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US Letter
THE
SECRETARY OF STATE
WASHINGTON
September
4, 1999
Mr. Yasir Arafat
Chairman,
Executive Committee of the
Palestine Liberation Organization
Dear
Mr. Chairman :
I want to take this opportunity to express my appreciation for your efforts to
conclude the Sharm al-sheikh Memorandum of Implementation Timeline of
Outstanding Commitments of Agreements signed and the Resumption of Permanent
Status Negotiations (the Memorandum). You
can be assured that we will continue to maintain the positions and polices
communicated to you in connection with the conclusion of the Wye River
Memorandum, as well as those stated in President Clinton’s letter of April
26, 1999. In regard to the
Memorandum, I wanted to convey the following.
First, it is our understanding that the implementation of the outstanding
commitments emanating from the Memorandum will proceed as agreed upon and
scheduled regardless of developments in the negotiations related to permanent
status issues. In this regard, we
have also been informed by Prime Minister Barak that Israel will implement the
further redeployment called for in Article 2 ( c ) of
the Memorandum even if the parties have not concluded the framework
agreement called for in Article 1 ( c) by the time.
Second, Prime Minister Barak has assured us he will spare no effort to achieve
a permanent status agreement within one year. We understand that you too will
spare no effort to reach an agreement. It
is also our intention to do whatever we can to facilitate the achievement of
the permanent status agreement within the timeframe specified in the
Memorandum (i. e. by September 13, 2000).
Third, we understand that the language of Article 10 of the agreement is taken
directly from the Wye River Memorandum section entitled “Unilateral
Actions.” In this regard,
we note
That Israelis and Palestinians have committed themselves to using negotiations
to resolve all outstanding issues and to reaching a comprehensive permanent
status agreement within one year. In
order for these negotiations to succeed on such an accelerated basic it is
essential to create the right, environment.
In this regard, as good faith negotiations proceed neither side should
take unilateral actions that undermine the environment.
Fourth,
we are conscious of your concerns about settlement activity.
As President Clinton has Written to you in the past the United States
knows how destructive settlement activity has been to the pursuit of
Palestinian – Israeli peace.
Finally,
as President Clinton wrote you on April 26, 1999, we believe that negotiations
are the only realistic way to fulfill the aspirations of your people.
In this context, and in President Clinton’s words, “we support the
aspirations of the Palestinian people to determine their own future on their
own land.” With the resumption of the permanent status negotiations under
this Memorandum, you will have an opportunity to achieve your aspirations.
Sincerely
Madeleine k. Albright
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