A Forward-Looking Peace Process
The multilateral negotiations constitute an integral part of the peace-making
process. While the bilateral talks are meant to end the conflicts of the past,
the multilateral talks are striving to build the Middle East of the future.
As outlined in the Madrid invitation, the multilateral track deals with a
number of issues which are of common interest to the peoples of the region.
This site, maintained at the
University of California Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation (IGCC),
is designed to serve as a clearinghouse of information and analysis, from all
parties and perspectives, on the multilateral talks.
The multilateral negotiations commenced on January 28–29, 1992, at the
Moscow Multilateral Middle East Conference.
Following the opening presentations by the co-sponsors and the participants—thirty-six parties in all, including Palestinian and Israeli representatives-the delegations broke up into the five specific working groups dealing with areas of common regional concern:
environment, arms control and regional security,
refugees,
water, and
economic development.
The goal of the multilateral framework is twofold—to find solutions for
key regional problems, while serving as a confidence-building measure
(CBM) to promote the development of normalized relations among the
nations of the Middle East. Issues of regional concern are discussed
in a forum which can foster cooperation and build confidence between
the parties. Shared infrastructure such as highways and water pipelines,
shared development bringing about growth in tourism and trade, and
cooperation in preserving the quality of natural resources and the
environment are among the realities envisioned for the region. Open
borders and economic partnership will bring about prosperity which
will, in turn, produce a peace that constitutes more than merely an end to war.
Major Accomplishments
Over three years have passed since the Madrid Conference and the commencement
of the bilateral and multilateral peace process in the Middle East. During
that time, the peace process has changed the way the Israelis and the Arabs
relate to one another. Negotiations, compromise,
communication and reconciliation are moving the entire region away from
open warfare and intractable hostility to within reach of peace and
prosperity—a vision that was only a dream for the previous five
decades of bloodshed and animosity.
Dialogue is replacing violence and the building of a better tomorrow
is becoming more important than settling the scores of yesterday.
Israel, for its part, will remain adamant in its quest for peace,
for peace is the key to its future.
The multilateral talks are promoting cooperation on issues affecting
the entire region. Water conservation and arid land development are
among the topics being discussed.
A great deal of this progress toward peace has been achieved through
multilateral negotiations:
-
The Environmental Code of Conduct for the Middle East
represents a crucial first step in the resolution of the region's
environmental problems.
- The parties have agreed to set up a regional crisis resolution center, the
Regional Security Center (RSC), in Amman to facilitate rapid
communication, exchange of critical information, and de-escalation
of acute conflicts.
- The agreement on incidents at sea has helped reduce
tensions and set an important precedent for cooperation on security issues.
- While not part of the formal multilateral process, the November 1994
Casablanca Declaration outlines a framework for economic cooperation and development.
All of these agreements serve as confidence-building measures and help
pave the way to a comprehensive, just, and durable peace in the region.
The Long Road Ahead
While much has been achieved through the bilateral and multilateral
negotiations, key political issues in the peace process still await
resolution. Tragically, efforts to disrupt the peace process with
terror continue. Nevertheless, dialogue is steadily replacing violence,
and the building of a better tomorrow is becoming more important than
settling the scores of yesterday. Though peace will not come simply or
easily, progress in the multilateral negotiations will help to sustain
the momentum of the peace process, implement practical solutions for
problems affecting the entire region, and build a stronger foundation
for a peaceful future in the Middle East.
Some of the material on this web site has been adapted from public domain
publications of the U.S. Department of State, the Israeli Ministry of
Information, and other agencies.
The UC Institute on
Global Conflict and Cooperation
The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Original Development: Fred Wehling
Content Advisors: Steven Spiegel and Bruce Jentleson
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