U.S. Working Hard To Achieve Breakthrough In Israeli-Palestinian Negotiations

American Jewish Committee
Monday, 8 December 1997

Ambassador Ross Tells AJCommittee Leaders, "No Linkage Between Crisis In Iraq And Peace Process"

U.S. Special Middle East Coordinator Dennis Ross today highlighted the importance of trying to achieve a breakthrough in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process on what he termed "the four-part agenda -- security, time-out, further redeployment, and an agreed timetable for accelerated permanent status negotiations."

Ambassador Ross made his remarks at a meeting of the American Jewish Committee's National Board of Governors. Reviewing the past year, he stated that "we're dealing with a peace process that has had its ups and downs. That is not surprising. We're seeking to overcome a legacy of fear, suspicion, violence and very determined opponents to peace. But the trauma the peace process has endured has not been enough to do it in because the fundamental reality in the region is that the vast majority of people would like to see an end to conflict. They see no other alternative but the pursuit of peace. But this is not enough, in and of itself, to ensure success. Since Hebron we have not made any headway. Although the peace process has survived, it has not progressed."

In examining the reasons why the peace process is currently "in a stalemate," Ambassador Ross cited a "crisis of confidence." To restore confidence and hope, Ambassador Ross noted three criteria: "Both sides must live up to their obligations and responsibilities in letter and spirit and treat each other as partners. This is not a zero-sum game. If your partner suffers, you suffer as well. They must also reestablish the capacity to work together to solve problems. This in turn will build confidence and trust. Lastly, both sides must begin to have a sense of where they're headed together, a sense of convergence; this is not to say an agreement on the outcome, but rather a feeling that at least they're headed in the same direction."

Looking at where the Israeli-Palestinian peace process is today, he spoke of two levels of effort. The first deals with the interim agreement issues such as the airport, safe passage, seaport, and joint economic interests. Although he said that no final agreements have yet been made, he spoke of progress and ongoing work in each of these areas. "Progress here will also help to reestablish some momentum and trust."

He stressed, however, that if the coming year is to be better than the last in terms of the negotiations, then headway must be made on the "four-part agenda." In particular, he spoke of the relationship between security issues and further redeployment. "On the Palestinian side, we're working heavily on the issue of credible security. In the Israeli side, we're working on a credible further redeployment."

During a lengthy question-and-answer period, Ambassador Ross noted that four factors -- "timing, quality, size, and security" -- should be taken into account in producing the approach to further redeployment. For it to be successful, he emphasized, that approach must be "meaningful, credible and significant." However, he did not present an American view of what would be "credible."

Addressing the issue raised in recent news reports of a supposed linkage between the crisis with Iraq and Israel's positions on the peace process, Ambassador Ross stated unequivocally that "the two issues are not linked. Saddam Hussein is not trying to acquire weapons of mass destruction because of Israel. The peace process is something that exists in the Middle East and certainly affects the climate of the area. But Saddam, on his own merits, has to be dealt with."

Responding to a comment on the perception of American pressure on Israel, Ambassador Ross declared that "we are not trying to pressure anyone. We tell each side that this is what it takes if you want to move ahead. Then we have an exchange. That is a process of narrowing differences. We are also making sure to preserve American credibility. We will embrace what we view as credible. What we are trying to do is to get both sides to help us to help them."

On the subject of Chairman Arafat's willingness and capacity to control terrorism, in fulfillment of the Oslo Accords, the Ambassador noted that "we have seen some periods where Chairman Arafat has taken extraordinary steps, even going into mosques following the February - March 1996 series of suicide bombings, which no other leader has done. But he too must deal with public opinion. We tell him that he cannot hold back, that to do so would be self-defeating. Security is an obligation under Oslo, but it is also in the Palestinians' own self-interest. Chairman Arafat has acknowledged that.

"But," added Ambassador Ross, "an organization like Hamas is not just a terrorist organization. It also has a highly-developed social infrastructure and serves as a safety net to a great many people. If you close that down, you cannot replicate it in the existing Palestinian Authority structure, and that will build up more resentment and ultimately more recruits for Hamas terror. We must find a way to reconcile Israel's real security needs and their use of closures with Palestinian economic needs. For this reason, you will need more than a security approach to defeat Hamas."

In responding to questions regarding where Israelis and Palestinians, and others in the Arab world could be doing more, Ambassador Ross said: "I think where more work needs to be done, and where it would be most useful, is in the people-to-people interpersonal aspects of peace. This is how we can break down stereotypes and build trust."

As part of its ongoing international program, AJC leaders will travel to Israel, Egypt, Jordan and Turkey February 11 - 18 for its Board of Governors Institute and for meetings with top Israeli, Egyptian, Jordanian, and Turkish officials.

For more information, or to contact American Jewish Committee, see their website at: www.ajc.org