Statement on Middle
East Peace Post-Disengagement
(September 20, 2005)
Representatives of the Quartet — U.N.
Secretary General Kofi
Annan, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei
Lavrov, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza
Rice, U.K. Foreign Secretary Jack Straw,
High Representative for European Common
Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana,
and European Commissioner for External
Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner — met
today in New York to discuss the Gaza disengagement and the prospects for movement towards peace
in the Middle East.
The Quartet recognizes and welcomes
the successful conclusion of the Israeli withdrawal
from Gaza and parts of the northern West
Bank and the moment of opportunity that it brings
to renew efforts on the Roadmap.
The Quartet reiterates its belief that this brave and
historic decision should open a new chapter on the path
to peace in the region. It paid tribute to the political
courage of Prime Minister Sharon and commends the Israeli government, its armed forces
and its police for the smooth and professional execution
of the operation. It also expresses its appreciation
for the responsible behavior of the Palestinian
Authority and people for helping maintain a peaceful
environment during the evacuation. The Quartet applauds
the close coordination between the Israeli and Palestinian
security services during the process. These significant
developments create new opportunities and call for renewed
focus on the responsibilities of all parties. The conclusion
of disengagement represents an important step toward
achieving the vision of two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, living side-by-side in peace and security.
The Quartet commends continued cooperation
between both parties and the U.S. Security Coordinator,
General William Ward, on security issues related to
the disengagement. The Quartet calls for an end to all
violence and terror.
While the PA leadership has condemned violence and has
sought to encourage Palestinian groups who have engaged
in terrorism to abandon this course and engage in the
democratic process, the Quartet further urges the Palestinian
Authority to maintain law and order and dismantle terrorist
capabilities and infrastructure. The Quartet reaffirms
the continued importance of comprehensive reform of
the Palestinian security services. The rule of law through
authorized security institutions is fundamental to democratic
practice. The Quartet expresses appreciation to those
parties which have made contributions to the security
reform effort, particularly Egypt , the European Union, and the United
States. Finally, the Quartet welcomes the agreement
between the Governments of Israel and Egypt on security
arrangements along the Gaza-Egypt border.
At today's meeting, Quartet Special
Envoy Wolfensohn's report on his current efforts and
initiatives was discussed. The Quartet encourages his
further work to facilitate continued discussion between
the parties to build on the success of disengagement.
The Palestinian Authority should demonstrate its ability
to govern, and all members of the international community
should look for ways to support these efforts. The Quartet
will continue to lead international efforts to support
sustainable growth of the Palestinian economy and to
strengthen the overall capacity of the Palestinian Authority
to assume its responsibilities through an aggressive
pursuit of state building and democratic reform efforts.
Given the critical importance of free movement in the
West Bank to the viability of the Palestinian economy,
the Quartet urges an easing of the system of movement
restrictions, consistent with Israel 's security needs.
The Quartet reaffirms that coordinated action by the
international donor community is crucial for the success
of the Quartet Special Envoy's Quick Impact Economic
Program, as well as for the longer term three year plan
for Palestinian development. In this regard, it notes
the importance of the $750 million in assistance which
will be disbursed to the Palestinian Authority during
the remainder of this year. The Quartet urges Arab states
to implement existing commitments and to engage fully
and positively in response to the Special Envoy's initiatives.
To ensure the success of this effort, the Quartet views
continued progress on institutional reform of the Palestinian
Authority, as well as progress in combating corruption,
as essential. The Quartet also welcomes the announcement
of Palestinian Legislative
Council elections and upcoming municipal elections.
Looking beyond disengagement, the Quartet
reviewed progress on implementation of the Roadmap.
The Quartet calls for renewed action in parallel by
both parties on their obligations in accordance with
the sequence of the Roadmap. As part of the confidence-building
process the Quartet urged both sides to return to the
cooperative agenda reached at Sharm
el-Sheikh. Contacts between the parties should be
intensified at all levels. The Quartet charges the Envoys
to keep progress under review.
Both parties are reminded of their
obligations under the Roadmap to avoid unilateral actions
which prejudice final status issues. The Quartet reaffirms
that any final agreement must be reached through negotiation
between the parties and that a new Palestinian state
must be truly viable with contiguity in the West Bank
and connectivity to Gaza. On settlements, the Quartet
welcomed the fact that, in areas covered by disengagement,
Israel has gone beyond its obligations under the first
phase of the Roadmap. The Quartet expresses its concern
that settlement expansion elsewhere must stop, and Israel
must remove unauthorized outposts. The Quartet continues
to note with concern the route of the Israeli separation
barrier, particularly as it results in the confiscation
of Palestinian land, cuts off the movement of people
and goods, and undermines Palestinians' trust in the
Roadmap process as it appears to prejudge the final
borders of a Palestinian state.
The Quartet members exchanged views
on the Russian proposal to hold an international meeting of experts
in Moscow. Contacts on this matter will continue, taking
into consideration the need to give attention to the
various aspects of the Middle East situation, including
multilateral matters.
The Quartet reiterates its commitment
to the principles outlined in previous statements, including
those of May 4, 2004, May 9, 2005, and June 23, 2005,
and reaffirms its commitment to a just, comprehensive,
and lasting settlement to the Arab-Israeli conflict
based upon U.N. Security
Council Resolutions 242 and 338.
Sources: United Nations Secretary General |