strengthen further theroleoftheunitedNations, whichistheonlyinternational forumthrough whichallcountries seektheachievement ofpeace, pr~9ress and justice. Welivetodayinaworldwhereeventschangeatanunprecedented pace.The crises andchallenges facedbysomecountries andpeoples reverberate invarious partsofthisglobe. Weliveasoneinternational family, inwhichcrises intertwine, eachoneaffecting theother. OurOrganiza tioncaninnowayremain isolated fromthosecrises. Inspiteofthecontinued existence ofhotbeds oftension ir.various partsof theworld,theUnitedNations hasremained theinternational forumtowhich countries involved inconflicts resort-takingshelter underitsumbrella -in ordertobringaboutpeaceamongthem.TheUnitedNations hasbeenabletocontain regi~~al wars,preventing themfromturning intoworldwars.Ithasalsoproved itselfabietoachieve solutions commensurate withthequestions ofworldpeaceand development andtopursueabalanced approach towards thepresent international issues. IBcr/at A/40/PV.8 68-70 (Hr.Al-Alawi, OIIan) hotbedsofmajorpolitical tensions facingtheinternational cOllllllunity. The foreign policyoftheSultanate iscommitted toworking toward~ thesolution of international disputes through dialogue andunderstanding~ Thispolicyisbasedon moralandlegalstandards, guided bytheprinciples andpurposes oftheunited Nations, andiscomittedtotheresolutions andrecomendations oftheUnited Nations. Everyyearwerevi\.~andassesspastachievements, andthenaddress ourselves tothelargenumberofinternational questions stillontheagendaoftheGeneral Assembly. Ifwecompare theinternational situation todaytothatwhichprevailed ayear ago,weseethatinsp!teofthetireless efforts thathavebeenmadethe international situation isstillcharacterized byincreasing tension anddisputes andbyescalating conflicts, inaddition totheeconomic crisisthatisstrangling manycountries. Ontheagendaofthissession arethesamequestions thattheGeneral Assembly hasdealtwithatprevious sessions. Theinability oftheunitedNations tofind viablesolutions forthevarious problems thatitfacesistheresultofthe disregard bysomecountries oftheresolutions andrecommendations oftheUnited Nations. Thequ~stion ofPalestine istheclearest example ofthis. ThecauseofthePalestinian peopleistheoldestandmostimportant question thattheUnitedNations hasdealtwithsinceitsinception. Thisyear,whenweare celebrating thetwenty-fifth anniversary oftheDeclaration ontheGranting of Independence toColonial Countries andPeoples, wefindIsraelstillimposing its occupation ontheArabterritories andrefusing toallowthePalestinian peopleto exercise theirrighttolivepeacefully inastableandsecurehomeland.JP/gmr A/40/PV ..8 71 (Mr..AI-Aiawi, oman) Therealobstacle facedbytheinternational community inseekin9tofinda solution tothePalestinian question isIsrael's refusal tocomplywithand implement theresolutions cldopted bytheunitedNations, anditsrejection ofall initiatives aimedatreaching ajustsettlement ofthePalestinian question .. Thequestion ofthePalestinian people?oesnotlackinitiatives; therehave beenseveral, suchastheVenicedeclaration bythecountries oftheEu~opean Economic Community, theBrazhnev initiative, President Reagan's initiative, the FezArabsummitdeclaration, theGenevadeclaration of1983and,mostrecently, the Palestinia~Jordanian initiative, whichwashailed bythelastextraordinary Arab summitmeeting, heldinCasablanca.. Thatlatterinitiative couldbeaninstrument forachieving ajustandlasting peace. TheArabs,byaccepting thosepeaceinitiatives, haveprovedthatthey advocate security andpeace,notthepeacethatIsraelistryingtoimposebyforce andthepolicyof1aitaccompl!, butpeacebasedonjustice andinternational legitimacy, represented inunitedNations resolutions calling onIsraeltowithdraw fromalltheoccupied Arabterritories andcalling fortheestablishment ofa national homeland forthePalestinian peoplesothat ~letwopeoples canco-exist: thePalestinian peopleinitsindependent stateandtheIsraeli people. TimehasprovedbeyondanydoubtthatIsraelwillnotbeabletoachieve security andstabili~~ solongasitpersists indenying therightsofthe Palestinian peopleandsolongasitcontinues tooccupytheterritories ofthe neighbouring Arabcountries, thereby Violating theirsovereignty andstability. It hasalsobecomeclearthatthelogicofIsraeli military mightwillnotcreate stability andcalmintheregion. Dialogue istheidealwaytoachieve peaceandstability intheMiddleEast. TheSultanate ofoman,belieVing inthatapprnach, hassupported allefforts aimed atachieving ajustpeace.JP/gmr A/40/PV.8 72 (Hr.Al-A1awi, oman)
**Analysis**
The text appears to be a speech or statement by a representative of Oman at the United Nations, discussing the organization's role in promoting peace, justice, and development, as well as the challenges and crises faced by countries and peoples around the world. The text highlights the importance of the United Nations in containing regional wars and promoting dialogue and understanding among nations. It also specifically addresses the issue of the Palestinian question and the need for Israel to comply with United Nations resolutions.

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