THE WASHINGTON DECLARATION
Israel - Jordan - The United States
July 25th, 1994
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A. After generations of hostility, blood and tears and in the wake of
years of pain and wars, His Majesty King Hussein and Prime Minister
Yitzhak Rabin are determined to bring an end to bloodshed and sorrow.
It is in this spirit that His Majesty King Hussein of the Hashemite
Kingdom of Jordan and Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Mr.
Yitzhak Rabin of Israel, met in Washington today at the invitation of
President William J. Clinton of the United States of America. This
initiative of President William J. Clinton constitutes an historic
landmark in the United States' untiring efforts in promoting peace and
stability in the Middle East. The personal involvement of the
President has made it possible to realise agreement on the content of
this historic declaration.
The signing of this declaration bears testimony to the President's
vision and devotion to the cause of peace.
B. In their meeting, His Majesty King Hussein and Prime Minister Yitzhak
Rabin have jointly reaffirmed the five underlying principles of their
understanding on an Agreed Common Agenda designed to reach the goal of
a just, lasting and comprehensive peace between the Arab States and
the Palestinians, with Israel.
1. Jordan and Israel aim at the achievement of just, lasting and
comprehensive peace between Israel and its neighbours and at the
conclusion of a Treaty of Peace between both countries.
2. The two countries will vigorously continue their negotiations to
arrive at a state of peace, based on Security Council Resolutions
242 and 338 in all their aspects, and founded on freedom,
equality and justice.
3. Israel respects the present special role of the Hashemite Kingdom
of Jordan in Muslim Holy shrines in Jerusalem. When negotiations
on the permanent status will take place, Israel will give high
priority to the Jordanian historic role in these shrines. In
addition the two sides have agreed to act together to promote
interfaith relations among the three monotheistic religions.
4. The two countries recognise their right and obligation to live in
peace with each other as well as with all states within secure
and recognised boundaries. The two states affirmed their respect
for and acknowledgment of the sovereignty, territorial integrity
and political independence of every state in the area.
5. The two countries desire to develop good neighbourly relations of
cooperation between them to ensure lasting security and to avoid
threats and the use of force between them.
C. The long conflict between the two states is now coming to an end. In
this spirit the state of belligerency between Jordan and Israel has
been terminated.
D. Following this declaration and in keeping with the Agreed Common
Agenda, both countries will refrain from actions or activities by
either side that may adversely affect the security of the other or may
prejudice the final outcome of negotiations. Neither side will
threaten the other by use of force, weapons, or any other means,
against each otherm and both sides will thwart threats to security
resulting from all kinds of terrorism.
E. His Majesty King Hussein and Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin took note of
the progress made in the bilateral negotiations within the
Jordan-Israel track last week on the steps decided to implement the
sub- agendas on borders, territorial matters, security, water, energy,
environment and the Jordan Rift Valley.
In this framework, mindful of items of the Agreed Common Agenda
(borders and territorial matters) they noted that the boundary
sub-commission has reached agreement in July 1994 in fulfillment of
part of the role entrusted to it in the sub-agenda. They also noted
that the sub-commission for water, environment and energy agreed to
mutually recognise, as the role of their negotiations, the rightful
allocations of the two sides in Jordan River and Yarmouk River waters
and to fully respect and comply with the negotiated rightful
allocations, in accordance with agreed acceptable principles with
mutually acceptable quality. Similarly, His Majesty King Hussein and
Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin expressed their deep satisfaction and
pride in the work of the trilateral commission in its meeting held in
Jordan on Wednesday, July 20th 1994, hosted by the Jordanian Prime
Minister, Dr. Abdessalam al-Majali, and attended by Secretary of State
Warren Christopher and Foreign Minister Shimon Peres. They voiced
their pleasure at the association and commitment of the United States
in this endeavour.
F. His Majesty King Hussein and Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin believe that
steps must be taken both to overcome psychological barriers and to
break with the legacy of war. By working with optimism towards the
dividends of peace for all the people in the region, Jordan and Israel
are determined to shoulder their responsibilities towards the human
dimension of peace making. They recognise imbalances and disparities
are a root cause of extremism which thrives on poverty and
unemployment and the degradation of human dignity. In this spirit His
Majesty King Hussein and Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin have today
approved a series of steps to symbolise the new era which is now at
hand:
1. Direct telephone links will be opened between Jordan and Israel.
2. The electricity grids of Jordan and Israel will be linked as part
of a regional concept.
3. Two new border crossings will be opened between Jordan and Israel
- one at the southern tip of Aqaba- Eilat and the other at a
mutually agreed point in the north.
4. In principle free access will be given to third country tourists
traveling between Jordan and Israel.
5. Negotiations will be accelerated on opening an international air
corridor between both countries.
6. The police forces of Jordan and Israel will cooperate in
combating crime with emphasis on smuggling and particularly drug
smuggling. The United States will be invited to participate in
this joint endeavour.
7. Negotiations on economic matters will continue in order to
prepare for future bilateral cooperation including the abolition
of all economic boycotts.
All these steps are being implemented within the framework of regional
infrastructural development plans and in conjunction with the
Jordan-Israel bilaterals on boundaries, security, water and related
issues and without prejudice to the final outcome of the negotiations
on the items included in the Agreed Common Agenda between Jordan and
Israel.
G. His Majesty King Hussein and Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin have agreed
to meet periodically or whenever they feel necessary to review the
progress of the negotiations and express their firm intention to
shepherd and direct the process in its entirety.
H. In conclusion, His Majesty King Hussein and Prime Minister Yitzhak
Rabin wish to express once again their profound thanks and
appreciation to President William J. Clinton and his Administration
for their untiring efforts in furthering the cause of peace, justice
and prosperity for all the peoples of the region. They wish to thank
the President personally for his warm welcome and hospitality. In
recognition of their appreciation to the President, His Majesty King
Hussein and Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin have asked President William
J. Clinton to sign this document as a witness and as a host to their
meeting.
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His Majesty King Hussein
Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin
President William J. Clinton