UN General Assembly
2001

question by the United Nations and also that an international force be deployed to protect the innocent victims. We support the Palestinian people in its struggle for independence and sovereignty. We also welcome the continuation of peace negotiations between the Government of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization. The principle of land for peace must be respected. This must be done in keeping with the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly and the Security Council. Afghanistan, a den of extreme poverty and hotbed of tension, has recently become a site of war. While the fight against terrorism is legitimate and is the responsibility of all States Member of our 31 Organization, support for refugees and the civilian victims of war is a duty that shouts out at all of us. Humanitarian intervention is therefore imperative. Madagascar reiterates its commitment to disarmament efforts, an essential element of the United Nations strategy for peace and security, according to the Secretary-General’s most recent report (A/56/1). My delegation welcomes the holding in July 2001 of the United Nations Conference on the Illicit Trade in