Vietnam calls on Israel to respond to world appeals

Vietnam here Wednesday voiced concern over the "absence of Israel's cooperation," as well as their failure to take "precautious measures" to prevent further abuses of international and human rights law.

Bui The Giang, Vietnamese deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, made these remarks at his address during the plenary General Assembly session here to consider the Goldstone report, which accused both Israel and Hamas militants of war crimes during the 22-day Gaza conflict that broke out on Dec. 27, 2008.

"The continued imposition of Israeli blockade and collective punishment against Gaza has further deepened the Palestinian people's trauma and plight to this day," he said.

"We support the report's calls for respect for and compliance with international law, including international humanitarian and human rights law, and its emphasis on the need to end impunity and establish justice and responsibility through accountability mechanisms," the ambassador said.

"The currently explosive nature of the regional situation makes it all the more imperative for the parties concerned to renounce the use of force and acts of violence," he said, adding that the parties need to take the necessary steps for peace.

He urged Israel to respond to the appeals made by the international community to suspend its blockade alongside the Gaza Strip, as well as to ensure the delivery of humanitarian assistance to those impacted by the conflict.

Meanwhile, he also urged Palestinians to "proceed with efforts for reconciliation and formation of a national unity Government in the interest of future statehood and the Middle East peace process as a whole."

After the debate, the General Assembly will put to vote a draft resolution, which would call upon both Israel and Palestine to conduct "independent and credible" probes into the alleged war crimes.

Source: Xinhua