Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Syrian President Bashar Assad (AP)
President Bush’s visit resulted in a number of key commitments aimed at advancing the Arab-Israel peace process, including:
Setting a Goal of an Agreement by End of 2008
President Bush stated his goal of concluding this agreement by the end of 2008. He outlined some key elements of the future agreement including the issues of Jerusalem, refugees, borders, and settlements.
Progress on Negotiations
On January 10, Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas agreed to begin negotiations on a three-track model. This model would allow simultaneous undertaking of Road M ap obligations, investment in and development of the Palestinian economy, and negotiations on final status issues. This structure would avoid having to complete one phase of the Road Map, i.e. security commitments, before moving to a subsequent stage, i.e. final status negotiations. On January 14, Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and former Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia began negotiations by designating six issues as their focus for future discussions: Jerusalem, West Bank settlements, Palestinian refugees, borders, security and water resources.
Setting a Process for Monitoring Road Map Implementation
On January 12, the United States announced that Lieutenant General James Fraser would supervise a joint American, Palestinian, and Israeli Road Map monitoring team.
Progress on Road Map Implementation
In November 2007, a strengthened Palestinian police force was deployed throughout the West Bank. On January 14, it was reported that Palestinian police were gradually exerting greater control over some West Bank towns. In addition, on January 15, Olmert said of illegal Israeli outposts, “They are unauthorized, they are illegal and they have to be removed.” On January 16, Israel dismantled two outposts in the West Bank.
Setting a Goal for Developing the Palestinian Economy
On January 10, President Bush stated the need for Israel, the region, and the international community to help the Palestinian government build its economy, and political and security institutions.
Progress on the Palestinian Economy
Nearly 90 countries and international organizations gathered at a Palestinian donor’s conference on December 17 and pledged $7.4 billion over the next three years to the Palestinian government, exceeding the $5.6 billion sought initially. By March 2008, the sewage treatment plant at Beit Lahia in Gaza, the first of Blair’s development projects, is expected to have its first stage completed. Blair, along with other international organizations, is currently planning and implementing a variety of development projects in the Palestinian territories.
