Palestine Liberation Organization Palestinian National Authority
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06-52768 -1- CL / Translated from Arabic Palestine Liberation Organization Palestinian National Authority The President Letter to Mr. Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the United Nations Sir, Earlier this week I concluded an agreement with the Prime Minister, Mr. Ismail Haniyeh, concerning the principles for the formation of a Government of National Unity. The agreement provides that: • "The Government shall respect the agreements signed by the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as the political authority of the Palestinian National Authority" • "The Government shall assist the Chairmen of the Palestinian National Authority in formulating a political action plan (for the peace process) on the basis of the Arab Peace Initiative (adopted at the Beirut summit in 2002) and the internationally recognized resolutions (relating to the Palestinian issue)." The Government will be broad-based and will represent the various Palestinian political tendencies in the parliamentary blocs and the representatives of civil society. The parliamentary majority party will receive a minority of the total number of seats in the Government. The above-mentioned principles will be elaborated in the Government programme on the basis of which the confidence of the Legislative Council will be gained. The Government and its individual members will be bound by these principles. On the basis of this development the Government will, in essence, have accepted the requirements of the Quartet. The agreements signed on 9 September 1993 comprise the letter of mutual recognition between the PLO and the Government of Israel, together with the agreement on the declaration of principles of 1993. These agreements explicitly recognize the State of Israel. The letter of mutual recognition, specifies that "the Palestine Liberation Organization recognizes the right of Israel to exist in peace and security". That mutual recognition was reaffirmed in several subsequent agreements. Furthermore, the agreements signed between the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Israeli Government are very clear regarding the commitment of the PLO and the Palestinian National Authority to renounce violence. The letter recognizing Israel of 9 September 1993 states that "the Palestine Liberation Organization renounces terrorism and other means of violence". That commitment was repeated in subsequent agreements between the parties. Reference must also be made to the fact that this agreement with Prime Minister Haniyeh will assist us in laying the foundation for a resumption of efforts towards the achievement of a negotiated peace with Israel. That objective is clearly stated in the texts of the international resolutions that will be accepted by the new SEP 2 9 06-52768 -2- Government including Security Council resolution 1515 (2003) which adopted the Road Map and the Arab Peace Initiative (both of which are equally part of the Road Map) and the vision of Mr. George Bush, President of the United States of America. As has always been the case and as was reaffirmed in the agreement that 1 concluded with Prime Minister Haniyeh, the Palestine Liberation Organization is responsible for the negotiations. I believe that a qualitative development of this magnitude deserves a similar international response in support of the agreement as well as support for the Government of National Unity which will be formed on the basis of it. The adoption of such a stance by the international community under the leadership of the Quartet will send a very clear message to the Palestinian people that the world is in support of moderation. It will also support a resumption of the peace process in the Middle East and will strengthen stability in our region. A continuation of the current situation will deepen the dire economic crisis that our people are experiencing and will worsen their living conditions, thereby undermining the institutions of the Palestinian National Authority. Accept, Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration. (Signed) Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) Chairman, Palestine Liberation Organization Chairman, Palestinian National Authority Ramallah 14 September 2006.