Resolution No. 20 /25-P 

on Developments taking place in the world, especially in Eastern and Central Europe and their impact on the Islamic world.

Resolutions 21-40

REPORT OF THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE FOR POLITICAL, MUSLIM MINORITIES AND COMMUNITIES, LEGAL AND INFORMATION AFFAIRS

OF THE TWENTY-FIFTH  SESSION OF THE ISLAMIC CONFERENCE OF FOREIGN MINISTERS

(SESSION  FOR  A  BETTER  FUTURE FOR THE PEOPLES OF THE ISLAMIC UMMAH)

DOHA - STATE OF QATAR

17-19 DHUL QUIDA 1418H , (15-17 MARCH 1998)

1.    The Political Affairs Committee of the Twenty-fifth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session for a better future for the Peoples of the Islamic Ummah) met in the city of Doha, the capital of the State of Qatar from 17-18 Dhul Quida 1418H (15-16 March 1998).

2.    The meeting was chaired by Ambassador Saif Moqaddam Al-Bo Einain, Head of the delegation of Qatar to the Committee.

3.    The bureau of the Political Affairs Committee was formed as follows:

Burkina Faso, People’s Republic of Bangladesh

and State of Palestine:    Vice Chairmen.

Republic of Indonesia:    Rapporteur.

4.    The OIC delegation to the Committee was headed by H.E. Ambassador Ibrahim Bakr, Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs.

5.    The Committee examined draft resolutions under the item of the Question of Palestine and the Arab Israeli conflict as well as draft resolutions on the other Political, Muslim Minorities and Communities, Legal and Information Affairs submitted by the Senior Officials’ Meeting held in Jeddah on 13-14 Shawal 1418H (10-11 February 1998) and referred to it by the Plenary Session.

6.    The Committee approved sixty draft resolutions in their final form. The draft resolutions are attached to this report and submitted to the Plenary Session for consideration and adoption. The General Secretariat has taken note of the reservations made by a number of delegations on a number of draft resolutions.

7.    The Committee adopted the text of the draft resolution on UN Reform and the Expansion of the Security Council that was adopted by the Eighth

Islamic Summit Conference. It stressed the need for any modification in this respect to meet the requirements stipulated in article 108 of the UN Charter.

8.    With respect to operative paragraph 2 of draft resolution under ICFM/25-98/PIL/DR.36/Rev.2. The Committee stressed the importance of setting up a Committee of Member States to consider the phenomenon of unilateral imposition of economic sanctions, as decided by the Eighth Session of the Islamic Summit Conference.

9.    The Committee expressed satisfaction to the chair for his flexibility in steering its meetings, his experience and his wisdom.

10.  The Chairman thanked the Committee members for their fruitful cooperation and their earnest discussions marked by the spirit of Islam.

11.  The Political Affairs Committee submits this report to the Plenary Session for consideration and appropriate decision.

    Ambassador Saif Moqaddam Al-Bo Einain

RESOLUTION NO.  1  /25-P

ON THE QUESTION OF PALESTINE AND THE ARAB-ISRAELI CONFLICT

The Twenty-fifth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session for a better future for the Peoples of the Islamic Ummah), held in Doha, State of Qatar from 17-19 Dhul Quida 1418H ( 15-17 March, 1998),

Having considered the Report of the Secretary General on the Question of Palestine and the Arab-Israeli Conflict, contained in Document No. ICFM/25-98/PAL/D.1.

Proceeding from the principles and objectives of the Charter of the Organization of the Islamic Conference;

Pursuant to the resolutions of the Islamic Conferences on the Cause of Palestine and the Arab-Israeli Conflict;

Recalling the resolutions adopted by the United Nations General Assembly and the Security Council, especially Resolutions 242; 338; 465; 476 and 478, and the Resolutions of the Non-Aligned Movement, the Organization of African Unity and the League of Arab States on the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories including  the city of Al-Quds Al-Sharif and the other occupied Arab territories;

Reaffirming the commitment of Islamic States to realizing just and comprehensive peace in the region, and upholding peace as a strategic option;

Expressing its strong condemnation of Israel's  continuing repressive and terrorist measures and practices, its continued policy of colonization, expansion of existing settlements, confiscation of land and properties, mass reprisal against Palestinian and Arab citizens in all occupied Palestinian and Arab territories, its siege of the city of Al-Quds Al-Sharif and the desecration of  Islamic and Christian Holy Shrines;

Condemning the continuous Israeli aggression against Lebanese territories and the civilian population;

Emphasizing that the Israeli policies, practices and expansionist designs, do not only threaten the Arab states and the peace process but also threaten the other Islamic States and endanger international peace and security;

Holding Israel responsible for the halting of the Middle East Peace Process along all tracks as a result of the intransigence of the Israeli government and its evasion of the principles on which the peace process has been built especially Security Council resolutions 242, 338 and 425 as well as the “Land for Peace” formula and its non-compliance with all the agreements concluded in this regard.

Expressing deep concern over the alarming situation resulting from the hindering by Israel  of efforts exerted to reach a just and comprehensive settlement of the Palestine cause and the Arab-Israeli conflict on the basis of  Security Council Resolutions 242, 338 and 425, as well as the principle of "Land for Peace" and the realisation of the national and political legitimate rights of the Palestinian people;

Commending the efforts made by the Palestine Liberation Organization throughout the occupied Palestinian territories, for the development  and reconstruction of what had been destroyed by the Israeli occupation, as well as the efforts exerted by its National Authority for the rehabilitation of the Palestinian national economy and its consolidation, on the way to the establishment of the independent Palestinian State on its national territory,

Determined to support these efforts through all possible means,

1.    Reaffirms all the resolutions of the Islamic Conferences relating to the question of Palestine and the Arab-Israeli Conflict.

2.    Reaffirms also that the Cause of Al Quds Al Sharif and Palestine is the prime cause of Islam and all Muslims, and expresses its full solidarity with the Palestine Liberation Organization in its just struggle for ending Israeli occupation and allowing the return of the Palestinan people to its homeland, enabling it to exercise its full sovereignty over its territories and building the Palestinian national institutions on the land of Palestine, with a view to realizing the imprescriptible and inalienable national rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to return, to self-determination and to the establishment of their independent State on their national soil, with the City of Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

3.    Calls on Member States to further strengthen their solidarity with the Palestinian people, and continue to support their just and legitimate struggle for ending Israeli occupation and achieving all their goals of freedom and independence.

4.    Reaffirms its support for the Middle East Peace Process and the implementation of all the agreements signed in this context among the parties concerned and the commitments made in accordance with the underpinnings of the Madrid Peace Conference, and  in accordance with the UN Charter and the UN resolutions, in particular Security Council Resolutions 242, 338 and  425 and the land-for-peace principle which demand Israel's withdrawal from all the occupied Palestinian and Arab territories including the City of Al-Quds Al-Sharif, realisation of the inalienable national rights of the Palestinian people, complete Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Syrian Golan back to 4th June 1967 borderline, and the occupied Lebanese territory back to internationally recognised borders.

5.    Reaffirms that Al-Quds Al-Sharif forms an integral part of the Palestinian territory occupied in 1967 and whatever is applicable to other occupied Palestinian territories also applies to it, in implementation of the resolutions of the Security Council and the UN General Assembly and calls for combining efforts to restore Al-Quds Al-Sharif to Palestinian sovereignty as the capital of the State of Palestine, so as to ensure peace and security in the region.

6.   Calls on the international community, in particular the Two Sponsors of the Peace Process to pressure Israel into complying with the resolutions of the international legitimacy, and implementing  the UN General Assembly resolution No. 10/2 dated 24.4.1997 and No. ES 10/3, dated 15/7/1997 regarding halting the building of a new settlement at Jebel Abu Ghneim as well as all other settlement activity, including expansion of existing settlements, building ring roads, confiscating land adjacent to settlements, and activities which constitute a violation of international resolutions. It also requests Member States to make efforts to get the UN General Assembly to take necessary steps in accordance with the “United For Peace” resolution in the event Israel fails to comply with the two aforementioned resolutions.

7.         Requests the UN Security Council to revitalize the International Commission on Supervision and Control to prevent colonization in Al-Quds Al-Sharif and the occupied Palestinian and Arab Territories in accordance with its resolution 446.

8.  Urges the international community and all states that extend economic and financial assistance to Israel, in particular the United States of America, and the States of European Union, as well as international donor institutions and funds, to cease assistance which is used by Israel to implement its colonialist and expansionist designs in the occupied Arab territories and the Occupied Syrian Golan.

9.  Rejects all attempts to disregard the obligations of the transitional phase and jump to the negotiations on the final status, and demands the faithful and honest implementation of all the remaining items of the transitional phase agreements concluded between the PLO and Israel.

10.  Affirms that Israel’s disregard for the principles and underpinnings of the peace process, backtracking on the commitments, pledges and agreements made in the framework of this process, procrastination and evasion seriously undermine the peace process and holds the Israeli government responsible for this situation.

11.  Strongly condemns the Israeli crimes and violations which harm the religious sentiments of Muslims and Christians, and which contradict religious, human and moral values.

12.  Urges Islamic States which have begun to take steps towards establishing relations with Israel within the framework of the peace process to reconsider their relationships with Israel, including the closing of missions and offices until Israel abides by the UN resolutions and implement the agreements, obligations and commitments arrived at by the parties to the peace process, in accordance with the principles adopted by the Madrid Conference, the OSLO Accord and the other agreements concluded with the PLO, as well as obligations and commitments arrived at with the Arab parties on all tracks during the peace talks.

13.  Calls for action within UN and all international institutions and fora to compel to release the detainees; return the deportees; halt the methods of mass punishment; cease the confiscation of lands and properties and the demolition of homes; also cease any actions that threaten life and the environment in the occupied Palestinian and Arab territories, including Al-Quds Al-Sharif.

14.  Calls for a more effective UN action to ensure the success of the Middle East peace process, for a reaffirmation of the continued UN responsibility for the cause of Palestine until a just and comprehensive solution to all its aspects is found, a solution that puts an end to Israeli occupation and enables the Palestinian people to exercise their imprescriptible and inalienable national rights, including their right to return to their land, self-determination and the establishment of their independent State on their territory with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

15.  Calls upon  Member States to support the draft resolution submitted by the Arab and other States to the UN General Assembly (52) to enable the Palestinian delegation to fully participate in the activities of the UN and all its subsidiary organs and not to leave room for any attempt to affect in any way whatsoever the representation of Palestine within the UN.

16.  Resolves to support the move aimed at not exempting Israel from the principle that the participation of UN Member States should be in line with internaitonal law, the Charter of the UN and its procedural systems and relevant resolutions. It also supports the necessity of applying this principle to the ratification documents of Israel’s delegations to the UN or any of its organs or branches or international conferences held within its framework as Israel is a State “occupying” Palestinian territories, including Al-Quds and other occupied Arab territories since 1967.

17.  Urges all States and concerned parties to extend their support to the international programme on economic, social and cultural development in the occupied Palestinian territories to avail the Palestinian people of the necessary approved assistance for the reconstruction of its national economy and to back up its national institutions and enable it to establish its independent State with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

18.  Affirms  the need to intensify the efforts being made for holding a meeting of the high contracting parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, regarding the protection of civilians during the time of war, aimed at taking the necessary enforcement measures to ensure the application of this Convention to the occupied Palestinian territories, including Al-Quds Al-Sharif.

19.  Calls for abiding by the provisions of the Islamic Boycott against Israel and to consider the legislation, rules and provisions governing the Boycott "the General Principles of the Boycott, Islamic law, the Internal Regulations and Sessional Meetings of the Regional Offices" as part of the current national legislations, and set up the necessary offices and mechanisms to serve that end.

20.  Strongly condemns Israel's continuing occupation of Southern Lebanon and the Western Biqa'h region, its arbitrary practices and military acts of aggression against the Lebanese citizens and against the Palestinian refugees in their camps in Lebanon; calls upon the UN Security Council to take the necessary measures to put an immediate end to these acts of aggression; calls for the implementation of the Security Council resolution on Lebanon, especially Resolution 425 (1978), Israel's immediate, total and unconditional withdrawal from the Lebanese territory. It affirms its resolve to maintain the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon within its internationally recognized borders.

21.  Strongly condemns the policy of Israel in refusing to comply with Security Council resolution 497 (1981), and in imposing its jurisdiction, its laws and its administration on the occupied Syrian Golan, as well as Israel's policies of annexation, establishment of settlements, expropriation of lands, diversion of water resources and imposition of Israeli nationality on Syrian citizens.  It considers that all those measures are null and void, and constitute a violation of the rules and principles of international law, relating to occupation and war and particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949. It demands the complete withdrawal of Israel from the entire occupied Syrian Golan to the lines of 4 June 1967.

22.  Calls on the international community and the Security Council to compel Israel to comply with U.N. Resolutions, particularly Security Council Resolution 487(1981), to accede to the treaty of Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, to implement General Assembly and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)  resolutions calling for the subjection of all Israeli Atomic facilities to the IAEA Comprehensive Safeguards System, to obtain Israel's renunciation of nuclear armament, and to submit a full report on its capabilities and stockpile of nuclear weapons and ammunition to the Security Council and the International Atomic Energy Agency as those steps are essential for the establishment of a zone free from weapons of mass destruction, and primarily nuclear weapons in the Middle East region, a fundamental factor for the establishment of a just and comprehensive peace in the region.

23.  Reaffirms the continued responsibility of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) to carry on fulfilling the tasks assigned to it for the benefit of all the Palestinian citizens wherever they may be living in accordance with the resolution of the UN General Assembly in this regard, and calls upon the Member States to request the UN Secretary General to see to it that the Conciliation Committee undertakes in collaboration with the Relief Agency and the concerned States the preparation of a comprehensive  inventory of Palestinian refugees and their property and come out with a integrated conception for the settlement of their problems on the basis of their right to return to their homeland Palestine in accordance with the UN Resolution No. 194. It further calls on all states to provide more assistance towards the Agency’s budget so as to enable it continue providing its prescribed services.

24.  Calls for convening an international symposium on the question of Palestinian refugees during 1998, in coordination with the League of Arab States and the State of Palestine, in accordance with the provisions of international law and relevant UN resolutions, particularly Resolution No. 194.

25.  Requests the Secretary General to take necessary measures for continuing and strengthening contacts and coordination on the Question of Palestine and the Arab-Israeli Conflict between the Organization of the Islamic Conference and the League of Arab States, the Organization of African Unity, the Non-Aligned Movement, the European Union, and the United Nations and its Specialized Agencies, and expresses its appreciation for their all supportive stands and assistance for the just struggle of the Palestinian people.

26.  Requests also the Secretary General to follow up the implementation of this resolution and to submit a report thereon to the Twenty-sixth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.

The Twenty-fifth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session for a better future for the Peoples of the Islamic Ummah), held in Doha, State of Qatar from 17-19 Dhul Quida 1418H ( 15-17 March, 1998),

Having considered the item titled "The Occupied Syrian Golan" and Israel's decision of 14 December 1981 to impose its laws, jurisdiction and administration on the Occupied Syrian Golan;

Having reviewed the repressive measures to which the Syrian citizens in the occupied Syrian Golan are being subjected and Israel's continued attempts to force them to accept Israeli identity;

Recalling the relevant resolutions of previous Islamic Conferences, the latest being Resolution 3/8-P (IS) of the Eighth Session of the Islamic Summit Conference inTehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.

Recalling also Security Council Resolution 497  dated 17.12.1981 and the relevant UN General Assembly Resolutions, the latest of which are resolutions 52-54  adopted by the Fifty-second Session dated 9/12/1997;

Observing that Israel, in contravention of Article 25 of the United Nations Charter, has refused to accept and implement the numerous relevant resolutions adopted by the Security Council, in particular resolution 497 (1981); which considered null and void and with no legal basis Israel’s decision to annex the occupied Syrian Golan;

Deeply concerned at Israel’s persistent attempts to defy  the international community and its reaffirmation of the annexation decisions though they were considered null and void by the international community;

Affirming that the Geneva Convention on the Protection of Civilians in time of War (dated 12 August 1949) applies to the occupied Syrian Golan and that setting up settlements and bringing settlers to this area constitutes a violation of this Convention and of the Madrid Conference and an obstacle to the peace process;

Affirming the basic principle of the inadmissibility of  acquisition of territories by force;

Concerned at the fact that Israel has not withdrawn from the occupied Syrian Golan which it occupies since 1967 contrary to the relevant resolutions of the Security Council, the UN General Assembly as well as the international law.

Expressing concern over Israel's disavowal of the Peace Process which was launched by the Madrid Conference on the basis of the UN Security Council resolutions 242, 338 and 425, as well as peace-for-land formula and over the risk resulting from Israel's renunciation of the commitments and obligations reached;

1.    Lauds the steadfastness of the Syrian Arab citizens in the Syrian Golan against the occupation and their valiant resistance to Israel's repressive measures and against the continued attempts to weaken their attachment to their land and to their Syrian Arab identity, and declares  its support for this resistance.

2.    Strongly condemns Israel for its non-compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 497 (1981) and reaffirms that Israel's decision to impose its laws, jurisdiction and administration on the Occupied Syrian  Golan is illegal, null and void and has no legal validity whatsoever and that it constitutes a flagrant violation of the OIC Charter and relevant resolutions, the UN Charter and relevant resolutions,  the Geneva convention on the protection of civilians in time of war dated 12 August 1949 and relevant provisions of the Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907, and the principles of international law in particular the inadmissibility of acquisition of territory by force.

3.    Strongly condemns Israel for its persistence in changing the legal status, demographic composition and institutional structure of the Occupied Syrian Golan, and for its policy and practices of confiscating lands, appropriating water resources, establishing and expanding settlements and transferring settlers and immigrants thereto, exploiting its natural resources and establishing projects on it, and imposing an economic boycott of the agricultural products of the local population and prohibiting their exportation.

4.    Strongly condemns Israel's attempts to impose Israeli nationality and identity cards on the Syrian Arab citizens, as these measures constitute a flagrant violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Geneva Convention on the Protection of Civilians in Time of War of 1949 and the relevant resolutions of the UN General Assembly and other international bodies.

5.    Condemns Israeli threats against Syria aiming at increasing tension in the region and wrecking the peace process.

6.    Reaffirms that Israel’s continued occupation of the Syrian Golan since 1967 and its annexation of it on 14 December 1981 constitute a permanent threat to peace and security in the region.

7.    Demands that Israel fully withdraw from all the occupied Syrian Golan to the lines of the Fourth of June 1967 in implementation of relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council.

8.    Demands that Israel fully comply with the fundamental principles of the peace process as initiated in Madrid  consistent with Security Council resolutions Nos. 242,338 and 425 and the principle of “land for peace” and to abide by all the commitments, and pledges reached so far.

9.   Calls upon all states to stop providing Israel with any military, economic and financial, technical and humanitarian assistance that may extend Israeli occupation of Arab territories and encourage Israel to pursue its expansionist settlement policy.

10.  Calls upon the sponsors of the peace process and the international community to assume their responsibilities and compel Israel to implement the resolutions of international legality calling for total Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Syrian Golan and the other occupied Arab territories to the lines of 4 June 1967 in order to achieve a just and comprehensive peace in the region.

11.  Declares its support for the firm position of Syria in its commitment to a just and comprehensive peace in the region.

12.  Requests the Secretary General to follow up the implementation of this resolution, and to submit a report thereon to the Twenty-sixth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.

RESOLUTION No. 4 /25-P

ON  THE OCCUPATION  OF  LEBANESE  TERRITORY BY  ISRAEL  AND CONTINUED DETENTION OF  LEBANESE  NATIONALS  IN  ITS PRISONS  AND  DETENTION  CAMPS

The Twenty-fifth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session for a better future for the Peoples of the Islamic Ummah), held in Doha, State of Qatar from 17-19 Dhul Quida 1418H ( 15-17 March, 1998),

Recalling the Resolutions adopted by the Organization of the Islamic Conference on the solidarity with the Lebanon to end the Israeli occupation of its territories in the South and in the Western Bikaa;

Recalling also the resolutions of the Human Rights Commission in Geneva on the suffering of Lebanese citizens under Israeli occupation in Southern Lebanon, Western Bikaa as well as in Israeli prisons and detention camps administered by its forces;

Noting that the continued Israeli occupation of parts of Southern Lebanon and the Western Bikaa constitutes a flagrant violation of the provisions of the international law and persistence in disregarding Security Council Resolution No.425 (1978);

Being concerned over continued Israeli aggression and arbitrary practices in occupied Lebanese territories particularly the kidnapping and detention of innocent citizens and their imprisonment without trials in Israeli prisons and camps controlled by forces belonging to it in flagrant violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 relating to the protection of civilian population in the time of war and the Convention of the Hague of 1907;

Recalling with indignation the brutal Israeli aggression launched against Lebanon, particularly its southern regions and the Western Bikaa during  the month of April 1996 which claimed the lives of hundreds of innocent civilians, and injured thousands and displaced more than half a million citizens from Lebanese cities and villages in the South and the Western Bikaa, and caused heavy casualties in the basic economic facilities and the country's infrastructure as well as its historic archeological landmarks which were targeted by Israeli land, sea and air bombardment in several Lebanese areas;

Recalling the report of the United Nations Secretary General on the brutal massacre perpetrated in Qana by Israel and the latter's full responsibility for the deliberate aggression committed by its troops against civilians;

Confirming Lebanon's right to reparations for human casualties and for the damages resulting from repeated Israeli attacks,

1.    Strongly condemns Israel for its continued occupation of parts of Southern Lebanon and the Lebanese Western Bikaa, and invites the international community, especially the UN and all its organs to endeavour to implement Security Council Resolution No. 425 (1978) which provides for Israel's immediate and unconditional withdrawal from all the occupied Lebanese territories to the internationally recognized boundaries.

2.    Demands the international community to take all necessary measures with Israel so that the latter may immediately release all Lebanese prisoners  and kidnapped individuals from Israeli prisons and those controlled by  forces belonging to it in contravention of the provisions of the international law, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Fourth Geneva Convention (1949) and the Convention of the Hague (1907). It urges OIC Member States to approach the international organizations to take all measures with the Government of Israel, the occupying authority, with the aim of enabling the International Red Cross and other humanitarian organizations to visit the prisoners detained in Al-Khiyann and Marjaioun camps on regular basis to examine their conditions and to ensure medical and humanitarian care for them and to allow-their relatives to visit them regularly.

3.    Strongly condemns  Israel for its continued aggression against Lebanese territories, resulting in casualties among civilians and losses in property. These acts of aggression also lead to the aggravation of political and security conditions in the area.

4.    Demands the international community, the international organizations and the Member States to exert pressure on Israel to pay reparations to Lebanon for the damages resulting from its continued aggression against Lebanese territories, particularly the aggression launched by Israel against Lebanon in April 1996 and to endeavour to halt the arbitrary and inhuman Israeli practices against the defenseless populations in the occupied Southern Lebanese territories, especially in the South and in the Western Bikaa.

5.    Asserts its support and backing for the efforts exerted by the Lebanese State to impose its control and sovereignty over the totality of its territories including the parts occupied by Israel in Southern Lebanon and Western Bikka.

6.    Requests the Secretary General to follow up the implementation of this resolution and to submit a report thereon to the Twenty-sixth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.

RESOLUTION  NO.  5 /25-P

ON AL-QUDS FUND AND ITS WAQF

The Twenty-fifth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session for a better future for the Peoples of the Islamic Ummah), held in Doha, State of Qatar from 17-19 Dhul Quida 1418H ( 15-17 March, 1998),

Proceeding  from the principles and objectives of the Charter of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference;

Referring to all the Islamic Resolutions adopted on Al-Quds Fund and its Waqf;

Reaffirming the principle of consolidating Islamic solidarity with the Palestinian people and their just and legitimate struggle;

Paying tribute to those States, foremost among which is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,  that regularly fulfill their obligations and make donations to Al-Quds Fund and its Waqf;

Appreciating the significance of the vital role played by Al-Quds Fund and its Waqf to support the steadfastness and struggle of the Palestinian people within the occupied Palestinian territories, and particularly the city of Al-Quds Al-Sharif;

Noting with deep concern Israel’s continued pursuit of its aggressive, expansionist and settlement policy;

Commending the positive role played by the Governing Board of Al-Quds Fund in quest of financial resources to promote the Fund and its Waqf,

1.     Reaffirms all previous relevant resolutions adopted by successive Islamic Conferences.

2.     Expresses its profound thanks and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and to the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the continued support to Al-Quds Fund, which falls within the framework of  their consistent solicitude towards the foremost cause of the Islamic Ummah, namely the cause of Al-Quds Al-Sharif and Palestine.

3.  Urges Member States to initiate donation campaigns in favour  of  Al-Quds Fund and its Waqf, together with the appropriate directives to the public and other media to conduct a parallel campaign for this purpose.

4.  Calls upon Member States to continue their support to the Palestine Liberation Organisation, especially at this decisive stage, for the consolidation of its national authority over all occupied Palestinian territories including Al-Quds Al-Sharif, capital of the independent Palestinian State, and to extend all forms  of support to the Palestinian people so they can build their institutions and national economy.

5.     Commends the positive role played by Al-Quds Fund in supporting the steadfastness of the Palestinian people and boosting their struggle.

6.     Requests the Secretary General to follow up the implementation of this resolution and to submit a report thereon to the Twenty-sixth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.

RESOLUTION NO.  6 /25-P

ON THE CURRENT SITUATION OF THE PEACE PROCESS IN THE MIDDLE  EAST

The Twenty-fifth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session for a better future for the Peoples of the Islamic Ummah), held in Doha, State of Qatar from 17-19 Dhul Quida 1418H ( 15-17 March, 1998),

Referring to the declaration on the current situation of the peace process in the Middle East issued by the Twenty-Fourth Islamic Conference of  Foreign Ministers held in Jakarta, Indonesia, from 28 Rajab to 3 Sha’aban 1417H (9-12 December 1996), as well as to the declaration on the question of Palestine and Al-Quds Al-Sharif and the Arab-Israeli conflict issued by the Extraordinary Meeting of the Islamic Summit Conference held in Islamabad, Pakistan, on 13 Dhul Qaada 1417H (23/3/1997), and to the Final Declaration issued by the 16th Session of Al-Quds Committee held in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco, on 17 Dhul Qaada 1417H (27/3/1997), and to resolution 6/8-P (IS), issued by the Eighth Session of the Islamic Summit Conference in Tehran, the capital of the Islamic Republic of Iran, between 9-11 Sha’aban 1418H (9-11 December, 1997);

Having examined the serious and urgent situation entailed by the continued policies of the incumbent Israeli government which are hostile to peace,

1.     Reaffirms its continued solidarity with the Palestinian people for the recovery of its legitimate and inalienable national rights, including its right to return, to self-determination, and to the establishment of its independent state on its national territory with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

2.     Reaffirms its full support to the peace process in the Middle East and its commitment to the foundations and principles of the peace process, and demands that Israel respect and implement the commitments, obligations and agreements reached within the framework of the process in accordance with the principles adopted at the Madrid Conference and consistent with the United Nations Resolutions, in particular Security Council Resolutions No. 242, 338 and 425, and the “land-for-peace” formula which guarantees Israeli withdrawal from all Palestinian territories, including Al-Quds Al-Sharif and the Golan Heights of Syria, to the lines of 4 June 1967, and from occupied Southern Lebanon and the Western Bikaa to the internationally recognized borders.

3.  Calls on the co-sponsors of the peace process and the international community to be wary of the grave dangers resulting from Israel’s pursuance of positions and policies hostile to peace.

4.     Strongly denounces the Israeli government’s policy and practices which are hostile to peace and are designed to undermine the peace process through the continued colonization of Arab and Palestinian territories, including the city of Al-Quds Al Sharif, and also designed to invalidate the foundations and terms of reference of the Madrid Peace Conference, and evade the commitments, pledges and agreements reached in the past five years of peace talks with the Palestinian and other Arab parties.

5.     Expresses  its strong condemnation and anger regarding the threats voiced by Israeli officials for the purpose of reinstating the atmosphere of war in the region and imposing the fait accompli on Arabs and Muslims.

6.  Urges the member states which have started to take steps towards establishing relations with Israel within the framework of the Peace Process to reconsider their relations with Israel, including the closing of missions and offices until Israel complies with the relevant UN resolutions, in particular, the full Israeli withdrawal from all the occupied Arab territories, and safeguards the national legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, and implements the agreements and commitments reached by the parties to the Peace Process.

7.     Requests the Secretary General to follow-up the implementation of this resolution and to submit a report thereon to the Twenty-sixth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.

RESOLUTION  NO. 7 /25-P

ON  THE SITUATION  IN  THE REPUBLIC  OF  BOSNIA  AND  HERZEGOVINA

The Twenty-fifth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session for a better future for the Peoples of the Islamic Ummah), held in Doha, State of Qatar,  from 17 to 19  Dhul Quida, 1418H  (15-17 March, 1998),

Proceeding from the principles and objectives of the Charter of the OIC which emphasize the commitment of the Islamic Ummah to the consolidation of international peace and security;

Bearing in mind the obligation of all States to act in conformity with the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter;

Reaffirming all OIC resolutions and declarations relating to the just struggle of the Bosnian people for peace, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in particular the Sarajevo Declaration of Friendship and Partnership adopted by the Enlarged Ministerial Meeting of the OIC Contact Group on Bosnia and Herzegovina on 10 April, 1996; and also the Declaration on Bosnia adopted by the Ministerial Meeting of OIC Contact Group on Bosnia-Herzegovina, held in Tehran on 6 December, 1997,

1.    Takes note of the Report of the Secretary General on the situation in the Republic of  Bosnia and Herzegovina (Document No. ICFM/25-98/PIL/D.1).

2.    Reaffirms the commitment of the Member States to preserve the legal continuity, unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of the State of Bosnia and Herzegovina within its internationally recognized borders and fully supports the establishment of a sovereign, democratic, multi-ethnic and multi-cultural State of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

3.    Reiterates the position of the Member States to participate fully in the implementation of all aspects of the Dayton Peace Agreement.

4.     Emphasizes the importance of accelerating the process towards the full, effective, consistent and impartial implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement and urges the international community, particularly the Members of the UN Security Council, the Five Nation Contact Group on Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Peace Implementation Council to support the peaceful and democratic reintegration of the State of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

5.    Underlines the need for strong and continuous political support of  the international community to the effective and decisive implementation of the Action Program of the Peace Implementation Council (PIC) for Bosnia and Herzegovina, adopted at the London Conference of the PIC on 4 and 5 of December 1996, and the Political Declaration of the Steering Board of PIC, held in Sintra on 30 May 1997, to stabilize  peace, taking into account the resolutions of the recent meeting of the Peace Implementation Council (PIC), held in Bonn on 9-10 December 1997.

6.  Emphasizes the need for a commitment to speed up the process of the peaceful and democratic reintegration of Bosnia and Herzegovina and to preserve its sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity.

7.  Stresses the vital importance of ensuring freedom of movement of people, goods, services and information throughout the country and the return of refugees and displaced persons to their places of origin under safe and secure conditions, the enforcement of the results of the municipal elections held on 13 and 14 September 1997 and thus promoting the process of reconciliation, democratization and reintegration in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

8.  Emphasizes the need for vigorous action against separatists and calls on the international community to support the viable, effective and continuous functioning of the common institutions for the smooth reintegration of the State of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

9.  Urges the Peace Implementation Council (PIC) to undertake all necessary measures to establish effective  air space and border areas control over all internationally recognized borders of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

10.Also Urges the international community to take concrete measures for the arrest of all indicted war criminals and calls on the UN Security Council to utilize the enforcement procedures under the UN Charter, including those envisaged under Chapter VII, to secure the delivery of these criminals by the authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro).

11. Requests Member States to support the important work of the International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia (ICTY) to thoroughly investigate the crimes against humanity perpetrated by Serbs against the Bosnian people and to provide urgent financial assistance to the Tribunal, particularly to locate mass graves, identify victims of genocide and notify surviving family members.

12.Calls on the Security Council to ensure the compliance of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) and Republika Srpska-entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the Dayton Peace Agreement and  with the rulings of the International War Crimes Tribunal pertaining to Former Yugoslavia in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution No. 1074.

13. Expresses full support for the legal action of the State of Bosnia and Herzegovina against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) in the International Court of Justice for genocide.

14.Reaffirms strong support for Security Council resolution 777 (1992) and General Assembly resolution 47/1 (1992) which provide that the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) should apply as a new member of the United Nations and should not inherit the seat of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia which has ceased to exist.

15.  Reiterates the support of the Member States for the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina with respect to the question of succession of States, particularly the freezing of the assets of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia until the outcome of the succession procedure.

16   Supports all necessary measures to strengthen and render effective the state, economic and social institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, thus helping the country to speed up the reconstruction process and to establish external relations with the rest of the world,  and to solve the debt problems of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

17.  Welcomes the hosting by the Arab Republic of Egypt of the Eighth Meeting of the Assistance Mobilization Group for Bosnia and Herzegovina, in Cairo, on 28-29 March 1998 and calls on the Member States of the Group to actively participate in the meeting.

18.  Urges all countries and multilateral institutions that have pledged resources for the reconstruction of Bosnia and Herzegovina to immediately disburse the funds in order to ensure timely completion of  priority projects including funds for housing to accommodate returning refugees and displaced persons and notes with satisfaction the assistance being extended by the Member States and OIC institutions in providing the financial resources required for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Bosnia and Herzegovina by promoting bilateral programmes of assistance and cooperation as well as through the OIC Assistance Mobilization Group for Bosnia and Herzegovina, and better coordination between OIC institutions and NGOs.

19.  Reaffirms support for the “Equip and Train” programme which will foster long-term regional stability by creating a credible self-defense capability for the Federation.

20.  Emphasizes the importance of complying in good faith with the regional stabilization and arms limitation agreements envisaged by the Dayton Peace Agreement and completed in Vienna and Florence and called upon the international community to ensure full compliance.

21. Welcomes the steps that have been taken towards the mutual recognition of the State of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the other states which used to be part of Former Yugoslavia and Expresses readiness to cooperate with all of them subject to their full and effective recognition and respect of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the State of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

22.  Invites the international community and Member States to support the legitimate struggle of the Bosnian Muslim people of Sandjak for their national and civil rights.

23.  Requests the Secretary General to follow-up the implementation of this resolution and submit a report thereon to the Twenty-sixth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.

RESOLUTION  NO. 8/ 25 -P

ACTION PROGRAMME ON BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

The Twenty Fifth session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers  (Session for a better futre for the Peoples of the Islamic Ummah ) held in Doha, State of Qatar,  from 17 to 19 Dhul Quida 1418H (15 - 17 March 1998),

Bearing in mind the Resolution on the Situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina (7/8-P (IS)  of the Eighth Session of the Islamic Summit Conference held in Tehran  from  9 to 11 December1997, the Special Declaration on Current Situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina by the Ministerial Meeting of the OIC Contact Group on Bosnia and Herzegovina, held in Tehran on the 7^th of December 1997, The Declaration on Friendship and Partnership, adopted by the Enlarged Ministerial  Meeting of the OIC Contact Group,  held in Sarajevo, on the 10th April 1996, as well as relevant OIC resolutions relating to Bosnia and Herzegovina ;

Proceeding from the principles and  objectives of the Charter of the OIC which emphasize the commitment of the Islamic Ummah  to consolidation of international peace and security ;

Bearing in mind the obligations of all states to act in conformity with the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter ;

Reaffirming the commitment of the OIC Member States to preserve the internationally recognized legal  continuity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, its sovereignty and territorial integrity, its international  personality as the State with two multiethnic entities, and fully supporting its peaceful and democratic reintegration as a sovereign democratic, multiethnic and civic state ;

Reiterating the position of the OIC Member States to participate fully in the implementation of the spirit and of all the provisions of the  Dayton peace Agreement;

Emphasizing  the crucial  importance of the  acceleration the process of the full effective, consistent, impartial an legally founded implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement;

Underlining the need for the uncompromised and impartial implementation of the decisions and programmes of the Peace Implementation Council, adopted in London, 4 and 5 December 1996, in Bonn, 9-11 December 1997 and the Political Declaration of the Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council, held in Sintra, Portugal, 30^th of May 1997, in order to stabilize the peace and speed-up the process of implementation of the civilian part of the Peace Agreement, preventing the derailing of the whole process by the internal factors of obstructions;

Aware of the massive destruction of infrastructure and production capacities, enormous human losses, hundreds of thousands of refugees and displaced persons, unprecedented destruction and devastation of cultural and religions objects, serious social problems and the consequences on the social and political life, as well as peace and security in Bosnia and Herzegovina;

Fully aware of the considerable efforts made by the international community, including the OIC Member countries in the implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement,  express the concern over the potential of putting in jeopardy the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a civic democratic and multiethnic, multicultural and multireligious state;

Reconfirming the concrete support of the OIC Member Countries and the OIC institutions through the Peace Implementation Council and pledges through the International Programme for the Reconstruction, through bilateral assistance and cooperation and, particularly, through the OIC Assistance Mobilisation Group for Bosnia and Herzegovina;

Proceeding from the spirit of the Sarajevo Declaration of the Friendship and Partnership of the Enlarged Ministerial Meeting of the OIC Contact Group on Bosnia and Herzegovina, held in Sarajevo on the 10^th of April 1996, and the decision of the 24th Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers held in Jakarta from 9 to 13 December 1996, to renew and adopt the action programme,

Decides:

   1-    Humanitarian assistance :

-      Providing further bilateral assistance directly, through the OIC Assistance Mobilization Group for Bosnia and Herzegovina , OIC institutions and the NGOs financially or in kind for the urgent needs of displaced persons , returnees and socially vulnerable groups (demobilized soldiers, families of killed soldiers , orphans , wounded and disabled persons , and retired persons);

-      Providing further financial inputs for the Social Fund, Fund for shaheeds  families and invalids and other institutions and for all vulnerable social groups on regional and local levels;

-      Providing assistance for the projects aimed at rehabilitating housing and basic infrastructure for displaced persons particularly the returnees in the “Year of Return - 1998”.

   2-    Reconstruction of infrastructure and production capacity:

-      Creating political and legal framework for cooperation with the state institutions, economic, research institutions and financial and private sectors (diplomatic relations, mutual agreements and contracts on economic, technological and technical cooperation, etc.);

-     Establishing the member states and / or common institutions of OIC in Bosnia and Herzegovina aiming at analyzing and streamlining joint efforts of OIC partners and partners of Bosnia and Herzegovina in different areas of cooperation;

-     Establishing joint financial institutions like banks, consortia and guaranty agencies  for the revival of production capacities , either on the basis of grants, participation on economic basis , or in a combined way, particularly for the small and medium sized enterprises in order to promote the creation of new jobs;

-     Encouraging the business community to participate in the OIC joint ventures or equity operations being opened by the privatisation process in Bosnia and Herzegovina or in the third countries, including the OIC countries;

-     Participating in the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) to provide guarantee for the investors in Bosnia and Herzegovina from the OIC member states;

-      Facilitating the issuance of bank guaranties for firms from Bosnia and Herzegovina operating abroad, particularly in the OIC countries , thus contributing to the repayment capacities of Bosnia and Herzegovina; 

-      Assisting the relevant authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the area of demining aiming at creating the conditions for reconstruction activities and saving the lives of people.

3- Rehabilitation of cultural heritage :     

-     Implementing effectively and urgently operative paragraphs of Resolution No. 19/7-C (IS) of the Seventh Session of the Islamic Summit Conference held in Casablanca from 13 to 15 December 1994 , particularly:

( i ) to work on the  programme for rebuilding the national, university libraries

and schools in Bosnia and Herzegovina;

( ii) to continue working in coordination with relevant UN international bodies

and Islamic institutions on urgent steps to ensure the protection of Islamic   

monuments, educational  institutions, libraries and other cultural objects

in Bosnia and Herzegovina which are the common cultural heritage of all

mankind;

-     Implementing the recommendations of the 19^th Session of the Islamic Commission for Economic, Cultural and Social Affairs, calling for every economic support and assistance to ensure the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Bosnia  and Herzegovina and particularly :

(i) to research the Islamic heritage of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and to assess damages inflicted and assistance to be provided for its rehabilitation by creating awareness of the international community for these purposes;

(ii) to urgently help the “Project Mostar 2004” on reconstruction and conservation of the Old City and other monuments of high cultural importance in Sarajevo, Turzla, Zenica, and other places.

4. Legal support and assistance:

-      Supporting continuously the legal action of the State of Bosnia and Herzegovina against  Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) for genocide in the International Court of Justice;

-      Keeping assets of the former Yugoslavia frozen until the legal procedure on succession is resolved;

-      Supporting of the actions to search for missing persons, identifying killed

persons in mass graves;

-      supporting the legal authorities of the State of Bosnia and Herzegovina in pursuing persons responsible for crimes against humanity, humanitarian law and genecide.