Non Paper
on the Revival of a Dynamics of Peace in the Middle East
Following is the text of the French initiative of February 2002 for Palestinian elections and the declaration of a Palestinian state as a catalyst for the peace process. It was obtained by bitterlemons.org from Israeli and Palestinian sources.
It is worth considering two new ideas to break the political deadlock and re-establish a real dynamic for peace in the Middle East.
1. The organization of elections in the Palestinian territories based on the theme of peace.
OBJECTIVES:
2. The recognition of the Palestinian state as a starting point (and no longer the finishing point) of a negotiating process.
OBJECTIVES:
THESE TWO PROPOSALS ARE HIGHLY COMPLEMENTARY. THEY CALL FOR A PLAN TO BE IMPLEMENTED THAT COMBINES BOTH IDEAS.
HOW ARE THESE TWO PROPOSALS TO BE IMPLEMENTED?
1. There are number of possibilities for the elections:
2. Should unquestionable elections be held, the Palestinian state would immediately be recognised by Israel and admitted into the United Nations.
To give the Palestinian state a viable working basis from the outset, Israel would have to commit to implementing within a set time period (a few weeks), the third redeployment provided for by the Wye River Memorandum of October 1988 and commit to resuming negotiations on safe corridors between Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
The Palestinian state would have to commit to adopting, within a similar period of time, a constitution guaranteeing its democratic nature.
3. At the same time, the two parties would have to adopt a declaration of non-belligerency subject to international guarantees (or supervision). Both parties would commit to resuming negotiations immediately following the accomplishment of the above steps. These negotiations would be held on the basis of the relevant resolutions (242 and 338) with a view to reaching a final settlement, within a time period to be agreed, on the permanent status issues of territory, Jerusalem, refugees, security and the sharing of water resources.
4. An international mechanism would be responsible for ensuring the implementation of the commitments made.
Country: France
Subject: Electoral issues, Peace process, Peace proposals and efforts, Situation in the OPT including Jerusalem, Statehood-related
Publication Date: 28/02/2002