The conflict between Israel and its Arab neighbors is among the most serious, damaging and longest-running political crises the international community faces. It undermines security and prosperity for Israelis and Palestinians alike.

They live on edge, in fear of violence, and they suffer economic hardships. Israeli and Palestinian children do not know what it is like to go to school without feeling fear and uncertainty.

There can be no compromise with terrorism. I condemn in the strongest terms the Feb. 25 terror attack in Tel Aviv. This cynical attack underlines the importance of the Palestinian Authority's efforts to establish a credible and capable security apparatus, able to respond decisively to the terrorist threat. I welcome President Mahmoud Abbas' determination to act against the terrorists and end the violence.

Without security, there will be no solid basis for progress. Our challenge is to work together to achieve a final and permanent settlement, which provides for the legitimate needs and concerns of all the peoples concerned. This requires patient negotiation and a clear view of the final destination.

In this environment, talk of new peace initiatives can generate cynicism, a sense that everything has been tried before, and that nothing will change.

I disagree that nothing can change. There can be no excuse for doing nothing. But I do sympathize with the view that grand declarations will achieve little. Instead, we need to demonstrate solid progress on the ground.

That is why I hosted a meeting in London on March 1 to look at practical ways of supporting the Palestinian Authority.

That is also why on Nov. 12 in Washington, President George W. Bush and I set out a five-point plan. And we are all encouraged by the progress so far toward that plan.

*Re-commit to the two-state vision, as set out in the roadmap.

There is now, more than ever, a real international consensus on the way forward. What is most significant is that there is a U.S. administration ready to engage. President Bush again made it clear in Brussels last month that peace in the Middle East was at the top of his agenda, describing it as his greatest opportunity and immediate goal. A political lead from the United States is a critical component of a re-energizing the peace process.

But the rest of the international community-not least the region and the Quartet including Russia, the European Union and the United Nations-will need to make major contributions.

The fact that some 30 international leaders, including Kofi Annan and many foreign ministers from the region and the EU, attended the London meeting underlines the renewed commitment of the international community.

*Support the Palestinians as they hold democratic elections for a new president.

There is now a new Palestinian leadership, brought to power by elections that, despite difficult conditions, showed the determination of the Palestinian people to demonstrate their democratic credentials. These elections have given the Palestinians and the world new hope.

*Mobilize international support behind a plan to ensure that the Palestinians have the political, economic and security infrastructure they need to create a viable state.

When I saw Abbas in December, he asked the international community to support Palestinian institution-building as a step toward independence and sovereignty. It is essential that we do so. And the time is right.

That is why I convened the London meeting. The purpose of the meeting was to rally the international community in support of the Palestinian Authority's plans to build the institutions of a viable Palestinian state. It will achieve a number of important practical outcomes. These include a comprehensive vision for strengthening the Palestinian Authority set out by President Abbas, covering the key areas of governance, the economy and security.

In response, the international community will commit to: a new, U.S.-led coordinating group on security; review and streamline international assistance to the Palestinian Authority; a new role for the European Commission and World Bank in ensuring follow-up in economic and governance areas; help with short-term economic priorities for the Palestinian Authority; agreement on an international donors' meeting by the end of June; a new World Bank-led effort to galvanize international private-sector involvement; and a new loan-guarantee plan.

*Endorse and support Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's plan to disengage from Gaza and parts of the West Bank.

This has been a difficult decision for Israel, but I welcome the Israeli Cabinet's agreement to press ahead with this plan. This disengagement can only be a first step toward a final settlement that establishes a viable state of Palestine alongside a secure state of Israel.

But it is a significant first step, and the Palestinian leadership knows that it needs to be prepared for it, ready and able to make it a success. Again, the London meeting helped the Palestinians prepare.

At the same time, Israel must implement its disengagement in a manner that allows the Palestinian Authority to operate successfully. The withdrawal from Gaza must be complete. Incursions must end, and closures must be lifted, while taking due account of Israel's own security. Gaza must be open for trade, including via a functioning port and airport.

*The first four steps will lay the basis for more rapid progress on the roadmap. The roadmap is essential. Everyone remains committed to the roadmap, which provides an agreed framework for ending violence and resuming negotiations about the most difficult issues. But, over the last two years, progress has been hampered by a lack of trust on both sides. We have to return to a process of reciprocal actions that build trust and promote real progress.

The London meeting took place at a moment of promise and opportunity for Israelis and Palestinians. It contributed to building on the positive momentum created by the meeting between Sharon and Abbas at Sharm al-Sheikh on Feb. 8.

It is an important opportunity for the Palestinian Authority to seek and secure the international support it needs to achieve its objectives. It will allow the Palestinian Authority to show that it is a credible partner for peace, able to make a success of Israeli disengagement and deliver on its obligations under the roadmap.

This will enable the Palestinian Authority and Israel, with international support, to implement the roadmap and put an end to the violence, which has caused so much suffering to Israelis and Palestinians. I want to see that happen. I believe that the Israeli and Palestinian peoples do as well.

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The author is British prime minister. He contributed this commentary to The Asahi Shimbun.(IHT/Asahi: March 10,2005)