text: efforts to he made to resolve other crises in the region, in particular on the queation of Palestine. The Gulf crisis is not directly linked to the Palestine problem an& other issues, but there can be no hope of a stable and secure Middle East if an egual commitment to their solution is not made by the Council. The record of the Council as regardu Palestine and the Israeli ocaupatioo of Palestine is dismal. Various vetoes have been applietl that have virtually paralyeed the efforts of the Council and curtailed the initiatives of the Secretary-General on these issues. Even on the obvious issue of the treatment of PalestinPens in the occupied territories there has been no redrees. It is as if Israel has protectors in the Council and different standards are ap~liml with regard to Israel. This does not speak well of the Council and those that wrongly protect Israel. Israel's actions, well documented, are recognised by the BCT/l jb WPV.2943 64-65 (Mr.) international coaarunfty as nothing short of aggression. Israel must be made to withdraw from tbhr occupied territories, just as we are now applying all sorts of measure@ to make Iraq withdraw from Kuwait. There can be no double standards in the Security Council. And we do not have to wait for a solution to the Gulf crisis before the full attention of the Council is devoted to the actions of Israel and the situation in the occupied territories. If Israel continues to be obdurate and unresponsive, the Council must not hesitate to apply all tbe pressure and sanctions needed to ensure compliance. BhS/16 WPV.2943 66 &r. BI- (Ethiopiajr Let me take this opportunity to express my satisfaction, Sir, at seeing you presiding over thi8 meeting of the Security Council. Given your diplomatic skills and your vast experience in international 
analysis: The text discusses the situation in the Middle East, specifically the Gulf crisis and the Israeli occupation of Palestine. It highlights the need for the United Nations Security Council to take a more active role in resolving these issues and ensuring a stable and secure region. The text also touches on the topic of international relations and the need for equal standards in the treatment of different countries.