ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON
ON THE SIGNING OF THE ISRAEL-JORDAN WASHINGTON DECLARATION
WASHINGTON, D.C. - JULY 25, 1994
Today we gather to bear witness to history. As this century draws to a
close, a new era of peace opens before us in ancient lands, as brave men
choose reconciliation over conflict.
Today our faith is renewed. As we write a new chapter in the march of hope
over despair, on these grounds and at this historic table, we remember the
courage of Anwar Sadat and Menahem Begin, and the leadership of President
Carter at Camp David, 15 years ago; the efforts of President Bush to bring
Israel and her neighbors together in Madrid two years ago; and that
shining September day last year when Prime Minister Rabin and Chairman
Arafat declared that their two peoples would fight no more.
Today, in that same spirit, King Hussein and Prime Minister Rabin will
sign the Washington Declaration. After generations of hostility, blood and
tears, the leaders of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the State of
Israel will solemnly declare, with the world as their witness, that they
have ended the state of belligerency between them. From this day forward,
they pledge to settle their differences by peaceful means. Both countries
will refrain from actions that may adversely affect the security of the
other, and will thwart all those who would use terrorism to threaten
either side.
The Washington Declaration is the product of muct hard work. Less than a
year ago, Crown Prince Hassan of Jordan and Foreign Minister Peres of
Israel met here publicly for the first time. Together with the wise
counsel and persistent energy of the Secretary of State Warren
Christopher, Israel and Jordan have pursued peace, and we are all in their
debt.
It takes but a minute or two to cross the River Jordan, but for as long as
most of us can remember, the distance has seemed immense. The awful power
of ancient arguments and the raw wounds of recent wars have left
generations of Israelis, Jordanians and Palestinians unable to imagine,
much less bid on a life of peace and security. Today, King Hussein add
Prime Minister Rabin give their people a new currency of hope and a chance
to prosper in a region of peace.
Under the Washington Declaration, Jordan and Israel have agreed to
continue vigorous negotiations to produce a treaty of peace based on
Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338. King Hussein and Prime Minister
Rabin will meet as often as necessary to shepherd and personally direct
those negotations. Their objective is a just, lasting and comprehensive
peace between Israel and all its neighbors, a peace in which each
acknowledges and respects the territorial integrity and political
independence of all others, and their right to live in peace within secure
and recognized boundaries.
In the meantime, Jordan and Israel have decided to take immediate steps to
normalize relations and resolve disputes in areas of common concern.
They agreed to survey the international border, based on the work of their
boundary sub-commission.
They have resolved that negotiations on water resources should aim to
establish the rightful allocation between the two sides of the waters of
the Jordan and Yarmuk Rivres.
They have determined that their police forces will cooperate in combatting
crime, with a special emphasis on drug smuggling.
They have set up as their joint purpose the abolition of all economic
boycotts, and the establishment of a bilateral economic cooperation
committee.
And, as of today, Jordan and Israel have agreed to take the first
practical steps to draw their people together and to let the peoples of
the world share in the wonders of their lands. They will:
- establish direct telephone links; - connect their two nations'
electricity grids;o - open two border crossings between their nations,
including one at Aqaba and Eilat, and another in the north; - accelerate
the negotiations aimed at opening an international air corridor between
the two countries, and give free access to third country tourists
traveling between their two nations.
These are the building blocks of a modern pace in ancient holy lands. Your
Majesty, after our first meeting, you wrote me a heartfelt letter, in
which you referred to your revered grandfather, King Abdullah. You told me
that his untimely assassination at the entrance to Jerusalem's al-Aqsa
mosque had come at a time when he was intent on making peace with Israel.
Had he completed his mission, you said to me, your region would have been
spared four decades of war. Today, 43 years later, Abdullah's grandson has
fulfilled his legacy.
In the declaration you will sign, your role as guardian of Jerusalem's
Muslim holy sites, al-Aqsa among them, has been preserved, and Israel has
agreed to accord a high priority to Jordan's historic role regarding these
holy sites in final status negotiations.
Prime Minister, when you first visited me in the White House, you spoke
eloquently of your soldier's life, defending and guarding your nation
through four bloody decades of struggling to survive. You told me your
people had had enough bloodshed, that this was time to make peace. Ten
months ago, you stood on this same lawn and shook the hand of Yasser
Arafat, the leader of the Palestinian people. Today you stand together
with King Hussein, descendant of the Prophet Mohammed, to declare that
Jordan and Israel have ended their conflict. In holding out to your people
the hope of a normal, secure life, you, sir, have fulfilled the mission of
your life and of all those who have fought by your side for so long.
Now, as we go forward, we must guard against illusions. Dark forces of
hatred and violence still stalk your lands. We must not let them succeed.
King Hussein, Prime Minister Rabin, as you and your people embark on this
journey of peace, we know the road will not be easy. Just as we have
supported you in coming this far, the United States will walk the final
miles with you.
We must all go on until we ensure that the peace you are seeking prevails
in the holy land, and extends to all Israel's Arab neighbors. Our common
objective of a comprehensive peace must be achieved.
Now, as we witness the signing of this declaration and applaud the bravery
of these men, let us remember that peace is much more than a pledge to
abide by words of a page. It is a bold attempt to write a new history.
Guided by the blessings of God, let us now go forward and give life to
this declaration. For if we follow its course, we will truly achieve a
peace of the generations.