Text: Mideast Quartet Concerned by Israeli-Palestinian Violence

(Urges immediate, comprehensive ceasefire, end to terrorist attacks)
(580)

The Middle East Quartet -- the United States, the United Nations,
Russia and the European Union -- has expressed "very serious concern"
at the recent violence between Israelis and Palestinians.

Quartet envoys meeting in London repeated a call for an immediate,
comprehensive cease-fire and an end to terrorist attacks by
Palestinians against Israelis, according to a joint statement by them
released by State Department spokesman Richard Boucher in Washington
February 20.

The Quartet welcomed the appointment of a Palestinian prime minister
and urged further steps to build credible institutions to prepare for
Palestinian statehood.

The Quartet also noted the "positive effect" of Israel's resumption of
revenue transfers to the Palestinian Authority and urged Israel to do
more to ease the dire humanitarian and socio-economic situation in the
West Bank and Gaza.

Following is the text of the Quartet's joint statement:

(begin text)

U.S. Department of State
Office of the Spokesman, Richard Boucher
February 20, 2003

Press Statement by Richard Boucher, Spokesman

Joint Statement of Quartet Envoys London

Following is the Joint Statement issued by Quartet envoys on February
19, 2003, following their meeting in London.

"Representatives of the Middle East Quartet -- the United States, the
Russian Federation, the European Union, and the United Nations -- met
at the Envoys level in London February 19 to review the current
situation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and prospects for giving
new impetus to peace efforts. They expressed very serious concern at
the continuing acts of violence and terror planned and directed
against Israelis and at Israeli military operations over the past
several days in the West Bank and Gaza, which led to Palestinian
civilian fatalities. The Envoys discussed the next steps toward the
adoption and implementation of the Quartet's Road Map, as it is the
means for progress toward the vision described by President Bush on
June 24, 2002: two democratic states living side by side in peace.
They reaffirmed that the Road Map should be formally adopted and
presented to the parties as soon as possible.

"The Quartet envoys reaffirmed the call of the Quartet principals in
Washington on December 20 for an immediate, comprehensive cease-fire.
All Palestinian individuals and groups must end all acts of terror
against Israelis, in any location.

"The Envoys reiterated their call for the Palestinians to build
credible institutions to prepare for statehood and welcomed the
Palestinians' decision to appoint a Prime Minister as a significant
step. The Envoys underscored the importance of appointing a credible
and fully empowered Prime Minister. They urged the immediate convening
of the relevant legislative and executive Palestinian bodies to
exercise their authority in this regard, and called on the Government
of Israel to facilitate these meetings. The Quartet also encouraged
the Palestinians to continue the process of preparing a constitution
that would form the basis for a strong parliamentary democracy.

"Noting Israel's important role in facilitating the Palestinian reform
process, they recognized the positive effect of the resumption of
monthly revenue transfers and return of outstanding arrears. Likewise,
the Quartet Envoys emphasized Israel's obligation, consistent with
legitimate security concerns, to do more to ease the dire humanitarian
and socio-economic situation in the West Bank and Gaza, including
facilitating freedom of movement and access, alleviating the daily
burdens of life under occupation, and respecting the dignity of
Palestinian civilians. They welcomed the opportunity for direct
discussions between the donor community and Israelis and Palestinians
to address this critical issue."

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(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)