The Israeli-Palestinian "road map" sets out a series of steps both sides could take to achieve peace.
Ewen MacAskill, diplomatic editor
Saturday March 15, 2003
The Guardian
Although it is under constant revision, the Guardian has obtained a very recent draft of the 2,500-word document. Among various steps, it proposes:
· A Palestinian ceasefire and reform of the political system and security forces
· The Palestinian Authority reiterating Israel's right to exist, and Israel repeating its commitment to a sovereign Palestinian state.
· Israel ending actions in the occupied territories, including demolitions, and freezing illegal settlement building in the West Bank.
· The three Palestinian security services being consolidated into one.
· Israel withdrawing from Palestinian territory occupied since the beginning of the intifada more than two years ago.
The preamble describes "a performance-based and goal-driven road map, with clear phases aiming at progress under the auspices of the Quartet.
"The destination is a final and comprehensive settlement of the Israel-Palestinian conflict by 2005."
As part of phase one, the "Palestinians immediately undertake an unconditional cessation of violence according to the steps outlined below; such action should be accompanied by supportive measures undertaken by Israel."
The Israeli and Palestinian security forces would resume cooperation, and Palestinians would "end violence, terrorism, and incitement through restructured and effective Palestinian security services."
Israel would respond by beginning to help normalise Palestinian life.
At the outset of phase one, the Palestinian leadership will issue "an unequivocal statement reiterating Israel's right to exist in peace and security and calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire to end armed activity and all acts of violence against Israelis anywhere."
The Israeli leadership "issues unequivocal statement affirming its commitments to the two-state vision of an independent, viable, sovereign Palestinian state living in peace and security alongside Israel".
Arab states are to "cut off public and private funding and all other forms of support for groups supporting and engaging in violence and terror".
In an effort to combat Palestinian corruption, all aid donors channel funds through the Palestinian ministry of finance's single treasury account.
As security improves, the Israeli army withdraws from the areas occupied since September 28 2000. Palestinian security forces redeploy to areas vacated by Israeli army.
Work begins producing a draft constitution for the Palestinian state, with ministers taking more and more power, and Israel takes measures to improve the humanitarian situation.
Phase two, with transition from June this year to December, focuses on the option of creating an independent Palestinian state, with provisional borders and attributes of sovereignty, based on the new constitution, as a step towards a permanent status settlement.
Phase three begins with an international conference early next year to endorse plans for a Palestinian state with provisional borders, leading to a final, permanent resolution in 2005, encompassing borders, Jerusalem, refugees and settlements. It also envisages progress towards an Israeli settlement with Lebanon and Syria as soon as possible.
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