Statement Following Meeting in New York
(July 16, 2002)
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov,
U.S. Secretary of State Colin L. Powell, Danish Foreign Minister Per
Stig Moeller, High Representative for European Common Foreign and Security
Policy Javier Solana and European Commissioner for External Affairs
Chris Patten met in New York today.
The Quartet members reviewed the situation in the Middle
East and agreed to continue close consultations, as expressed in the Madrid Declaration, to which
the Quartet remains fully committed, to promote a just, comprehensive,
and lasting settlement of the Middle East conflict.The Quartet expresses
its support for the convening of a further international Ministerial
meeting at an appropriate time.
The Quartet deeply deplores today's tragic killing
of Israeli civilians and reiterates its strong and unequivocal condemnation
of terrorism, including suicide bombing, which
is morally repugnant and has caused great harm to the legitimate aspirations
of the Palestinian people for a better future. Terrorists must not be
allowed to kill the hope of an entire region, and a united international
community, for genuine peace and security for both Palestinians and
Israelis.
The Quartet expresses once again its profound regret
at the loss of innocent Israeli and Palestinian lives, and extends its
sympathy to all those who have suffered loss. The Quartet members expressed
their increasing concern about the mounting humanitarian crisis in Palestinian
areas and their determination to address urgent Palestinian needs.
Consistent with President Bush's June 24 statement,
the UN, EU and Russia express their
strong support for the goal of achieving a final Israeli-Palestinian
settlement which, with intensive effort on security and reform by all,
could be reached within three years from now. The UN, EU and Russia
welcome President Bush's commitment to active U.S. leadership toward
that goal. The Quartet remains committed to implementing the vision
of two states, Israel and an independent, viable and democratic Palestine,
living side by side in peace and security, as affirmed by UN Security
Council Resolution 1397. The
Quartet members, in their individual capacity and jointly, pledge all
possible efforts to realize the goals of reform, security and peace
and reaffirm that progress in the political, security, economic, humanitarian,
and institution-building fields must proceed together, hand-in-hand.
The Quartet reiterates its welcome of the initiative of Saudi Arabia,
endorsed by the Arab League Beirut Summit, as a significant contribution
towards a comprehensive peace.
To assist progress toward these shared goals, the Quartet
agreed on the importance of a coordinated international campaign to
support Palestinian efforts at political and economic reform. The Quartet
welcomes and encourages the strong Palestinian interest in fundamental
reform, including the Palestinian 100-Day Reform Program. It also welcomes
the willingness of regional states and the international community to
assist the Palestinians to build institutions of good government, and
to create a new governing framework of working democracy, in preparation
for statehood. For these objectives to be realized, it is essential
that well-prepared, free, open and democratic elections take place.
The new international Task Force on Reform, which is comprised of representatives
of the U.S., EU, UN Secretary General, Russia, Japan, Norway, the World
Bank and the International Monetary Fund, and which works under the
auspices of the Quartet, will strive to develop and implement a comprehensive
action plan for reform. The inaugural meeting of this Task Force in
London July 10 discussed a detailed plan including specific Palestinian
commitments. It will meet again in August to review actions in areas
including civil society, financial accountability, local government,
the market economy, elections, and judicial and administrative reform.
Implementation of an action plan, with appropriate
benchmarks for progress on reform measures, should lead to the establishment
of a democratic Palestinian state characterized by the rule of law,
separation of powers, and a vibrant free market economy that can best
serve the interests of its people.
The Quartet also commits itself to continuing to assist
the parties in efforts to renew dialogue, and welcomes in this regard
the recent high-level ministerial meetings between Israelis and Palestinians
on the issues of security, economics and reform. The Quartet agreed
on the critical need to build new and efficient Palestinian security
capabilities on sound bases of unified command, and transparency and
accountability with regard to resources and conduct. Restructuring security
institutions to serve these goals should lead to improvement in Palestinian
security performance, which is essential to progress on other aspects
of institutional transformation and realization of a Palestinian state
committed to combating terror.
In this context, the Quartet notes Israel's vital stake
in the success of Palestinian reform. The Quartet calls upon Israel
to take concrete steps to support the emergence of a viable Palestinian
state. Recognizing Israel's legitimate security concerns, these steps
include immediate measures to ease the internal closures in certain
areas and, as security improves through reciprocal steps, withdrawal
of Israeli forces to their pre-September 28, 2000 positions. Moreover,
frozen tax revenues should be released. In this connection, a more transparent
and accountable mechanism is being put into place. In addition, consistent
with the Mitchell Committee's recommendations, Israel should stop all
new settlement activity. Israel must also ensure full, safe and unfettered
access for international and humanitarian personnel.
The Quartet reaffirms that there must be a negotiated
permanent settlement based on UN Security Council resolutions 242 and 338. There can be no military
solution to the conflict; Israelis and Palestinians must address the
core issues that divide them, through sustained negotiations, if there
is to be real and lasting peace and security. The Israeli occupation
that began in 1967 must end, and Israel must have secure and recognized
borders. The Quartet further reaffirms its commitment to the goal of
a comprehensive regional peace between Israel and Lebanon, and Israel
and Syria, based upon Resolutions 242 and 338, the Madrid terms of reference,
and the principle of land for peace.
The Quartet looks forward to upcoming consultations
with the Foreign Ministers of Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and other
regional partners, and determines to continue regular consultation on
the situation in the Middle East at the principals' level. The Quartet
envoys will continue their work on the ground to support the work of
the principals, to assist the Task Force on Reform, and to aid the parties
in resuming a political dialogue in order to reach a solution to the
core political questions.
Sources: United Nations Secretary General |