One president, two foreign ministers – one voice

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Kevin Rudd and Murray McCully, the respective Foreign Ministers of Australia and New Zealand, have addressed the United Nations General Assembly…and agree with President Obama on the Middle East.

Kevin Rudd told the Assembly:

Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd

“The Australian Government under Prime Minister Gillard warmly welcomes the statement to this Assembly by the President of the United States, concerning his efforts to achieve a comprehensive, just and sustainable peace in the Middle East.

Australia’s position remains constant: such a settlement must allow both Israel and a future Palestinian state to live side by side in peace and security. Australia calls upon all parties to put their shoulder to the wheel to seize the historic opportunity that now presents itself to bring about a lasting peace.

All member states of the General Assembly should welcome the prospect of both an Israeli and a Palestinian state being represented at the 66th General Assembly of the United Nations to be held just next year.”

…and from Murray McCully

” Mr President, I want to strongly endorse President Obama’s statement yesterday that there is no viable alternative to the resolution of conflict in the Middle East other than two states, Israel and Palestine, living side-by-side in peace and security

We believe that direct negotiations, with both parties at the same table, are the only way to resolve the conflict.

We congratulate President Abbas and Prime Minister Netanyahu for having the courage to negotiate in very difficult circumstances.

We ask that Israel heed the international community’s unanimous call to extend the moratorium on settlements and enable an atmosphere for direct negotiations to continue.

We also agree with President Obama that resolution of the Middle East conflict is not just the responsibility of Israel and Palestine.

Countries in the region especially, but also elsewhere, must work towards Middle East peace.

New Zealand, as a friend of both Israel and Palestine, will play its part.

I recently visited Sinai where a New Zealand officer has command of the Multinational Force and Observers. I was reminded that there has been peace between Israel and Egypt for over 30 years, a prospect once unthinkable.

With the commitment of the two parties, and the support of the international community, Israel and Palestine can enjoy the same freedom from conflict.

We all have a huge stake in achieving that objective.

Resolution of the Palestinian question would tear out the fuse that threatens to ignite conflict in the Middle East and beyond.

So today we add our voice to that of President Obama and others who believe this dispute can, and must, be solved.

And we call on all members of the United Nations to lend their support to this process in the critical weeks ahead.”