Israeli-Palestinian Conflict - 1993 Oslo Peace Accords
The Oslo Accords,
officially called the Declaration of Principles on Interim
Self-Government Arrangements or Declaration of Principles (DOP),
finalized in Oslo, Norway by August 20, 1993, and subsequently
officially signed at a public ceremony in Washington D.C. on September
13, 1993 with Mahmoud Abbas signing for the Palestine Liberation
Organization and Shimon Peres signing for the State of Israel witnessed
by Warren Christopher for the United States and Andrei Kozyrev for
Russia, in the presence of US President Bill Clinton and Israel's Prime
Minister Yitzhak Rabin with the PLO's Chairman Yasser Arafat.
The Oslo Accords were a culmination of a series of secret and public
agreements, dating particularly from the Madrid Conference of 1991
onwards, and negotiated between the Israeli government and the Palestine
Liberation Organization (acting as representatives of the Palestinian
people) in 1993 as part of a peace process trying to resolve the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Despite the high hopes expressed in the Accords and in the subsequent
agreements, which also promised the normalization of Israel's relations
with the Arab world, the conflict has not been resolved.
Background
The talks leading to the agreement were initiated by the Norwegian
government, who were at reasonably good terms with both parties. Main
architects behind the plan was Johan Jørgen Holst (the Norwegian
Minister of Foreign Affairs), Terje Rød-Larsen and Mona Juul. The
negotiations were undertaken in total secrecy in and around Oslo, with
breakthrough meetings taking place in the home of Minister Holst until
they were signed on August 20, 1993 and at the subsequent public
ceremony on September 13, 1993.
Principles of the Accords
In essence, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip and the
West Bank and the Palestinian right to self-government within those
areas through the creation of the Palestinian Authority. The Palestinian
rule would last for a five year interim period during which permanent
status would be negotiated (beginning not later than May 1996).
Permanent issues such as Jerusalem, refugees, Israeli settlements in the
area, security and borders were deliberately excluded from the Accords
and determined as not prejudged. The interim self-government was to be
granted in phases.
Until a final status accord was made, West Bank and Gaza would be
divided into three zones:
* Area A - full control of the Palestinian Authority.
* Area B - Palestinian civil control, Israeli military control.
* Area C - full Israeli control.
Together with the principles the two groups signed Letters of Mutual
Recognition - The Israeli government recognized the PLO as the
legitimate representative of the Palestinian people while the PLO
recognized the right of the state of Israel to exist and renounced
terrorism, violence and its desire for the destruction of Israel.
Articles of the accords
The accords contained 17 articles, 4 annexes, and agreed minutes. The
following is a brief summary based on the actual accords:
Article 1: Aim of negotiations
The aim of the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations within the Middle East
peace process is to establish a Palestinian Interim Self-Government
Authority, an elected Council, for the Palestinian people in the West
Bank and the Gaza Strip, for a transitional period not exceeding five
years, leading to a permanent settlement based on UN Security Council
Resolution 242 and UN Security Council Resolution 338, an integral part
of the whole peace process.
Article 2: Framework for interim period
The agreed framework for the interim period was set forth in the
Declaration of Principles.
Article 3: Palestinian elections
In order that the Palestinians should govern themselves according to
democratic principles, direct, free and general political elections
would be held for the Council under agreed supervision and international
observation, while the Palestinian police would ensure public order.
Article 4: Palestinian council's jurisdiction
Jurisdiction of the Palestinian Council would cover the West Bank and
Gaza Strip, except for issues that would be negotiated in the permanent
status negotiations. The two sides viewed the West Bank and the Gaza
Strip as a single territorial unit, whose integrity will be preserved
during the interim period.
Article 5: Transition and permanent status
The five-year transitional period would begin with the withdrawal from
the Gaza Strip and Jericho area. Permanent status negotiations would
commence as soon as possible between Israel and the Palestinian
representatives. It was understood that the negotiations should cover
remaining issues, including: Jerusalem, refugees, settlements, security
arrangements, borders, relations and cooperation with other neighbors,
and other issues of common interest.
Article 6: Transfer of powers
Upon the entry into force of the Declaration of Principles and the
withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and the Jericho area, a transfer of
authority from the Israeli military government and its civil
administration to the authorised Palestinians will commence in the
following spheres: education and culture, health, social welfare, direct
taxation, and tourism.
Article 7: Future interim agreement
The Israeli and Palestinian delegations will negotiate an agreement on
the interim period (known as the Interim Agreement) which would specify
the structure of the Council, the transfer of powers and
responsibilities from the Israeli military government and its civil
administration to the Council which will establish, among other things,
a Palestinian Electricity Authority, a Gaza Sea Port Authority, a
Palestinian Development Bank, a Palestinian Export Promotion Board, a
Palestinian Environmental Authority, a Palestinian Land Authority and a
Palestinian Water Administration Authority, and any other Authorities
agreed upon, in accordance with the Interim Agreement that will specify
their powers and responsibilities.
After the inauguration of the Council, the Civil Administration will be
dissolved, and the Israeli military government will be withdrawn.
Article 8: Public order
The Council would establish a strong police force, while Israel will
continue to carry the responsibility for defending against external
threats, as well as the responsibility for overall security of Israelis
for the purpose of safeguarding their internal security and public
order.
Article 9: Laws and military orders
The Council would be empowered to legislate, in accordance with the
Interim Agreement, within all authorities transferred to it. Both
parties would review jointly laws and military orders presently in force
in remaining spheres.
Article 10: Liaison committee
A Joint Israeli-Palestinian liaison committee would be established in
order to deal with issues requiring coordination, other issues of common
interest, and disputes.
Article 11: Economic cooperation
An Israeli-Palestinian Economic Cooperation Committee will be
established in order to develop and implement in a cooperative manner
the programs identified in the protocols.
Article 12: Jordan and Egypt
The governments of Jordan and Egypt would be invited to participate in
establishing further liaison and cooperation arrangements between Israel
and the Palestinian representatives, on the one hand, and the
Governments of Jordan and Egypt, on the other hand, to promote
cooperation between them.
Article 13: Israeli redeployment
A redeployment of Israeli military forces in the West Bank and the Gaza
Strip would take place.
Article 14: Israeli withdrawal
Israel would withdraw from the Gaza Strip and Jericho area.
Article 15: Dispute resolution
Disputes shall be resolved by negotiations through the Joint Liaison
Committee to be established. Disputes which cannot be settled by
negotiations may be resolved by a mechanism of conciliation to be agreed
upon by the parties.
Article 16: Regional programs
Both Israelis and Palestinians view the multilateral working groups as
an appropriate instrument for promoting a "Marshall Plan", the regional
programs and other programs, including special programs for the West
Bank and Gaza Strip.
Article 17: Other provisisions
The Declaration of Principles would enter into force one month after its
signing. All protocols annexed to the Declaration of Principles and the
Agreed Minutes pertaining to it, should be regarded as part of it.
Annexes of the accords
Annex 1: Conditions of elections
Election agreements, system of elections, rules and regulations
regarding election campaign, including agreed arrangements for the
organizing of mass media, and the possibility of licensing a
broadcasting and TV station.
Annex 2: Israeli forces withdrawal
An agreement on the withdrawal of Israeli military forces from the Gaza
Strip and Jericho area. This agreement will include comprehensive
arrangements to apply in the Gaza Strip and the Jericho area subsequent
to the Israeli withdrawal.
The above agreement will include, among other things:
* Arrangements for a smooth and peaceful transfer of authority from the
Israeli military government and its civil administration to the
Palestinian representatives.
* Structure, powers and responsibilities of the Palestinian authority in
these areas, except: external security, settlements, Israelis, foreign
relations, and other mutually agreed matters.
* Arrangements for the assumption of internal security and public order
by the Palestinian police force consisting of police officers recruited
locally and from abroad holding Jordanian passports and Palestinian
documents issued by Egypt). Those who will participate in the
Palestinian police force coming from abroad should be trained as police
and police officers.
* A temporary international or foreign presence, as agreed upon.
* Establishment of a joint Palestinian-Israeli Coordination and
Cooperation Committee for mutual security purposes.
* Arrangements for a safe passage for persons and transportation between
the Gaza Strip and Jericho area.
* Arrangements for coordination between both parties regarding passages:
Gaza - Egypt; and Jericho - Jordan.
Annex 3: Economic cooperation
The two sides agree to establish an Israeli-Palestinian continuing
Committee for economic cooperation, focusing, among other things, on the
following:
* Cooperation in the field of water.
* Cooperation in the field of electricity.
* Cooperation in the field of energy.
* Cooperation in the field of finance.
* Cooperation in the field of transport and communications.
* Cooperation in the field of trade and commerce.
* Cooperation in the field of industry.
* Cooperation in, and regulation of, labor relations and
* Cooperation in social welfare issues.
* An environmental protection plan.
* Cooperation in the field of communication and media.
Annex 4: Regional development
The two sides will cooperate in the context of the multilateral peace
efforts in promoting a Development Program for the region, including the
West Bank and the Gaza Strip, to be initiated by the G-7.
Agreed minutes of the accords
Minute A: General understandings
Any powers and responsibilities transferred to the Palestinians through
the Declaration of Principles prior to the inauguration of the Council
will be subject to the same principles pertaining to Article IV, as set
out in the agreed minutes below.
Minute B: Specific understandings
Article IV: Council's jurisdiction
It was to be understood that: Jurisdiction of the Council would cover
West Bank and Gaza Strip territory, except for issues that would be
negotiated in the permanent status negotiations: Jerusalem, settlements,
military locations, and Israelis. The Council's jurisdiction would apply
with regard to the agreed powers, responsibilities, spheres and
authorities transferred to it.
Article VI (2): Transferring authority
It was agreed that the transfer of authority would be as follows: The
Palestinians would inform the Israelis s of the names of the authorised
Palestinians who would assume the powers, authorities and
responsibilities that would be transferred to the Palestinians according
to the Declaration of Principles in the following fields: education and
culture, health, social welfare, direct taxation, tourism, and any other
authorities agreed upon.
Article VII (2): Cooperation
The Interim Agreement would also include arrangements for coordination
and cooperation.
Article VII (5): Israel's powers
The withdrawal of the military government would not prevent Israel from
exercising the powers and responsibilities not transferred to the
Council.
Article VIII: Police
It was understood that the Interim Agreement would include arrangements
for cooperation and coordination. It was also agreed that the transfer
of powers and responsibilities to the Palestinian police would be
accomplished in a phased manner.
Article X: Designating officials
It was agreed that the Israeli and Palestinian delegations would
exchange the names of the individuals designated by them as members of
the Joint Israeli-Palestinian Liaison Committee which would reach
decisions by agreement.
Annex II: Israel's continuing responsibilities
It was understood that, subsequent to the Israeli withdrawal, Israel
would continue to be responsible for external security, and for internal
security and public order of settlements and Israelis. Israeli military
forces and civilians would be allowed to continue using roads freely
within the Gaza Strip and the Jericho area.
Subsequent negotiations
In addition to the first accord, namely the Declaration of Principles on
Interim Self-Government, other more specific accords are often
informally also known as "Oslo":
Oslo 2
* The Interim Agreement on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip (also called
Oslo 2), signed in September 28, 1995 which gave the Palestinians
self-rule in Bethlehem, Hebron, Jenin, Nablus, Qalqilya, Ramallah,
Tulkarm, and some 450 villages.
Additional agreements
Additional Israeli-Palestinian documents related to the Oslo Accords
are:
* Israel-Palestine Liberation Organization letters of recognition,
(September 9, 1993),
* Protocol on Economic Relations, signed in Paris on April 29, 1994,
* 1994 Cairo Agreement on the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area (May 4,
1994),
* 1994 Washington Declaration (July 25, 1994),
* Agreement on Preparatory Transfer of Powers and Responsibilities
Between Israel and the PLO (29 August 1994),
* Protocol on Further Transfer of Powers and Responsibilities signed at
Cairo on August 27, 1995
* Protocol Concerning the Redeployment in Hebron (January 15/January 17,
1997)
* Wye River Memorandum (October 23, 1998)
* Sharm el-Sheikh Memorandum (September 4, 1999),
* Taba summit (January 27, 2001).
In 2000 United States President Bill Clinton sought to keep the "Oslo
Peace Process" moving forward by convening a summit between PLO Chairman
Yasser Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak to solve the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This Camp David 2000 Summit ended in
failure, with no resolution to the conflict. The al-Aqsa Intifada that
started in 2000 following the collapse of the summit added to the
crumbling of the credibility of the Oslo Accords, to the point that by
2003 the right wing in Israel, and Palestinian Islamic groups such as
Islamic Jihad and Hezbollah considered the accords to be dead for all
practical purposes, and Israel unequivocally refused to deal with Yassir
Arafat, considered a terrorist by the government of Ariel Sharon. In
this climate, much of 2001, 2002, and early 2003 saw an escalation of
violence by Palestinian suicide bombers and the military re-occupation
of the West Bank by the Israel Defence Force that made further
discussions unlikely.
In an attempt to break this "cycle of violence", the Mideast Quartet
(the United States, European Union, Russia, and United Nations), devised
what they called a "road map for peace" intended to lead to a cease-fire
and restart the negotiations and the stalled peace process.
Long-delayed, it was finally released by United States President George
W. Bush on April 30, 2003. See the road map for peace article for
further details and analysis of its reception. After nearly a year with
no progress, on April 15, 2004, President George W. Bush stated: "In
light of new realities on the ground, including already existing major
Israeli population centers, it is unrealistic that the outcome of final
status negotiations will be a full and complete return to the armistice
lines of 1949, and all previous efforts to negotiate a two-state
solution have reached the same conclusion. It is realistic to expect
that any final status agreement will only be achieved on the basis of
mutually agreed changes that reflect these realities..." and "It seems
clear that an agreed, just, fair and realistic framework for a solution
to the Palestinian refugee issue as part of any final status agreement
will need to be found through the establishment of a Palestinian state
and the settling of Palestinian refugees there rather than Israel."
Loss of credibility
Since the start of the Al-Aqsa Intifada, the Oslo Accords are viewed
with increasing disfavor by the Israeli public. In May 2000, seven years
after the Oslo Accords and five months before the start of the Al-Aqsa
Intifada, a survey by the Tami Steinmetz Center for Peace Research at
the University of Tel Aviv found that: 39% of all Israelis support the
Accords and that 32% believe that the Accords will result on peace in
the next few years. By contrast, the May 2004 survey found that 26% of
all Israelis support the Accords and 18% believe that the Accords will
result in peace in the next few years.
From:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1993_Oslo_Peace_Accords_between_Palestinians_and_Israel
Back to Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
|
|
