THE OUTCOMES OF THE LONDON CONFERENCE ON PALESTINIAN REFORM (14/01/03)
STATEMENT BY THE FOREIGN SECRETARY, JACK STRAW, LONDON CONFERENCE ON PALESTINIAN REFORM, FOREIGN & COMMONWEALTH OFFICE, 14 JANUARY 2003
The following is my summary and understanding of the proceedings and outcomes today.
The participants joined the Palestinians in expressing support for a just and comprehensive peace including a final
settlement of the Israel-Palestinian conflict, as presented in President Bush's 24 June speech and resulting in the
emergence of an independent, sovereign, democratic, and viable Palestinian state living side by side in peace and
security with Israel and its other neighbours. This would resolve the Israel-Palestinian conflict, and end the
occupation that began in 1967, through a negotiated settlement between the parties, based on the foundations of the
Madrid Conference, the principle of land for peace, UNSCRs 242, 338, and 1397, agreements previously reached by the
parties, and the initiative of Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah - endorsed by the Beirut Arab League Summit - for the
acceptance of Israel as a neighbour living in peace and security. The Palestinians strongly argued that continuing
settlement activity by Israel threatened the viability of the two-State solution.
PROGRESS
On Security
There was clear recognition that without credible Palestinian performance on security, the reform agenda will founder.
Participants in London welcomed a clear and unequivocal Palestinian declaration against violence and terrorism. There
was widespread recognition of the importance of practical action to begin implementing this, including through visible
efforts to arrest and disrupt individuals and groups planning and conducting attacks on Israelis anywhere; moves to
dismantle the infrastructure that supports terrorism, and further efforts to end incitement. Participants welcomed the
continuation of talks in Cairo between Palestinian factions and looked forward to their successful conclusion in
agreement on a comprehensive ceasefire. They agreed that security reform was a vital element of the reform programme, on
which much else depends. They applauded US/Egyptian/Jordanian commitments to help rebuild Palestinian security
institutions, in order to deliver the security which a new Palestinian State will have to offer to its own citizens and
its neighbours. The UK stands ready to add our own help and support.
On Elections
The Palestinians expressed their unequivocal commitment to developing a realistic timetable for free, fair and open
elections. Recognizing that the Palestinians have recently constituted a credible and independent election commission,
conference participants urged the Palestinians to ensure a thorough and public review of the electoral framework, to be
debated fully and adopted by the Palestinian Legislative Council. Participants noted that the international community
had committed significant assistance - both financial and political - to ensure that these elections were credible and
fair.
On Constitutional Reform
The Palestinians made a commitment to draw up by the end of January an outline constitution based on the principles of
democracy, political pluralism, rule of law, independence of the judiciary and the protection of individual freedoms.
They emphasised that the constitution would provide for a Prime Minister having specified powers and a bill of rights.
They outlined the process of consultation, including a referendum, which would take place before finalisation.
Participants welcomed this step forward, emphasising the need for real political transformation; the development of
credible institutions for an independent Palestinian state; an empowered Prime Minister; and the transfer of real power
to reformed institutions. They committed themselves to supporting the Palestinians’ ongoing work including through
support to the consultation process.
On Economic Reform
Participants recognized the exceptional work done by both the Finance Minister, Salam Fayyad, and Economy, Trade and
Industry Minister, Maher al-Masri, in bringing financial accountability and economic reform to the Palestinian
Authority. Participants undertook to continue assistance to help implement the FY 2003 budget, consolidate all public
finances, ensure the Ministry of Finance’s oversight of all public expenditure and strengthen audit capacity.
Participants recognized the progress made toward a resumption of regular transfers of Palestinian revenues and clearance
of all arrears this year, and the Palestinians’ commitment to continued work with the Israeli Government and the US on
mechanisms to increase transparency and strengthen the PA's internal audit capabilities. They agreed that the transfer
of these revenues was critical to international efforts to ease the dire humanitarian situation in the West Bank and
Gaza.
On Judicial Reform
Participants expressed concern at the lack of progress on judicial reform compared with other reform portfolios. It is
the area where the credibility of the Palestinian leadership is weakest. They emphasised the need for a strong and
independent judiciary, and sought Palestinian commitment to accelerated work. Palestinians committed to establish a new
Supreme Judicial Council by the end of June so as to bring it in line with Palestinian law, to ensure that all judicial
appointments are consistent with Palestinian law, and to abolish the State Security Courts within one year.
On Administrative Reform
Palestinians undertook to present a draft Cabinet paper on the reform of public administration and the civil service
within two weeks.
On Follow-Up
Participants agreed on the centrality of the roadmap and the work of the Quartet to implement it. They welcomed the
Palestinians’ commitment to implementing the roadmap, upon its final adoption and presentation, as the path to an
independent and viable Palestinian state. Participants recognized that Israel must also take steps to ensure that the
Palestinian reform process succeeds, and avoid actions that undermine hope in a political settlement to the conflict. In
this context, the Palestinians stated their assessment that the success of their future reform efforts would depend on
an end to current restrictions on movement, including closures and curfews. Participants committed to help build the
Palestinian capacity to prepare the necessary institutions of a democratic state able to govern effectively and live at
peace with its neighbours. Continuing terror attacks underscore the fragile nature of all these efforts, and demonstrate
the need for an immediate, comprehensive ceasefire. The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate badly in the
West Bank and Gaza, and the international community will continue working closely with Israel to ensure that every
possible step is taken, consistent with legitimate security concerns, to ease these conditions.
In Conclusion
Participants agreed that reform was important both intrinsically and as a means to the end of Palestinian statehood.
They urged the Palestinians to enhance their reform effort by designating and resourcing an empowered focal point for
reform efforts. They agreed to feed the conclusions of the London meeting into the Quartet through a meeting in London
in early February of the International Task Force on Palestinian Reform, along with a meeting of Quartet envoys.