Brussels, 17/07/2002 (Agence Europe) - In a statement issued after their meeting in New York on Tuesday, the Quartet (the US, the EU, Russia and the UN) confirmed its support for the organisation of an international ministerial conference on the Middle East at the appropriate moment. Like the Danish Presidency on behalf of the EU, the Quartet criticised the attack on the ultra-orthodox settlement at Emmanuel (between Kalikilia and Naplouse on the West Bank) that killed 7 people just before the Quartet meeting. "The Quartet expresses once again its profound regret at the loss of innocent Israeli and Palestinian lives", notes the statement, adding that "Terrorists must not be allowed to kill the hope of an entire region… for genuine peace and security for both Palestinians and Israelis". The UN, the EU, and Russia expressed their support for President Bush's objective to reach a definitive agreement between the Israelis and the Palestinians within three years: "The Quartet members, in their individual capacity and jointly, pledge all possible efforts to realise the goals of reform, security and peace and reaffirm that progress in the political, security, economic, humanitarian and institution-building fields must proceed together, hand-in-hand." "The Quartet agreed on the importance of a coordinated international campaign to support Palestinian efforts at political and economic reform".
It also welcomes the determination of the countries in the region and of the international community to help the Palestinians build their institutions, and create a new democratic government framework for preparing the future State. To this end, it is essential that elections are well-prepared, free, open and democratic, affirms the declaration. It recalls that a new international task force including representatives from the United States, the EU, the United Nations, Russia, Japan, Norway, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, has been set in place under the aegis of the Quartet to support the development and implementation of the reform plan. The declaration stresses that the implementation of this plan must result in the establishment of a democratic Palestinian State, founded on rule of law, the separation of powers, and a dynamic market economy. The Quartet recognises the need to improve Palestinian security capabilities in order to guarantee an effective fight against terrorism. It calls on Israel to take concrete measures to support the emergence of a viable Palestinian State. While recognising legitimate concerns expressed by Israel with regard to security issues, it feels that such measures first of all consist in relaxing the restrictions imposed on movement, and then, depending on how security improves, in withdrawal of the Israeli forces to positions held before 28 September 2000. Israel should also bring the freeze on Palestinian assets to an end, cease all colonisation and guarantee access for humanitarian and international personnel. Envoys of the Quartet will continue their work on the ground.
The press conference after the meeting showed that not all the differences between the US and its partners had been ironed out. US Secretary of State Colin Powell again insisted on the need to guarantee the security of Israel and get rid of Yasser Arafat, while Kofi Annan resumed the UN, EU and Russian position by saying that the UN still recognised Yasser Arafat and would continue to deal with him until the Palestinians decided otherwise. High Representative Javier Solana - who will be meeting again with the foreign ministers of Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia in Washington before their meeting with President Bush - will outline the results of his meetings to EU foreign ministers at Monday's General Affairs Council. He said that a special US team would be sent to the "Palestinian territories" in the beginning of August to help reorganise security forces.