Small window open for putting Middle East peace back on track, Security Council told
19 March – The appointment by the Palestinian Authority of an empowered Prime Minister, the decision to present the
diplomatic Quartet’s “road map” to the parties and the Israeli Government’s willingness to return to the negotiating
table were among the steps under way pointing to a small window of opportunity for pulling the Middle East out of the
“abyss” of violence and suffering, the senior United Nations envoy for the region told the Security Council today.
"We have an historic opportunity to establish a vigorous and determined front of peace when elsewhere in the region we
are at the brink of war," Terje Roed-Larsen, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, said in his briefing
to the Council on the latest developments in the region. That front of peace could be a source of long-term stability in
the region, but it required dedicated attention and action from all, he added.
For the first time in two-and-a-half years, Mr. Roed-Larsen said he believed there was a real opportunity to not only
begin rebuilding the shattered Israeli and Palestinian relationship, but also finally to start implementing a process
that could lead to the realization of the shared vision and goals for peace and security in the region. However, it was
necessary to get the parties first back to the table, and that required three critical decisions, taken in parallel by
the key actors in that process.
First, the Palestinian Authority must make a fundamental decision on reform to re-establish itself as a credible partner
for Israel and the international community, Mr. Roed-Larsen stressed. The completion yesterday of the appointment of a
credible and empowered Prime Minister was a major step. Now the Palestinian Authority must do everything in its power to
curb terrorism and all forms of violence and threats.
Second, the international community, through the Quartet - Russian Federation, United States, European Union and United
Nations - must introduce the so-called Road Map, as agreed in its final draft on 20 December. The parties would be asked
to make contributions on how best to proceed with its implementation. Finally, the Israeli Government must sit down at
the negotiating table on that basis, and take immediate and serious steps to prevent harm to innocent Palestinian
civilians and alleviate the widespread suffering caused by its security measures.
ENDS