Following is the text of the ambassador's remarks to the UN Security Council:

USUN PRESS RELEASE #45 (02)APRIL 3, 2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Statement by Ambassador John D. Negroponte, U.S. Representative to the United Nations, on the Situation in the Middle East, Security Council,
April 3, 2002 __

Mr. President, today the Security Council meets again to consider the situation in the Middle East. When I left New York for Monterrey for the conference on Financing for Development just over two weeks ago, there was cause for guarded optimism. The Security Council had just passed Resolution 1397. Crown Prince Abdullah had begun to lay out his bold vision for peace. Both parties had welcomed General Zinni's return to the region.

Now, two weeks later, we are faced with a terrible crisis. As Secretary Powell said yesterday morning, "both sides are losing right now and it is time to find a way forward." My government is committed to working with the parties to find a way forward. Just last month, President Bush stated that "we have an obligation to work for peace in the region and we will." We have been working for peace at the highest levels in Washington, through General Zinni, through our embassies in the region and, where appropriate, through the United Nations Security Council.

Ultimately, however, the United States believes that there is no military solution to the current impasse. Palestinian aspirations are not being advanced through terror and violence. And long-term security and peace for Israel cannot be achieved by military means. We are also concerned by the violent incidents taking place on Israel's northern border instigated by Hezbollah and Palestinian elements. These incidents are clear violations of the Blue Line and further aggravate the regional situation.

The United States has been supportive of a constructive Security Council role during this crisis. We introduced Resolution 1397, which affirmed a political vision of two states, Israel and Palestine, within secure and recognized borders, and called for a cessation of violence and terror. We voted in support of Resolution 1402, which called for an immediate cease-fire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces and a return to the Tenet work plan, which is the first step towards implementation of the Mitchell Committee's recommendations. Mitchell, in turn, rapidly gets us into a political process and negotiations, as Secretary Powell has said. We are working around the clock with both sides to secure the implementation of Resolution 1402 in its entirety.

Though Resolutions 1397 and 1402, the Council has laid out the road map. We would urge the parties to engage immediately in the implementation of these provisions.

Thank you very much, Mr. President.