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Basic Documents: Final Document Chapter II - Analysis of the International Situation Palestine 131. They reaffirmed their unflinching support for the legitimate struggle of the Palestinian people to secure their inalienable rights to self-determination and independence and reiterated their demand for the withdrawal of Israel from all occupied Palestinian and other Arab lands including Jerusalem. 132. They pointed out that the responsibility of the United Nations in this matter should continue until the Palestinian people exercise their inalienable right to self-determination, until an independent and sovereign State is established within its national territory, and until the problem of refugees is settled in conformity with human rights instruments and the relevant resolutions of the United Nations. They therefore insisted on the need for the General Assembly to reaffirm, at its fiftieth regular session, its position on the major aspects of a definitive peace settlement, including the status of Jerusalem, the illegal settlements and refugees. They regretted the decision by Israel to confiscate Palestinian land and property in Jerusalem as well as its attempts to alter the religious and historic character of the Holy City. In this respect, they reaffirmed all Security Council and General Assembly resolutions related to Jerusalem and considered the Israeli actions contrary to these resolutions as null and void. They voiced serious concern at the obstacles faced to implement the Agreement. They called for the full and scrupulous implementation of the Agreements, and in particular the provisions of Security Council resolutions 242, 338, 465 and 478. They underlined the need for the mechanism dealing with the issue of Palestine set up by the General Assembly to continue operating in an effective way. The Heads of State or Government expressed their support to the call made by the Jerusalem Committee, held in Ifrane, Morocco, 16-17 January 1995, to the U.N. Security Council, in particular the two co-sponsors of the Peace Conference to take the necessary measures to compel Israel to desist from carrying out any settlements and judaisation of the Holy City of Jerusalem and any geographic or demographic changes therein, and to comply with the agreement and conventions providing for the preservation of the Palestinian institutions and the Islamic and Christian holy sites in the Holy City of Jerusalem in implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions. 133. They expressed that the Declaration of Principles signed in Washington on 13 September 1993, the Interim Agreement on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip of 20 September 1995 and the establishment of the Palestinian efforts taken by Palestine and Israel. 134. They considered that the arrangement relating to a Palestinian interim self-government should be widened quickly so that the Declaration of Principles is applied as rapidly as possible to the totality of occupied territories, with a view to giving effect to the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and to the establishment of a Palestinian State. 135. In this context, they welcomed the conclusion of the Agreement on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip concluded in Taba, Egypt and signed in Washington by President Arafat and the Israeli Prime Minister as an important and substantial step towards the fulfilment of the national rights of the Palestinian people. They expressed the hope that further vigorous steps shall be taken for the complete Israeli withdrawal from all the Arab territories occupied in 1967 in order that comprehensive peace and common prosperity should prevail on the area. 136. They concurred with the Secretary-General of the United Nations that in order to sustain support for the Declaration of Principles and the Interim Agreement on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, it will be essential to promote economic and social development in the occupied Palestinian territories. In this context, they called upon the participants of the Conference to Support Middle East Peace, which took place in Washington on 1 October 1993, to deliver the pledged assistance which is vital for the establishment of peace. 137. They also stressed the need for the full participation of Palestine in the Special Commemorative Meeting of the United Nations in New York under conditions and facilities applicable to Observer States of the United Nations at the meeting. <<Back to Top>> The Peace Process 138. The Heads of State or Government reaffirmed their support for the peace process initiated at the Madrid Peace Conference of October 1991 which aims at achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East based on Security Council resolutions 242, 338 and 425 and the principle of land for peace which ensure the full Israeli withdrawal from Palestinian and other Arab occupied territories. 139. The Heads of State or Government noted with appreciation the commendable efforts exerted by the Syrian and Lebanese Government in order to open up possibilities for achieving progress in their full commitment to peace in the Middle East, and demanded that Israel totally withdraw from the occupied Syrian Golan and Lebanese territories, in implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions and in accordance with international law, and the principle of the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by force. 140. They took note of the Washington declaration of 25 July 1994, signed by Jordan and Israel, which put an end to the state of belligerency between them and opened the way for the return of occupied Jordanian territories and the restitution of the right to the water resources, thereby contributing to the normalization of relations. They also welcomed the conclusion of the Jordan-Israel Treaty of Peace of 26 October 1994, which in their view constitutes a transcendental step toward the achievement of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East. 141. They considered that all the measures and actions adopted by Israel, the occupying power, such as its illegal decision of 14 December 1981 that purport to alter the status of the occupied Syrian Golan, are null and void, constitute a flagrant violation of international law and the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 and have no legal effect. They called upon Israel to comply with Security Council resolution 497 (1981) and to withdraw fully from the occupied Syrian Golan, to the lines of 4 June 1967, in implementation of Security Council resolutions 242 and 338. 142. They reiterated the principle that the acquisition or control of land or maritime areas by force is inadmissible, contradicts the principles of international law, and does not generate any rights. Lebanon 143. They urged full respect for the independence sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon and condemned the Israeli occupation of the southern part of its territory and the western valley of Bekaa and support efforts, inter alia, directed towards the liberation of these territories. They reaffirmed the need for a speedy and unconditionally implementation of Security Council resolution 425 (1978) as a prerequisite for the peace and security of the region, and the release of all Lebanese detainees in Israili camps. <<Back to Top>> Bosnia-Herzegovina 144. The Heads of State or Government condemned the acts of aggression, genocide and ethnic cleansing against the Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina and its population. They welcomed the Contact Group Peace initiative and the Agreed Basic Principles concluded in Geneva on 8 September 1995, as well as the arrangement concluded in New York on 26 September 1995. They emphasized, in this respect, that the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina, within its internationally recognized borders, must be preserved. They also emphasized that the peace process should ensure the return of all populated areas seized through the use of force in pursuit of the policy of ethnic cleansing. They welcomed the commitment by members of the International Contact Group on Bosnia that Sarajevo must be maintained as an indivisible and unified city. In this context, the Heads of State or Government demanded that the siege of Sarajevo be immediately ended. They stressed that the cultural and religious plurality of Bosnia-Herzegovina should be preserved and that the federation of Bosnians and Croats should be supported. They reaffirmed that there must be an international guarantee for the protection of human rights, democratic elections, freedom of movement, the right of refugees to return to their homes and emphasized that the appropriate measures should be taken to ensure the follow-up on the work of the International War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague. 145. The Heads of State or Government emphasized the need for the Security Council to implement fully its resolutions and decisions relating to Bosnia-Herzegovina. They underlined that the role of the United Nations in Bosnia should be maintained and consolidated and that the United Nations must undertake overall supervision of all activities carried out for the purpose of peace implementation-enforcement in Bosnia. They asserted that the government of the Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina must not be deprived of its inherent right to self-defence and that if the ongoing peace process collapses, the arms embargo must be lifted. 146. The Heads of State or Government welcomed the Joint Ministerial Meeting of the Fine Nations Group and the OIC Contact Group at Paris, on 7 September, initiated by His Majesty King Hassan II of Morocco, as well as the New York meeting of the two Contact Groups on September 28, 1995. In this respect, they reiterated their full support to the cooperation initiated between the two contact groups in order to ensure the success of current peace efforts in Bosnia-Herzegovina. They also expressed the hope that the Joint Ministerial Meeting of the two Contact Groups, due to be held soon, will constitute a decisive step in the dynamic of peace and in their collective efforts for a just, equitable, and lasting settlement of this conflict. 147. The Heads of State or Government expressed their appreciation and support to the initiative taken by His Excellency President Soeharto of Indonesia and Chairman of the Non-Aligned Movement in his efforts to contribute to the peace process and to explore all possible avenues for achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the conflicts of the States in the former Yugoslavia. They stressed the need for the Non-Aligned Movement to continue to contribute to the peace process. Cyprus 148. The Heads of State or Government reaffirmed all previous positions and declarations of the Non-Aligned Movement on the Question of Cyprus and expressed deep concern over the fact that no progress has been achieved in the search for a just and viable solution. They reiterated their support for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus, and their solidarity with the people and the Government of Cyprus. They called once again for the withdrawal of all occupation forces, and settlers, the return of the refugees to their homes in safe conditions, the restoration of the human rights of all Cypriots and the accounting of those missing. Proceeding from the position that the present status quo in Cyprus, created and maintained by the use of force, is unacceptable, they stressed the need for securing compliance with and implementation of all United Nations resolutions on Cyprus. To that end, they further stressed the need that the Security Council should take resolute action and the necessary measures, including the holding on an International Conference and steps for the demilitarization of Cyprus, as proposed by the President of Cyprus. Furthermore, expressing their concern at the continuing lack of political will on the part of the Turkish side, as confirmed in the report of the United Nations Secretary-General (Document S/1994/629, dated 30 May, 1994), they reaffirmed their support for the United Nations Secretary-General's efforts for a just and workable solution, as provided in Security Council resolution 939(1994) for a bizonal and bicommunal federation, with a single sovereignty, citizenship and international personality and with political equality as described in the relevant resolutions of the Security Council. In this respect, they decided to request the contact group of the Non-Aligned Countries to actively follow and support the United Nations efforts for the solution of the Cyprus problem. <<Back to Top>> Security in the Mediterranean 149. The Heads of State or Government reviewed the developments that occurred in the Mediterranean region since the Jakarta Summit and recalled the Ministerial Meetings of the Mediterranean Non-Aligned Countries held in Valetta in 1984, in Brioni in 1987 and in Algiers in 1989. They reaffirmed their determination to pursue their initiatives aimed at promoting comprehensive and equitable cooperation in the region. The Heads of State or Government expressed their support to the initiatives of the Mediterranean countries in their efforts to adopt effective measures to promote confidence-and-security-building and stability in their region by the elimination of all causes of tension and the consequent threat to peace and security. 150. They recalled that during the past twenty five years Mediterranean members of the Movement have shown a disposition to promote and enhance security and cooperation in the Mediterranean region in the formulation of proposals which have been tabled at the U.N. and other regional organizations. In this context, the Heads of State or Government reiterated their full support to the efforts aimed at the reactivation of the Group 5+5 which constitutes a concrete and important contribution to a comprehensive approach for Mediterranean cooperation and security. They also reiterated their support to the proposal to convene a CSCM. In this regard they recalled the Algerian proposal of May 1972 calling for the convening of such a meeting. The Heads of State or Government welcomed the initiative of H.E. President Mohammed Hosni Mubarak of Egypt for the establishment of a Mediterranean forum. They took note of the meetings held in Egypt and Malta for enhancing Mediterranean cooperation. They welcomed the call made by the European Parliament in June 1993 by H.E. President Zune El Abidine BEN ALI, President of the Republic of Tunisia, in favour of a European-Mediterranean Conference. They further welcomed the proposal of H.M King Hassan II of Morocco of the CSCE Ministerial Meeting in Rome in December 1993, to host a Ministerial Meeting on security and cooperation in the Mediterranean. They also welcomed the initiative by Malta to set up a council of the Mediterranean and took note of its proposal in March 1995 for a Stability Pact for the Mediterranean. The Heads of State or Government welcomed the convening, in November 1995, of the IPU Second Conference on Security and Co-operation in the Mediterranean to be held in Malta. 151. The Heads of State or Government welcomed the convening of the Euro-Mediterranean conference to be held in Barcelona on November 1995. In this context, they took note of the results of the Ministerial Meeting of the Mediterranean forum held at Tabarka, Tunisia, in July 1995 and the meeting of the Arab-Mediterranean countries held on the initiative of Algeria, in Alpeis in September 1995, in preparation for the Euro-Med conference. The Heads of State or Government affirmed that such Conferences would benefit from the participation of all Mediterranean States as part of the process of strengthening cooperation in the region. 152. The Heads of State or Government stressed that respect for the right of self-determination, elimination of foreign occupation and foreign bases, non-intervention and non-interference in the internal affairs and respect for sovereignty of States are prerequisite for the establishment of peace and security in the region. 153. The Heads of State or Government took note of the efforts of the Non-Aligned Mediterranean countries to strengthen further their cooperation in facing terrorist activities which pose a serious threat to peace, security and stability in the region and therefore to the improvement of the current political, economic and social situation. <<Back to Top>> Rwanda 154. They commended the continued efforts of the Government of Rwanda to return the country to normalcy. They expressed grave concern over the instability in the region caused by the possession of illegal weapons by the perpetrators of genocide and they vehemently condemned those countries that support them politically as well as militarily. 155. They called for the separation of the perpetrators of genocide from the innocent refugees held hostage in most of the camps and urged the disarmament of those perpetrators under the auspices of the High Commissioner for Refugees and the OAU in order to facilitate voluntary repatriation of the refugees in conformity with resolutions taken at the Nairobi Summit and the decisions of the Bujumbura Conference as well as those of the various tripartite Agreements signed between the High Commissioner for Refugees and countries in the region. 156. They urged the Movement to condemn the perpetrators of genocide and insisted that they be brought to trial and that resolutions adopted ad hoc in the United Nations Security Council be implemented. To this end, they requested that the International Tribunal be made operational. 157. They invited the international community to assist Rwanda in its reconstruction process and the donors to honour the commitments they undertook at the Donors Round Table in Geneva. 158. They welcomed the call by the main body of the OAU for the Prevention, Management and the Settlement of Conflicts, which met in Tunisia on 20 April 1995, and in particular its call for convening an international conference on the rehabilitation and the reconstruction of the region. Burundi 159. They urged all the parties to promote reconciliation, under the Coalition Government that was established by the Government Convention of 10 September 1994, and to persevere in the path of peace and economic and social development and have strongly recommended to all signatories of the Government Convention, that is, the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister and the political parties, that they comply with it faithfully and effectively, given that they have adopted it as a basis for power-sharing, joint administration and co-responsibility within the Burundi State apparatus. They have insisted on the need to disarm all terrorist groups holding illegal weapons mainly in the Great Lakes region, where they are laying waste to the land and seriously jeopardizing peace and security. They have engaged the state of origin and asylum in negotiations in order to secure the rapid and voluntary repatriation of unarmed refugees and the removal from common border areas of exiles who refuse to return home, in accordance with international conventions on refugees. They emphasized the importance of implementing the Program of Action adopted by the Conference on assistance to refugees, returnees and displaced persons in the Great Lakes region, held from 14 - 17 February 1995 in Bujumbura (Burundi). They also renewed their urgent call to the international community to deliver in a timely fashion its assistance to the Government and people of Burundi. They have energetically condemned the self-styled "Democratic" radio station for its inflammatory programmes inciting the people of Burundi to commit genocide, in the footsteps of Rwanda's Mille Collines radio television. They have strongly supported the urgent appeal made official and jointly by the President and Prime Minister of Burundi to the Secretary General of the United Nations and to the international community to have this station silenced and dismantled. 160. They commended the efforts undertaken by the Government of Burundi with a view to achieving national reconciliation. They underlined the initiatives undertaken by the leaders of the subregion, the OAU, as well as the recent goodwill missions of the Security Council and the humanitarian assistance offered to the Government of Burundi to overcome its difficulties. They have given due recognition to the positive role of the OAU and UN as mediators in Burundi, and have urged these two international organizations to pursue their respective and complementary missions for the restoration of peace, security and harmony among political leaders and the people of Burundi as a whole. Further, they have noted with interest the appointment by the U.N. Security Council of an International Judicial Enquiry Commission in Burundi. They have urged it to fulfil its noble mission objectively and impartially, and to identify and locate those responsible for the assassination of President Melchior Ndadaye and the massacre of tens of thousands of innocent citizens since October 1993. They called once again upon the international community to intensify the support given to the Government of Burundi in its efforts to achieve national reconciliation and the stabilization of the country. <<Back to Top>> Somalia 161. They emphasized the positive developments in Somalia, especially the conclusion of the peace accord on 21 February 1995, and the agreement reached between the different factions subsequent to the withdrawal of UNICOM II concerning the control of the facilities in the maritime ports and airports. Nevertheless, they wished to express their concern about the fact that the Somali problem has not yet been resolved and that the country continues to be without a central government. They reiterated that the solution to the Somali problem resides in the hands of the Somali people and urged its leaders to achieve a lasting peace and the stability of the country with the necessary political will to bring about lasting peace and stability in their country. They also noted with appreciation the efforts of the Organization of African Unity and in particular the neighbouring countries in finding solutions to the Somali problem. 162. They entrusted the Non-Aligned Task Force to remain seized of the situation in Somalia. They also stressed the important role of the Organization of African Unity, League of Arab States and Organization of Islamic Conference in the efforts to assist the Somali people in restoring peace, stability and national reconciliation. They called upon the international community to provide humanitarian and rehabilitation assistance to the people of Somalia, and expressed their confidence that the Somalia are conducive for the carrying out of humanitarian activities. Libya 163. They urged the Security Council to lift the air embargo and the other measures imposed on Libya, in response to the decisions and resolutions adopted by regional organizations on the dispute of Libya with France, the United Kingdom and the United States. They expressed their solidarity with Libya and called upon the other concerned countries to respond positively to the initiatives calling for dialogue and negotiations that would lead to an acceptable solution for the parties. They expressed their deep concern for the human and material losses suffered by the Libyan Arab people and the neighbouring countries as a result of the sanctions imposed pursuant to the Security Council resolutions 748 (1992) and 883 (1993). They affirmed that the escalation of the crisis, the threat of imposing additional sanctions and the use of force as a mean of conducting relations among States, constitutes a violation of the United Nations Charter and of the principles of the Non-Aligned Movement as well as the international law and norms. They called upon the three concerned Western countries to respond to the positive initiative calling for dialogue and negotiations and for a just and fair trial of the two suspects in a neutral country to be agreed upon by all parties unless the Western countries concerned respond to the request of regional organizations, the proposals for the peaceful settlement of the crisis, and the flexibility shown by the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, the States Members of the Non-Aligned Movement will not be able to continue to abide by the sanctions resolutions, especially that these resolutions have caused not only the Libyan people, but also several peoples of States Members of the Non-Aligned Movement great human and economic loss. Western Sahara 164. The Heads of State or Government noted the latest developments in resolving the question of Western Sahara and reiterated the support of the Movement for the efforts of the United Nations to organize and supervise an impartial, free and fair referendum in accordance with the Settlement Plan and with United Nations Security Council resolutions. Sierra Leone 165. They observed with concern the serious problems faced by Sierra Leone due to continued armed conflict in the country, particularly the suffering of civilians, the internally displaced, and those forced to flee the country as refugees. The country is already experiencing famine caused by the protracted conflict. They emphasized that peace, including at the regional level, lies at the heart of the definitive settlement of the problem in Sierra Leone. They called upon the international community to redouble diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis and to increase its economic, material, and technical assistance to Sierra Leone, especially to the civilian population affected by the war. <<Back to Top>> Liberia 166. They welcomed the recent positive developments in Liberia as a result of the signing of the Abuja Accords and the induction into office of the Council of State of the Liberia National Transitional Government (LNTG), consisting of leaders of the parties to the conflict. They expressed their conviction that the full implementation of the Accords will lead to a final resolution to the conflict and called upon the new Liberian leadership to work cooperatively for the attainment of peace, national reconciliation and the restoration of stability in the country. They paid tribute to the Member States of ECOWAS and other African countries for the many sacrifices they continue to make in the search for a lasting peace in Liberia and commended the contribution being made by the OAU and the United Nations in support of the ECOWAS initiative. They endorsed the OAU resolution which called on the international community to recognize and give full faith and credence to the current Liberian National Transitional Government and its successors. They also called upon the International Community to continue to provide Liberia with the required assistance for the repatriation and resettlement of its refugees, as well as to contribute to the United Nations Trust Fund for Liberia. 167. In this connection, they noted that the Secretary General of the United Nations and the Chairman of the ECOWAS will shortly convene a Pledging Conference on Liberia at the United Nations Headquarters aimed at raising funds to assist ECOWAS achieve its mandate as well as facilitate the demobilization and rehabilitation of combatants and the reconstruction of Liberia. They called upon the international community to fully participate in the conference and provide the necessary material and financial support so that the above-mentioned objectives may be fully achieved. Angola 168. They welcomed the positive advances made in the implementation of the provisions of the Lusaka Protocol, with a view to the restoration of peace and stability in Angola. They urged the Security Council to implement what has been agreed upon resolution 976 (1995), which provides for the dispatch of military components of UNAVEM III, since the conditions for their deployment are now propitious. They exhorted Member States to give a positive response to the call made by the Secretary General to contribute to the full implementation of the Lusaka Protocol. They commended the resolution by the Angolan National Assembly to review the constitution with a view to granting to Mr Jonas Savimbi, the UNITA's leader, one of the post of the vice-president of the Republic and called upon both parties to honour the compromises subscribed by them in the Lusaka Protocol so that peace and stability can be instaured in Angola. They commended the Geneva Conference on Humanitarian Assistance to Angola and the Brussels Round Table on the National Programme for Community Rehabilitation and Reconciliation and called upon the international community to provide the pledged funds on a predictable and timely basis. South Africa 169. The Heads of State or Government extended their heartfelt welcome and congratulations to South Africa on its return to the community of nations when it joined the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries at the Ministerial Conference in Cairo in July 1994. They emphasized the fundamental role that the Movement played from the beginning of the struggle against the racist regime of South Africa. They paid a warm and special tribute to President Mandela for his untiring struggle and capacity to lead his people, and his country peacefully towards democracy under a Government of National Unity. They also commended the people of South Africa for their role in overcoming the legacy of apartheid and in the reconstruction of their nation under new non-racial and politically pluralist realities. Mayotte 170. They reiterated the unquestionable sovereignty of the Islamic Federal Republic of the Comoros over the island of Mayotte, as well as the fulfilment of the commitments acquired prior to the referendum of 22 December 1974 regarding respect for the unity and territorial integrity of the Comoros. They urged the Government of France to accelerate the process of negotiations with a view to ensuring the effective and early return of the island of Mayotte to the Comoros, in accordance with United Nations General Assembly resolution 49/18 of 6 December 1994, and other resolutions adopted by the General Assembly on this matter. Chargos Archipelago 171. The Heads of State or Government reiterated the support of the Non-Aligned Movement to the sovereignty of Mauritius over the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia, and called on the former colonial power to pursue the dialogue with the Government of Mauritius for the early return of the Archipelago. In this respect, they noted with satisfaction the initiation of certain confidence-building measures by the two parties. <<Back to Top>> The situation between Irak and Kuwait 172. The Heads of State or Government reviewed the situation between Irak and Kuwait and emphasized that all Member States in the Movement are committed to respect the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of both Kuwait and Irak. They also emphasized that the full implementation of all relevant Security Council resolutions constitutes the means of establishing peace, security and stability in the region. In this respect, the Heads of State or Government stressed the importance of Irak to complete its implementation of all relevant Security Council resolutions. The Heads of State of Government noted the work of the Tripartite Committee in Geneva under the auspices of the International Committee of the Red Cross - ICRC to solve the problems of all prisoners / detainees and missing persons of Kuwait and third country nationals. They stressed the importance of the speedy solution of the problems in accordance with the Final Documents of the Jakarta Summit. They further stressed the need to resolve the issue of all persons missing in action by means of serious and sincere cooperation with the ICRC to reach a solution of this issue. The Heads of State or Government noted the progress in the work of the Special Commission - UNSCOM and the IDEA in Irak in order to implement the provision of Section C of the Security Council resolution 687. In the light of latest reports available, the Heads of State or Government urged Irak to comply fully with the requirement to provide complete information on all its armaments called for in the context of relevant Security Council resolutions and to totally cooperate with UNSCOM. They reviewed the issue of human suffering in Irak and positively noted the resolution recently adopted by the Security Council on this matter which constitutes an important step. Turkey-Irak 173. They rejected the violation of the territorial integrity of Irak committed by Turkey forces, which on the pretext of fighting guerrilla groups located inside Iraki territory, trespassed the established boundaries between the two States. They repudiated the so-called "hot pursuit" invoked by Turkey to violate Iraki territory. Such a practice, alien to international law, is the reflection of an outdated interventionist policy based on the use of force which in many cases responds to domestic problems which have not been resolved through dialogue and conciliation. Korean Peninsula 174. The Heads of State or Government expressed their concern over the fact that the Korean Peninsula is still divided in spite of the desire and aspirations of the Korean people and reaffirmed their support for the efforts of the Korean people to reunite their homeland based on the principles set forth in the North-South Joint Statement of 4 July 1972 as well as the Agreement concluded in February 1992. They noted the importance of guaranteeing a durable peace and security in the Korean Peninsula for the sake of the common prosperity of the Korean people as well as the peace and security of North East Asia and the rest of the world. They expressed the hope that the nuclear issue in the Korean peninsula, given its political and military nature, should be resolved by peaceful means through dialogue and negotiations among all the parties concerned and full implementation of the Geneva Agreed Framework and the Kuala Lumpur Statement between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the United States of America and other agreed relevant documents, taking into account the need for continued cooperation with the IAEA. Afghanistan 175. They called upon all States to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic State of Afghanistan and to refrain from interfering in its internal affairs. They expressed their concern over the prolongation of hostilities in the Islamic State of Afghanistan. Nevertheless, they wished to encourage the steps taken toward national reconciliation in accordance with the provisions contained in General Assembly resolution 49/140 of December 1994, and the considerable efforts undertaken by the special envoy of the Secretary General of the United Nations for Afghanistan and the efforts by the Secretary General of the OIC and its Special Representative. They were convinced that Afghanistan's problems can only be resolved by the Afghans themselves in a sovereign way. They reiterated the role of the international community is to assist its people in the attainment of peace and to participate actively and generously in the reconstruction of Afghanistan and increase the humanitarian and financial aid for the speedy, voluntary and safe return, in conditions of security and dignity, of Afghan refugees to their homeland. <<Back to Top>> Turkmenistan 176. They welcomed Turkmenistan as a new member of NAM and expressed their support and full understanding of the commitment of Turkmenistan to play a constructive peaceful role in providing stability and mutual understanding between the States on the basis of the principle of positive neutrality. They expressed their hope that the Turkmenistan initiatives will receive the support of all members of UN and the international community. South-East Asia 177. The Heads of State or Government recognized the role of ASEAN in maintaining peace, stability and prosperity in the region as well as in enhancing cooperation in the wider Asia-Pacific. They hailed the progress made in promoting dialogue and cooperation for peace and security in South-East Asia through the ASEAN regional forum which at its inaugural meeting in Bangkok last year endorsed the purpose and principles of ASEAN's treaty of Amity and Cooperation in South-East Asia. In this regard, they welcomed the result of the Second Meeting of ASEAN Regional Forum held in Bandar Seri Begawan on 1 August 1995 which has set as basis for its future work aimed at facilitating open dialogue and discussion on political and security issues of common interest and concern in the Asia-Pacific region. This second ARF meeting was considered a further step in an evolutionary process aimed at enhancing political and security cooperation in the region, including through the promotion of confidence-building measures, development of preventive diplomacy and elaboration of approaches to conflict resolution. 178. They welcomed the progress being made in ASEAN's continuing endeavours to realize the Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality in South East Asia - ZOPFAN. Likewise, they noted with satisfaction the advances made towards the establishment of a nuclear weapon free zone in the region as an essential component of ZOPFAN. 179. The Heads of State or Government emphasized the need to resolve all sovereignty and jurisdictional disputes concerning the South China Sea by peaceful means without resort to force and urged all parties to exercise restraint with a view to creating a positive climate for the eventual resolution of all contentious issues. They expressed concern over recent developments that may lead to a deterioration of peace and stability in the region. In this context the Heads of State or Government supported the principles contained in both the 1992 ASEAN Declaration on the South China Sea and the 1995 ASEAN Statement on the recent development in the South China Sea and stressed the need for the full implementation of such principles by all the parties concerned. They expressed the hope that all concerned will refrain from further actions that may undermine peace, stability, trust and confidence in the region, including possibly undermining the freedom of navigation and aviation in affected areas. They likewise urged the claimants to address the issue in various bilateral and multilateral fora and in this regard, they reiterated the significance of promoting all types of confidence-building measures among all parties. To this end, they welcomed the Indonesian initiative in sponsoring the workshop on managing the potential conflict in the South China Sea and other measures launched by the concerned parties in the region to enhance cooperation and to ensure the peaceful settlement of all outstanding questions. <<Back to Top>> Latin America and the Caribbean Ibero-American Summit 180. The took note of the agreements reached within the framework of the Fifth Ibero-American Summit, held in Bariloche, Argentina. Association of Caribbean States 181. They expressed their satisfaction at the entry into force of the Constitutive Agreement of the Association of Caribbean States, an organization established to promote consultation, coordination and cooperation and concerted action for the sustained cultural, economic, social, scientific and technological development of the States of the region. They recognized that the Declaration of Principles and Plan of Action in Tourism, Trade and Transportation adopted at the Inaugural Summit held in Port of Spain in August 1995 represented an important step towards the achievement of the goals of the Association. Haiti 182. They noted with special satisfaction the return of President Hean-Bertrand Aristide to his country and the reastablishment of democracy in a spirit of national reconciliation. In taking note of the establishment of UNMIH, they emphasized the need for the international community to offer Haiti the technical, economic and financial cooperation that is urgently required for its material reconstruction. They considered that country depends fundamentally upon the rapacity on the international community to contribute to its economic and social development. Cuba 183. The Heads of State or Government called upon the Government of the United States of America to put an end to the economic, commercial and financial measures and actions against Cuba which, in addition to being unilateral and contrary to the United Nations Charter and international law, and to the principle of neighbourliness, cause huge material losses and economic damage. They called upon the United States of America to settle its differences with Cuba through negotiations on the basis of equally and mutual respect, and requested strict compliance with resolutions 47/19, 48/16 and 49/9 of the General Assembly of the United Nations. They expressed deep concern about new legislation presented to the Congress of the United States that would intensify the embargo against Cuba and widen its extraterritorial nature. They also urged the Government of the United States to return the territory now occupied by the Guantanamo Naval base to Cuban sovereignty and to put an end to aggressive radio and TV transmissions against Cuba. Puerto Rico 184. In the context of their commitment to self-determination, the Heads of State or Government, reaffirmed the inalienable right of the Puerto Rican people to self-determination and independence in conformity with Resolution 1514 (XV) of the UNGA. <<Back to Top>> 185. The Heads of State or Government took note of the important progress made by the peoples and governments of Central American countries toward the implementation of the commitment undertaken by the Central American president under the :Procedures for the Establishment of a Firm and Lasting Peace in Central America", approved in Esquipulas II, Guatemala (1987), and the subsequent Summit meetings. 186. They recognized that there can be not peace in Central America without sustainable development or democracy, which are fundamental objectives for the fulfilment of the aspiration of the Central American Countries so that Central America could constitute itself in a region of peace, liberty, democracy and sustainable development. They called upon the international community to continue supporting these efforts with a view to consolidating peace and the strategy of sustainable development in the Central American region. 187. They welcomed the efforts of the Central American countries in promoting economic growth in the framework of human development, as well as for the progress achieved in strengthening the Central American system of integration and called upon the international community for their continued support. El Salvador 188. The Heads of State or Government recognized with satisfaction the ongoing evolution of El Salvador from a country riven by conflict into a democratic and peaceful nation. They also welcomed the continued commitment of the government and people of El Salvador to the consolidation of the peace process. 189. They further expressed their support to General Assembly resolution 49/21 J "Assistance for the reconstruction and development of El Salvador", whereby all States, and international financial and development institutions are requested to continue to contribute to the consolidation of peace in El Salvador, urging them to respond swiftly and generously to the joint efforts by the signatories of the peace accord, to put together the resources needed to fully implement said accords, and other priority development programmes conducive to the establishment of a strong and lasting peace in El Salvador. Guatemala 190. They took note with satisfaction of the latest agreements reached between the Government of Guatemala and the Guatemalan National Revolutionary Union (URNG), and expressed the hope that the final Peace Agreement will be signed during the current year. They stressed their appreciation for the valuable contribution of the United Nations to the peace process in Guatemala. 191. They expressed the hope that Guatemala and Belize will resume and successfully conclude their negotiations at the earliest, in order to find a definitive settlement to the dispute. Nicaragua 192. The Heads of State or Government took note of the efforts made by the Government of Nicarague to promote a broad national reconciliation as the best means to consolidate peace, national reconciliation, democracy and sustainable development with social justice. They also expressed their support to the General Assembly Resolution 49/16, of November 17, 1994, "International Assistance for the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Nicarague : Aftermath of the War and Natural Disasters", where the exceptional circumstances faced by Nicarague have been acknowledged. 193. They further noted the advances of the Government of Nicarague in promoting in a sustained manner its economic reactivation, social investment and development programs and to this end they called for the support of financial organizations and the international community. <<Back to Top>> Panama 194. They noted with satisfaction the significant progress made in the implementation of the 1977 Panama Canal Treaty and the Treaty concerning the Permanent Neutrality and Operation of the Panama Canal, known as the Torrijos-Carter Treaties, between the Republic of Panama and the United States of America. These treaties assure the effective exercise of the jurisdiction and sovereignty of Panama over its entire territory, and will culminate in the full transfer to Panama of the Canal and its installations at noon on 31 December 1999, through a smooth transition process currently undertaken by both countries. 195. The Heads of State or Government recognized the importance of access to the Canal for world trade and shipping, as well as the adequate management of its water basin. They made a fervent call upon States to consider their adherence to the Protocol to the Treaty which declares the permanent neutrality of the interoceanic way. 196. They expressed their solidarity with the plans of the Government of Panama to hold a Universal Congress on the Panama Canal in September 1997, with the participation of governments, international organizations, public and private academic institutions, maritime users and international transport companies to jointly examine the role of the Panama Canal in the 21st century, on the basis of the full respect for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and under control of the Republic of Panama, and urged the specialized organisms and other organizations and programs of the United Nations system to collaborate with the Government of Panama in this objective. Guyana-Venezuele Controversy 197. The Heads of State or Government noted the continuation of the Guyana-Venezuela controversy. They also noted the state of relations between the countries and expressed their satisfaction at the progress being made to reach a peaceful solution, through the good offices of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and his special representative. They reaffirmed the need for the parties to continue the process of dialogue with a view to finding a final settlement, based on the establishment principles of international law and the Geneva Agreement of 1966.
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