ISRAEL-PLO RECOGNITION







1. LETTER FROM YASSER ARAFAT TO PRIME MINISTER RABIN:



September 9, 1993



Yitzhak Rabin

Prime Minister of Israel



Mr. Prime Minister,



The signing of the Declaration of Principles marks a new era in the history

of the Middle East. In firm conviction thereof, I would like to confirm the

following PLO commitments:



The PLO recognizes the right of the State of Israel to exist in peace and

security.



The PLO accepts United Nations Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338.



The PLO commits itself to the Middle East peace process, and to a peaceful

resolution of the conflict between the two sides and declares that all

outstanding issues relating to permanent status will be resolved through

negotiations.



The PLO considers that the signing of the Declaration of Principles

constitutes a historic event, inaugurating a new epoch of peaceful

coexistence, free from violence and all other acts which endanger peace and

stability. Accordingly, the PLO renounces the use of terrorism and other

acts of violence and will assume responsibility over all PLO elements and

personnel in order to assure their compliance, prevent violations and

discipline violators



In view of the pormise of a new era and the signing of the Declaration of

Principles and based on Palestinian acceptance of Security Council

Resolutions 242 and 338, the PLO affirms that those articles of the

Palestinian Covenant which deny Israel's right to exist, and the provisions

of the Covenant which are inconsistent with the commitments of this letter

are now inoperative and no longer valid. Consequently, the PLO undertakes

to submit to the Palestinian National Council for formal approval the

necessary changes in regard to the Palestinian Covenant.



Sincerely,



Yasser Arafat

Chairman

The Palestine Liberation Organization







2. LETTER FROM YASSER ARAFAT TO NORWEGIAN FOREIGN MINISTER:



September 9, 1993



His Excellency

Johan Jorgen Holst

Foreign Minister of Norway



Dear Minister Holst,



I would like top confirm to you that, upon the signing of the Declaration

of Principles, the PLO encourages and calls upon the Palestinian people in

the West Bank and Gaza Strip to take part in the steps leading to the

normalization of life, rejecting violence and terrorism, contributing to

peace and stability and participating actively in shaping reconstruction,

economic develoment and cooperation.



Sincerely,



Yasser Arafat

Chairman

The Palestine Liberation Organization







3. LETTER FROM PRIME MINISTER RABIN TO YASSER ARAFAT:



September 9, 1993



Yasser Arafat

Chairman

The Palestinian Liberation Organization



Mr. Chairman,



In response to your letter of September 9, 1993, I wish to confirm to you

that, in light of the PLO commitments included in your letter, the

Government nof Israel has decided to recognize the PLO as the

representative of the Palestinian people and commence negotiations with the

PLO within the Middle East peace process.



Yitzhak Rabin

Prime Minister of Israel