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Press Conference Statement of Yasir Arafat Clarifying His Speech Before the UN General Assembly
Press Conference Statement
Yasir Arafat
Geneva, 14 December 1988
Let me highlight my views before you.
Our desire for peace is a strategy and not an interim tactic. We are bent to peace come what may.
Our statehood provides salvation to the Palestinians and peace to both Palestinians and Israelis.
Self-determination means survival for the Palestinians. And our survival does not destroy the survival of the Israelis as their rulers claim. Yesterday in my speech[1], I made a reference to the United Nations Resolution 181 (on the partition of Palestine) as the basis for Palestinian independence. I also made a reference to our acceptance of Resolutions 242 and 338 as the basis for negotiations with Israel within the framework of an international conference. These three resolutions were endorsed at our Palestinian National Council session in Algiers.
In my speech also yesterday, it was clear that we mean our people's right to freedom and national independence according to Resolution 181 and the right of all parties concerned in the Middle East conflict to exist in peace and security and as I have mentioned including the state of Palestine and Israel and other neighbors according to the Resolutions 242 and 338.
As for terrorism, I announced it yesterday in no uncertain terms, and yet, I repeat for the record that we totally and absolutely renounce all forms of terrorism, including individual, group and state terrorism.
Between Geneva and Algiers we have made our position crystal clear. Any more talk such as “the Palestinians should give more” – you remember this slogan? – or “it is not enough”, or “the Palestinians are engaging in propaganda games and public relations exercises”, will be damaging and counterproductive.
Enough is enough. Enough is enough. Enough is enough. All remaining matters should be discussed around the table and within the international conference.
Let it be absolutely clear that neither Arafat nor any (one else) for that matter can stop the intifada, the uprising, The intifada will come to an end only when practical and tangible steps have been taken towards the achievement of our national aims and the establishment of our independent Palestinian state.
In this context I expect the EEC (the European Economic Community) to play a more effective role in promoting peace in our region. They have political responsibility, they have moral responsibility and they can deal with it.
Finally, I declare before you and I ask you to kindly quote me on that: We want peace. We want peace. We are committed to peace. We want to live in our Palestinian state and let live. Thank you.
Source: Journal of Palestine Studies, vol. xviii, n° 3, Spring 1989.
[1] Yasir Arafat’s speech before the 43rd Session of the UN General Assembly, Geneva, 13 December 1988.