A Look at U.S.-Backed Mideast 'Road Map'
By The Associated Press

June 4, 2003, 6:24 PM EDT

Both Israel and the Palestinians have accepted a "road map" for Mideast
peace developed by the United States, the European Union, the United
Nations and Russia. In ceremonies after a Wednesday summit, Israeli
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas
pledged to start working on the plan. 

Sharon promised to immediately begin dismantling unauthorized Jewish
outposts on the West Bank, while Abbas explicitly asserted in Arabic
that the Palestinian uprising against Israel "must end." 

Highlights of the road map: 

GOALS: 

* A "final and comprehensive settlement" of the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict by 2005. 

* The settlement will include "an independent, democratic and viable
Palestinian state living side-by-side in peace and security with
Israel." 

* Without mentioning specific final borders, the plan seeks to "end the
occupation that began in 1967" -- when Israel captured the West Bank,
Gaza and east Jerusalem, areas the Palestinians demand for their state. 

* To reach a solution, the Palestinians need "a leadership acting
decisively against terror." 

PHASE I: 

The Palestinian Authority must: 

* Issue "an unequivocal statement reiterating Israel's right to exist in
peace and security and calling for an immediate and unconditional
cease-fire." 

* "Undertake visible efforts on the ground to arrest, disrupt and
restrain individuals and groups" conducting and planning violence on
Israelis. 

* Dismantle "terrorist capabilities and infrastructure." 

* End all incitement against Israel. 

* Bring all security organizations under the interior minister's
control. 

* Hold free, open, and fair elections. 

Israel must: 

* Issue an "unequivocal statement affirming its commitment to the
two-state vision of an independent, viable, sovereign Palestinian state
(and) calling for an immediate end to violence against Palestinians
anywhere." 

* Freeze construction in Jewish settlements. 

* Immediately dismantle illegal settlement outposts built since March
2001. 

* End demolitions of the homes of Palestinian militants. 

* Withdraw progressively from the Palestinian autonomous zones it has
reoccupied during the conflict. 

PHASE II (as early as end of 2003): 

* Israel moves to "enhance maximum territorial contiguity" for the
Palestinians. 

* Palestinian constitution ratified. 

* An international conference launches the process leading to the
establishment of a Palestinian state with provisional borders. 

* Quartet members will promote international recognition of the
Palestinian state and U.N. membership. 

PHASE III (2004-2005): 

* Second international conference will finalize the permanent-status
solution for Palestinian state in 2005, including borders, Jerusalem,
refugees, settlements -- and peace between Israel and other Arab states.


Source: Final draft of the "road map," dated Dec. 20, 2002, and made
available to The Associated Press by diplomatic sources. 
Copyright © 2003, The Associated Press

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