Appendix 11: The Palestinian Peace Initiative, December 13, 1988 Excerpts from the speech by Yasser Arafat to the UN General Assembly in Geneva. In my capacity as Chairman of the PLO Executive Committee, presently assuming the functions of the provisional government of the State of Palestine, I therefore pre- sent the following Palestinian peace initiative: | | First: That a serious effort be made to convene, under the supervision of the Sec- retary General of the United Nations, the preparatory Committee of the interna- tional conference for peace in the Middle East . . . to pave the way for the convening of the international conference, which commands universal support except from the government of Israel. | | | Second: . . . that actions be undertaken to place our occupied Palestinian land un- der temporary United Nations supervision, and that international forces be de- ployed there to protect our people and, at the same time, to supervise the with- drawal of the Israeli forces from our country. | | | Third: The PLO will seek a comprehensive settlement among the parties con- cerned in the Arab-Israeli conflict, including the State of Palestine, Israel and other neighbors, within the framework of the international conference for peace in the Middle East on the basis of Resolutions 242 and 338 and so as to guarantee equal- ity and the balance of interests, especially our people's rights to live in freedom, na- tional independence, and respect the right to exist in peace and security for all. | If these principles are endorsed at the international conference, we will have come a long way toward a just settlement, and this will enable us to reach agree- ment on all security and peace arrangements. . . . I come to you in the name of my people, offering my hand so that we can make true peace, peace based on justice. I ask the leaders of Israel to come here under the sponsorship of the United Na- tions so that, together, we can forge that peace. . . . And here, I would address myself specifically to the Israeli people in all their par- ties and forces, and especially to the advocates of democracy and peace among them. I say to them: 'Come let us make peace. Cast away fear and intimidation. Leave behind the spectre of the wars that have raged continuously for the past 40 years'. -336- |