THE ARAB-ISRAEL PEACE TALKS - AN UPDATE
TALKING POINTS FOLLOWING ROUND V - APRIL 26-30, 1992
I. ISRAEL SEEKS TO CONTINUE THE PEACE TALKS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
Notable progress was made in this, the fifth round of bilateral
Israel-Arab peace talks. In order not to jeopardize the momentum created
in the talks, Israel calls upon its Arab negotiating partners to resume
talks as early as possible. This round of talks was shorter than the
last and could not be extended, due to Israel's national holidays - a
fact which was made known to the American co-sponsors when the April 26
date was set. However, even though the talks lasted only one week,
Israel took full advantage of the time to advance constructive
proposals.
II. ISRAEL IS STILL TRYING TO SET UP CONTACTS WITH THE ARABS BETWEEN
ROUNDS
In this round of negotiations, Israel continued in its efforts to
establish lines of communication with the Arab delegations, in order to
address technical and other related questions arising between rounds of
talks. The Arabs still have not been receptive to this Israeli request.
III. IN THIS ROUND, THE TALKS PROGRESSED IN BOTH CONTENT AND TONE
The negotiations in all three sets of talks, with Syria, Lebanon, and
the joint Jordanian-Palestinian delegation, were carried out in a
business-like atmosphere. Israeli negotiating papers were presented,
taken and discussed by all three Arab delegations, and the talks
centered on issues of substance.
IV. ISRAEL OFFERED TWO NEW FAR-REACHING PROPOSALS TO THE PALESTINIANS
It has become clear that the negotiations in the Palestinian track on
Interim Self-Government Arrangements (ISGA) will be complicated and
lengthy. In order to promote these talks, Israel presented two
substantial proposals, one for pilot municipal elections in the
territories and the other for a rapid delegation of the area's public
health system to the Palestinians. This Israeli initiative is meant to
facilitate an improved atmosphere both in the negotiating room and on
the ground. Once agreed upon, these proposals can be implemented
immediately, without waiting for the completion of the ISGA negotiations
as a whole.
A. MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS ARE MEANT TO BE A CATALYST, NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR
'ISGA' NEGOTIATIONS
The proposed municipal elections for the Arab residents in Judea/Samaria
and Gaza (JS&G) are meant to serve as a proving-ground for large scale
democratic elections in the territories. In the past year, over 30
elections to major public Arab institutions have been held in JS&G, with
the participation of thousands of voters. The pilot municipal elections
would expand this electoral process, and facilitate the ISGA
negotiations. Israel, however, has stressed that such municipal
elections are not a prerequisite, nor are they a substitute for other
modalities to be negotiated between the sides as part of the overall
ISGA agreement.
B. DELEGATION OF THE HEALTH SYSTEM CAN BE IMPLEMENTED IMMEDIATELY
In the last round, Israel presented the Palestinians with a list of a
dozen spheres of public administration, encompassing most aspects of
life, which could be negotiated for delegation to the Palestinians as
part of the ISGA. In this round, Israel offered to delegate as a first
step one of these spheres, that of public health, without waiting for
the completion of negotiations on the ISGA as a whole. This step would
allow both sides to gain experience and insight into the mechanics of
the ISGA process, which would aid in the negotiations. It would also
provide the population with immediate tangible results from the talks,
building public confidence for the negotiating process.
V. WITH JORDAN, NEGOTIATIONS FOCUSED UPON AGENDA AND JOINT PROJECTS
Talks in the Jordanian track proceeded on two levels. In the formal
negotiations, discussions concentrated on the formulation of a common
agenda, which would provide a mutually accepted framework for the talks.
Concurrently, informal talks were held between experts on both sides on
bilateral cooperation in the fields of water, energy and the
environment. Progress was made on both levels and talks were conducted
in a constructive and professional manner.
VI. FOR THE FIRST TIME, SYRIA WAS WILLING TO RECEIVE ISRAELI PAPERS
The negotiations with Syria were marked by the fact that for the first
time, two Israel papers were taken by the Syrian side. The first Israeli
paper presented an outline of possible points of commonality in the
positions of the sides. A second paper was subsequently presented
outlining Israel's perception of the substance of peace between the two
countries. The Syrian delegation was willing to receive both papers and
indicated that they would prepare a response in writing.
Concerning the substance of the talks, Syria continues to demand that UN
Security Council Resolution 242 (1967) should be "put to implementation"
without negotiation. Syria claims that there is no room for negotiations
regarding the resolution's various provisions and principles, including
the clause which calls for "the establishment of secure and recognized
boundaries". Israel maintains that there should be no such
pre-conditions to the negotiations.
VII. TALKS WITH LEBANON WERE BUSINESS-LIKE AND ISRAELI PAPERS WERE
ACCEPTED
The negotiations with Lebanon were centered on substative issues. A
paper containing several basic points of possible agreement between the
two countries was presented by Israel and, for the first time, taken by
the Lebanese delegation. This represents a step forward in the
negotiations, opening the way for mutual exchanges of documents, which
can lead to a narrowing of the gap between the sides. The talks
continued to be conducted in a business-like and cordial atmosphere, and
a free exchange of views was carried out.
VIII. THE IMPROVED TONE OF PUBLIC STATEMENTS WAS BENEFICIAL TO THE TALKS
This round of talks was characterized by a more subdued level of public
rhetoric by all sides. Although Israel has been careful to use moderate
language in all its public statements, previous rounds have been marred
by vicious attacks against Israel by the Arab spokespersons. It was
clear that the progress made in the negotiating rooms in this round was
aided, in part, by the greater restraint shown by the parties. Israel
has communicated to all sides its desire that such restraint continue to
prevail and improve in the coming rounds of talks, for the benefit of
the talks themselves.