Israel and Palestine to each to develop peace proposal within three months after meeting UN and its diplomatic partners separately in Jerusalem. The proposals presumably would address comprehensively territory and security considerations. These are not likely to deter the Palestinian drive toward full UN membership, although a sense of urgency is spurring the process at least from the perspective of the diplomats/capitals seeking some alternative to the status quo and who have come to present an image of impotent diplomacy. The “Quartet” is Driving Force: The so-called Quartet, (Bottom UN PHOTO), comprising the UN, the European Union, Russia and the United States, were following up on a strategy they launched last month to bring the two sides together again following the breakdown in bilateral talks last year, barely weeks after they had started again. Those efforts involve a series of steps and a timetable with the aim of reaching a lasting Middle East peace agreement by the end of next year, with the separate meetings in Jerusalem being the first phase to agree on the agenda and method for negotiations. However, it is worth recalling that last year around this time, promises were being offered by the key capitals including Washington within the Quartet that an agreement would be reached by time of the General Assemble meetings of September 2011. “Both parties expressed their readiness to engage with the Quartet, on the basis of its statement of 23 September, to overcome the current obstacles and resume direct bilateral negotiations without delay or preconditions. The parties agreed with the Quartet to come forward with comprehensive proposals on territory and security within three months in the context of our shared commitment to the objective of direct negotiations leading toward an agreement by the end of 2012.” the Quartet conveyed in a news release. Refrain from “Provocations”: The Quartet reiterated its call to the parties to refrain from provocative actions if negotiations are to be effective and agreed with the parties to meet regularly for the next 90 days to review progress. Presumably this means no new Israeli settlements, although the lack of specificity is likely to be a harbinger of more Palestinian evictions and settlements. (READ - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/east-jerusalem-settlements-israelpalestine-prisoner-exchange-crowd-palestine-un-membership-debate-by-ambassador-mo/36341 ) According to the UN News Centre Release: The Quartet has for years been championing the so-called Roadmap, the internationally approved plan for a two-State solution in which Israel and the Palestinians can live side by side in peace and security. Israel has called on the Palestinians to resume bilateral talks without conditions but Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas (Top PHOTO), says he will not return to the table until Israel freezes all settlement activity in occupied Palestinian territory.” Without being overly cynical, the process has been without momentum or direction for almost a year. The prisoner exchange orchestrated just a week or so earlier by Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu (Middle PHOTO) and HAMAS has not produced any direct initiative for direct talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Washington has looked to block Palestinian admission to UN as member state but has offered no really functional alternative – referring in George Wesque terms as to how "hard work" the process is. However, what is perhaps most difficult for the Obama Administration is the perceived domestic political terrain. It is probably no coincidence that the timeline for the current initiative is to conclude just a couple of months after US Presidential elections in 2012. However, I doubt if events on the ground or the maneuvering at the United Nations will be so patient. (READ - “What’s at Stake in Palestine Statehood Debate?” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/palestine-un-membership-whats-at-stake-by-ambassador-mo/35385). FILM REPORT –“Palestine/Israeli Confrontation at UN Security Council” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/movie/palestineisraeli-confrontation-un/28688 By Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey Facebook – Become a Fan at “Diplomatically Incorrect” Twitter – Follow us at DiplomaticallyX