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---------- Forwarded Message ----------

From:   JnWorrell, INTERNET:JnWorrell@aol.com
TO:     (unknown), INTERNET:Freedom@alquds.net
        (unknown), INTERNET:Palviews@planet.edu
DATE:   25/03/98 15:59

RE:     JPM-RR: Churches for Middle East Peace letter

Subj:    CMEP LETTER TO ALBRIGHT ON PEACE PROCESS
Date:   98-03-25 16:10:48 EST
From:   CORINNE_WHITLATCH.parti@ecunet.org (CORINNE WHITLATCH)
To: jnworrell@aol.com

CHURCHES FOR MIDDLE EAST PEACE
110 MARYLAND AVE, NE, SUITE 108
WASHINGTON, DC  20002
(this letter was faxed on March 25 to Samuel Berger and Bruce Reidell at
NSC; Dennis Ross and Aaron Miller, ME Peace envoys; Thomas Pickering,
Martin Indyk and Edward Abington at State Department)

March 25, 1998

The Honorable Madeleine Albright
Secretary of State
2201 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20520 =

fax 647-7120                       =

     =


Dear Madame Secretary, =


We have been reading press reports from Israel about the new approach the=

Administration is initiating to revitalize the Israeli-Palestinian
negotiations. We urge you and Mr. Ross, as he goes again to meet with
Israeli and Palestinian leaders, to take a more holistic approach than th=
at
which has been reported.  This historic opportunity to transform the trag=
ic
conflict in the Holy Land must not slip away. Our hopes and prayers are
with you. We pray for a negotiated peace in the Middle East where Israel =
is
accepted by its neighbors and the Jewish people no longer fear for their
existence; where the Palestinian people can gather their refugees to live=

with dignity and security in their democratic state; where the holy city =
of
Jerusalem is shared by its two peoples and by three faiths with no
exclusivist claims; and where, throughout the region, a climate of
cooperation and economic development prevails, with vengeance and hatred
subdued.
          =

The constructive significance of the Madrid/Oslo process is considerable.=

It has created concrete steps toward the transformation of the conflict.
The mutual recognition of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organizatio=
n
reversed the long refusal of Israel and the U.S. to recognize the PLO as
negotiator for the Palestinians and clarified the PLO's 1988 recognition =
of
Israel.  The agreements rule out both the expulsion of the Palestinians a=
nd
Israel's annexation of the West Bank and Gaza.  The DOP establishes that
Jerusalem, settlements and the refugees are issues subject to negotiation=
=2E
The interim agreement sets in motion the development of a Palestinian
democratic polity. The dual negotiating tracks provide a mechanism for
Israel's eventual recognition by the Arab states and its integration into=

the Middle East.  But these commitments have given way to despair. The
parties are now not even able to talk about the issues and people are bei=
ng
killed on a daily basis. Our partner churches and religious organizations=

in the Middle East report growing widespread hopelessness among the
Palestinian people - a seed bed for more violence and unrest to come. =

     =

Ending this tragic conflict is of great concern internationally.  Having
taken the role of principal sponsor of the Israeli-Palestinian
negotiations, now in crisis, the United States needs to take a more activ=
e
leadership role.  No longer can it be expected that only the parties will=

initiate proposals.  It is time for the U.S. to exhibit the confidence of=

vision and expectations that is an integral part of strong leadership. We=

urge you not to be dissuaded by those who call strong leadership
"imposition." =

     =

The plan you take to the table will need to bring assurance to the
Palestinians that their recognition of the state of Israel is consistent
with their right of self-determination including the possibility of a
Palestinian state in territories occupied by Israel in 1967.  The plan wi=
ll
need to assure the Israelis that their dream "to live within secure and
recognized boundaries free from threats or acts of force" is to be realiz=
ed
through compliance with U.N. Security Council resolution 242.  The hand o=
f
friendship that the U.S. extends to Israel will be needed to enable Israe=
l
to embrace the natural direction of the peace process toward a two-state
solution.   =


In addition we urge that the U.S. initiative:

- acknowledge and promote adherence to international law, particularly in=

relation to the protection of human rights and the rights of people under=

occupation. We do not support the notion that international law is
superceded by the Madrid process and negotiations and is therefore not
applicable to the situation of the parties. =


- insist that Israel cease all settlement building and expansion includin=
g
that on Jabal Abu Ghoneim. The refusal by segments of the Israeli public
and the government to honor the U.S.  request for a "time out" from
settlement building has many serious consequences and must be confronted =
by
the Clinton White House.  =


- call on both Israeli and Palestinian authorities to deal with their
extremists who have, too often in the name of religion, murdered civilian=
s
with the aim of generating hatred and destroying the quest for peace. =


- demand that all security measures be grounded in an appropriate regard
for human rights. The institutionalization of torture by either Israel or=

the Palestinian Authority, even in the name of anti-terrorism, cannot be
accepted or justified. =


- provide an alternative mechanism for the consideration of grievances, s=
o
that negotiations and the peace process will continue during times of
crisis. The decision should be made in advance that acts of violence will=

not be cause to stop the peace process or walk away from agreed
commitments.  =


- offer a vision for Jerusalem with full social, political and economic
rights for its two peoples and three faiths.  Jerusalem's status must be
established through negotiations between the parties. It needs to  be mad=
e
clear that Israel must not unilaterally preempt those negotiations. =


- urge the Israeli government and Jerusalem municipality to cease the
practices intended to diminish the Palestinian presence in Jerusalem and
that close the city to West Bank and Gaza Palestinians. The demolition of=

Palestinian homes in Jerusalem, Hebron and elsewhere is unacceptable.    =
  =



- call on Israeli and Palestinian authorities to desist from provocative
acts and rhetoric and to lead their people toward mutual respect. =

 =

As the 50th anniversary of Israel approaches, plans are being made for
celebration by some and for mourning by others. These two peoples, Israel=
i
and Palestinian, who both hold passionate attachment to the land between
the Mediterranean sea and the river Jordan, also share the same future.
Their lives and destinies are interwoven. It behooves the United States,
with its close attachment to Israel and its interest in the region as a
whole, to reinvigorate the peace process with a new burst of creativity a=
nd
courage.  If progress can no longer be made with this formula, the
Administration and the parties may need to be open to new configurations.=

The Administration should consider, for example, whether it is time to
involve other international entities in the peace process.  Maintenance o=
f
the status quo does not seem to be a constructive option. =


We offer our help to further these objectives.                           =
  =


Sincerely,

Mark B. Brown               Corinne Whitlatch
Chair                             Director =

Wed, Mar 25, 1998