Approaches/Peace process review: November 1992

APPROACHES TOWARDS

THE SETTLEMENT

OF THE ARAB-ISRAELI CONFLICT

AND THE QUESTION OF PALESTINE

Issue 18 – November 1992

United Nations

New York, December 1992

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

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NOTE

Since April 1991, at the request of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, the Division for Palestinian Rights of the United Nations Secretariat has prepared on a monthly basis a compilation of relevant recent statements, declarations and proposals regarding the settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict, including the question of Palestine and the convening of the International Peace Conference on the Middle East for the use of the Committee members and observers.  The present issue covers the month of November 1992.

Reproduced herein are only those parts of the statements, declarations, documents, proposals and initiatives, quoted or summarized, which relate to the Arab-Israeli conflict and the question of Palestine.

Text of a statement at a news conference by the United States

Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs and

Acting Assistant Secretary for South Asian Affairs,

Washington, D.C., 1 October 1992

On 19 November 1992, at Washington, D.C., the United States Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs and Acting Assistant Secretary for South Asian Affairs, Mr. Edward P. Djerejian, in an opening statement at a news conference, made the following remarks on the conclusion of the seventh bilateral round of the Arab-Israeli negotiations.

"Good afternoon.  I would like to start with some remarks on the latest round of negotiations, and I'd be pleased to take your questions after that.

"Unfortunately, this round was marked by external events that affected the negotiations.  There was, regrettably, an upsurge in violence in the region, especially in south Lebanon.

"The United States and others expended significant efforts to bring about an end [to] or reduction of the violence and to prevent escalation.  We worked very hard to ensure that the peace negotiations continued during this difficult period.  As we have often stated, we deplore this violence and want to see an end to the suffering and hardship that it causes.  We do not want the opponents of peace to benefit from their efforts to harm this process, and we succeeded.

"The Madrid process of negotiations, again, proved its durability with the parties continuing to engage at the negotiating table despite the challenges on the ground.

"The negotiations themselves produced no headline-grabbing breakthroughs this round.  However, two points need to be made as this round ends:  All the parties have told us they remain seriously committed to pursuing these negotiations with the objective of reaching a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace settlement on the basis of UN Security Council resolutions 242 and 338.  All the parties are focused on the substantive issues – issues relating to the core concerns of land, peace, and security.

"The real challenge for the parties now is to develop approaches that will enable each of them to begin meeting one another's requirements on their basic concerns.  Much hard work remains on the road ahead.

"On the Israeli-Palestinian track, both sides are clearly frustrated by the slow pace of negotiations, but they continue to engage at several levels – in plenary and in informal discussion groups – to try to elaborate the complex issues associated with Palestinian interim self-government arrangements.  In informal groups, the sides explored the concept of interim self-government arrangements, including the size, the structure, and jurisdictional issues.  They discussed control and authority over land, and they engaged on economic issues and on human rights.

"In the Israeli-Syrian negotiations, the parties continued their effort to reach an agreed statement of principles.  They continued  to focus  on the core issues of land, peace, and security.  This remains a difficult and ambitious undertaking but one which is central to moving forward to an eventual agreement between the two sides.  More work is needed to come to an agreement.

"Despite the difficulties, both sides have demonstrated a real commitment to sustain this effort.  We hope both will keep at it and build on the progress that has been achieved to date.

"On the Lebanese-Israeli track, the most significant achievement of this round was that the two sides persevered in the face of the violence in the region.  They did not allow the opponents of peace to get the upper hand.  We praise both sides for their demonstrated commitment to peace, despite very difficult circumstances.  Continuity and sustained engagement have been the keys to working through very trying circumstances.

"As the situation on the ground calmed toward the end of the round, the parties were able to refocus on the effort to reach agreement on a formula for military expert talks within the overall framework of the negotiations.  This is clearly a vital issue for both sides.

"Further progress will allow the Israelis and Lebanese to explore each other's security needs and concerns, which should be the focus of the next round.

"In the Jordanian-Israeli negotiations:  As I noted in my last press briefing, the parties achieved substantial agreement on the direction and principles concerning the negotiation.  An agenda outlining these principles was agreed ad referendum.  The exact language of the agenda has not yet been finalized, but we think it is important to bring this issue to closure.

"In the meantime, the sides engaged in in-depth work on key issues.  Informal groups focused on water, energy, economic issues, and the environment.

"Now, taking a look ahead.  The co-sponsors of these talks – the United States and Russia – remain firmly committed to the Madrid process and its goal of a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace based on UN Security Council resolutions 242 and 338.  We continue to work quietly and intensively with the parties.  We have no illusions about the magnitude of the task at hand; but the parties should have no doubt about our commitment.

"The United States is in this for the long run, and we'll work as long and as hard as needed to see these talks succeed.  Further, we have made it clear to all the negotiating parties that they should not be distracted by our transition.  The best thing they can do, in fact, is to maintain a strong commitment to these negotiations with a view toward obtaining positive results during this period.

"Both President Bush and President-elect Clinton have made clear the high priority we give to the Arab-Israeli peace process.

"In sum, it is important to maintain the momentum of the negotiations and explore all possible ways forward.  To this end, the co-sponsors have invited the parties to return to Washington for an eighth round of bilateral talks to start on December 7."1/

Remarks by the Spokesman of the Secretary-General of the United Nations

on the question of the multilateral negotiations on regional issues,

United Nations Headquarters, 20 November 1992

On 20 November 1992, at a daily press briefing at United Nations Headquarters, the Spokesman for the Secretary-General of the United Nations made the following announcement concerning the Arab-Israeli peace negotiations:

"The Secretary-General has decided to appoint Ambassador Chinmaya Gharekhan of India, effective January 1993, as his Special Representative to the multilateral negotiations of the Middle East peace talks.  Ambassador Gharekhan will coordinate the role of the United Nations in the Working Groups on Arms Control and Regional Security, Water, Environment, Economic and Regional Development, and Refugees."2/

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Notes

1. United States Department of State Dispatch, November 30, 1992, Vol. 3, No. 48, pp. 858-859.

2. Department of Public Information, daily press briefing notes, 20 November 1992, p. 1.