in a negotiating process leading to a just and lasting settlement of the Middle East question, including, of course, the question of Palestine. A number Of positive elements are already available to us to attain that desired goal. At the appropriate time , we shall need only to bring those elements to fruition - with joint action and co-operation commensurate with,,the stakes and the delicacy of the task - in the interest of all the States and peoples of the -region. BCL)/ve S/PV.2786 36 Mr. JOSSE (Nepal): Over the past seven weeks, the attention of the international community - as, indeed, of the Security Council - has been focused on the tragic rash of violence and the popular upsurge in the Israeli-occupied territories of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. When Security Council resolution 605 (1987) was adopted on 22 December 1987, following two weeks of unrest in the occupied territories, 18 Palestinians had already been'killed Ad scores injured at the hands of Israeli security forces using tactics more suitable to the battlefield than for law-and-order-restoration purposes. Since then Palestinian casualties have mounted while the protests of Palestinians over the occupation continue unabated. That has led my delegation to believe that it may be difficult t0 40 back to the situation obtaining in the Israeli-occupied territories prior to 9 December 1987. In any case, a new urgency to discuss and settle the entire range of issues connected with the Arab-Israeli conflict is clearly suggested. Such an assessment has - if anything - been further reinforced by the Secretary-General's report to the Council, contained in document S/19443, submitted in accordance with paragraph 6 of resolution 605 (1987). Before proceeding any further, we wish to express our deep appreciation to the Secretary-General, Mr. Javier Perez de Cuellar, and the Under-Secretary-General for Special Political 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be a diplomatic speech discussing the situation in the Middle East, specifically the Israeli-occupied territories, and the need for a just and lasting settlement. The speech mentions violence, casualties, and the urgency to discuss and settle the Arab-Israeli conflict. These themes suggest that the category is likely to be related to international relations, politics, or conflict resolution.

**Category**
Humanitarian aid and relief, International relations