Part of the weekly Cabinet meeting was devoted to marking the 10th anniversary of the Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty. The prime minister noted that peace with Egypt was now "an integral part of our international relations. " He did regret that there was little progress in areas such as tourism, trade and cultural relations and noted that the "quality of the peace is not precisely as we would have wished it." In the following remarks, Mr. Peres noted the value of the peace which has stood the test of time and in spite of many strains remains a cornerstone in the history of the modern Middle East. Text:
I too would like to welcome the 10th anniversary of the establishment of peace with Egypt. It is not only that ten years have passed, but that this peace has withstood difficult tests, including the war in Lebanon and what is now taking place in the territories. Nevertheless, this marks a turn in the relations between Israel and the Arab world. We also strictly observed the peace - and we took great pains, sometimes under very difficult conditions - but we must say that President Sadat and his successor, President Mubarak, have also been and remain the spearhead of the Arab world's peace strategy.
As may be recalled, this peace was achieved with the support of the two major political parties. Even though the party I represent was not a partner in the government, the party's. central committee decided to support this step, in order to achieve peace.
This peace marks a certain maximum and a certain minimum. In my opinion, the maximum lies in the fact that one Arab country out of the Arab world travelled a very long distance from its viewpoint - perhaps the greatest distance it was able to cover. The minimum is, that it still remains a peace, that does not express all the implications of withdrawing from war and entering upon a world of peace.
I am convinced that once there is a comprehensive peace, and it will include the entire Arab world, it will indeed be a real peace, and Israel will be able to express itself as a part of this world and manifest its capability and contribution.
I believe that very many people who supported the peace process with Egypt thought that this was a preliminary step and that we would proceed to turn this peace into a comprehensive and overall peace, a true peace in the Middle East. I believe that the Arabs have no alternative and that we have no alternative, other than to move toward peace. It is becoming increasingly obvious that the Arabs' economic affairs - and not just ours - are dictating such a policy to them. It is impossible for the economy to stand on its feet while maintaining a policy of war. The reliance on oil is decreasing and I think that there will be other, additional energy sources that will further reduce the importance of oil in the future, despite the fluctuations in the price of oil.
I know that this peace was achieved, in great measure, by the IDF, with the turnabout that occurred with the Yom Kippur War, which was the most difficult and surprising war, fraught with danger and perilous obstacles. At the last moment, the IDF brought about this reversal, turned the scales and, in my opinion, with this also opened the door to peace.
At the same time, I believe that Sadat was a first-rate statesman, who demonstrated his courage and correct vision and found the entire. Jewish people prepared to embrace the peace process. I believe that if more Arab statesmen will evince this measure of wisdom, they will find our nation and our country once again ready for peace.
I believe that all of us around this table view peace with Egypt as a cornerstone for the building of peace in the Middle East. it is up to us to search out all possible paths in order to continue this important process.
1, too, wish to add my best wishes to the Egyptian people and to our people and to say to all our other Arab neighbors that this constitutes a considerable opening that calls for and allows for continuation.