ANNAPOLIS, Nov 28: Pakistan has urged the international community to adhere to the timeline of 2008 for creating a Palestinian state. In his address to the US-sponsored Annapolis peace conference, Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Riaz Mohammad Khan noted that a document of understanding signed here called for a comprehensive agreement on resolving the Palestinian dispute by the end of 2008.

“It is important that progression in this initiative and the peace process is not allowed to be derailed for any reason or by any incident,” Mr Khan said. “We must adhere to the timeline of 2008.”

The document, signed on Tuesday, commits Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and President Mahmoud Abbas to work for the “furtherance of the goal of two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security”. Both sides agreed to “make every effort to conclude an agreement before the end of 2008”. For this purpose, a steering committee will develop a joint work plan and establish and oversee the work of negotiations teams to address all issues. The first session of the steering committee will be held on Dec 12. The United States will monitor and judge the fulfilment of the commitment of both sides of the road map.

“The end of the Palestinian tragedy will calm the conflict and turbulent environment in the Middle East and beyond,” said Mr Khan while commenting on the document. “It will remove the principal impulse for violence in the region.”

Mr Khan pointed out that Pakistan had strong and longstanding commitment to the Palestinian cause, restoration of all occupied Arab territories and the establishment of an independent state in their own homeland. “Pakistan supports all sincere efforts and initiatives in that direction, especially the Beirut Declaration of Arab League.”

He noted that the Annapolis understanding had all the ingredients for an auspicious beginning because it clearly called for the establishment of a Palestinian state and promised to address all final status issues. But much would depend on how it was implemented, he added. “It remains our hope that Annapolis will become a historic turning point in the search for a just solution of Palestine and for bringing enduring peace in the Middle East.”