A framework for peace
between Israel and Syria
The draft peace treaty
presented by the Clinton administration to Jerusalem and Damascus The Government of the
State of Israel and the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic:
Aiming at the achievement of a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East
based on Security Council resolutions 242 and 338 and within the framework of the peace
process initiated at Madrid on 31 October 1991;
Reaffirming their faith in the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United
Nations and recognizing their right and obligation to live in peace with each other, as
well as with all states, within secure and recognized boundaries;
Desiring to establish mutual respect and to develop honorable, friendly and good
neighborly relations; Resolved to establish permanent peace between them in accordance
with this Treaty. Have agreed as follows:
ARTICLE I - Establishment of Peace and Security
within Recognized Boundaries.
1. The state of war between Israel and Syria (hereinafter "the Parties") is
hereby terminated and peace is established between them. The Parties will maintain normal,
peaceful relations as set out in Article III below.
2. The permanent secure and recognized international boundary between Israel and Syria is
the boundary set forth in Article II below. The location of the boundary has been commonly
agreed (Syrian position: and is based on the June 4, 1967 line) (Israeli position: taking
into account security and other vital interests of the Parties as well as legal
considerations of both sides). Israel will (S: withdraw) (I: relocate) all its armed
forces (S: and civilians) behind this boundary in accordance with the Annex of this
Treaty. (S: Thereafter, each Party will exercise its full sovereignty on its side of the
international boundary, including as agreed in this Treaty.)
3. To enhance the security of both Parties, agreed security measures will be implemented
in accordance with Article IV below.
4. The time line at the Annex sets forth an agreed schedule for synchronized
implementation of this and the other Articles of this Treaty.
ARTICLE II - International Boundary
1. The international boundary between Israel and Syria is as shown on the mapping
materials and co-ordinates specified in the Annex. This boundary is the permanent, secure
and recognized international boundary between Israel and Syria and supercedes any previous
boundary or line of demarcation between them.
2. The Parties will respect the inviolability of this boundary and of each other's
territory, territorial waters and airspace.
3. A Joint Boundary Commission is hereby established. Its functions and activities are set
out in the Annex.
ARTICLE III - Normal Peaceful Relations
1. The Parties will apply between them the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations
and the principles of international law governing relations among states in time of peace.
In particular: a. they recognize and will respect each other's sovereignty, territorial
integrity and political independence and right to live in peace within secure and
recognized boundaries; and b. they will establish and develop friendly and good neighborly
relations, will refrain from the threat or use of force, directly or indirectly, against
each other, will cooperate in promoting peace, stability and development in their region
and will settle all disputes between them by peaceful means.
2. The Parties will establish full diplomatic and consular relations, including the
exchange of resident ambassadors.
3. The Parties recognize a mutuality of interest in honorable and good neighborly
relations based on mutual respect and for this purpose will: a. promote beneficial
bilateral economic and trade relations including by enabling the free and unimpeded flow
of people, goods and services between the two countries. b. remove all discriminatory
barriers to normal economic relations, terminate economic boycotts directed at the other
Party, repeal all discriminatory legislation, and cooperate in terminating boycotts
against either Party by third parties. c. promote relations between them in the sphere of
transportation. In this regard, the Parties will open and maintain roads and international
border crossings between the two countries, cooperate in the development of rail links,
grant normal access to its ports for vessels and cargoes of the other or vessels or
cargoes destined for or coming from that Party, and enter into normal civil aviation
relations. d. establish normal postal, telephone, telex, data facsimile, wireless and
cable communications and television relay services by cable, radio and satellite between
them on a non-discriminatory basis in accordance with relevant international conventions
and regulations; and e. promote cooperation in the field of tourism in order to facilitate
and encourage mutual tourism and tourism from third countries. the Annex sets forth the
agreed procedures for establishing and developing these relations, (I: including the
schedule for the attainment of relevant agreements as well as arrangements concerning the
Israelis and Israeli communities in areas from which Israeli forces will be relocated
pursuant to Article I).
4. The Parties undertake to ensure mutual enjoyment by each other's citizens of due
process of law within their respective legal systems and before their courts. (Notes (I)
Components of normal peaceful relations which require further discussion: cultural
relations; environment; interconnection of electricity grids; energy; health and medicine;
and agriculture. (II) Other possible areas for consideration: combating crime and drugs;
anti-incitement cooperation; human rights; places of historical and religious significance
and memorials; legal cooperation in the search for missing persons.
ARTICLE IV - Security A. Security Arrangements
Recognizing the importance of security for both Parties as an important element of
permanent peace and stability, the Parties will employ the following security arrangements
to build mutual confidence in the implementation of this Treaty and to provide for the
security needs of both Parties:
1. Areas of limitation of forces and capabilities, including limitations on their
readiness and activities, and on armaments, weapon system and military infrastructure, as
described in the Annex.
2. Within the areas of limitation of forces and capabilities, the establishment of a
demilitarized zone (I: encompassing both the area from which Israeli forces will be
relocated and the existing Area of Separation established under the Agreement on
Disengagement between Israeli and Syrian Forces of 31 May 1974) (S: of equal scope on both
sides of the border). As described in the Annex, no military forces, armaments, weapon
systems, military capabilities, or military infrastructure will be introduced into the
demilitarized zone by either Party and only a limited civil police presence may be
deployed in the area. (I: Both sides agree not to fly over the demilitarized zone without
special arrangements.)
3. Early warning capabilities, including an early warning ground station on Mt. Hermon (I:
with an effective Israeli presence) (S: operated by the United States and France under
their total auspices and responsibilities). Arrangements for the unimpeded, efficient and
continuous operation of this station are as detailed in the Annex.
4. A monitoring, inspection and verification mechanism (I: composed of the two Parties and
a multinational component and including on-site technical means) (S: through an
international presence), to monitor and supervise the implementation of the security
arrangements. Details regarding these security arrangements, including their scope,
positioning and nature, as well as other security arrangements, are specified in the
Annex. Other Security Measures As further steps to ensure a permanent cessation of
hostilities of any form between the Parties or from their territories against each other
1. Each Party undertakes to refrain from cooperating with any third party in a hostile
alliance of a military character and will ensure that territory under its control is not
used by any military forces of a third party (including their equipment and armaments) in
circumstances that would adversely affect the security of the other Party.
2. Each Party undertakes to refrain from organizing, instigating, inciting, assisting or
participating in any acts or threats of violence against the other Party, its citizens or
their property wherever located, and will take effective measures to ensure that no such
acts occur from, or are supported by individuals on, its territory or territory under its
control. In this regard, without prejudice to the basic rights of freedom of expression
and association, each Party will take necessary and effective measures to prevent the
entry, presence and operation in its territory of any group or organization, and their
infrastructure, which threatens the security of the other Party by the use of, or
incitement to the use of, violent means.
3. Both Parties recognize that international terrorism in all its forms threatens the
security of all nations and therefore share a common interest in the enhancement of
international cooperative efforts to deal with this problem. C. Cooperation and Liaison in
Security Matters The Parties will establish a direct liaison and coordination mechanism
between them as described in the Annex to facilitate implementation of the security
provisions in this Treaty. Its responsibilities will include: direct and real-time
communication on security issues, minimization of friction along the international border,
addressing any problems arising during the implementation process, helping to prevent
errors or misinterpretations, and maintaining direct and continuous contacts with the
monitoring, inspection and verification mechanism.
ARTICLE V -
Water 1.
The Parties recognize that full resolution of all water issues between them constitutes a
fundamental element in ensuring a stable and lasting peace. (S: Based on relevant
international principles and practices), the Parties have agreed to establish (I:
arrangements that will ensure the continuation of Israel's current use in quantity and
quality of all) (S: mutually agreeable arrangements with respect to water quantities and
quality from) the surface and underground waters in the areas from which Israeli forces
will (I: relocate) (S: withdraw) pursuant to Article I, as detailed in the Annex. (I: The
arrangements should include all necessary measures to prevent contamination, pollution or
depletion of the Kinneret/Tiberias and Upper Jordan River and their sources.)
2. For the purposes of this Article and the Annex, the Parties will establish (I: a Joint
Water Committee and a supervision and enforcement mechanism) (S: a Joint Administrative
Board). The composition, mandate and mode of operations of the (I: Joint Water Committee
and the supervision and enforcement mechanism) (S: Joint Administrative Board) will be as
detailed in the Annex.
3. The Parties have agreed to cooperate on water-related matters, as detailed in the
Annex, (I: including ensuring the quantity and quality of water allocated to Israel under
other agreements concerning water originating in Syria.)
ARTICLE VI -
Rights and Obligations 1. This Treaty does not affect and shall not be interpreted as
affecting in any way the rights and obligations of the Parties under the Charter of the
United Nations.
2. The Parties undertake to fulfill in good faith their obligations under this Treaty,
without regard to action or inaction of any other Party and independently of any
instrument external to this Treaty.
3. The Parties will take all the necessary measures for the application in their relations
of the provisions of the multilateral conventions to which they are Parties, including the
submission of appropriate notification to the Secretary General of the United Nations and
other depositories of such conventions. They will also abstain from actions that would
curtail the rights of either Party to participate in international organizations to which
they belong in accordance with the governing provisions of those organizations.
4. The Parties undertake not to enter into any obligation in conflict with this Treaty.
5. Subject to Article 103 of the United Nations Charter, in the event of a conflict
between the obligations of the Parties under the present Treaty and any of their other
obligations, the obligations under this Treaty will be binding and implemented.
ARTICLE VII - Legislation The Parties undertake to enact any legislation necessary in order to implement the Treaty, and to repeal any legislation that is inconsistent with the Treaty.
ARTICLE VIII - Settlement of Disputes Disputes between the Parties arising out of the interpretation or application of the present Treaty shall be settled by negotiation.
ARTICLE IX - Final Clauses
1. This treaty shall be ratified by both Parties in conformity with their respective
constitutional procedures. It shall enter into force on the exchange of instruments of
ratification and shall supercede all previous bilateral agreements between the Parties.
2. The Annexes and other attachments attached to this Treaty shall constitute integral
parts thereof.
3. The Treaty shall be communicated to the Secretary General of the United Nations for
registration in accordance with the provisions of Article 102 of the Charter of the United
Nations.
DONE THIS DAY ------ IN
-------- IN THE ENGLISH, HEBREW AND ARABIC LANGUAGES, ALL LANGUAGES BEING EQUALLY
AUTHENTIC. IN CASE OF ANY DIVERGENCE OF INTERPRETATION, THE ENGLISH TEXT WILL BE
AUTHORITATIVE
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