PALESTINIAN STATEMENT ON THE RESUMPTION  OF
THE PERMANENT STATUS NEGOTIATIONS.

SEPTEMBER 13.1999

Mr. David Levy,  Foreign Minister of the State of Israel
Members of the Israeli and Palestinian delegations
Honored Guests,
Brothers and friends,

We meet today filled with hope, as we take yet another determined step towards historic reconciliation between our two peoples, and to constitute a historic juncture for the peace process which President Yasser Ararat calls the "Peace of the Brave" . Remembering our partners, the late Mr. Itzhaq Rabin and Mr. Shimon Peres, we reiterate our full partnership with Prime Minister Mr. Ehud Barak, the partnership that will  enable us to achieve our joint endeavor of a  lasting, just and comprehensive peace based  on the implementation of  Security Council Resolutions "242" and "338" , the principle of the "return of land for peace " and other relevant resolutions of International legality .    

It is obvious to every one that the process which began in Madrid and took us to Washington , Oslo, Cairo, Taba, Wye River and Sharm El Sheikh, achieved success and registered setbacks. But the determination and the belief of our two peoples in the strategic option of peace,enabled us to continue, simply because the peace process derives its strength from the unwavering commitment, and deep belief of the people of the region to coexist under the umbrella of peace and equality.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian  National Authority are committed  to the terms  of reference of the peace process, and to the accurate and precise implementation of all commitments emanating from all the signed agreements.

We will continue our firm stand against violence and terror whether committed by Israelis or Palestinians, because the forces behind terror and violence aim at destroying the peace process, and killing even the hope of making it happen.

We cannot afford to lose more time for lots of precious time was wasted, therefore we have agreed to resume the permanent status negotiations in an accelerated and serious manner in order to conclude, within a one year, a comprehensive agreement on all permanent status issues, i.e.: Jerusalem, Settlements, Borders, Security.

Today, the 13th of September  1999, will be commemorated as the gateway of hope for the Palestinian and Israeli peoples, as did the 13th of September back in 1993. It is also a hope for next generations to  cross towards the future of peace and security . We should rise to the level of historic responsibility entrusted in us by the people of the region who strive to see a new dawn in the Middle-East.

We have agreed to conclude a comprehensive agreement on all Pennanent Status issues within one year, starting today and not exceeding September 12,2000.

Progress in the Permanent Status negotiations, and the resolution of the cardinal issues will. revive hope and confidence in the hearts of even those who doubt or oppose the peace process, and it will convince them to join the peace process as the realistic gateway to achieve their dreams and aspirations.

By now, the Palestinian people national aspirations are no secret to anyone. We aspire to live within the borders of an Independent Palestinian State on the June 4th 1967 boundaries, with holy Jerusalem as its capital, and to achieve a just solution to the Palestinian refugees problem in accordance with U .N . General Assembly resolution 194, and to dismantle the Israeli settlements in accordance with Security Council Resolution 465. Yes, a Palestinian State that will live in peace side by side with the State of Israel.

 You witnessed the happiness of the Palestinian People when they regained control over portions of their land, and the implementation of the first stage of the release of Palestinian political prisoners. Our people hope to gain control over all the occupied territories of June 5, 1967, and to attain the release of all Palestinian prisoners in Israeli Jails.

With the implementation of the Sharm El Sheikh Memorandum, we have started to restore the confidence and trust of our peoples in the Peace Process. We also proved the soundness of the policies of our leadership; a leadership that was democratically elected by Palestinians in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip.

The resumption of the permanent status negotiations requires a full cessation of all Israeli settlement activities, whether expanding existing ones, building new settlements or confiscating land and other related activities.

From our side, we reiterate our commitment to the policy or zero tolerance to violence and terror whether carried out by Palestinians or Israelis.

We also reiterate our commitment to implement all our obligations pertaining from all agreements signed including the recent Sharm El Sheik Memorandum. We hope that the Israeli Government will continue implementing all its commitments, including the implementation of the third phase of the further redeployments, the opening of the safe passage: the northern and southern routes, the construction of the Gaza Sea port, the release of Palestinian prisoners, the success of the Palestinian displaced persons committee , the completion of the implementation or the Hebron issues and other commitments.

The road ahead of us is difficult and marked with obstacles, but as Palestinians and Israelis, we are determined to remove all obstacles and difficulties so that we can achieve a comprehensive and lasting peace for the peoples of the region, including on both the Syrian and Lebanese tracks, on the basis orthe principle of the return of land for peace.

Mr. Levy,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

On behalf of President Arafat, I would like to extend my deepest appreciation to US President William Clinton, Russian President Boris Yeltsin, President Husni Mubarak, His Majesty King Abdallah and the peoples and Governments of the European Union, the people's Republic of China, Japan, Norway, Canada, and the Secretary General of the United Nations.

Today, we stand at a turning point and live the moment of truth. Let us make history with the required courage,

patience and wisdom. The past was marked with denial, let the future be based on mutual recognition of self-­determination. It is time to heal, it is time to reconstruct, it is the time for peace and peacemakers.

Thank you very much.