ADDRESS BY PRIME MINISTER YITZHAK RABIN FOLLOWING HIS MEETING WITH JORDAN KING HUSSEIN
WASHINGTON, D.C. - JULY 25, 1994
I start with the Hebrew word 'shalom'. Millions of eyes all over the world
are watching us now with great relief and great joy. Yet another nightmare
of war may be over. At the same time, millions of eyes in the Middle East
are looking at us now with great heartfelt hope that our children and
grandchildren will know no more war.
Today we submit to our respective people a wonder present. The declaration
we have signed just now here in Washington is the closest thing to a
treaty of peace. We have gone here a long way towards a full treaty of
peace, and even though our work has not yet ended, it is my hope and
belief that not long from today we shall return to sign a final and a
permanent treaty of peace.
It is dusk in our homes in the Middle East. Soon, darkness will prevail.
But the citizens of Israel and Jordan will see a great light. We have
today taken a major step on the road to peace. We and Jordan have chosen
to speak to each other rather than to continue the state of war. From
here, at a distance of thousands of miles from home, I would like to
congratulate today the inhabitants of Israel and of Jordan, to remember
the fallen in the wars on both sides, and to tell children on both sides
of the border: We hope and pray that your life will be different than
ours.
I believe that we are a small country with a big heart. We are aware of
the world agonies and suffering of human beings anywhere. At this hour,
when we are celebrating here in Washington, Israeli defense soldiers and
medical unit are trying to save the lives of thousands if not more of
people on the verge of death in Rwanda. But at the very same time, Israeli
soldiers, a rescue team, in Buenos Aires, on the invitation of the
Argentinian government are endeavoring to rescue the lives or bodies of
those who were attacked, killed and disappeared. Bodies of their own
brothers as well as of the other human beings from buildings destroyed by
vicious terrorists. This terrible crime was committed against Jews just
because they were Jews. The Israeli rescue soldiers in Rwanda as well as
those in Argentina, together with their comrades in arms defending us at
home, are the same side of the same coin.
There is much more in the Washington Declaration than the parties were
planning when they decided to prepare this declaration ten days ago. It
bears witness to our ability in Israel and Jordan to accelerate our
efforts towards peace, to overcome obstacles, to achieve a breakthrough
and to put an end to 46 years of hostility.
Mr. President, thank you. Thank you for all you have done for us and for
what you will do. We embark on a road which must still be completed, and I
am appealing to the United States, the leader of peace efforts in the
Middle East, to assist those those countries, those peoples who
demonstrate courage and who take risks risks for peace. Because it is a
worthwhile goal.
The political achievements presented today to the public here in
Washington are part of a whole agenda that must still be clarified in
serious deliberations ahead of us. From the difficult subjects of
boundaries and water to trade and economic relations, on which peace in
our region will be based and of course, security and diplomatic
relations. Our duty, starting today, is to turn the articles written on
the paper into a living reality.
This fine job could not have been completed without your leadership and
determination in the Middle East peace-making. You have already
established your place in our history, an honorable place, and thank you.
Our heartfelt gratitude goes also to Secretary of State Warren Christopher
and to his peace team, who devotedly seek peace, and to generations of
former U.S. administration members who have for years searched for a
bridge between Israel, Jordan and the other Arab peoples.