Letters of Mutual Recognition
(September 9, 1993)
PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat to Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin:
Mr. Prime Minister,
The signing of the Declaration of Principles marks
a new era in the history of the Middle East. In firm conviction
thereof, I would like to confirm the following PLO commitments:
- The PLO recognizes the right of the State of Israel to exist in peace and security.
- The PLO accepts United Nations Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338.
- The PLO commits itself to the Middle East peace process,
and to a peaceful resolution of the conflict between the two sides
and declares that all outstanding issues relating to permanent
status will be resolved through negotiations.
- The PLO considers that the signing of the Declaration
of Principles constitutes a historic event, inaugurating a new
epoch of peaceful coexistence, free from violence and all other
acts which endanger peace and stability. Accordingly, the PLO
renounces the use of terrorism and other acts of violence and
will assume responsibility over all PLO elements and personnel
in order to assure their compliance, prevent violations and discipline
violators.
In view of the promise of a new era and the signing
of the Declaration of Principles and based on Palestinian acceptance
of Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338, the PLO affirms that
those articles of the Palestinian Covenant which deny Israel's
right to exist, and the provisions of the Covenant which are inconsistent
with the commitments of this letter are now inoperative and no
longer valid. Consequently, the PLO undertakes to submit to the
Palestinian National Council for formal approval the necessary
changes in regard to the Palestinian Covenant.
Sincerely,
Yasser Arafat
Chairman, Palestine Liberation Organization
Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin to PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat:
Mr. Chairman,
In response to your letter of September 9, 1993,
I wish to confirm to you that, in light of the PLO commitments
included in your letter, the Government of Israel has decided
to recognize the PLO as the representative of the Palestinian
people and commence negotiations with the PLO within the Middle
East peace process.
Yitzhak Rabin
Prime Minister, Israel
PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat to Norwegian Foreign Minister Johan Holst:
Dear Minister Holst,
I would like top confirm to you that, upon the signing
of the Declaration of Principles, the PLO encourages and calls
upon the Palestinian people in the West Bank and Gaza Strip to
take part in the steps leading to the normalization of life, rejecting
violence and terrorism, contributing to peace and stability and
participating actively in shaping reconstruction, economic development
and cooperation.
Sincerely,
Yasser Arafat
Chairman, Palestine Liberation Organization
Sources: UNISPAL |