Statement by

H.E. Dr. M. Javad Zarif

Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Before the Security Council on the

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New York, 6 October 2003

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In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

Mr. President,

I wish to start by congratulating you for assuming the presidency of the Security Council this month. I also extend my appreciation to the British Ambassador for the excellent way he conducted the work of the Council in the month of September. I should also to thank you for convening this urgent meeting of the Council.

Mr. President,

The Israeli violation of Lebanese airspace and attack against a civilian center in Syria, wounding several individuals and causing destruction, is a further wanton act in the course of incessant Israeli aggressions against Arab countries and the Palestinian people. It clearly represent the persistence of Israeli policy of State terrorism; a policy which must be vigorously condemned. No justification or pretext can be accepted for a policy of reckless recourse to armed aggression in contravention of the Charter of the United Nations and the most fundamental principles of international law.

This aggression represents a serious escalation at a time when tension runs high in the region. The raid further deteriorates the situation and threatens to broaden the scope of violence. It is in line with the policy of escalation that the Israeli regime has pursued all along with a view to holding on to the Palestinian and Arab land it continues to occupy for decades. This is nothing but playing with fire in a region already scarred with decades of Israeli aggression and occupation.

My delegation, Mr. President, rejects the baseless fabrications against my country presented in this Council today. It is evident that no amount of slander, deception or smear campaign by Israel can cloud the obvious fact: that the Sharon regime has engaged in a systematic campaign of provocation and escalation, from desecration of holy places to targeted murder of Palestinian leaders, solely in order to obliterate any prospect for peace.

However, this new adventure is all the more ominous, because it clearly indicates the fact that the Israeli regime, in maneuvering to continue its policy of occupation through provocation and escalation, is running out of options. It is attacking Arab countries in the belief that this will enable it to get out of the impasse it has mired itself in. This new course of actions, if unchecked, is designed to drag the entire region into a downward spiral of violence.

Mr. President,

The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has already condemned this act of aggression and expressed its full solidarity with the Government and people of Syria and Lebanon.

Mr. President,

We call on the international community, represented by this body, to impose restraints on the Israeli regime whose actions are a threat to peace and stability in the Middle East. It is very unfortunate and alarming that the Security Council, which bears primary responsibility for maintenance of peace and security, has been prevented from shouldering its responsibility with regard to the crisis in the Middle East. There is no doubt that Israeli impunity emboldens them to perpetrate their policy of aggression and occupation. Thus, we urge the Council to take a decisive action this time on this new alarming act of aggression by Israel. This is especially necessary in the light of further threats by Israel to launch more attacks on Syria

Than you Mr. President