We must not allow our deliberations to add further to the heavy burden the parties are already under in seeking to restore the mutual confidence that is essential to their effort to find a path to peace. Neither Israelis nor Palestinians are served by the current situation. Both sides require a dialogue that will lead to mutually acceptable political, economic and security arrangements. In the current situation, the continuing cycle of violence stands as the single greatest obstacle to the search for peace. Violence saps the psychological well being of every child, every parent and grandparent.
Violence makes every life insecure.
Violence provokes armed reaction, not compromises. Leaders have the responsibility to denounce violence, strip it of legitimacy, stop it. At the Sharm el-Sheikh summit last October, both Palestinians and Israelis agreed on the creation of a special Fact Finding Committee. The Committee has just completed its second visit to the region. The report, which is due shortly, will be forwarded by President Bush to U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan.