[Dr. Aaron Lerner - IMRA: No reason to get excited about the phrase "an
agreement that ends the occupation that began in 1967" since any agreement
that gives permanent recognition to Israel's borders - wherever they made be
drawn - constitutes by definition an end to the "occupation".

Note the absence of symmetry: " The Quartet urges the government of Israel
to freeze all settlement activity, including natural growth; and to refrain
from provocative actions in East Jerusalem." = while Israel should stop
building, the Jewish State should not interfere with illegal Palestinian
"fact making" in Jerusalem.]

"The Quartet re-affirms that Arab-Israeli peace and the establishment of a
peaceful state of Palestine in the West Bank and Gaza, on this basis, is in
the fundamental interests of the parties, of all states in the region, and
of the international community." note that's a "peaceful state".

But that's not the question. What does the Quartet say about a Palestinian
state that in all likelihood would be anything but "peaceful"?

So when the Quartet proclaims that "the only viable solution to the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict is an agreement that ends the occupation that
began in 1967; resolves all permanent status issues as previously defined by
the parties; and fulfils the aspirations of both parties for independent
homelands through two states for two peoples, Israel and an independent,
contiguous and viable state of Palestine, living side by side in peace and
security." what they are really saying is that there is no "viable
solution".

Oops.]

Joint Statement by the Quartet
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC

September 24, 2009
www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2009/sept/129602.htm

The Quartet - U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Russian Foreign Minister
Sergei Lavrov, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, U.S. Special
Envoy for Middle East Peace George Mitchell, High Representative for Common
Foreign and Security Policy of the European Union Javier Solana, European
Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner and Swedish
Foreign Minister Carl Bildt-met in New York on September 24, 2009. They were
joined by Quartet Representative Tony Blair.

Recalling the fundamental principles laid down in its statement in Trieste
on June 26, 2009, the Quartet welcomes the recent meetings between U.S.
President Barack Obama, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas as significant steps toward the
re-launching of direct, bilateral negotiations as part of a comprehensive
resolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict, on the basis of UN Security Council
Resolutions 242, 338, 1397, 1515, 1850, and the Madrid principles. The
Quartet reiterates that the only viable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict is an agreement that ends the occupation that began in 1967;
resolves all permanent status issues as previously defined by the parties;
and fulfils the aspirations of both parties for independent homelands
through two states for two peoples, Israel and an independent, contiguous
and viable state of Palestine, living side by side in peace and security.
The Quartet re-affirms that Arab-Israeli peace and the establishment of a
peaceful state of Palestine in the West Bank and Gaza, on this basis, is in
the fundamental interests of the parties, of all states in the region, and
of the international community.

The Quartet shares the sense of urgency expressed by President Obama and
fully supports the steps ahead as outlined in his statement to the UN
General Assembly on September 22. The Quartet calls on Israel and the
Palestinians to act on their previous agreements and obligations--in
particular adherence to the Roadmap, irrespective of reciprocity--to create
the conditions for the resumption of negotiations in the near term. The
Quartet urges the government of Israel to freeze all settlement activity,
including natural growth; and to refrain from provocative actions in East
Jerusalem and calls on the Palestinian Authority to continue to make every
effort to improve law and order, to fight violent extremism, and to end
incitement.

Recalling that transformative change on the ground is integral to peace, the
Quartet welcomes the Palestinian Authority's plan for constructing the
institutions of the Palestinian state within 24 months as a demonstration of
the PA's serious commitment to an independent state that provides
opportunity, justice, and security for the Palestinian people and is a
responsible neighbor to all states in the region. The Quartet notes
significantly improved economic growth in the West Bank and welcomes initial
ministerial contact between the Palestinian Authority and Israel on economic
issues. The Quartet welcomes further steps by Israel to promote change on
the ground and encourages it to re-double those efforts, in particular
concerning free movement of people and goods. The Quartet calls on all
states in the region and in the wider international community to match this
commitment by contributing immediate, sustained, concrete, and coordinated
support for the Palestinian nation building effort. It further welcomes the
Ad Hoc Liaison Committee's commitment to coordinating assistance for
Palestinian economic and institutional development in support of the
successful conclusion of negotiations toward the two-state solution.

The Quartet stresses the urgency of a durable resolution to the Gaza crisis
and calls for a solution that addresses Israel's legitimate security
concerns, including an end to weapons smuggling into Gaza; promotes the
re-unification of Gaza and the West Bank under the legitimate Palestinian
Authority; and facilitates the opening of the crossings to allow for the
unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid, commercial goods, and persons to and
from Gaza, consistent with UN Security Council Resolution 1860. The Quartet
reaffirms its support for the proposed UN-led civilian reconstruction
activities in Gaza. The Quartet reiterates its call for the immediate
release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.

Recognizing the significance of the Arab Peace Initiative, the Quartet urges
regional governments to support the resumption of bilateral negotiations,
enter into a structured regional dialogue on issues of common concern, and
take steps toward normalization of relations across the region in the
context of progress towards peace. In this regard, the Quartet commits to
remain actively involved on all tracks and supports, in consultation with
the parties, an international conference in Moscow in 2009. The Quartet
tasks the envoys to continue to meet regularly and to formulate
recommendations for Quartet action.

PRN: 2009/961