Washington Declaration welcomed as prelude to final treaty.

• Position: Middle East

Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali on 26 July warmly welcomed the signing of the Washington Declaration, ending the state of belligerency between Jordan and Israel, which he hoped would "accelerate the process of achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East".

He applauded the statesmanship shown by King Hussein of Jordan and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, which had culminated in a historic ceremony on 25 July at the White House in Washington, D. C., witnessed by United States President William J. Clinton.

The Declaration (A/49/300-S/1994/939) stated that "after generations of hostility, blood and tears and in the wake of years of pain and wars", the state of belligerency between Jordan and Israel "has been terminated".

Determined to "bring an end to bloodshed and sorrow", Jordan and Israel would "vigorously continue their negotiations to arrive at a state of peace based on Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973) in all their aspects" and, by the Declaration, "recognize their right and obligation to live in peace with each other, as well as with all States within secure and recognized boundaries". They also affirmed their respect for and acknowledgement of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of every State in the area. They "their desire to develop good neighbourly relations of cooperation" to ensure lasting security.

Among other things, Jordan and Israel decided to open direct telephone links, link their electricity grids, open two new border crossings, and "in principle" give free access to third country tourists travelling between Jordan and Israel. These steps would be implemented within the framework of regional infrastructural development plans and in conjunction with their bilateral on boundaries, security, water and related issues.

On 29 July, the Economic and Social Council expressed its full support (resolution 1994/44) for the achievements of the peace process thus far, including the Washington Declaration.

Arafat in Gaza

Large crowds of Palestinians throughout the Gaza Strip turned out on 1 July to welcome the Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), Yasser Arafat, on his historic return.

"The popular reception he received reflected the popular support for the peace process and Palestinian leadership", said Keba Birane Cisse of Senegal, Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, on...