22 June 2003
Mideast Quartet Welcomes Bush's Personal Involvement in Peace Effort
(U.N., U.S., E.U., Russian officials at economic forum in Jordan)
(820)
By Phillip Kurata
Washington File Staff Correspondent
Dead Sea, Jordan -- The international coalition involved in promoting
peace between Israel and the Palestinians and working for the
establishment of a Palestinian state has welcomed the personal
involvement of President Bush in the peace effort.
U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan spoke on behalf of the United
States, the United Nations, the European Union, and Russia -- known
collectively as the Quartet when dealing with the Middle East peace
issue.
"I would like, on behalf of the Quartet, to welcome the personal
engagement of President Bush, demonstrated in the Sharm El-Sheikh and
Aqaba summits. His continued involvement is going to be vital to
progress in the months ahead," Annan said.
Annan, Secretary of State Colin Powell, Russian Foreign Minister Igor
Ivanov, and European Union representatives George Papandreou and
Javier Solana faced reporters in a press conference at a Jordanian
resort on the shores of the Dead Sea June 22 as they participated in a
gathering of the World Economic Forum.
A written statement issued by the Quartet at the close of the press
conference says the group endorsed the appointment of Mahmoud Abbas as
the first Palestinian prime minister and praised "the strong start he
and his government have made in difficult circumstances."
The statement also welcomes the Israeli and Palestinian authorities'
acceptance of the roadmap -- the group's plan to end the conflict and
establish a Palestinian state that would exist in peace and security
alongside Israel.
The statement expresses support for President Bush's 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."
"It is essential that a way be found to break the cycle of violence,
counterviolence, and revenge," Annan said.
The statement appeals to the Palestinian Authority to make all
possible efforts to stop terrorist attacks against Israelis by Hamas,
Palestinian Islamic Jihad and the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade and welcomes
the efforts by the Egyptian government and others to press for a
"comprehensive halt to armed action by Palestinian groups."
Annan said that active Israeli cooperation is needed for the
Palestinians to succeed to suppressing terrorism.
"Israeli military actions that result in the killing of Palestinian
civilians do not enhance security and undermine trust and prospects
for cooperation. Israel must make every possible effort to support the
Palestinian government and to take immediate actions to ease the
plight of the Palestinian people," Annan said.
Speaking in his capacity as the U.N. secretary-general, Annan said the
security, humanitarian and political issues must be addressed at the
same time. He spoke out against the Israelis using "disproportionate
force" in civilian areas, carrying out house demolitions, and engaging
in extra-judicial killings.
"Unless the Palestinians feel a positive change in their daily lives
including ending movement restrictions, freezing settlement activities
and reestablishing economic activity, I fear that there will not be
sufficient support to sustain peace," Annan said.
In response to a question, Secretary Powell expressed "regret" for an
"incident" involving an Israeli assassination of an alleged terrorist.
He said such actions must not be allowed to end progress toward peace.
"What we're trying to do with the roadmap is to get both parties to
start meeting their obligations and commitments and move forward. We
have had a start on that. Israel has started by taking down some of
the outposts and releasing prisoners. On the Palestinian side, we've
seen a new seriousness with respect to doing something about terror
and violence and the prime minister speaking out clearly on the need
to end the armed intifada," Powell said.
Powell said a return to violence is not an alternative for the
Israelis, the Palestinians and the people of the region. The Secretary
expressed support for plans to put responsibility for security in Gaza
in the hands of the Palestinian Authority. He said an Israeli military
withdrawal carries a level of risk, but the Palestinians have tools to
end terrorism. Powell said it is important to keep in mind that the
blame for terrorism lies on groups such as Hamas and Palestinian
Islamic Jihad and nowhere else.
Speaking for the European Union, Papandreou said the international
community is committed to acting together to work for peace and the
establishment of a viable Palestinian state. He added that President
Bush's commitment will play a vital role in the success of the peace
effort.
The second EU representative, Javier Solana, said the international
community needs to help the Palestinians acquire schools, hospitals
and hope as well as support the efforts of the Palestinian Authority
to assume responsibilities for security.
(The Washington File is a product of the Bureau of International
Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site:
http://usinfo.state.gov)
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