25 September 2009
Mideast Roadmap Should Be Fulfilled “Irrespective of Reciprocity”
Washington — Representatives of the group known as the Quartet echoed President Obama’s sense of urgency for the need for Israel and the Palestinians to return to negotiations aimed at reaching a full peace agreement.
In a September 24 statement issued in New York, the representatives from the United Nations, Russia, the United States, and the European Union called on Israel and the Palestinians to “act on their previous agreements and obligations — in particular adherence to the “Roadmap,” irrespective of reciprocity — to create the conditions for the resumption of negotiations in the near term.”
The peace plan known as the Roadmap, which both parties agreed to in 2003, calls for the Palestinian Authority (PA) to undertake democratic reforms and forswear the use of violence in exchange for a Palestinian state. Along with accepting an independent Palestinian state, Israel is required, under the Roadmap to end its settlement activities in the territories it has occupied as a result of the 1967 war.
“The Quartet urges the government of Israel to freeze all settlement activity, including natural growth; and to refrain from provocative actions in East Jerusalem,” the statement said.
It also “calls on the Palestinian Authority to continue to make every effort to improve law and order, to fight violent extremism, and to end incitement.”
According to the statement, “the only viable solution” to the Middle East conflict is “an agreement that ends the occupation that began in 1967; resolves all permanent status issues as previously defined by the parties; and fulfils the aspirations of both parties for independent homelands through two states for two peoples, Israel and an independent, contiguous and viable state of Palestine, living side by side in peace and security.”
The Quartet welcomed the Palestinian Authority’s two-year plan to construct the institutions of a Palestinian state, saying it demonstrates the PA’s commitment to a state “that provides opportunity, justice, and security for the Palestinian people and is a responsible neighbor to all states in the region.”
It also welcomed continued steps by Israel to “promote change on the ground” such as allowing greater free movement of people and goods in and out of Palestinian areas, and encouraged Israel to “re-double those efforts.”
Noting “significantly improved economic growth in the West Bank,” the Quartet said the international community and neighboring states can add to the momentum by “contributing immediate, sustained, concrete, and coordinated support for the Palestinian nation building effort.”
In the statement, the Quartet also called for a solution to the Gaza crisis that addresses Israeli security concerns but also facilitates the flow of people, humanitarian aid, and commercial goods in and out of the territory. The solution should end weapons smuggling into Gaza, and promote its reunification with the West Bank under the PA. The Quartet also repeated its call for the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who has been held by Palestinian Hamas since June 2006.
In remarks to reporters September 24, Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs P.J. Crowley said the Obama administration is “not going to stop trying” in its efforts to re-launch negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.
“It’s time for … both sides to enter in negotiations as soon as possible, and we are now in this period of intensive discussions in that direction,” he said.
He also said the United States has not set Israeli settlements aside as an issue needing resolution. “We’re going to continue to talk to the Israelis about settlements,” he said.
However, “if you ultimately resolve the conflict, if you ultimately reach a peace agreement, you will ultimately also solve the challenge of settlements,” Crowley said.
The full text of the Quartet statement is available on America.gov.
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