in finding a solution to the tragic situation in the Middle East and contribute to reaching a just and comprehensive peace in the region. The Ministers heard an important address by President Mbeki in which he reiterated the Movement’s solidarity and support for the people of Palestine. He reaffirmed the NAM’s commitment to the emergence of an independent Palestinian state. He said the NAM was committed to the peace process in which progress is presently blocked and needs to be unblocked. He said there is a need to move forward with speed and break the logjam so as to create a just, comprehensive and permanent peace. President Mbeki stressed that the NAM is committed to work with all other interested parties for a just peace in the Middle East. This, he said the NAM owed to all the people of the Middle East. The Ministers also heard an important address by President Arafat and welcomed his full commitment to the peace process and all agreements signed. He said that the language of violence and bombardment will not serve the interests of Palestinians or Israelis. He announced his full acceptance of the Egyptian/Jordanian proposal. He said he did so with no reservations for the cause of a comprehensive, lasting and just peace in order to revive the hopes of peace and put the peace process back on its right track. He said he did so on behalf of the interests of the Israeli people and the Palestinian people, and the people of the Middle Eastern Region. "I am making this commitment in front of President Mbeki, and I count on all of you. I send this to Mr Sharon, the Prime Minister of Israel that my commitment to peace is for peace and security for your children and our children and for the stability and peace of the whole Middle East Region," said President Arafat. President Arafat asked President Mbeki to continue to remain engaged in efforts to re-start and support the peace process. Following these statements there was a lively and comprehensive exchange of views among participants. The Meeting adopted a communiqué.
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