The ‘road map’ to Arab-Israeli peace

Highlights of the “road map” for Mideast peace, developed by the “quartet” of the United States, the European Union, the United Nations and Russia:

Goals

* A “final and comprehensive settlement” of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by 2005.

* The settlement will include “an independent, democratic and viable Palestinian state living side-by-side in peace and security with Israel.”

* Without mentioning specific final borders, the plan seeks to “end the occupation that began in 1967” -- when Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem, areas the Palestinians demand for their state.

* To reach a solution the Palestinians need “a leadership acting decisively against terror.”

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Phase I

The Palestinian Authority must:

* Issue “an unequivocal statement reiterating Israel’s right to exist in peace and security and calling for an immediate and unconditional cease-fire.”

* “Undertake visible efforts on the ground to arrest, disrupt and restrain individuals and groups” conducting and planning violence on Israelis anywhere.

* Dismantle “terrorist capabilities and infrastructure.”

* Confiscate illegal weapons.

* Bring all security organizations under control of interior minister.

* Undertake comprehensive political reform in preparation for statehood.

* Draft a Palestinian constitution.

* Hold free, open and fair elections.

Israel must:

* Issue an “unequivocal statement affirming its commitment to the two-state vision of an independent, viable, sovereign Palestinian state.”

* Call for “an immediate end to violence against Palestinians anywhere.”

* Freeze all construction in Jewish settlements.

* Immediately dismantle illegal settlement outposts built since March 2001.

* Stop deportations, attacks on civilians, confiscations and/or demolition of Palestinian homes and property, destruction of Palestinian institutions and infrastructure.

* Withdraw progressively from the Palestinian autonomous zones that it has reoccupied during the conflict.

Both sides must resume security cooperation.

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Phase II

(as early as end of 2003):

* “Progress into Phase II will be based upon the consensus judgment of the quartet of whether conditions are appropriate to proceed.”

* An international conference launches the process leading to the establishment of a Palestinian state with provisional borders.

* Quartet members will promote international recognition of the Palestinian state and U.N. membership.

Palestinians must:

* Finalize a new constitution for a democratic, independent Palestinian state.

* Create an independent Palestinian state with provisional borders through a process of Israeli-Palestinian engagement launched by the international conference.

Israel must:

* Move to “enhance maximum territorial contiguity” for the Palestinians.

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Phase III

(2004-2005):

Israelis and Palestinians:

* Reach final and comprehensive permanent status agreement that ends the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in 2005 through a settlement negotiated between the parties.

* The quartet convenes a second international conference to finalize the permanent-status solution for Palestinian state in 2005, including borders, Jerusalem, refugees, settlements -- and peace between Israel and other Arab states.

Source: Final draft of the “road map,” dated Dec. 20, 2002, Associated Press