Statement on the Acceptance of the Quartet Road Map by the Israeli Government

The South African Government, today, Monday 26 May 2003, welcomed the decision of the Israeli Government to approve the Quartet Road Map as a means to bring about an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The South African Government is of the view that the endorsement of the Quartet Road Map by both Israel and Palestine is an encouraging development in an otherwise necessary road to peace.
Such steps help create the desired conditions for peace as required by the international community and indeed brings about hope for the ordinary Israeli's and Palestinians

In this regard, the Government has noted that the endorsement by the Israeli government constitutes for the first time a formal recognition of the need for the creation of a viable and independent Palestinian State.

The South African Government expresses its hope that neither the Palestinian National Authority nor the Israeli Government will allow themselves to be distracted from this road to peace by acts of extremism aimed at derailing the peace process.

The South African Government reiterates its full support for the Quartet Road Map as offering hope to bring about an end to the conflict between Palestinians and Israelis.

For more information contact Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853
Issued by Department of Foreign Affairs
P/Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
26 May 2003