Dr. Aaron Lerner - IMRA: So the US doesn't exactly commit to using force -
just discussing the possibility.

There is a CALL FOR ISRAEL TO BE SPLIT IN TWO so that the West Bank and Gaza
Strip are "contiguous Palestinian state".

Also in the call to Israel and the Palestinians "urgent need for the parties
to demonstrate—through policies and actions—genuine advancement of a
two-state solution" we have missing any explicit call for the Palestinians
to HONOR THEIR EXISTING COMMITMENTS. What commitments? Well, for
starters, The thousands of rockets in the Gaza Strip are in complete and
total violation of the agreements signed already! So are the Fatah armed
militias in the West Bank!]

"In the event of such aggression or the threat of such aggression, the
United States stands ready to work with our GCC partners to determine
urgently what action may be appropriate, using the means at our collective
disposal, including the potential use of military force, for the defense of
our GCC partners.

As with Operation Decisive Storm, GCC states will consult with the United
States when planning to take military action beyond GCC borders, in
particular when U.S. assistance is requested for such action."

...The United States and GCC member states strongly affirmed the necessity
of resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on the basis of a just,
lasting, comprehensive peace agreement that results in an independent and
contiguous Palestinian state living side-by-side in peace and security with
Israel. To that end, the United States and GCC member states underscored
the enduring importance of the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative and the urgent
need for the parties to demonstrate—through policies and actions—genuine
advancement of a two-state solution, and decided to remain closely engaged
moving forward."

=========================
The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release May 14, 2015
U.S.- Gulf Cooperation Council Camp David Joint Statement
https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2015/05/14/us-gulf-cooperation-council-camp-david-joint-statement

President Obama and Heads of Delegations of the Gulf Cooperation Council
(GCC) member states, the Secretary General of the GCC, and members the
President’s Cabinet met today at Camp David to reaffirm and deepen the
strong partnership and cooperation between the United States and the GCC.
The leaders underscored their mutual commitment to a U.S.-GCC strategic
partnership to build closer relations in all fields, including defense and
security cooperation, and develop collective approaches to regional issues
in order to advance their shared interest in stability and prosperity.

The United States shares with our GCC partners a deep interest in a region
that is peaceful and prosperous, and a vital interest in supporting the
political independence and territorial integrity, safe from external
aggression, of our GCC partners. The United States policy to use all
elements of power to secure our core interests in the Gulf region, and to
deter and confront external aggression against our allies and partners, as
we did in the Gulf War, is unequivocal.

The United States is prepared to work jointly with the GCC states to deter
and confront an external threat to any GCC state's territorial integrity
that is inconsistent with the UN Charter. In the event of such aggression or
the threat of such aggression, the United States stands ready to work with
our GCC partners to determine urgently what action may be appropriate, using
the means at our collective disposal, including the potential use of
military force, for the defense of our GCC partners.

As with Operation Decisive Storm, GCC states will consult with the United
States when planning to take military action beyond GCC borders, in
particular when U.S. assistance is requested for such action.

In this spirit, and building on the U.S.-GCC Strategic Cooperation Forum,
the leaders discussed a new U.S.-GCC strategic partnership to enhance their
work to improve security cooperation, especially on fast-tracking arms
transfers, as well as on counter-terrorism, maritime security,
cybersecurity, and ballistic missile defense. They reviewed the status of
negotiations between the P5+1 and Iran, and emphasized that a comprehensive,
verifiable deal that fully addresses the regional and international concerns
about Iran’s nuclear program is in the security interests of GCC member
states as well as the United States and the international community. The
United States and GCC member states oppose and will work together to counter
Iran’s destabilizing activities in the region and stressed the need for Iran
to engage the region according to the principles of good neighborliness,
strict non-interference in domestic affairs, and respect for territorial
integrity, consistent with international law and the United Nations Charter,
and for Iran to take concrete, practical steps to build trust and resolve
its differences with neighbors by peaceful means.

The leaders decided to enhance their counter-terrorism cooperation on shared
threats, particularly ISIL/DAESH and Al-Qa’ida, to deter and disrupt
terrorist attacks with a focus on protecting critical infrastructure,
strengthening border and aviation security, combating money laundering and
terrorist financing, interdicting foreign fighters, and countering violent
extremism in all its forms.

The leaders, furthermore, discussed how best to address regional conflicts
and defuse growing tensions. In this context, the leaders discussed the most
pressing conflicts in the region, including Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Libya,
and what could be done to advance their resolution. They decided on a set of
common principles, including a shared recognition that there is no military
solution to the regions’ armed civil conflicts, which can only be resolved
through political and peaceful means; respect for all states’ sovereignty
and non-interference in their internal affairs; the need for inclusive
governance in conflict-ridden societies; as well as protection of all
minorities and of human rights.

With regard to Yemen, both the United States and GCC member states
underscored the imperative of collective efforts to counter Al-Qa’ida in the
Arabian Peninsula, and emphasized the need to rapidly shift from military
operations to a political process, through the Riyadh Conference under GCC
auspices and UN-facilitated negotiations based on the GCC initiative,
National Comprehensive Dialogue outcomes, and the Security Council’s
relevant resolutions. Taking into consideration the humanitarian needs of
civilians, they welcomed the start of a five-day humanitarian pause to
facilitate delivery of relief assistance to all those in need and expressed
hope it would develop into a longer, more sustainable ceasefire. They
expressed their appreciation for the generous grant of $274 million provided
by Saudi Arabia for the UN humanitarian response in Yemen. The United States
reaffirmed its commitment, in partnership with GCC member states and other
members of the international community, to seek to prevent the resupply of
Houthi forces and their allies in contravention of UN Security Council
Resolution 2216.

The United States and GCC member states further affirmed their commitment to
assisting the Iraqi government and the international coalition in their
fight against ISIL/DAESH. They stressed the importance of strengthening
ties between GCC member states and the Iraqi government, based on the
principles of good neighborliness, non-interference in internal affairs, and
respect for state sovereignty. They encouraged the Iraqi government to
achieve genuine national reconciliation by urgently addressing the
legitimate grievances of all components of Iraqi society through the
implementation of reforms agreed upon last summer and by ensuring that all
armed groups operate under the strict control of the Iraqi state.

The leaders committed to continue working towards a sustainable political
resolution in Syria that ends the war and establishes an inclusive
government that protects all ethnic and religious minorities, and preserves
state institutions. They reaffirmed that Assad has lost all legitimacy and
has no role in Syria’s future. They strongly supported increased efforts to
degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL/DAESH in Syria and warned against the
influence of other extremist groups, such as Al-Nusrah, that represent a
danger to the Syrian people, to the region and to the international
community. They expressed deep concern over the continuing deterioration of
the humanitarian situation in Syria and condemned the prevention of aid
distribution to the civilian population by the Assad regime or any other
party.

The leaders decided to move in concert to convince all Libyan parties to
accept an inclusive power-sharing agreement based on proposals put forward
by the UN and to focus on countering the growing terrorist presence in the
country.

The United States and GCC member states strongly affirmed the necessity of
resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on the basis of a just, lasting,
comprehensive peace agreement that results in an independent and contiguous
Palestinian state living side-by-side in peace and security with Israel. To
that end, the United States and GCC member states underscored the enduring
importance of the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative and the urgent need for the
parties to demonstrate—through policies and actions—genuine advancement of a
two-state solution, and decided to remain closely engaged moving forward.
The United States and GCC member states also recommitted to continue to
fulfill aggressively their pledges made for Gaza’s reconstruction, to
include pledges made at the October 2014 Cairo Conference.

The leaders expressed their concern over the delay in electing a new
president of Lebanon, called on all parties to strengthen Lebanese state
institutions, and emphasized the critical importance of Lebanon’s parliament
moving forward to elect a president of the Lebanese Republic in accordance
with the constitution. The leaders also emphasized their determination to
support the Government of Lebanon in its resistance to ISIL/DAESH and
Al-Nusrah which threaten Lebanon’s security and stability.

The leaders pledged to further deepen U.S.-GCC relations on these and other
issues in order to build an even stronger, enduring, and comprehensive
strategic partnership aimed at enhancing regional stability and prosperity.
They agreed to meet again in a similar high level format in 2016, in order
to advance and build upon the US-GCC Strategic Partnership announced today.
=============================
The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release May 14, 2015
Annex to U.S.-Gulf Cooperation Council Camp David Joint Statement
https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2015/05/14/annex-us-gulf-cooperation-council-camp-david-joint-statement

President Obama and Heads of Delegations of the Gulf Cooperation Council
(GCC) member states came to Camp David to reaffirm and deepen their close
partnership, make progress on a shared set of priorities, confront common
threats, and work to resolve, or at a minimum de-escalate, regional crises
and provide humanitarian assistance to those in need. The United States has
worked with its GCC partners over six decades on matters of mutual interest,
including confronting and deterring external aggression against allies and
partners; ensuring the free flow of energy and commerce, and freedom of
navigation in international waters; dismantling terrorist networks that
threaten the safety of their people; and preventing the development or use
of weapons of mass destruction. In recent years, we have made significant
progress, under the framework of the U.S.-GCC Strategic Cooperation Forum,
to work cooperatively on security and political issues of regional
importance. Today, the United States and GCC member states recognize the
need to consolidate and develop this relationship based on friendship and
cooperation to more effectively address the challenges we face.

At Camp David, the leaders of the GCC states and President Obama reaffirmed
the longstanding U.S.-GCC partnership and pledged to further enhance the
relationship between the United States and GCC member states. This
partnership is based on a shared commitment to the stability and prosperity
of the region, mutual interest in confronting the threat of terrorism and
other destabilizing activities, and resolving regional conflicts through
political means. The leaders underscored their mutual commitment to the
U.S.-GCC strategic partnership to provide for closer relations in all
fields, including defense and security cooperation, and to develop
collective approaches to regional issues in order to advance their shared
interest in stability and prosperity.

The U.S.-GCC strategic partnership involves both enhanced cooperation
between the United States and the GCC collectively and between the United
States and individual GCC member states in accordance with their respective
capacities and interests. It establishes a common understanding on mutual
assurances and heightened cooperation, including efforts to build collective
capacity to address the threats of terrorism and other regional security
threats.

As part of this new partnership, the leaders of the United States and the
GCC decided on the following steps to enhance their cooperation:

Security Cooperation

The U.S.-GCC security relationship remains a major pillar of our strategic
partnership and a cornerstone of regional stability. Our existing
cooperation, including basing, information sharing, joint military
exercises, and provision of sophisticated military equipment and training
are a testament to the sustained value we place on our shared security
interests. The leaders decided at Camp David to enhance security cooperation
in the following areas:

Security Assurances: At the core of the partnership is our shared interest
in a region that is peaceful and prosperous. At Camp David, we have
recommitted to the importance of this vision. President Obama affirmed that
the United States shares with our GCC partners a deep interest in a region
that is peaceful and prosperous, and a vital interest in supporting the
political independence and territorial integrity, safe from external
aggression, of our GCC partners. The United States policy to use all
elements of power to secure our core interests in the Gulf region, and to
deter and confront external aggression against our allies and partners, as
we did in the Gulf War, is unequivocal.

The United States is prepared to work jointly with the GCC states to deter
and confront an external threat to any GCC state's territorial integrity
that is inconsistent with the UN Charter. In the event of such aggression or
the threat of such aggression, the United States stands ready to work with
our GCC partners to determine urgently what action may be appropriate, using
the means at our collective disposal, including the potential use of
military force, for the defense of our GCC partners.

The United States and GCC member states also decided to set up a senior
working group to pursue the development of rapid response capabilities,
taking into account the Arab League’s concept of a “unified Arab force,” to
mount or contribute in a coordinated way to counter-terrorism, peacekeeping
and stabilization operations in the region. The United States and GCC member
states also affirmed their strong support for the efforts of the P5+1 to
reach a deal with Iran by June 30, 2015, that would verifiably ensure that
Iran does not develop a nuclear weapon, noting that such a deal would
represent a significant contribution to regional security.

As with Operation Decisive Storm, GCC states will consult with the United
States when planning to take military action beyond GCC borders, in
particular when U.S. assistance is requested for such action.

Ballistic missile defense: GCC member states committed to develop a
region-wide ballistic missile defense capability, including through the
development of a ballistic missile early warning system. The United States
will help conduct a study of GCC ballistic missile defense architecture and
offered technical assistance in the development of a GCC-wide Ballistic
Missile Early Warning System. All participants decided to undertake a senior
leader tabletop exercise to examine improved regional ballistic missile
defense cooperation.

Military Exercises and Training Partnership: Building on their extensive
existing program of military exercises and training activities, the United
States and GCC member states decided to establish a new, recurring,
large-scale exercise emphasizing interoperability against asymmetric
threats, such as terrorist or cyber-attacks, or other tactics associated
with hybrid warfare. The United States will also dispatch a military team to
GCC capitals to discuss and decide on ways to increase the frequency of
Special Operations Forces counter-terrorism cooperation and training.

Arms Transfers: In order to ensure that GCC member states are able to
respond quickly to current and future threats, the United States and GCC
member states will take steps necessary to ensure arms transfers are
fast-tracked to GCC member states contributing to regional security. To that
end, President Obama will dispatch a senior team to the region in the coming
weeks to discuss specific modalities. The United States and the GCC will
work together to set up a dedicated Foreign Military Sales procurement
office to process GCC-wide sales, streamlining third-party transfers, and
exploring ways the United States could accelerate the acquisition and
fielding of key capabilities.

Maritime Security: To protect shared maritime security interests and freedom
of navigation, the GCC member states decided to increase their participation
in international maritime task forces on counter-terrorism and
counter-piracy. They also decided to take further steps to exchange
information about and, as appropriate, interdict illicit arms shipments to
conflict areas. The United States committed to provide additional training
and technical assistance for coastal security, protection of offshore
infrastructure, and counter-smuggling.

Counter-terrorism

Building on a shared commitment to address the acute threats posed by Al-Qa’ida,
ISIL/DAESH and their affiliates, the United States and GCC member states
will pursue initiatives to further build their capacity to track,
investigate, and prosecute those engaged in terrorist activities within
their borders, as well as to contain and deter transit, financing and
recruitment by violent extremists. The United States and the GCC will hold a
second U.S.-GCC Strategic Cooperation Forum Working Group on
Counter-terrorism and Border Security to follow up on previous efforts to
cooperate on border security, countering the financing of terrorism,
cybersecurity, and critical infrastructure protection. Leaders also decided
to strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation in the following areas:

Foreign Terrorist Fighters: The United States and GCC member states will
bolster their joint efforts to identify and share information on suspected
foreign terrorist fighters (FTF). In response to the United Nations Security
Council Resolution 2178 (2014), the United States and GCC member states will
work together to implement traveler screening systems and enhanced
biometrics collection capability, and share best practices to make it more
difficult for terrorists to avoid detection at any GCC airport.

Counter-Terrorist Financing: The United States and GCC member states will
increase efforts to cut off terrorist financing, including through enhanced
intelligence exchange and enforcement efforts to freeze assets of
individuals and entities designated under relevant UN Security Council
Resolutions, especially in the region. The United States will organize a
public-private sector banking dialogue in the fall of 2015 to facilitate
discussions on anti-money laundering and terrorist financing.

Critical Infrastructure and Cybersecurity: The United States and GCC member
states will consult on cybersecurity initiatives, share expertise and best
practices on cyber policy, strategy, and incident response. The United
States will provide GCC member states with additional security assistance,
set up military cybersecurity exercises and national policy workshops, and
improve information-sharing.

Countering Violent Extremism: Recognizing the need to counter recruitment by
extremist groups from at-risk youth and vulnerable communities, the United
States and GCC member states will provide financial support for multilateral
initiatives to counter violent extremism (CVE) aimed at strengthening
resilience in vulnerable communities, including support for the Global
Community Engagement and Resilience Fund. In addition, GCC leaders offered
to host a CVE religious leaders conference aimed at boosting efforts that
will expose the true nature of ISIL/DAESH and other terrorist organizations.

Counter-proliferation: The GCC member states determined to accelerate
efforts against the proliferation of WMD, the means of their delivery, as
well as advanced conventional weapons, by enhancing national controls on
proliferation-sensitive items and technologies.

Regional Security

The United States and GCC member states reaffirmed their shared interest in
de-escalating regional tensions, resolving regional armed civil conflicts,
and addressing the critical humanitarian needs of populations affected by
conflict. The leaders made clear their belief that the conflicts in the
region, including Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Libya, are eroding state
structures, creating ungoverned spaces, and promoting sectarianism, all of
which serve as fodder for terrorists and other extremist groups and directly
threaten their shared security interests.

The leaders set out core principles that, in their view, must govern efforts
to resolve regional armed civil conflicts in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Libya,
including:

-the respect for state sovereignty;
-a shared recognition that there is no military solution to the regions’
civil conflicts, and that they can only be resolved through political and
peaceful means; and
-the importance of inclusive governance; and respect for, and protection of,
minorities and human rights.

The leaders also held in-depth discussions on the most pressing conflicts in
the region and steps they decided should be taken to help resolve them.

Iran: The United States and GCC member states oppose and will cooperate in
countering Iran’s destabilizing activities in the region and continue
consultations on how to enhance the region’s security architecture. As part
of this effort, the United States will work in partnership with GCC member
states to build their capacity to defend themselves against external
aggression, including in terms of air and missile defense, maritime and
cybersecurity, as GCC member states take steps to increase the
interoperability of their military forces and continue to better integrate
their advanced capabilities. At the same time, the United States and GCC
member states reaffirmed their willingness to develop normalized relations
with Iran should it cease its destabilizing activities and their belief that
such relations would contribute to regional security.

Yemen: The United States and GCC member states expressed deep concern over
the situation in Yemen and its destabilizing impact on the region. Leaders
emphasized the need to rapidly shift from military operations to a political
process, through the Riyadh Conference under GCC auspices and UN-facilitated
negotiations based on the GCC initiative, National Comprehensive Dialogue
outcomes, and the Security Council’s relevant resolutions. Taking into
consideration the humanitarian needs of civilians, they welcomed the start
of a five-day humanitarian pause to facilitate delivery of relief assistance
to all those in need and expressed hope it would develop into a longer, more
sustainable ceasefire. They expressed their appreciation for the generous
grant of $274 million provided by Saudi Arabia for the UN humanitarian
response in Yemen. Leaders emphasized the importance of working with the
international community to prevent the provision of weapons to designated
Yemeni parties or those acting on their behalf or at their direction in
contravention of UN Security Council Resolution 2216.

The United States also reaffirmed its assurance to help GCC member states
defend themselves against external threats emanating from Yemen and
emphasized its particular support for Saudi Arabia’s territorial integrity.
The leaders underscored that Yemen’s political transition should be in
accordance with the GCC Initiative, National Dialogue outcomes and UNSC
resolutions. Furthermore, leaders stressed the imperative of collective
efforts to counter the shared threat from Al-Qa’ida in the Arabian
Peninsula, which is exploiting the crisis.

Iraq: The United States and GCC member states reiterated their support for
the Iraqi government in its efforts to degrade and defeat ISIL/DAESH. They
encouraged the Iraqi government to achieve genuine national reconciliation
by urgently addressing the legitimate grievances of all components of Iraqi
society through the implementation of reforms agreed upon last summer and by
ensuring that all armed groups operate under the strict control of the Iraqi
state. GCC member states recommitted themselves to reestablishing a
diplomatic presence in Baghdad and to working with the Iraqi government to
support efforts against ISIL/DAESH, including in Anbar and other provinces.

Libya: Noting growing concern about political deadlock at a time when
violent extremism is expanding, the United States and GCC member states
decided to coordinate their efforts more closely on Libya’s political
transition. They will press all parties to reach a political agreement based
on proposals put forward by the UN and to urgently establish a national
unity government before Ramadan, and stand ready to substantially increase
their assistance to such a government. Leaders committed to seek to stem
illicit arms flows into Libya, and called on all Libyans to focus on
countering the growing terrorist presence, including that of ISIL/DAESH,
instead of fighting their political rivals.

Syria: The United States and GCC member states reaffirmed the importance of
a genuine, sustainable political solution as soon as possible to end the war
in Syria and prevent the further suffering of its people. All affirmed that
Assad had lost all legitimacy and had no role in Syria’s future. They
affirmed their commitment to working towards a post-Assad government that is
independent, inclusive, and protects the rights of minority groups. The
United States and the GCC member states committed to increasing support to
the moderate opposition. GCC member states decided to intensify efforts to
combat extremist groups in Syria, notably by shutting down private financial
flows or any form or assistance to ISIL/DAESH, Al Nusrah Front, and other
violent extremist groups, and to intensify efforts to prevent the movement
of foreign terrorist fighters in and out of Syria. They expressed their
determination to work together to mobilize the international community for
post-Assad reconstruction of Syria. All affirmed their commitment to
continue to support Syria’s neighbors as they face the immense challenges
posed by the ongoing conflict and to work together to strengthen the
stability and security of these countries.

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: The United States and GCC member states
strongly affirmed the necessity of resolving the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict on the basis of a just, lasting, comprehensive peace agreement that
results in an independent and contiguous Palestinian state living
side-by-side in peace and security with Israel. To that end, the United
States and GCC member states underscored the enduring importance of the 2002
Arab Peace Initiative and the urgent need for the parties to
demonstrate—through policies and actions—genuine advancement of a two-state
solution, and decided to remain closely engaged moving forward. The United
States and GCC member states also recommitted to continue to fulfill
aggressively their pledges made for Gaza’s reconstruction, to include
pledges made at the October 2014 Cairo Conference.

Lebanon: The leaders expressed their concern over the delay in electing a
new president of Lebanon, called on all parties to strengthen Lebanese state
institutions, and emphasized the critical importance of Lebanon’s parliament
moving forward to elect a president of the Lebanese Republic in accordance
with the constitution.

U.S.-GCC Strategic Cooperation Forum:

The leaders pledged to further deepen U.S.-GCC relations on these and other
issues, to build an even stronger, enduring, and comprehensive strategic
partnership and work together for the same, aimed at enhancing regional
stability and prosperity.

To ensure continuity of those efforts, and speedy implementation of
decisions expressed in the Camp David Joint Statement of 14 May 2015, they
directed their respective administrations to strengthen the framework of the
U.S.-GCC Strategic Cooperation Forum, to include more frequent ministerial
and technical meetings for foreign affairs, defense, security, economic and
other areas relevant to the Forum’s activities. They agreed to meet again
in a similar high level format in 2016, in order to advance and build upon
the US-GCC Strategic Partnership announced today.