Statement on Palestinian Elections
(January 30, 2006)
Representatives of the Quartet - - UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice,
High Representative for European Common Foreign and
Security Policy Javier Solana, and European Commissioner
for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner - met
today in London to discuss the situation in the Middle East.
The Quartet congratulated the Palestinian people on an electoral process that was free, fair and
secure. The Quartet believes that the Palestinian people
have the right to expect that a new government will
address their aspirations for peace and statehood, and
it welcomed President Abbas' affirmation that the Palestinian
Authority is committed to the Roadmap,
previous agreements and obligations between the parties,
and a negotiated two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict. It is the view of the Quartet that all members
of a future Palestinian government must be committed
to nonviolence, recognition of Israel,
and acceptance of previous agreements and obligations,
including the Roadmap. We urge both parties to respect
their existing agreements, including on movement and
access.
The Quartet received updates from Quartet
Special Envoy James Wolfensohn and US Security Coordinator
LTG Keith Dayton at today's meeting. We also had the
good fortune of hearing from former President Carter
who helped supervise elections a few days ago. The Quartet
called on the Palestinian Authority to ensure law and
order, prevent terrorist attacks and dismantle the infrastructure
of terror. The Quartet acknowledged the positive role
of the Palestinian Authority security forces in helping
maintain order during the recent elections. It expressed
its view that progress on further consolidation, accountability
and reform remains an important task.
Mindful of the needs of the Palestinian
people, the Quartet discussed the issue of assistance
to the Palestinian Authority. First, the Quartet expressed
its concern over the fiscal situation of the Palestinian
Authority and urged measures to facilitate the work
of the caretaker government to stabilize public finances,
taking into consideration established fiscal accountability
and reform benchmarks. Second, the Quartet concluded
that it was inevitable that future assistance to any
new government would be reviewed by donors against that
government's commitment to the principles of nonviolence,
recognition of Israel, and acceptance of previous agreements
and obligations, including the Roadmap. The Quartet
calls upon the newly elected Palestinian
Legislative Council (PLC) to support the formation
of a government committed to these principles as well
as the rule of law, tolerance, reform and sound fiscal
management.
Both parties are reminded of their
obligations under the Roadmap to avoid unilateral actions
which prejudice final status issues. The Quartet reiterated
its view that settlement expansion must stop, reiterated
its concern regarding the route of the barrier, and
noted Acting Prime Minister Olmert's recent statements that Israel will continue the process
of removing unauthorized outposts.
The Quartet expressed its concern for
the health of Prime Minister Sharon and its hope for his rapid recovery.
Finally, the Quartet reiterated its
commitment to the principles outlined in the Roadmap
and previous statements, and reaffirmed its commitment
to a just, comprehensive, and lasting settlement to
the Arab-Israeli
conflict based upon UN
Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338. The
Quartet will remain seized of the matter and will engage
key regional actors.
Sources: United Nations Secretary General |