US Roadmap for Peace in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
The
following is a performance-based and goal-driven roadmap, with clear phases,
timelines, target dates, and benchmarks aiming at progress through reciprocal
steps by the two parties in the political, security, economic, humanitarian,
and institution-building fields, under the auspices of the Quartet [the
United States, European Union, United Nations, and Russia]. The destination
is a final and comprehensive settlement of the Israel-Palestinian conflict
by 2005, as presented in President Bush’s speech of 24 June, and welcomed
by the EU, Russia and the UN in the 16 July and 17 September Quartet Ministerial
statements. A
two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will only be achieved
through an end to violence and terrorism, when the Palestinian people
have a leadership acting decisively against terror and willing and able
to build a practicing democracy based on tolerance and liberty, and through
Israel’s readiness to do what is necessary for a democratic Palestinian
state to be established, and a clear, unambiguous acceptance by both parties
of the goal of a negotiated settlement as described below. The Quartet
will assist and facilitate implementation of the plan, starting in Phase
I, including direct discussions between the parties as required. The plan
establishes a realistic timeline for implementation. However, as a performance-based
plan, progress will require and depend upon the good faith efforts of
the parties, and their compliance with each of the obligations outlined
below. Should the parties perform their obligations rapidly, progress
within and through the phases may come sooner than indicated in the plan.
Non-compliance with obligations will impede progress. A
settlement, negotiated between the parties, will result in the emergence
of an independent, democratic, and viable Palestinian state living side
by side in peace and security with Israel and its other neighbors. The
settlement will resolve the Israel-Palestinian conflict, and end the occupation
that began in 1967, based on the foundations of the Madrid Conference,
the principle of land for peace, UNSCRs 242, 338 and 1397, agreements
previously reached by the parties, and the initiative of Saudi Crown Prince
Abdullah – endorsed by the Beirut Arab League Summit – calling for acceptance
of Israel as a neighbor living in peace and security, in the context of
a comprehensive settlement. This initiative is a vital element of international
efforts to promote a comprehensive peace on all tracks, including the
Syrian-Israeli and Lebanese-Israeli tracks. The
Quartet will meet regularly at senior levels to evaluate the parties'
performance on implementation of the plan. In each phase, the parties
are expected to perform their obligations in parallel, unless otherwise
indicated. Phase I: Ending Terror And Violence, Normalizing Palestinian
Life, and Building Palestinian Institutions -- Present to May 2003 ·
Palestinian leadership issues unequivocal statement reiterating Israel’s
right to exist in peace and security and calling for an immediate and
unconditional ceasefire to end armed activity and all acts of violence
against Israelis anywhere. All official Palestinian institutions end incitement
against Israel. ·
Israeli leadership issues unequivocal statement affirming its commitment
to the two-state vision of an independent, viable, sovereign Palestinian
state living in peace and security alongside Israel, as expressed by President
Bush, and calling for an immediate end to violence against Palestinians
everywhere. All official Israeli institutions end incitement against Palestinians.
Security ·
Palestinians declare an unequivocal end to violence and terrorism and undertake
visible efforts on the ground to arrest, disrupt, and restrain individuals
and groups conducting and planning violent attacks on Israelis anywhere.
·
Rebuilt and refocused Palestinian Authority security apparatus begins sustained,
targeted, and effective operations aimed at confronting all those engaged
in terror and dismantlement of terrorist capabilities and infrastructure.
This includes commencing confiscation of illegal weapons and consolidation
of security authority, free of association with terror and corruption.
·
GOI takes no actions undermining trust, including deportations, attacks
on civilians; confiscation and/or demolition of Palestinian homes and
property, as a punitive measure or to facilitate Israeli construction;
destruction of Palestinian institutions and infrastructure; and other
measures specified in the Tenet work plan. ·
Relying on existing mechanisms and on-the-ground resources, Quartet representatives
begin informal monitoring and consult with the parties on establishment
of a formal monitoring mechanism and its implementation. ·
Implementation, as previously agreed, of U.S. rebuilding, training and
resumed security cooperation plan in collaboration with outside oversight
board (U.S.–Egypt–Jordan). Quartet support for efforts to achieve a lasting,
comprehensive cease-fire. ·
All Palestinian security organizations are consolidated into three services
reporting to an empowered Interior Minister. ·
Restructured/retrained Palestinian security forces and IDF counterparts
progressively resume security cooperation and other undertakings in implementation
of the Tenet work plan, including regular senior-level meetings, with
the participation of U.S. security officials. ·
Arab states cut off public and private funding and all other forms of support
for groups supporting and engaging in violence and terror. ·
All donors providing budgetary support for the Palestinians channel these
funds through the Palestinian Ministry of Finance's Single Treasury Account.
·
As comprehensive security performance moves forward, IDF withdraws progressively
from areas occupied since September 28, 2000 and the two sides restore
the status quo that existed prior to September 28, 2000. Palestinian security
forces redeploy to areas vacated by IDF. Palestinian Institution-Building ·
Immediate action on credible process to produce draft constitution for
Palestinian statehood. As rapidly as possible, constitutional committee
circulates draft Palestinian constitution, based on strong parliamentary
democracy and cabinet with empowered prime minister, for public comment/debate.
Constitutional committee proposes draft document for submission after
elections for approval by appropriate Palestinian institutions. ·
Appointment of interim prime minister or cabinet with empowered executive
authority/decision-making body. ·
GOI fully facilitates travel of Palestinian officials for PLC and Cabinet
sessions, internationally supervised security retraining, electoral and
other reform activity, and other supportive measures related to the reform
efforts. ·
Continued appointment of Palestinian ministers empowered to undertake fundamental
reform. Completion of further steps to achieve genuine separation of powers,
including any necessary Palestinian legal reforms for this purpose. ·
Establishment of independent Palestinian election commission. PLC reviews
and revises election law. ·
Palestinian performance on judicial, administrative, and economic benchmarks,
as established by the International Task Force on Palestinian Reform.
·
As early as possible, and based upon the above measures and in the context
of open debate and transparent candidate selection/electoral campaign
based on a free, multi-party process, Palestinians hold free, open, and
fair elections. ·
GOI facilitates Task Force election assistance, registration of voters,
movement of candidates and voting officials. Support for NGOs involved
in the election process. ·
GOI reopens Palestinian Chamber of Commerce and other closed Palestinian
institutions in East Jerusalem based on a commitment that these institutions
operate strictly in accordance with prior agreements between the parties.
Humanitarian Response ·
Israel takes measures to improve the humanitarian situation. Israel and
Palestinians implement in full all recommendations of the Bertini report
to improve humanitarian conditions, lifting curfews and easing restrictions
on movement of persons and goods, and allowing full, safe, and unfettered
access of international and humanitarian personnel. ·
AHLC reviews the humanitarian situation and prospects for economic development
in the West Bank and Gaza and launches a major donor assistance effort,
including to the reform effort. ·
GOI and PA continue revenue clearance process and transfer of funds, including
arrears, in accordance with agreed, transparent monitoring mechanism.
Civil Society ·
Continued donor support, including increased funding through PVOs/NGOs,
for people to people programs, private sector development and civil society
initiatives. Settlements ·
GOI immediately dismantles settlement outposts erected since March 2001.
·
Consistent with the Mitchell Report, GOI freezes all settlement activity
(including natural growth of settlements). Phase II: Transition -- June 2003-December 2003 Progress
into Phase II will be based upon the consensus judgment of the Quartet
of whether conditions are appropriate to proceed, taking into account
performance of both parties. Furthering and sustaining efforts to normalize
Palestinian lives and build Palestinian institutions, Phase II starts
after Palestinian elections and ends with possible creation of an independent
Palestinian state with provisional borders in 2003. Its primary goals
are continued comprehensive security performance and effective security
cooperation, continued normalization of Palestinian life and institution-building,
further building on and sustaining of the goals outlined in Phase I, ratification
of a democratic Palestinian constitution, formal establishment of office
of prime minister, consolidation of political reform, and the creation
of a Palestinian state with provisional borders. ·
International Conference: Convened by the Quartet, in consultation
with the parties, immediately after the successful conclusion of Palestinian
elections, to support Palestinian economic recovery and launch a process,
leading to establishment of an independent Palestinian state with provisional
borders. ·
Such a meeting would be inclusive, based on the goal of a comprehensive
Middle East peace (including between Israel and Syria, and Israel and
Lebanon), and based on the principles described in the preamble to this
document. ·
Arab states restore pre-intifada links to Israel (trade offices, etc.).
·
Revival of multilateral engagement on issues including regional water resources,
environment, economic development, refugees, and arms control issues.
·
New constitution for democratic, independent Palestinian state is finalized
and approved by appropriate Palestinian institutions. Further elections,
if required, should follow approval of the new constitution. ·
Empowered reform cabinet with office of prime minister formally established,
consistent with draft constitution. ·
Continued comprehensive security performance, including effective security
cooperation on the bases laid out in Phase I. ·
Creation of an independent Palestinian state with provisional borders through
a process of Israeli-Palestinian engagement, launched by the international
conference. As part of this process, implementation of prior agreements,
to enhance maximum territorial contiguity, including further action on
settlements in conjunction with establishment of a Palestinian state with
provisional borders. ·
Enhanced international role in monitoring transition, with the active,
sustained, and operational support of the Quartet. ·
Quartet members promote international recognition of Palestinian state,
including possible UN membership. Phase III: Permanent Status Agreement and End of the
Israeli-Palestinian Conflict -- 2004 – 2005 ·
Second International Conference: Convened by Quartet, in
consultation with the parties, at beginning of 2004 to endorse agreement
reached on an independent Palestinian state with provisional borders and
formally to launch a process with the active, sustained, and operational
support of the Quartet, leading to a final, permanent status resolution
in 2005, including on borders, Jerusalem, refugees, settlements; and,
to support progress toward a comprehensive Middle East settlement between
Israel and Lebanon and Israel and Syria, to be achieved as soon as possible.
·
Continued comprehensive, effective progress on the reform agenda laid out
by the Task Force in preparation for final status agreement. ·
Continued sustained and effective security performance, and sustained,
effective security cooperation on the bases laid out in Phase I. ·
International efforts to facilitate reform and stabilize Palestinian institutions
and the Palestinian economy, in preparation for final status agreement.
·
Parties reach final and comprehensive permanent status agreement that ends
the Israel-Palestinian conflict in 2005, through a settlement negotiated
between the parties based on UNSCR 242, 338, and 1397, that ends the occupation
that began in 1967, and includes an agreed, just, fair, and realistic
solution to the refugee issue, and a negotiated resolution on the status
of Jerusalem that takes into account the political and religious concerns
of both sides, and protects the religious interests of Jews, Christians,
and Muslims worldwide, and fulfills the vision of two states, Israel and
sovereign, independent, democratic and viable Palestine, living side-by-side
in peace and security. ·
Arab state acceptance of full normal relations with Israel and security
for all the states of the region in the context of a comprehensive Arab-Israeli
peace.
Released on April 30, 2003 |