February 11, 2005

SHARM EL-SHEIKH SUMMIT AGREES ON HALTING ALL ACTS OF VIOLENCE, WITHDRAWING FROM CITIES, THE RESUMPTION OF THE NEGOTIATIONS AND THE RELEASE OF PRISONERS OF WAR. EGYPT AND JORDAN DECIDE TO RETURN THEIR AMBASSADORS TO ISRAEL. HAMAS AND AL JIHAD ARE WAITING FOR EXPLANATIONS ON THE AGREEMENT FROM ABU MAZEN. RESULTS OF RICE'S VISIT TO ISRAEL AND THE PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES. Sharm el-Sheikh summit, has managed to break the four-year deadlock of the peace process through a series of bilateral meetings and a four way meeting attended by President Mubarak, King Abdullah II of Jordan, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. During the meeting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon agreed on halting all acts of violence against Israelis and Palestinians wherever they exist. The two sides also agreed on transferring security responsibility from the Israeli side to the Palestinian Authority inside Palestinian territories. The two sides agreed on releasing 500 Palestinian prisoners immediately and releasing 400 others in the near future. The two sides agreed to set up four committees one of which will be assigned with drawing up criteria for the Palestinian prisoners who must be released, another for looking into the problem of deportees from Bethlehem, a third for bringing positions in Palestinian territories for pre-September 28, 2000 and a fourth for maintaining coordination between the two sides. Israel committed itself to transferring the authority to the Palestinians at least in five cities in the West Bank, lifting off Israeli security barriers for facilitating living and human conditions for the Palestinian people and facilitating movement among regions. The two sides discussed rebuilding Gaza Strip which was severely damaged in armed confrontations. The Summit started with a series of bilateral meetings between Mubarak and Abbas, Sharon, Abdullah; before the four-way meeting. President Mubarak held talks Tuesday morning with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas before the summit.And also President Mubarak held a tete-a-tete meeting Tuesday with Israeli Premier Ariel Sharon. Mubarak-Sharon meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Ahmad Abul -Gheit, Minister Omar Sulaiman, Egyptian Presidential Adviser Osama El Baz and Presidential Spokesman Ambassador Sulaiman Awwad. Attending the meeting from the Israeli side were Sharon's four aides accompanying him to the summit and staff members of his office. Moreover, Mubarak, received Jordanian Monarch King Abdullah. This was the second session of talks between President Mubarak and the Jordanian Monarch as they had met earlier immediately after the arrival of King Abdullah in Sharm el Sheikh. President Hosni Mubarak, in his speech at the inaugural session of the Sharm EL Sheikh peace conference, said that the gathering was aimed at reviving the Middle East peace process and putting it back on track. Mubarak noted that the summit furnishes both the Palestinian and Israeli parties with an opportunity to meet for the first time in four years. The summit, said Mubarak, is being held at such a critical time of the peace process where many people were killed and destruction gripped the area. "Both the Palestinian and Israeli peoples deserve a secure and peaceful life," said President Mubarak. The only way to peace is that which is based on the international legitimacy resolutions and the Madrid Peace Conference along with the "land-for-peace" principle. President Mubarak said that establishing peace and security in the Middle East was the cornerstone for maintaining peace and stability in the world. A comprehensive peace should include also reviving the Syrian and Lebanese tracks on the basis of international legitimacy and the land for peace principle, said Mubarak. President Mubarak expressed hope that an Israeli troop withdrawal from some cities of the West Bank be made in coordination with the Palestinians so that the measure would contribute to resuming the political process between both sides for carrying out the roadmap peace plan envisaging setting up two states: Palestinian and Israeli. President Mubarak, underlined the importance of the role of the international community, including the Quartet, in protecting the Middle East peace process. President Mubarak noted that the Arab nation had opted for peace in Beirut Summit. Today's meeting is a step forward towards establishing peace in the region, he pointed out. Today's conference is a new start for building confidence between the Palestinians and Israelis with a view to reviving hope for peace through ending the suffering of the Palestinian people and restoring their rights. President Mubarak expressed hope that the positive spirit would prevail in the coming phases of the peace process. The Egyptian President expressed hope that the proposed Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank would be a viable step towards resuming the peace process and leading eventually to settling the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. In his statement before the summit, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) said he has agreed with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on halting all acts of violence against the Israelis and Palestinians. He said we have taken the first steps in implementing the roadmap, referring to some lingering differences on issues like settlements, releasing prisoners, separation wall, and Jerusalem institutions. He renewed in the name of the PLO and the PA the commitment of the Palestinians to the terms of reference of the peace process, international legitimacy resolutions and the roadmap. He also renewed his keenness to respect all obligations and full implementation of all commitments. Abu Mazen said there is a new chance for establishing peace generated in Sharm el-Sheikh, calling on all parties to observe their commitments so that peace may turn into a real fact. On his part, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said the year 2005 is a great chance for all people of the region including the Israelis and Palestinians. He called on all parties not to miss this chance. He said this chance could be broken as extremists are seeking to shatter it and leave the two peoples involved in their blood. He stressed the importance of acting promptly so as to deprive extremists of any chance of success. He said. We still have a chance to cultivate hope in the region. He dealt with understandings reached with the Palestinian side saying that Israel is prepared to turn all its commitments into deeds and waits the other side to fulfill its obligations. Addressing the Palestinians, Sharon said he respects the right of the Palestinians to lead an independent and respectable life. Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon have declared a truce to end four years of Middle East violence. Mr Abbas said the ceasefire, which begins immediately, would lead to a "new era of peace and hope". Mr Sharon vowed to cease military action against Palestinian targets after militant groups halted violence. In response, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said it was the best chance for peace in years. The truce was announced at talks between Mr Sharon and Mr Abbas in the Egyptian resort of Sharm al-Sheikh. They were the highest-level talks between the two sides since the Palestinian intifada began more than four years ago. Israeli officials said after the summit that Mr Sharon had invited Mr Abbas to his farm in southern Israel. Speaking in Paris, the US secretary of state welcomed the truce. "Success is not assured, but America is resolute," she said. "This is the best chance for peace we are likely to see for some years to come - and we are acting to help Israelis and Palestinians seize this chance." Mr Abbas and Mr Sharon said they aimed to stop violence between Israelis and Palestinians. "We have agreed on halting all violent actions against Palestinians and Israelis, wherever they are," Mr Abbas said. "The calm which will prevail in our lands starting from today is the beginning of a new era." Mr Sharon said: "For the first time in a long time, there is hope in our region for a better future for us and our grandchildren." "To our Palestinian neighbours, I would like to promise that we have a genuine intention for you to live in independence. We do not want to control your lives," he said. Mr Sharon also reaffirmed his promise to release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and said the two sides had agreed on transferring "certain Palestinian areas" from Israeli to Palestinian control. Under the arrangement, Israel will withdraw its troops from Jericho and four West Bank towns within three weeks, Palestinian negotiator Hassan Abu Libdeh later told AP. Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Abul -Gheit said the agreements reached during the 4-way summit are considered very important and the first step on the road to peace. In statements to reporters, he referred to the speeches delivered by President Hosni Mubarak, the Palestinian President and the Israeli Premier pointing out that an atmosphere of warmth and understanding prevailed in the summit meetings. He pointed out that the understandings reached covered halting all forms of violence. He described the achievements realized as good for peace, adding that talks covered many other issues pertaining to settlement activities, the separation wall and social activities. He pointed out to the release of 500 Palestinian POWs at once and 400 others will be set free soon. A joint committee will be formed to determine the criteria of releasing the Palestinian POWs and another committee for deportees to tackle their problem as well, he said. Asked about the return of the Egyptian ambassador to Tel Aviv, he said Egypt and Jordan have decided to return their ambassadors to Israel but the date has not been fixed yet. As for the Syrian track, he said President Mubarak spoke about this issue and the Israeli Premier commented as well. He pointed out to President Mubarak's call for the need to accelerate all tracks in order to reach a just and comprehensive settlement in the Middle East. A number of steps will be taken as well in the near future that will lead up to the implementation of the roadmap, he said, adding that these steps include the first stage of the roadmap. He referred to the agreement on halting violence and ceasing-fire, saying it is one of the main items of the roadmap. He pointed out that the summit aimed at tackling a comprehensive peaceful settlement of the Middle East conflict and the Palestinian Cause is core and crux of that conflict. However, he said, there are two other tracks, the Israeli- Syrian and the Israeli-Lebanese, adding that they are both important. He voiced hope that similar developments could be reached on these tracks in the future. Asked whether there are guarantees by the Israeli side, he said the premier talked about halting violence and he was committed to that. Commitment is a responsibility each side must shoulder, referring to consultations that went on for weeks, he said. Such commitments tackle a group of issues such as the Palestinian maritime harbor, the airport and the deportees including those who were deported during the incident of the Nativity Church, he said Asked whether the Israeli premier invited President Mubarak to visit Israel, he said Sharon raised the subject and President Mubarak was informed. As for the meaning of halting violence in the agreement reached, he said it is the commitment of both sides and the Israeli side is committed to preventing attacks on any Palestinian citizen regardless of his position and the Palestinian side has the same commitment regarding the Israelis. But the Palestinian militant group Hamas immediately called the deal into question, saying it would not be bound by the cease-fire declarations and was waiting to see what Israel would do next. As part of the deal, Israel will hand over control of five West Bank towns to the Palestinians within three weeks and immediately release 500 Palestinian prisoners. One Israeli official, Gideon Meir, said "there was a great atmosphere in the talks ... smiles and joking." An invitation to both sides to meet separately with President Bush at the White House this spring added another round of momentum on the summit's eve. "We have agreed on halting all violent actions against Palestinians and Israelis wherever they are," Abbas declared in a statement made after the meetings, as he, Sharon, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Jordan's King Abdullah II sat around a round table. "Today, in my meeting with chairman Abbas, we agreed that all Palestinians will stop all acts of violence against all Israelis everywhere, and, at the same time, Israel will cease all its military activity against all Palestinians everywhere," Sharon said. Abbas said he expected the cease-fire pledges to pave the way for resumption of talks on so-called "final status" issues such as borders, refugees and Jerusalem's status, all within the context of the Middle East "road map" to peace. Sharon said he also expected the deal to set the stage for the implementation of the "road map." Sharon also invited Abbas to visit him at his ranch in southern Israel and Abbas accepted, Meir said. Palestinian Foreign Minister Nabil Shaath said the meeting would take place soon. Sharon said he would like the next meeting between the two leaders to be in the West Bank town of Ramallah, according to an adviser, Raanan Gissin. Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said the agreement also included the establishment of joint committees one to determine criteria for the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, and the other to oversee the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Palestinian cities on the West Bank. The agreements show the following: CEASE-FIRE: Abbas said Palestinians will halt all violence against Israelis. Sharon said Israel will stop military activity against all Palestinians. Israel would also stop its controversial targeted killing operations against wanted Palestinians, so long as the Palestinians keep militants under control. After Sharon's declaration of an end to military operations, the two sides would go back to operating as they did before the 2000 outbreak of fighting: In Palestinian-controlled areas, including most of Gaza and eventually most West Bank towns, the Israelis would coordinate with Palestinian security forces if they want to make an arrest. PRISONERS: Israel will immediately release 500 Palestinian prisoners as a goodwill gesture, with 400 more to be freed later. TRANSFER OF TOWNS: Israel will transfer security control of five West Bank towns to Palestinian forces within three weeks. Israeli and Palestinian security commanders will meet Wednesday to prepare the handover of Jericho, the first of the five towns. COOPERATION: They agreed to establish joint committees one to determine criteria for the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, and the other to oversee gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Palestinian cities in the West Bank. AMBASSADORS: Egypt and Jordan say they will return their ambassadors to Israel. The diplomats were recalled following the outbreak of violence in late 2000. HOUSE CALLS: Abbas accepted an invitation to visit Sharon at his ranch in Israel. Sharon also said he would like the next meeting between the two leaders to be in the West Bank town of Ramallah. The outcomes of Sharm Al Sheikh Summit makes the return of ambassador necessary to follow up the Israelis and Palestinians commitment emerge in Sharm Al Sheikh Summit to stop subversive acts in the Palestinian and Israeli lands helps, Mulki stated at Sharm Al Sheikh adding that neither Jordan nor Egypt severed its diplomatic relations with Israel. Before the summit and after her meeting with the Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas US Secretary of State Condoleezza said: "I want to thank the president and the Palestinian leadership for the very productive discussions that we have just held. I'm honored to be here in what is really a promising moment. The Palestinian people have a right to be very proud of the elections that they've just held and I wish them well as they continue this year with municipal and legislative elections. Palestinians voted last month for a president who ran on a platform of democratic reform, a negotiated settlement to the conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians and an end to violence. That in our view is the right approach, and we're pleased that President Abbas is following through on his mandate to take concrete steps on security and to restore law and order. We are also pleased that security coordination has begun taking place directly between the Israelis and the Palestinians and that other constructive contacts have resumed. This is indeed the way forward, and we hope that this bodes well for the summit tomorrow in Sharm el-Sheikh. I want to join the president in thanking President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt for arranging that summit and for the attendance of King Abdullah of Jordan. The United States will do its part. We will be active in this process with our partners. We will help with the consolidation of security and the rebuilding of the Palestinian security forces. We will work with our friends in the international community and here in the region to revive the Palestinian economy and to assist Palestinian efforts to build and strengthen democratic institutions. And we will work hard to remind all parties the Israelis, the Palestinians and the regional states that they all have obligations to make certain that we can realize the vision of two states living side by side in peace. As you are aware, President Bush recently announced an increase in U.S. aid to the Palestinians of $350 million this year, all aimed at achieving these goals. I look forward to working with the Palestinian leadership and the ministers to determine the proper course for that spending. I'm happy now to announce today that over $40 million will be provided over the next 90 days in a quick action program to make an immediate impact an immediate positive impact on the lives of the Palestinian people, through, for example, job creation, private sector development and infrastructure development. This is a time of hope, a time when we can hope for a better day for the Palestinian and the Israeli people both. As we move forward, I would like to underscore to everyone what I know that President Bush's commitment is, and that is to pursing and achieving the vision of a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict: Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said in Rome that there seems to be a will for peace in the Middle East, and warned the Palestinians to move resolutely to control violence against Israel by its own people. After the summit, Britain and Germany quickly pledged to do all they could to help both sides. In London, Foreign Secretary Jack Straw noted there had been "rather too many false dawns" in the long-running conflict. German Foreign Minister Joshka Fischer added from Berlin that "the renewed U.S. engagement is of central significance" to solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. On the other hand French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier arrived in Tel Aviv for a two-day visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories, diplomatic sources said. Barnier met with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas. The visit is to focus on the implementation of reforms within the Palestinian security services and Sharon's plan to withdraw troops and settlers from Gaza later this year, the French foreign ministry said last week.