Annapolis, Maryland - Excerpts from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' address to the peace conference in Annapolis, Maryland, as officially translated from the Arabic:"In the name of God, the compassionate, with great hope, but it is accompanied with great worry that this new opportunity might be lost. ...
"And also we would like to applaud you, Mr President, for choosing this charming city, Annapolis, as a venue for convening this international conference.
"In addition to its beauty and distinctive location, it bears the symbol of freedom, the most sublime value in our life.
"I am proud that this Arab and Islamic contribution and this broad international participation in the work of this conference is a testimony to the fact that sister and friendly states are standing by us, the people of Palestine, as a leadership, and for our efforts to achieve peace. ...
"This Arab and Islamic participation in today's meeting is also an affirmation that the Arab peace initiative was not a step without well-defined targets, but indeed it was a bold strategic plan that aims changing the nature of relations in the region and to usher in a new era there.
"But to achieve that does not depend on the Arab and Islamic position by itself, but requires meeting this position by a reciprocal strategic willingness that would basically lead to ending the occupation of all Palestinian occupied territories in 1967, including East Jerusalem, as well as the Syrian Golan and what remains of occupied from Lebanese territories, and to resolve all other issues relating to the conflict, especially the Palestinian refugees question in all its political, humanitarian, individual and common aspects, consistent with Resolution 194, as emphasized by the Arab peace initiative and the participation of sister states that host refugees and carry huge burdens in this regard.
"I am not making an overstatement, Mr President, if I say that our region stands at a crossroad that separates two historical phases, pre-Annapolis phase and post-Annapolis phase. ...
"I say that this opportunity might not be repeated. And if it were to be repeated, it might not enjoy the same unanimity and impetus.
"Mr President, what we are facing today is not just the challenge of peace, but we are facing a test of our credibility as a whole: the United States, members of the quartet, and all members of the international community, Israel, the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority, the Arab and Islamic group, as well. ...
"We do recognize, and I presume that you share (with) me this view, that the absence of hope and overwhelming despair would feed extremism. Therefore, we have a common duty to spread genuine hope in order to achieve full transformation toward complete peace (inaudible) and long term during your term of office, Mr President, thanks to your support and understanding. ...
"Tomorrow, we have to start comprehensive and deep negotiations on all issues of final status, including Jerusalem, refugees, borders, settlements, water and security and others.
"We have to support this negotiating process in concrete and direct steps on the ground that would prove that we are moving in an irreversible path toward negotiated, comprehensive and full peace, and to ensure ending all settlement activities, including natural growth, and reopening closed Jerusalem institutions, removal of settlement outposts, removal of road blocks, and freedom of prisoners, and to facilitate our mission in the authority to enforce law and the rule of law. ...
"It is my duty to say that, to have peace, we need the fate of the city of Jerusalem to be a critical component in any peace accord that we might reach.
"We need East Jerusalem to be our capital and to establish open relations with western Jerusalem. ...
"In this regard, I wish to emphasize that we shall pursue our obligations under the road map, in order to combat chaos, violence, terrorism, and to ensure security, order and the rule of law. ...
"Our people distinguish completely between emphasis on the danger of terrorism and using it as a pretext to maintain the status quo and to pursue the current practices that we suffer from every day. ...
"Mr President, I would like to take this opportunity to address the mind and conscience of every citizen in Israel from this rostrum. ...
"I start by saying that, despite our disagreements on critical issues, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert showed desire for peace that I have perceived during our bilateral discussions. ...
"Mr. Prime Minister, ... each one of us must pitch in our weight and experience and sense of resolve in order to overcome the obstacles that we will face. ...
"I say to the citizens of Israel, in this extraordinary day, you, our neighbours on this small land, neither us nor you are begging for peace from each other. It is a common interest for us and for you.
"Peace and freedom is a right to us, in as much as peace and security is a right for you and for us.
"And on this day we stretch our hands to you as equal partners in peace. The whole world is our witness and the world as a whole is supporting us.
"Therefore, we should not lose this opportunity which might not be available once again. Let us make a peace with a brave and protect that peace in the interest of the future of our children and your children."
