The degree to which the UN and its specialized agencies have become subjected to political considerations, was demonstrated again at a United Nations conference on desertification, which took place in Nairobi. Israel had presented a paper on the subject "The Negev: a desert reclaimed." The conference, by a majority of 45 in favour, 17 against with 14 abstentions, decided to denounce the paper saying it departed from scientific and technical issues and expressed "religious fanaticism." Obviously, this denunciation was part of an Arab attempt to discredit Israel in any international forum and conference. Text:
U.N. Conference on Desertification
(Nairobi, September 1977)
7. Associated Case Study "The Negev: a desert reclaimed"
The United Nations Conference on Desertification
Considering that the Conference is solely directed to the problems of desertification, Conscious of the necessity to examine all climatical, ecological, human and social factors leading to desertification,
Having taken cognizance of all documents presented to the Conference,
Considering that the associated case study The Negev: a desert reclaimed presented by Israel, departs from scientific and technical issues related to the Conference in that it expresses religious fanaticism and contains elements which are historically inaccurate,
Considering also that the said document is not in conformity with the aims and purposes of the Conference as outlined in General Assembly Resolution 3337 (XXIX) of 17 December 1974,
Considering that the policies of settlement and displacement of populations in the Negev, in the West Bank of the Jordan, and in other places in the area constitute an aggravating factor leading to desertification,
Denounces the associated case study The Negev: a desert reclaimed.
Adopted by 45-17-14.
15th plenary meeting
8 September 1977