22 June 2003
Text: Quartet Affirms Support for Pledges Toward Middle East Peace
(Group urges enactment of Red Sea Summit commitments) (1110)
In a statement released June 22, the group of parties known as the
Quartet called on and pledged assistance for Israel and the
Palestinian Authority to make good on their pledges to implement the
roadmap for Middle East peace set forth by President Bush.
Composed of representatives of the governments of the United States
and Russia, as well as representatives of the United Nations and the
European Union, the Quartet took advantage of attendance at the World
Economic Forum in Jordan to meet in the seaside town of Movenpick June
22, where they reviewed the situation between Israelis and
Palestinians since its previous meeting in December 2002.
The appointment of Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas,
the commitments made by Israelis and Palestinians at the Red Sea
Summit a few weeks ago, and the personal pledge of commitment by
President Bush, along with his decision to place a U.S. coordinating
and assistance mission "on the ground" were all praised as positive
developments. On the negative side, the continued terrorist attacks on
innocent Israelis, as well as the killing of innocent Palestinian
civilians by Israeli forces in carrying out self-defensive strikes
against terrorists, were decried.
Following is the text of the statement, as released by the Department
of State:
(begin text)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
Movenpick, Dead Sea
June 22, 2003
Statement By The Quartet
Representatives of the Quartet -- United Nations Secretary-General
Kofi Annan, Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, Greek Foreign
Minister George Papandreou, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, High
Representative for European Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier
Solana, and European Commissioner for External Affairs Chris Patten --
met today at the Dead Sea in Jordan.
The Quartet members reviewed developments since their last meeting in
Washington, on December 20, 2002. They welcome the appointment of
Palestinian Prime Minister Abbas and the strong start he and his
government have made in difficult circumstances, and the acceptance by
Israeli and Palestinian authorities of the roadmap presented to the
parties on April 30, 2003, leading to realization of the goal
expressed by President Bush and shared by the Quartet members, of two
states -- Israel and Palestine -- living side by side in peace and
security, in 2005. They strongly endorse the results of the Red Sea
Summit meetings, and pledge to support actively Prime Minister Abbas
and Prime Minister Sharon in carrying out the commitments made at
these meetings.
They welcome the very positive message and personal commitment of
President Bush, and his decision to place a mission on the ground
charged with helping the parties to move toward peace, through
establishment of a credible and effective structure led by the United
States, in close cooperation with the Quartet, to coordinate, monitor,
and promote implementation of the parties' commitments and
responsibilities, as laid out in the roadmap. The Quartet fully shares
President Bush's expectation that both parties will meet their
obligations in full, and welcomes the initial steps taken by the
parties toward this goal.
The Quartet members deplore and condemn the brutal terror attacks
against Israeli citizens carried out by Hamas, Palestinian Islamic
Jihad, and the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade since the roadmap's
presentation. The Quartet calls for an immediate, comprehensive end to
all violence and welcomes efforts by the government of Egypt and
others to achieve such an immediate and comprehensive halt to armed
action by Palestinian groups. All Palestinian individuals and groups
must end acts of terror against all Israelis, anywhere. The Quartet
calls on the Palestinian authorities to take all possible steps to
halt immediately the activities of individuals and groups planning and
conducting attacks on Israelis. The Quartet supports immediate
Palestinian action to restructure and consolidate under Prime Minister
Abbas all security services, and calls on all states to assist in such
efforts.
The Quartet welcomes the discussions between Israel and Palestinian
authorities over transfer of security responsibility in Gaza and
Bethlehem. They call on both sides to reach agreement as soon as
possible on workable arrangements and timetables for implementation.
The Quartet calls on all states in the region and around the world to
end immediately any form of support, including fund-raising and
financial assistance, to groups and individuals that use terror and
violence to diminish the chances for peace, and calls for an end to
all forms of incitement to violence and hatred.
The Quartet expresses its deep concern over Israeli military actions
that result in the killing of innocent Palestinian and other
civilians. Such actions do not enhance security and undermine trust
and prospects for cooperation. While the Quartet recognizes Israel's
right to self-defense in the face of terrorist attacks against its
citizens, it calls on the Government of Israel to respect
international humanitarian law and to exert maximum efforts to avoid
such civilian casualties.
The Quartet also calls on the government of Israel to make all
possible efforts to support Palestinian authorities and ease the
plight of the Palestinian people through immediate actions. The
Quartet strongly urges Israel to facilitate movement of people and
goods, as well as access by international humanitarian organizations.
These steps must be taken as rapidly and comprehensively as possible
to improve the humanitarian situation and normalize the daily life of
the Palestinian people. The Quartet recalls its position that
settlements activity must stop. In this context, it welcomes the
undertaking made by Prime Minister Sharon at Aqaba, and first steps
taken by Israel on the ground, to remove unauthorized outposts.
The Quartet members reviewed progress made on Palestinian
institutional reform, endorsed the result of the meetings of the Task
Force and Ad Hoc Liaison Committee Meetings held earlier in the year,
and reaffirmed their support for all efforts to fulfill the reform
goals set forth in the first phase of the roadmap -- including
adoption of a Palestinian constitution and preparations for free, open
and fair Palestinian elections as soon as possible.
The Quartet reaffirms its commitment to a just, comprehensive, and
lasting settlement to the Arab-Israeli conflict, including progress
toward peace between Israel and Syria, and Israel and Lebanon. Such a
peace would be based on the foundations of the Madrid Conference, the
principle of land for peace, UNSCRs 242, 338, 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.
The Quartet looks forward to continuing to work together in close
consultation on these issues with the parties.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
