JAN 27 US STATEMENT AT UNSC BRIEFING ON GAZA

UNCLAS STATE 007040

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: UNSC PREL PHUM IS KPAL
SUBJECT: JAN 27 US STATEMENT AT UNSC BRIEFING ON GAZA


1. (U)This is an action message. USUN is authorized to draw
from points in para 2 below following the UNSC Briefing by
USG/ECR John Holmes on the Humanitarian Situation in Gaza.


2. (U) I thank Under-Secretary General Holmes and
Commissioner-General AbuZayd for their recent trip and for
their insightful briefing on the current humanitarian
situation in Gaza.

The United States welcomes the cease-fire in Gaza and deeply
appreciates the efforts of international and regional
partners, in particular the important role of the Government
of Egypt.
The United States looks forward to Egypt?s continued efforts
towards a broader peace through a commitment to end smuggling
from within its borders.

The United States wishes to express its profound appreciation
to the UN agencies, including the UN Relief and Works Agency
for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA),and other
international and non-governmental organizations for their
tireless dedication in providing critical humanitarian
assistance under extremely difficult circumstances. Your
efforts to rescue the wounded, to provide shelter for the
displaced, and to distribute food to the hungry mitigated the
human toll of this conflict. The United States recognizes
those efforts came at the high cost of the lives of nine UN
staff and contractors and I want to express our deepest
condolences.

First and foremost, the United States remains extremely
concerned about the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The
relief, recovery, and reconstruction needs remain great
and will require the attention and action of all in the
international community to provide the needed assistance
to the people of Gaza. The regular and controlled flow of
assistance and humanitarian staff into Gaza will be an
important part of addressing the enormous humanitarian
needs of Gazans.

In addition to the almost $600 million the United States
provided in assistance to Palestinians in 2008, including
$185 million for UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine
Refugees in the Near East operations, we provided $85
million to UNRWA in late December to support UNRWA?s 2009
General Fund, West Bank and Gaza Emergency Appeals, and
the Gaza Flash Appeal. These funds helped provide food
and shelter to those affected by the violence.

Through the U.S. Agency for International Development and
its implementing partners on the ground in Gaza, the
United States has also provided nearly $4 million for the
procurement and delivery of food, medicine and other
essential items for Gazans.

We urge all parties to work together, in coordination with
President Abbas and the Palestinian Authority, to support
international and non-governmental organizations undertaking
the large and important task of providing humanitarian
assistance and financial support in the wake of this conflict.
The United State plans to fully support the planned
international donor?s conference to seek short-term
humanitarian assistance and long-term reconstruction for the
Palestinian economy. This
assistance will be provided to and guided by the Palestinian
Authority. We urge the international community to support
this effort.

We urge all parties to ensure the secure and continuous
provision of humanitarian supplies to civilians in Gaza,
including allowing an increased volume of humanitarian
goods through all border crossings.

We are deeply concerned by the loss of life over the past
month and the pressing humanitarian needs in Gaza. We
must extend a hand of opportunity to those who seek
peace. As part of a lasting cease-fire, Gaza?s border
crossings should be open to allow the flow of aid and
commerce, with an appropriate monitoring regime, with the
international community and Palestinian Authority
participating.

Securing lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians
is a critical priority for the United States. It is for
this reason that, President Obama and Secretary Clinton
last week appointed Senator George Mitchell as special
envoy for Middle East peace. Senator Mitchell is recognized by
the country and international community for his commitment and
ability to find peaceful solutions to conflict as demonstrated
by his efforts to bring peace in Northern Ireland. Senator
Mitchell understands the full scope of challenges we face on
this arduous road towards a peaceful reconciliation.

As President Obama said last week, this administration is
committed to actively and aggressively seeking a lasting
peace between Israel and the Palestinians, as well as
Israel and its Arab neighbors. A long-term resolution of
the situation in Gaza will require the restoration of
legitimate Palestinian Authority control and ultimately a
resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In this
regard, we call for renewed efforts to realize the two-state
solution and establish an independent and viable Palestinian
state in
the West Bank and Gaza, consistent with UN Security
Council Resolution 1850. Lasting peace can only be based
on an enduring commitment to mutual recognition, freedom
from violence, incitement, and terror.
CLINTON