Conclusion of the International Alliance for Arab - Israeli Peace
Regional, Politics, 7/7/1999

Statement issued by the steering committee of the International Alliance for Arab -Israeli Peace:

Large delegations of Palestinians, Israelis, Egyptians and Jordanians have gathered in Cairo, on 5-7 July, for a peace conference held under the title "Arab-Israeli Peace -- time to Act." The purpose of the conference was to demonstrate that the people on both sides of the Arab - Israeli political process are a constituency for peace and can work together to support it. The conference has thus sent clear message to the leaders encouraging them to take expeditious action for revitalizing the peace process and make the resolute and courageous decisions that are imperative for bringing it to fruition.

The Cairo conference represents the continuing endeavors of the International Alliance for Arab-Israeli Peace, which was founded at a meeting held in Denmark in January 1997. That meeting brought together influential persons from the Egyptian, Palestinian, Jordanian and the Israeli societies participating in their private capacities and representing a wide range of political trends in their respective countries, but at the same time united by the wish of realizing peace in the region. The Copenhagen declaration formulated by that forum is an inspiring manifestation of the ability of Israelis and the Arabs to reach agreement on guiding principles for a regional peace. The present conference was convened in the spirit of that declaration and it followed the ground rules of the forum that produced it.

In the period between the conferences, members of the four groups that constitute the Alliance held meetings to examine the state of the peace process and identify the impediments to its progress. Public statements were issued to express concern about the decline of the peace efforts which took place in the period. The Alliance has also established several subcommittees to discuss major aspects of the peace process.

The themes taken up by the subcommittees were: Implementation of agreements, violence, regional cooperation, settlements and peace culture. These themes were discussed in workshops held by the conference. The deliberations of these workshops have demonstrated that in spite of differences of opinion, the parties can conduct a dialogue between them in positive and constructive spirit. This is an important lesson, a message of the Cairo conference.

The Cairo conference was not intended to emulate diplomatic negotiation and bargain of the specific issues of the peace process.

However, it is a feeling of the steering committee that the following broad principles based on "land for peace" and resolutions 242, 338, 425, are recognized by the overwhelming majority of the participants as the basis for a lasting and just Arab-Israeli peace:

- The full implementation of all existing agreements and prompt continuation of negotiations towards the subsequent stages,

- Stopping the construction and expansion of settlements, expropriation of land and any unilateral actions that can prejudice the outcome of the negotiations,

- The implementation of all agreements concerning he release of the Palestinian prisoners,

- The implementation of effective measures by all parties to prevent actions of violence and terrorism which could undermine the process, including the security measures agreed upon the two parties,

- Confirming the inherent right of the Palestinians to establish a national independent and viable state the state of Israel

- Solving the issue of Jerusalem in the final status negotiations in a way that keeps it an undivided city while recognizing the national rights of Israelis and Palestinians in it and the interest of the three religions and meanwhile refraining from unilateral construction and other activities and measures that undermine the search for an acceptable agreement on the future of Jerusalem,

- The establishment of a Syrian-Israeli and Lebanese peace following the principle of full withdrawal for full peace, establishing security arrangements and peaceful interaction,

- Supporting the peace process by a people-to-people dialogue that nourishes mutual understanding and mutual respect,

- And aiming at the establishment of comprehensive peace in the Middle East which allows economic cooperation, freedom from threats of hostilities and from arms races and weapons of mass destruction.

The steering committee wishes to thank President Hosni Mubarak for his welcoming greeting to the conference, and the Egyptian authorities particularly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for facilitating the convening of the conference.

The steering committee wishes to express is thanks to the statesmen H.E Mustafa Khalil and Shimon Peres; H.E Kofi Annan the secretary-general of the United Nations; the ambassador Daniel C. Kurtzer of the U.S.; Vladimir Godiev of the Russian Federation; Erling Harild Nielson of Denmark; and the special envoy of the E.U., Miguel Moratinos -- all of whom honored the conference by their participation and delivered inspiring message of peace.

Our gratitude goes to the Danish government and the E.U., which generously supported the convening of this conference.

Special thanks are due to the Egyptian committee, which undertook the formidable burden of organizating and hosting this large and complex gathering.

We believe that after half a century of wars which inflicted great sufferings on all the peoples of the region, they deserve to live in peace and enjoy rightful security, prosperity and dignity. A reality of peace and cooperation would surely nurture the inherent creativity of these people who are bearers of rich cultural heritages. We call upon peace loving persons to support the realization of this vision.

Previous Stories:
  Anti-Copenhagen conference in Cairo   (7/6/1999)
  Cairo international conference for peace to start on Monday   (7/3/1999)
  Arab ambassadors in Cairo refuse normalization   (7/2/1999)

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