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The Middle East Road Map to Peace
A PERFORMANCE BASED ROADMAP TO A PERMANENT TWO STATE SOLUTION TO THE 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 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
In Phase I, the Palestinians immediately undertake an unconditional cessation
of violence according to the steps outlined below; such action should be
accompanied by supportive measures undertaken by Israel. Palestinians and
Israelis resume security cooperation based on the Tenet work plan to end
violence, terrorism, and incitement through restructured and effective
Palestinian security services. Palestinians undertake comprehensive political
reform in preparation for statehood, including drafting a Palestinian
constitution, and free, fair and open elections upon the basis of those
measures. Israel takes all necessary steps to help normalize Palestinian life.
Israel withdraws from Palestinian areas occupied from September 28, 2000 and the
two sides restore the status quo that existed at that time, as security
performance and cooperation progress. Israel also freezes all settlement
activity, consistent with the Mitchell report.
At the outset of Phase I:
• 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/decisionmaking 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
In the second phase, efforts are focused on the option of creating an
independent Palestinian state with provisional borders and attributes of
sovereignty, based on the new constitution, as a way station to a permanent
status settlement. As has been noted, this goal can be achieved when the
Palestinian people have a leadership acting decisively against terror, willing
and able to build a practicing democracy based on tolerance and liberty. With
such a leadership, reformed civil institutions and security structures, the
Palestinians will have the active support of the Quartet and the broader
international community in establishing an independent, viable, state.
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 IsraeliPalestinian 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
Progress into Phase III, based on consensus judgment of Quartet, and taking
into account actions of both parties and Quartet monitoring. Phase III
objectives are consolidation of reform and stabilization of Palestinian
institutions, sustained, effective Palestinian security performance, and
IsraeliPalestinian negotiations aimed at a permanent status agreement in 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.
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