Statement to Satisfy U.S. Conditions for Dialogue
(December 7, 1988)
In 1988, Yasser
Arafat met with five American Jewish leaders, with the full knowledge and support of both the American
and Swedish governments, to find a formula that would
enable the United States to start a dialogue with the PLO and for that body to meet the traditional U.S. conditions for such a dialogue. Two days of talks produced the following statement which was
read out by Sweden's Foreign Minister Sten Andersson.
"The Palestinian
National Council met in Algiers from November 12 to 15, 1988, and
announced the declaration of independence which proclaimed the state
of Palestine and issued a political statement.
"The following
explanation was given by the representatives of the PLO of certain
important points in the Palestinian declaration of independence and
the political statement adopted by the PNC in Algiers.
"Affirming the principle
incorporated in those UN resolutions which call for a two-state
solution of Israel and Palestine, the PNC:
"1. Agreed to enter into
peace negotiations at an international conference under the auspices
of the UN with the participation of the permanent members of the
Security Council and the PLO as the sole legitimate representative of
the Palestinian people, on equal footing with the other parties to the
conflict; such an international conference is to be held on the basis
of UN resolutions 242 and 338 and the right of the Palestinian people
of self-determination, without the external interference, as provided
in the UN Charter, including the right to an independent state, which
conference should resolve the Palestinian problem in all its aspects;
"2. Established the
independent state of Palestine and accepted the existence of Israel as
a state in the region;
"3. Declared its
rejection and condemnation of terrorism in all its forms, including
state terrorism;
"4. Called for a
solution to the Palestinian refugee problem in accordance with
international law and practices and relevant UN resolutions (including
right of return or compensation)."
Sources: Israeli
Foreign Ministry |