Secretary of State James Baker's: Five Points Framework for an Israeli-Palestinian Dialogue

Secretary of State James Baker's

Five Points Framework for an Israeli-Palestinian Dialogue

Washington, 10 October 1989

1. The United States understands that because Egypt and Israel have been working hard on the peace process, there is agreement that an Israel delegation should conduct a dialogue with a Palestinian delegation in Cairo.

2. The United States understands that Egypt cannot substitute itself for the Palestinians and Egypt will consult with Palestinians on all aspects of that dialogue. Egypt will also consult with Israel and the United States.

3. The United States understands that Israel will attend the dialogue only after a satisfactory list of Palestinians has been worked out.

4. The United States understands that the Government of Israel will come to the dialogue on the basis of the Israeli Government's Initiative. The United States further understands that Palestinians will come to the dialogue prepared to discuss elections and the negotiating process in accordance with Israel's initiative. The United States understands, therefore, that Palestinians would be free to raise issues that relate to their opinions on how to make elections and the negotiating process succeed.

5. In order to facilitate this process, the United States proposes that the Foreign Ministers of Israel, Egypt, and the United States meet in Washington within two weeks.

Source: Journal of Palestine Studies, vol. xix, no 2, Winter 1990. Text was released by the State Department on 6 December 1989.