Press Statement of Vice Foreign Minister of

DPRK

Pyongyang, February 23 (KCNA) -- Kim Son Gyong, vice-minister for
International Organizations of the DPRK Foreign Ministry, released the following
press statement on Feb. 23.
On February 20 the UN Security Council had a vote on the draft resolution
concerning an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, submitted by
Algeria in reflection of the general will of the international community demanding
an immediate halt to Israel's brutal massacre of Palestinians.
However, the U.S. again ruthlessly trampled down the desire of the international
community for peace in the Middle East by exercising its veto under the absurd
pretext that it may have a negative impact on the on-going negotiations on
hostage release.
By becoming the only UNSC member state that voted against it, the U.S. proved
itself to be an accomplice to the inhuman genocide Israel committed by killing
tens of thousands of Palestinians and reducing the Gaza Strip to a huge mass
grave and a veritable hell.
I vehemently denounce with bitter resentment the atrocious crime of the U.S. that
seeks hegemonic purposes only, remaining utterly indifferent to the bloodshed of
innocent peoples of other countries to meet its own geopolitical interest.
The current Palestinian crisis is not simply a matter of armed conflict but a vital
issue directly related to the destiny of mankind - whether the international
community feebly watches a rogue state's indiscriminate massacre or defends
the human dignity and justice by its concerted efforts.
As shown by the result of the UNSC voting, the international community is
turning its back on the irresponsible act of the U.S. which allows the massacre of
civilians by Israel.
Nevertheless, the U.S. has recklessly blocked the adoption of a resolution
reflecting a minimum measure for preventing the murder of civilians in Gaza
Strip. This is little short of a death sentence which gave green light to Israel's
indiscriminate killings of innocent Palestinians.

By vetoing all three hard-won draft resolutions for defusing the Middle East crisis,
the U.S. has revealed once again before the international community its true
colors as a peace wrecker involved in crimes against humanity that seeks only its
geopolitical hegemony in disregard of whether the global peace and security and
the life and security of mankind are in danger or not.
The U.S. has completely lost its elementary moral qualifications to talk about the
guarantee of international peace, security and human rights.
Witnessing the bloodbath of innocent Palestinians in the Middle East for 100-odd
days, the world has come to the conclusion that there is no room for the U.S. to
remain any longer in the UNSC whose mission is to ensure international peace
and security.
The reality teaches the immutable philosophy that in the present world, where the
U.S. high-handed and arbitrary practices are rampant, the dignity and
sovereignty of a state and the life and security of its people can be defended only
by the capabilities for legitimate self-defence powerful enough to defend
themselves, not by any international organization or outside help.
If the U.S. persists in such provocative exercise of veto to instigate Israel's
genocide, behaving self-conceitedly at the UN arena, it will further aggravate the
worst-ever humanitarian crisis and face greater indignation and protests of the
international community. -0-