APPROACHES TOWARDS
THE SETTLEMENT
OF THE ARAB-ISRAELI CONFLICT
AND THE QUESTION OF PALESTINE
Issue 19 – December 1992
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Note . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii The second Multilateral Steering Group Meeting, London, 3-4 December 1992 Text of a statement by Mr. Edward P. Djerejian, United States Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs and Acting Assistant Secretary for South Asian Affairs, 4 December. . . . . 1 Text of the co-sponsors' summary, 4 December. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 The Arab-Israeli peace negotiations: chronology of meetings, August-December 1992 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 |
United Nations
New York, January 1993
– ii –
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 statements, declarations, documents or other material regarding the settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict, including the question of Palestine and the convening of an international peace conference on the Middle East for the use of the Committee members and observers. The present issue covers the month of December 1992.
Reproduced herein are only those parts of the statements, declarations, documents or other material, quoted or summarized, which relate to the Arab-Israeli conflict and the question of Palestine.
The second Multilateral Steering Group Meeting*,
London, 3-4 December 1992
Text of a statement by Mr. Edward P. Djerejian,
United States Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs
and Acting Assistant Secretary for South Asian Affairs,
4 December
On 4 December 1992, in London, in a statement before the second meeting of the Middle East Peace Process Steering Group on Multilateral Negotiations, Mr. Edward P. Djerejian, United States Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs and Acting Assistant Secretary for South Asian Affairs, said the following concerning the status of the multilateral negotiations on Middle East regional issues:
"I am pleased to report that the second meeting of the Middle East Peace Process Steering Group on multilateral negotiations has concluded on a very positive note. I want to express my appreciation to the British Government for hosting this session, to my Russian colleague for co-sponsoring, and to all parties for their serious work in making this meeting a success.
"The multilateral dimension of the Arab-Israeli peace process launched at Madrid last year is working and working well. Since our last session of the Steering Group in May, we have overcome a number of procedural obstacles:
· Israel and diaspora Palestinians now participate in all five working groups;
· The United Nations and [the] World Bank now contribute in significant ways;
· Each of the five working groups is focused on practical steps; [and]
· [The] European Community is now participating fully in the Arms Control and Regional Security Group.
"In this regard, as the multilateral negotiations move forward, it is our hope that Syria and Lebanon will soon participate. The co-sponsors will continue their efforts in this regard.
"The discussions over the past 2 days were serious and productive. They reflected the seriousness with which all parties regard the multilateral negotiations. They were also conducted in a friendly and constructive tone. In this regard, we were impressed by the way in which Israelis and Palestinians addressed one another directly. This effort to reach out to one another is precisely the kind of approach that leads to problem-solving and consensus-building required to bridge gaps and resolve difficulties.
"As we have noted many times before, the multilateral track is designed to facilitate and complement the bilateral negotiations. To that end, all parties expressed the hope that the eighth round of the bilaterals, which we would expect to convene in Washington next week, will make progress.
"During our session here in London, the steering group reviewed progress made in the five working groups and heard reports on those efforts from the organizers of each group. We were struck by the range and number of activities currently being undertaken by the working groups as a whole.
"I am pleased to note that in each group – water, environment, economic development, refugees, and arms control and regional security – all parties focused on practical ways to address these issues -issues basic to regional stability and development.
"Indeed, one of the purposes of the multilateral negotiations is to demonstrate that peace will bring to the region concrete benefits that will promote the well-being of all the peoples of the region. At the same time, all parties recognize that only through the resolution of the political issues that divide them, can real peace be achieved.
"Our discussions also focused on a number of procedural issues related to the work on the multilateral negotiations. In some areas, consensus was achieved; in others, it was not. The important point is that all parties are determined to make the process succeed to find the most effective format to make it work, and to see its purpose and value enhanced.
"In this regard, I am pleased to announce venues for the next sessions of the multilateral working groups. In some cases, we have dates scheduled; in others, we are in the process of scheduling.
· Arms Control and Regional Security – Washington, D.C.,
February 1993;
· Water – Geneva, February 16-18, 1993;
· Environment – Tokyo, February 1993;
· Refugees – Oslo, February 16-18, 1993;
· Economic Development – Rome, February 9-10, 1993; [and]
· Steering Group – Moscow, in late March, early April 1993.
"In conclusion, let me reiterate again that this session demonstrated a serious and positive tone and a willingness on the part of all those who attended to work through difficult issues in a friendly and constructive manner. I am certain that with the resolve and goodwill shown by all the parties over the past 2 days, we will be able to achieve the peace and security that the peoples of this region so richly deserve."1/
Text of the co-sponsors' summary,
4 December
"The Multilateral Steering Group met in London, December 3-4. All Steering Group members participated actively and constructively in the discussions.
"The co-sponsors noted the serious commitment of all the regional parties to the peace process, as evidenced by the progress made to date in the bilateral and multilateral negotiations. In this respect, the co-sponsors and the participants noted the significant progress made in the multilaterals to date:
· We have overcome a number of procedural obstacles. Israel and diaspora Palestinians now participate in all five working groups. The United Nations and World Bank are contributing in significant ways. And European participation in the arms control and regional security group is now established.
· Each of the working groups has started to work on practical steps. These are designed to broaden regional cooperation and to benefit the parties in concrete ways. Intersessional activities and seminars have become an increasingly valuable part of this process.
· As the working groups move ahead, we have kept the focus of the peace process on the bilateral negotiations. In this respect, it remains our hope that Syria and Lebanon will soon participate in the multilaterals.
· The multilateral process is increasingly characterized by a positive tone in exchanges between the regional parties. This is to be encouraged.
"In this constructive spirit, the Steering Group examined a number of issues with a view to promoting even more rapid progress. In some areas, consensus was reached, and in some areas further discussion will be required before consensus is found.
· First, there were several suggestions for more systematic reporting of working group meetings. The Steering Group calls upon each gavel holder to consult with the co-sponsors and the regional parties in preparing an oral summary. Following the presentation of this report to the working group, the gavel holder should provide it in writing to the participants. The Steering Group agreed that drafting should not become the primary focus of the working groups.
· Second, the Steering Group agreed to increase the size of delegations at Steering Group meetings to one plus five, so that a representative from each of the working groups could take part in each delegation.
· Third, the Steering Group strongly urged the earliest possible participation of Syria and Lebanon. The co-sponsors will continue their active efforts in this regard.
· Fourth, several delegations recommended the participation of the United Nations in the Steering Group. The co-sponsors pointed out that the original criteria for Steering Group composition included co-sponsors, lead co-organizers, bilateral negotiating parties, and key regional parties. The co-sponsors will keep this issue under review.
· Fifth, many delegations urged additional movement on the question of Palestinian representation. One delegation urged that the parties not reopen issues that were decided before the Madrid Conference, noting that there had been evolution in this area during the past months. The co-sponsors urged the parties to continue their contacts on this issue.
· Sixth, since several of the groups are working on similar activities, the Steering Group encouraged that consideration be given to mutual reinforcement. One delegation suggested the future possibility of scheduling all five groups at the same venue at the same time. Others thought this may be premature.
· Seventh, several delegations recommended that the co-sponsors consider periodic reports to the Steering Group on the bilaterals. The co-sponsors will consult with the bilateral negotiating parties.
· Eighth, a number of parties repeated their interest in forming additional working groups, including one on Jerusalem and one on human rights. There was no consensus on either. The Steering Group will keep the question of additional groups under review.
· Ninth, there was general consensus that the format of the multilaterals can be flexible and evolve over time in response to progress of the talks. At this time, there was also consensus that structural changes were not necessary.
"The Steering Group also agreed on the following times and venues for future multilateral meetings:
· ACRS**: Washington, in February.
· Water: Geneva, February 16-18.
· Environment: Tokyo, in February.
· Refugees: Oslo, in February or March.
· Economic Development: Rome, February 9-10.
· Steering Group: Moscow, in late March or early April.
"The Steering Group also took note of the following offers to host future multilateral meetings:
· Tunisia offered to host the refugee working group.
· Egypt offered to host the environment working group.
· Japan offered to host the Steering Group.
"The Steering Group discussions were characterized by universal support for continued progress in the peace process. All delegations expressed their commitment to constructive actions and engagement in pursuit of peace."2/
The Arab-Israeli peace negotiations: chronology of meetings,
August-December 1992
During August-December 1992, the following bilateral, multilateral, and the Steering Group meetings were held:
Bilateral negotiations (Washington, D.C.)
Round 6: 24 August – 24 September (3-14 September recess)
Round 7: 21 October – 19 November (28 October-9 November recess)
Round 8: 7-17 December (9 December, 17 December – no meetings in the Israeli-Palestinian track)***
Multilateral negotiations – Round 3
15-17 September: Arms Control and Regional Security (Moscow)
15-16 September: Water Resources (Washington, D.C.)
26-27 October: Environment (The Hague)
29-30 October: Economic Development (Paris)
11-12 November: Refugees (Ottawa)
Multilateral Steering Group – Second meeting
3-4 December (London)
* * *
________________
* The ad hoc Steering Group was established at the Organizational Meeting for Multilateral Negotiations on the Middle East, held in Moscow, on 28-29 January 1992. The first meeting of the Steering Group took place on 27 May 1992, at Lisbon.
** Arms Control and Regional Security
*** The Palestinian delegation did not attend two of the meetings in this round: one, on 9 December, in observance of the fifth anniversary of the intifadah, the other, on 17 December, in protest to the decision of Israel to deport over 400 Palestinian civilians.
Notes
1. United States Department of State Dispatch, December 14, 1992, Vol. 3, No. 50, pp. 885.
2. As per the text provided on 22 January 1993 by the Embassy of the Russian Federation to the United Kingdom.
Document symbol: I. 19
Document Type: Bulletin, Peace process review, Publication
Document Sources: Division for Palestinian Rights (DPR)
Subject: Palestine question
Publication Date: 31/12/1992
Document Type: Bulletin, Peace process review, Publication
Document Sources: Division for Palestinian Rights (DPR)
Subject: Palestine question
Publication Date: 31/12/1992