New Zealand Parliamentary Debate

Ministerial Statements [4401]

WEDNESDAY, 26 JULY 2006

Madam Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m. Prayers.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

Lebanon-Israeli Bombing of United Nations Post

Rt Hon HELEN CLARK( Prime Minister):

Under Standing Order 348 I propose to make a ministerial statement. The New Zealand Government deplores the Israeli bombing of the United Nations post in Khiam, southern Lebanon, that killed four United Nations peacekeeping personnel earlier today. Other United Nations personnel have been wounded in earlier attacks by both sides. The Government is deeply shocked that neutral United Nations posts have been caught up in the violence in southern Lebanon. We are instructing the New Zealand Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, Rosemary Banks, to discuss urgently with the United Nations the ongoing status and safety of its missions in Lebanon.

The United Nations Truce Supervisory Organization( UNTSO) has staff in Lebanon, and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon( UNIFIL), is based there. New Zealand has New Zealand Defence Force personnel serving with the United Nations Truce Supervisory Organisation, including two who are in Lebanon as military observers. In addition, a third New Zealander is a UN contractor working on de-mining operations in Lebanon. New Zealander Major General Clive Lilley heads the United Nations Truce Supervisory Organization and is based in Jerusalem.

In respect of today's bombing of the UNIFIL post in Khiam, New Zealand joins the Secretary-General of the United Nations in calling on the Government of Israel to conduct a full investigation into this very disturbing incident, and demands that any further attack on UN positions and personnel must stop. New Zealand will be conveying its concerns at this attack to Israel. New Zealand has consistently and strongly urged all sides to pull back from violence, observe international law, and allow international facilitators and mediators a chance to put a peace process together. We reiterate that call today. Just as Hezbollah is urged to stop its attacks, so must Israel cease the disproportionate violence that is striking civilians, infrastructure, and United Nations personnel and posts.

There should be an immediate ceasefire, but in the absence of that we call on both sides to cease attacks in the vicinity of civilians and UN posts and personnel. A ceasefire in Lebanon and resolution of the immediate causes of the conflict must be followed by negotiations for a comprehensive peace in the region, if such crises are to be avoided in the future.

Dr DON BRASH( Leader of the Opposition):

The National Party also deeply regrets the loss of four United Nations peacekeepers in the strike in Lebanon. More generally we deeply regret the loss of innocent lives on both sides of the Israeli- Lebanese border. Tragically, there appears little prospect of lasting peace in the Middle East until all parties recognise the right of Israel to exist. In the meantime we certainly share the Government's desire that there be a ceasefire as soon as possible, so that diplomacy can take over where warfare clearly is having such frequently disastrous results.

KEITH LOCKE( Green):

The Green Party also endorses the Prime Minister's condemnation of the bombing by Israeli planes of the UN post in Lebanon. I am sure there will be international condemnation of that action.