ROAD MAP VERY CLEAR ABOUT GOAL, STEPS TO REACH IT, SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS
IN MESSAGE TO INTERNATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR ARAB-ISRAELI PEACE
Following is the message by Secretary-GeneralKofi Annan to the third conference of the International Alliance for Arab-Israeli Peace in Copenhagen,
8 to 9 May:I am very pleased to convey my warm greetings to all the participants in this year’s conference of the International Alliance for Arab-Israeli Peace.� Your initiative, courage and steadfast determination to pursue a negotiated peace despite great obstacles have been an example to all who seek to end the tragic conflict in the Middle East.� You are meeting at a hopeful moment after a terrible period of death and destruction on both sides of the conflict.� Last week, the Quartet –- composed of the United States, European Union, Russia and the United Nations –- formally released the Road Map, on which both sides can read not only the final destination, but also each successive step of the road.� This is a significant innovation in the peace process.
Up to now, there have been two approaches to peace in the Middle East.� Either you set out a vision of peace based on fundamental principles; or you focused on the next concrete step, hoping to reduce tension and build confidence so that another step would become possible, and then another.� Both these approaches are valid, but we have learnt that neither can work by itself.� The vision of peace attracts both Israelis and Palestinians, but they do not see how they can get there, because neither people believes the other will make the concessions needed.� And indeed, neither is willing to take those necessary steps, so long as it is not clear where the road will lead.� Now they know.
The Road Map is very clear about the end goal, which is a secure and prosperous Israel, and an independent, viable, sovereign and democratic Palestine, living side-by-side in peace and security, in a Middle East from which terror and violence will at last be banished.� And the Road Map is equally clear about steps for getting there. It specifies not only who must do what, but also when.� It recognizes that peace will not be achieved if each side waits for the other to move first.� At every stage in the process, both sides must be able to see a tangible improvement in their situation, and an unmistakable movement towards the end goal.� Otherwise they will not have the confidence to move on.
I am convinced that we now have a historic window of opportunity.� No previous peace plan has enjoyed such broad support from such important actors as this one does:� the United States, Europe, Russia, and key Arab States, including Egypt and Jordan.� But let’s be clear:� the map may come from the Quartet, but it
is Israelis and Palestinians who must travel the road.� The continuing violence shows that both sides have tough decisions to take, as rejectionists try to drive them off the road with new terror attacks.� Both must hold firm to their commitments, and not allow extremists to dictate the future.�
Your alliance –- bringing together Egyptian, Jordanian, Palestinian and Israeli leaders and activists -– has a key role to play in sustaining the process and conveying its promise, and its importance to your peoples.� I wish you all success in your deliberations.
* *** *
