The Oslo 1 and the Gaza-Jericho agreements established a timetable for the
attainment of an Interim Agreement. This would occupy Israeli and
Palestinian negotiators throughout 1995 and would eventually lead to an
agreement (known as the Oslo II Agreement signed in Washington on 28
September 1995). In the following briefing, Mr. Savir stressed the need
for the Palestinian Authority to prevent acts of terror and to ensure
security, which is their concern as much as Israel's. He also stated that
the policy of settlement freeze remains in force. Excerpts:
In a briefing for ambassadors of the EU Troika, Foreign Ministry
Director-General Uri Savir said that "we are engaged in the start of
negotiations toward the implementation of the Oslo Accord's second phase -
an interim arrangement including the West Bank. Clearly, the
implementation will be based upon the lessons of the implementation of
Gaza-Jericho, as well as upon the principle of adapting the agreement's
principles to the special circumstances of the West Bank - which differ
from those in Gaza."
"We should not be overly impressed by the current tensions which we
experienced during 1994. Ultimately, it was Israel's best year in terms of
the peace process since its inception. 1995 will also be full of crises,
but we are determined to adhere to the strategic goals of the peace
process - including the implementation of the interim arrangement in the
West Bank. The second phase is not only a Palestinian, but also an Israeli
interest; we are interested in the Palestinians administering their lives,
and we will be able to concentrate on our own security."
"The Palestinians must understand that terror is also their enemy, without
security and stability, they will be unable to develop their society and
economy. They must distinguish between the various opinions, for and
against the agreement, and the use of violence and terror. During the
period of the peace process, they must do everything to prevent violence -
against Israelis as well - and to struggle against terrorism,
delegitimizing all those who advocate it. This will make it easier for us
to strengthen the Palestinian Authority and to come towards them in other
areas of future West Bank self-rule."
"Today, it is clear to the Palestinians that security is not only an
Israeli problem. Effective centralized rule can be consistent with
expressions of opposition positions - radical as they may be - but, under
no circumstances, with armed militias and acts of terror." In response to
the questions of the European ambassadors, Savir said that there has been
no change in the Government policy of freezing settlements. This will be
clarified to the Palestinians during the meeting of the Liaison Committee
in Cairo.
Savir called for EU involvement in confidence-building measures between
the parties, now undergoing a transition from conflict to conciliation.
"We have begun building a significant level of trust between the
negotiators, and between the leaders of both sides. Now is the time to
begin building trust between societies and peoples."
Savir also called on the EU to support the creation of a regional bank.
"This is a primary tool in regional economic planning, and economic
progress in the region must not be slowed - it is, at the same time, the
fruit of the political process, and also provides its momentum."