Whether it be the France-Egyptian draft resolution [S/1531fl, which, I would remind the Council, is still on the Council table, or President Reagan’s statement of 1 September 1982,3 or the Final Declaration of the Twelfth Arab Summit Conference, adopted at Fez on 9 Septem- ber 1982 [S/15510, annex], the search for a solution seems to have entered a particularly active diplomatic phase, The Arab parties concerned, with a determination which does them credit, seem to wish to seek, through negotiation, to put an end to a conflict that has lasted for more than 35 years. 24. In these circumstances, everything possible must be done by those who bear responsibility in the region to encourage such useful and praiseworthy initiatives and not to undermine them deliberately and without any valid justification. 25. A refusal would risk ending attempts at negotiation and the hopes of those peoples who have suffered and continue to suffer from war, with its toll of death, devas- tation and ruin. The chances for peace are still too slim for anyone to risk compromising them by unilateral measures, the urgency or even the usefulness of which is difficult to understand. 26. The French delegation therefore calls upon the Government of Israel to abide by the rules of interna- tional law. But it also appeals to the sense of reason and responsibility of the Israeli authorities and urges them not to compromise the chances for peace by regrettable initiatives. It is indeed by dialogue and not by unilateral measures that lasting peace can be established in the region. 3 27. Mr. WHYTE (United Kingdom): Mr. President, you yourself made a suggestion very informally and very recently that in the interest of streamlining our procedures you would be quite happy to forgo the usual courtesies in 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be a diplomatic statement or resolution related to a conflict in the Middle East, discussing the search for a solution, the importance of negotiation, and the potential risks of unilateral measures. The language used is formal and diplomatic, suggesting that it may be an official document or a speech.

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