Ramallah: The Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) endorsed on Thursday the Quartet proposal and expressed readiness to restart the peace negotiations with the Israelis.
Addressing a press conference, Yasser Abed Rabbo, PLO Executive Committee Secretary General, said the Palestinian leadership studied the Quartet proposal thoroughly and found several encouraging points in it.
"The clear and definite timetable mentioned in the proposal with a clear mention to the international resolutions, the Roadmap and the Arab Peace Initiative as terms of reference," he said.
He stressed that a halt to the Israeli colonial activities was highlighted in the Roadmap, which the Quartet proposal referred to.
He added that US President’s May speech, which the Quartet proposal referred to has clearly endorsed and recognized 1967 border.
"We want the Israeli Government to clearly stick to the bases and references which appeared at the Quartet proposal so we can restart the peace negotiations at the earliest,” he said.
Abed Raboo said the Palestinians will continue their efforts in a parallel line with the UN Security Council, calling in the council’s members to vote in favour of a Palestinian state.
“We want Israel to come up with its programme and final decision about the Quartet proposal,” he said.
“Restarting the peace talks with the Israelis does not in any way mean that the Palestinians would put their UN application on hold,” he stressed.
He said that the Palestinians adhere to the procedures of the UN regarding their application.
He stressed that the UN application does not contradict the re-launch of the peace talks.
