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Mr. President, King Hussein, President Mubarak, Prime Minister Rabin, Chairman Arafat, Foreign Minister Peres, Foreign Minister Kozyrev, distinguished guests: Two years ago, Israelis and Palestinians embarked on a new history. After a century of bloodshed and pain, they took the first brave step in a long and difficult journey toward peace.
Today, we bear witness to another extraordinary milestone on that historic journey. Israelis and Palestinians have crossed much hostile territory since they first came together on this issue. This conflict's bitter past has not surrendered easily to a new, more hopeful future. But as we are reminded again this morning, the struggle for peace is being won. There is no turning back. The journey will be completed when Israelis and Palestinians finally live side-by-side as neighbors, with security and dignity.
Prime Minister Rabin, Chairman Arafat: This agreement is further testament to your courage and determination. Once again, you reaffirm our faith in the power of negotiations to overcome even the most daunting obstacles. In the face of extraordinary challenges, Israeli and Palestinian officials sat together, day after day, month after month talking, arguing, talking again, and, finally, in the end, reaching agreement.
The achievement you unveil today reflects and, over time, will reinforce this unflagging effort to meet the mutual needs of both sides. For Israelis, this agreement promises them the security they have long sought to live and to work free from terror and violence. For Palestinians of the West Bank and Gaza, this agreement gives them the opportunity to govern themselves for the first time in their history, and, through elections, the chance to build a democratic future. For both people, this agreement offers a pathway to a new relationship dedicated to peace and prosperity.
Mr. Prime Minister, Mr. Chairman: As you press forward to finish this historic work, you should know that the United States will continue to stand with you. Working with the two great leaders by your side--King Hussein and President Mubarak--we will strive to widen the circle of peace to Syria and to Lebanon and across the entire Middle East. Starting this afternoon, with our partners in the international community, we will redouble our efforts to extend the political and economic support you need to make real the promise of this day.
Three months ago in Jerusalem and again three weeks ago in Washington, I met with Israeli and Arab children who spent the summer together in a program called Seeds of Peace. By developing new friendships, they are demolishing old prejudices. By reaching across communities, they are resolving a conflict that for too long has divided their people. It is their spirit that brings us here today, their lives, their dreams, their future--let us not betray them.
We owe it to them and to all of our children to realize the full promise of this day. Let us again rededicate ourselves to complete the noble task we have started--a task that, in the words of Abraham Lincoln, "the world will forever applaud, and God must forever bless." Thank you very much.
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