Highlights of the "road map" for Mideast peace, developed by the "quartet" of the United States, the European Union, the United Nations and Russia:
Goals
* A "final and comprehensive settlement" of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by 2005.
* The settlement will include "an independent, democratic and viable Palestinian state living side-by-side in peace and security with Israel."
* Without mentioning specific final borders, the plan seeks to "end the occupation that began in 1967" -- when Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem, areas the Palestinians demand for their state.
* To reach a solution the Palestinians need "a leadership acting decisively against terror."
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Phase I
The Palestinian Authority must:
* Issue "an unequivocal statement reiterating Israel's right to exist in peace and security and calling for an immediate and unconditional cease-fire."
* "Undertake visible efforts on the ground to arrest, disrupt and restrain individuals and groups" conducting and planning violence on Israelis anywhere.
* Dismantle "terrorist capabilities and infrastructure."
* Confiscate illegal weapons.
* Bring all security organizations under control of interior minister.
* Undertake comprehensive political reform in preparation for statehood.
* Draft a Palestinian constitution.
* Hold free, open and fair elections.
Israel must:
* Issue an "unequivocal statement affirming its commitment to the two-state vision of an independent, viable, sovereign Palestinian state."
* Call for "an immediate end to violence against Palestinians anywhere."
* Freeze all construction in Jewish settlements.
* Immediately dismantle illegal settlement outposts built since March 2001.
* Stop deportations, attacks on civilians, confiscations and/or demolition of Palestinian homes and property, destruction of Palestinian institutions and infrastructure.
* Withdraw progressively from the Palestinian autonomous zones that it has reoccupied during the conflict.
Both sides must resume security cooperation.
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Phase II
(as early as end of 2003):
* "Progress into Phase II will be based upon the consensus judgment of the quartet of whether conditions are appropriate to proceed."
* An international conference launches the process leading to the establishment of a Palestinian state with provisional borders.
* Quartet members will promote international recognition of the Palestinian state and U.N. membership.
Palestinians must:
* Finalize a new constitution for a democratic, independent Palestinian state.
* Create an independent Palestinian state with provisional borders through a process of Israeli-Palestinian engagement launched by the international conference.
Israel must:
* Move to "enhance maximum territorial contiguity" for the Palestinians.
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Phase III
(2004-2005):
Israelis and Palestinians:
* Reach final and comprehensive permanent status agreement that ends the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in 2005 through a settlement negotiated between the parties.
* The quartet convenes a second international conference to finalize the permanent-status solution for Palestinian state in 2005, including borders, Jerusalem, refugees, settlements -- and peace between Israel and other Arab states.
Source: Final draft of the "road map," dated Dec. 20, 2002, Associated Press
