STATEMENT ON THE MIDDLE EAST ISSUED BY THE THIRD UK-CARIBBEAN FORUM, 3-5 APRIL 2002, GEORGETOWN, GUY

Meeting in Georgetown, Guyana, on the occasion of the Third UK-Caribbean Forum, Ministers declared that the recent upsurge of violence in the Occupied Territories by Israel is unacceptable and can serve no purpose but to undermine the process toward a durable peace settlement. They condemned the attacks against Israeli citizens. They declared that military attacks against Palestinians and against the Headquarters of the President of the Palestinian Authority, Yasser Arafat, and the threat against his person are unacceptable and excessive and must cease immediately.

The Ministers expressed their firm support for international efforts to bring an end to the violence and the resumption of negotiations toward a political settlement. They called for an end to the occupation, and joined Secretary-General Kofi Annan in calling on both President Arafat and Prime Minister Sharon "to take advantage of the outcome of the Arab League Summit in Beirut which outlined a widely welcomed vision for full peace in the region".

Ministers also noted that the escalating violence threatens to mushroom into a wider conflict. Added to the effects of global recession this would exacerbate the negative impact on the Caribbean and other developing countries.

Expressing their support for UN Security Council Resolution 1402, the Ministers called on both sides to renounce violence, declare and enforce an immediate ceasefire, and resume talks that will lead to the peaceful coexistence of the States of Palestine and Israel, with both living in peace and harmony with all States in the region.

5 April 2002