Statement by the Representative of Cyprus
Ambassador Constantine Moushoutas
at the Plenary Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly
on Agenda Item 36:
Bethlehem 2000
November 8, 2000
Mr. President,
This is our third participation in the General Debate of the item
“Bethlehem 2000”.
As we have stated before, we consider the inscription of this item in the
agenda of the General Assembly and the commemoration of this historic event a
most opportune and useful step from the historic and religious point of view. We
commend again the UN Committee on Palestinian Rights for having promoted the
idea and for inscribing the item in Plenary.
Bethlehem, Palestine is geographically very close to Cyprus and even
closer spiritually. Situated as we are in the crossroads of the Mediterranean we
have participated in the programmed millennium events, which we view also as
part of our contribution to the peace process.
The dignified celebrations of the birth of Jesus, the Christmas Market in
the City of Nativity, the Festivals, concerts and street parades were attended
by thousands of people from many countries and by a number of Heads of State and
Government. His Holiness Pope Paul II and other spiritual leaders, including our
own Patriarch Bartholomew, contributed to the spirituality and universality of
the project aiming at the bolstering of the understanding among the different
cultures and religions. It is our ardent wish that the spirituality which
prevailed only a few weeks ago may guide our endeavours to peace and to the
solution of problems during these critical times.
We had welcomed the peace process and the progress achieved in the Middle
East and deeply regret the very recent bloodshed and loss of life. We are
pleased to hear that the peace process may start again and we hope that it will
produce positive results. To this end, no effort should be spared in the
direction of a just and viable solution, based on the United Nations
resolutions. Cyprus is directly affected by any development in the region,
whether it is conflict or peace. We live with the vision of a free and peaceful
island, without occupation troops and barbed wires, hoping that a success in our
area will have its beneficial effect on us also.
The very recent tragic events of violence must not be allowed to push the
peace process off track. We agree with the Security Council call on the parties
for the end to the violence and for the immediate resumption of negotiations
within the Middle East process. We deplore the use of force and the resultant
loss of life. In light of these sad developments special care must be taken for
the security of the thousands of expected tourists and visitors in Bethlehem.
Their free and safe movement and unhindered access to the holy places of the
city must continue and the security and safety of the faithful of all religions
must be of primary concern. The holy land, as we said before, must be just that:
Holy. A place of harmony, peace and hope.
Bethlehem 2000 is undoubtedly an enormous world undertaking seeking to
restore the religious and historical sites of the city, which have been
negatively affected by years of conflict. We reiterate, therefore, our support
to these historic events and commend the Palestinian authorities, the UNDP,
UNESCO and other UN organizations, as well as the donor countries for doing what
needs to be done for the final success of this global undertaking.
Thank you, Mr. President.
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