Speech at Palestinian Legislative Council

 

 

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Speaker, Fellow legislators,

Distinguished guests,

Here I stand today, proudly, addressing your Council.

Many Norwegians feel close to the Middle East peace endeavours. The average Norwegian takes a considerable interest in following what is happening here.

A genuine and close friendship has developed between the Norwegian and Palestinian people. It is an honour for me to be the first Prime Minister of Norway to make an official visit here.

The history of our co-operation towards a permanent and lasting peace settlement with Israel, is well known. As a result I believe there are more people recognising the name Oslo, then the name of my country in which Oslo actually is the capital.

Building democratic institutions on a national and local level from a state of year-long occupation is a considerable undertaking. Yet, the long-term prospects for any people are in my view directly linked to the basic institutions of society and government.

A mutually acceptable conclusion to the negotiations will provide the political framework, but your work in this Council will provide the political foundation for the future of Palestinian society.

I follow your work with great interest. We are mindful of the responsibility that you bear.

We appreciate the difficulties facing new governing structures.

We also know that your situation is highly unusual: You are building the basic institutions of government. At the same time fundamental questions about the Palestinian future await the outcome of the permanent status negotiations between your leadership and that of Israel.

According to the Oslo II agreement local Palestinian elections should be held before the end of the interim period. Norway remains strongly supportive to the strengthening of a local Palestinian Democracy. We are ready to discuss with the Palestinian Authority how Norway best can facilitate local elections in terms of technical assistance.

We understand that many of your constituents - the people who elected you to represent them in this Council - feel that the peace process has not lived up to their expectations. For any people yearning for a better future, change can never come fast enough. We had all hoped for greater progress by this point.

But as an outsider I hope that you will allow me to see the glass as half full rather than half empty. Compared to the political situation prior to the Oslo accords, there are some remarkable developments: Mutual recognition between the PLO and the Government of Israel, the establishment of a Palestinian Authority, Palestinian elections and an increasingly strong Palestinian voice in the International Community.

These achievements represents tremendous progress in a relatively short time.

Let me share with you some thoughts on the international committee that helps co-ordinate donor support for Palestinian social and economic development assistance.

40 donor countries and international organisations have since 1993 provided USD 2, 5 billion in development assistance with another billion dollars in projects still being implemented. In the coming five years, more than USD 3 billion in additional assistance will be provided.

The renewal of donor support that we witnessed on November

30 of last year was one of the clearest signs that the international community stands by the peace process. The international community will continue to provide both the political and economic assistance that is required for the peace process to succeed.

Norway has assisted the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian people in the areas of energy, water, physical planning, education, institution building and the provision of credit to small businesses.

Still there is a long way to go. We are well aware that more needs to be done, in both the political and economic development tracks of the peace process. We are particularly concerned to see lags in the full implementation of signed agreements.

Closure and movement restrictions affecting the Palestinian economy give particular cause for concern. It is the long-standing view of Norway that in hampering socio-economic development for Palestinians, such restrictions also hamper the prospects for peace. We have urged the Government of Israel to seek ways to address its legitimate and real security concerns in ways that will not adversely affect the economic security of Palestinians.

We have also urged the Palestinian Authority to take steps that would bring greater transparency to public expenditure management.

The Palestinian Council has, in our view, played a catalytic role in bringing attention to these matters.

The role of the Council is an important demonstration of the growing maturity of your political institutions.

We are, however, convinced that only a mutually acceptable political solution can provide the basis for sustainable Palestinian development. This is why we advise against unilateral actions. The principle of holding negotiations in phases was a central element in the Oslo Accords that both parties agreed would facilitate the peace process. Unilateral acts linked to permanent status issues undermine this principle and, in so doing, is putting the permanent status talks at risk.

Clearly, for the Palestinian side, Israeli confiscation of land from Palestinians and expansion of settlements constitute such unilateral actions. It is the position of my Government that such land confiscation and expansion of settlements should have been stopped long ago and we urge the Government of Israel accordingly.

You should be the full masters of your own fate and your own land. Yet, we fear that a declaration of statehood in the current situation will serve the enemies of peace on both sides. However,I hope that the day will come when the Palestinian Council is playing a core role as the guardian of a democratic Palestinian state. You have a great responsibility – preparations for a state governed by the rule of law cannot wait until tomorrow or next year, but must be laid here and today.

Last year marked the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Norway gives high priority to human rights issues, and I know that Palestinians for decades have been suffering from violations of basic Human Rights. In my discussions with Israeli leaders yesterday I made it clear that Norway expect Israel to live up to her commitments concerning the respect for human rights, within Israel and when it comes to Palestinians living in the occupied territories.

We expect also the Palestinian Authority to come to grips with the human rights abuses which are taking place in the self-ruled areas.

Detention and imprisonment without due process is unacceptable. We are still alarmed by the reported ill-treatment and use of torture by the Palestinian Police Force and in Palestinian prisons. It is difficult for the international community to continue with its considerable support if the Palestinian Authority’s determination to respect the rule of law is put into question.

In closing, I thank you for receiving me. On Sunday I had the privilege of visiting Bethlehem and Gaza, the twin Palestinian symbols of hope and determination. I am deeply moved by both of these qualities which I have frequently encountered throughout my visit.

Thank you.