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Exchange of Letters Between Rabin and Arafat
Sept 9, 1993

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Introduction

Before formally signing the Oslo Declaration of Principles, Yasser Arafat, head of the PLO and Yitzhak Rabin, Prime Minister of Israel,  agreed to exchange letters concerning specific commitments to the peace process. Arafat's letter stipulated that the PLO recognized Israel, agreed to solve the conflict by peaceful means, recognized UN Resolution 242, and agreed to amend the PLO Charter to remove those paragraphs that were inconsistent with those undertakings. The PLO Charter calls for "liberation" of all Palestine and destruction of Israel. Rabin's letter stipulated that Israel would undertake the peace process to normalize relations between the two peoples. Arafat also sent a separate letter to Jorgen Holst, the Norwegian foreign minister, reiterating the undertaking to stop violent resistance, but omitting any mention of the PLO Charter. Norway was instrumental in mediating the talks between the PLO and Israel that led to the Oslo agreements.

The letters were vague. Arafat's letter did not specify which paragraphs of the charter would be amended, and Rabin's letter did not go into details of withdrawal and normalization. The commitment to amend the charter was not specified in the Oslo Declaration of Principles. The PNC did hold sessions subsequently to amend the charter, however, it is not clear that the changes are viewed as binding by all Palestinians. The Fatah is the major constituent group of the PLO, and its constitution, which also calls for destruction of Israel, was not amended.

Ami Isseroff


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LETTER FROM YASSER ARAFAT TO PRIME MINISTER RABIN

September 9, 1993

Yitzhak Rabin

Prime Minister of Israel

Mr. Prime Minister,

 The signing of the Declaration of Principles marks a new era in the history of the Middle East. In firm conviction thereof, I would like to confirm the following PLO commitments:

 The PLO recognizes the right of the State of Israel to exist in peace and security.

 The PLO accepts United Nations Security Council Resolutions 242 and  338.

 The PLO commits itself to the Middle East peace process, and to a peaceful resolution of the conflict between the two sides and declares that all outstanding issues relating to permanent status will be resolved through negotiations.

 The PLO considers that the signing of the Declaration of Principles constitutes a historic event, inaugurating a new epoch of peaceful coexistence, free from violence and all other acts which endanger peace and stability. Accordingly, the PLO renounces the use of terrorism and other acts of violence and will assume responsibility over all PLO elements and personnel in order to assure their compliance, prevent violations and discipline violators.

 In view of the promise of a new era and the signing of the Declaration of Principles and based on Palestinian acceptance of Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338, the PLO affirms that those articles of the Palestinian Covenant which deny Israel's right to exist, and the  provisions of the Covenant which are inconsistent with the commitments of this letter are now inoperative and no longer valid. Consequently, the PLO undertakes to submit to the Palestinian National Council for formal approval the necessary changes in regard to the Palestinian Covenant.

 Sincerely,

 

Yasser Arafat

Chairman

The Palestine Liberation Organization


 LETTER FROM YASSER ARAFAT TO NORWEGIAN FOREIGN MINISTER:

September 9, 1993

His Excellency

Johan Jorgen Holst

Foreign Minister of Norway

Dear Minister Holst,

I would like to confirm to you that, upon the signing of the Declaration of Principles, the PLO encourages and calls upon the Palestinian people in the West Bank and Gaza Strip to take part in the steps leading to the normalization of life, rejecting violence and terrorism, contributing to peace and stability and participating actively in shaping reconstruction, economic development and cooperation.

Sincerely,

Yasser Arafat

Chairman

The Palestine Liberation Organization


LETTER FROM PRIME MINISTER RABIN TO YASSER ARAFAT:

September 9, 1993

Yasser Arafat

Chairman

The Palestinian Liberation Organization

 

Mr. Chairman,

In response to your letter of September 9, 1993, I wish to confirm to you that, in light of the PLO commitments included in your letter, the Government of Israel has decided to recognize the PLO as the representative of the Palestinian people and commence negotiations with the PLO within the Middle East peace process.

 

Yitzhak Rabin

Prime Minister of Israel


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