In London, financial support on behalf of the international community for the Palestinians, who have committed themselves to the reform process. Israel reminded of its obligations. Quartet: a viable Palestinian State “with adjoining territory in the West Bank”

Brussels, 02/03/2005 (Agence Europe) - The Quartet for peace in the Middle East (EU, United States, Russia and UNO) adopted a declaration in London on 1 March in which it reaffirms its commitment to assist Israelis and Palestinians to “make progress towards a two-State solution which is so deeply in the interests of all”. The Quartet condemns the attack in Tel Aviv on 25 February, applauds the initiatives taken by President Abbas, and highlights the necessity of constant efforts by the Palestinian Authority “to thwart acts of terrorism”. Following the positive results of the Sharm el-Sheikh Summit, the Quartet has called the two parties to “continue in the way of direct dialogue and negotiation” and reiterated that none of the parties “should undertake unilateral actions which could undermine the resolution of issues on the final status”. The Quartet (quoting practically word for word George Bush's speech in Brussels on 21 February: EUROPE, 22 February, p. 4), underlines the necessity of a Palestinian State “truly viable, including an adjoining territory in the West Bank”, because "a State of scattered territories will never work”.

On the same day, at the international meeting on Palestine in London called at the initiative of Tony Blair (yesterday's EUROPE, p. 5), the international community has committed itself to provide financial support in view of the Palestinian legislative elections (which will take place "around the 17 July”), as well as for the Palestinian security and information services (including the formation of a civil police service). The Palestinian Authority itself adopted a declaration, committing it to: holding elections "to strengthen the legitimacy of the governmental institutions”, unite the security and information services (by possibly nominating a police head for the West Bank and Gaza), and increasing the fight against corruption and the monitoring of officials' salaries. In its conclusions, the meeting pressed Israel (who was not represented) to respect the obligations foreseen in the Quartet's roadmap, and, in particular, to dismantle its blockades and lift restrictions imposed “on the movement of Palestinian persons and goods” so as to ensure the indispensable "renewal of the Palestinian economy".