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Press Statement
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
April 30, 2003
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 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
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:
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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All Palestinian security
organizations are consolidated into three services reporting
to an empowered Interior Minister.
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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.
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Arab states cut off public and
private funding and all other forms of support for groups
supporting and engaging in violence and terror.
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All donors providing budgetary
support for the Palestinians channel these funds through the
Palestinian Ministry of Finance's Single Treasury Account.
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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
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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.
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Appointment of interim prime
minister or cabinet with empowered executive
authority/decision-making body.
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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.
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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.
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Establishment of independent
Palestinian election commission. PLC reviews and revises
election law.
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Palestinian performance on
judicial, administrative, and economic benchmarks, as
established by the International Task Force on Palestinian
Reform.
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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.
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GOI facilitates Task Force
election assistance, registration of voters, movement of
candidates and voting officials. Support for NGOs involved in
the election process.
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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
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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.
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GOI and PA continue revenue
clearance process and transfer of funds, including arrears, in
accordance with agreed, transparent monitoring mechanism.
Civil Society
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Continued donor support, including
increased funding through PVOs/NGOs, for people to people
programs, private sector development and civil society
initiatives.
Settlements
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GOI immediately dismantles
settlement outposts erected since March 2001.
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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.
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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.
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Empowered reform cabinet with
office of prime minister formally established, consistent with
draft constitution.
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Continued comprehensive security
performance, including effective security cooperation on the
bases laid out in Phase I.
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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.
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Enhanced international role in
monitoring transition, with the active, sustained, and
operational support of the Quartet.
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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
Israeli-Palestinian negotiations aimed at a permanent status
agreement in 2005.
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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.
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Continued comprehensive, effective
progress on the reform agenda laid out by the Task Force in
preparation for final status agreement.
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Continued sustained and effective
security performance, and sustained, effective security
cooperation on the bases laid out in Phase I.
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International efforts to
facilitate reform and stabilize Palestinian institutions and
the Palestinian economy, in preparation for final status
agreement.
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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.
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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.
[End]
Released on April 30, 2003
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