text: decades now. There is need -for a comprehensive peace settlement in the Middle East. We believe that two essen- tial elements of such a settlement are the right of the Pales- tinian people to statehood and a corresponding right of all States in the Middle East to live in peace and stability within secure borders. My delegation is of the view that positive efforts should be made to attain these objectives and we are concerned and disturbed by recent evidence which indicates that certain actions being taken would frus- trate their attainment. My delegation considers such actions to be a threat to international peace and security and as such to require the attention of the Council. 4 44. Specific cases of curfews, detentions, deportations and repressive measures in the territories occupied by Israel, especially in the West Bank and Gaza, have been communicated to the Security Council; they have also been reported in the international media. My Government views these repressive measures in a wider context. If these actions are considered within the context of Israeli expro- priation of land and the establishment of settlements, this would seem to indicate that the Israeli authorities are insti- tuting a programme to change the very nature and charac- ter of these occupied territories and further frustrate the just aspirations of the Palestinian people. Such action in the occupied territories is contrary to international law and is unacceptable to the Government of Trinidad and Tobago. 45. My delegation calls upon Israel to abide scrupulously by the provisions of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949.2 46. The PRESIDENT: The next speaker is the represen- tative of the Syrian Arab Republic. I invite him to take a place at the Council table and to make his statement. 
analysis: The text appears to be a speech delivered at the United Nations Security Council, focusing on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the need for a comprehensive peace settlement in the Middle East. The speaker is expressing concerns about the actions taken by Israel, particularly in the occupied territories, and is calling for Israel to abide by international law. The text does not mention economic development, natural resources, or other related topics.