irresponsible action or narrow - mindedness the future of our children and their children's children.

There has been enough destruction, enough death, enough waste, and it's time that together we occupy a place beyond ourselves, our peoples, that is worthy of them under the sun, the descendents of the children of Abraham -- Palestinians and Israelis coming together.

I have attended previous occasions here, and of course, you, Mr. President, together with the late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, were my partners four years ago in the Washington Declaration, and later on when the state of peace was finalized in our meetings in Jordan and in Aqaba.?? I don't think we might have given you as much hard work or less sleep than you have been subjected to of late! But what I found this time, and what really gives me hope and confidence, is that same chemistry after the first meeting between Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Arafat is there. I think that we passed a crossroad. We have made our commitment to the welfare and happiness and security and future of our peoples in all the times to come. And now our partners are humorous, and we wish them every success in their endeavors, and we'll do everything we can to help them.

I think such a step as is concluded today will inevitably trigger those who want to destroy life, destroy hope, create fear in the hearts and minds of people, trigger in them their worst instincts. They will be skeptical on the surface, but if they can, they will cause damage wherever they are and wherever they belong. Let's hope that the overwhelming majority of us, those who are committed to the future, those who know what responsibilities they hold now, will be able, through steady progress and a determined combined joint effort, be able to thwart their aims and their objectives and move and maybe, God willing, witness the dawn that we have all been seeking of a comprehensive peace in our entire region.

Mr. President, I've had the privilege of being a friend of the United States and presidents since the late President Eisenhower. And throughout all the years that have passed, I have kept in touch. But on the subject of peace, the peace we are seeking, I have never, with all due respect and all the affection that I held for your predecessors, have known someone with your dedication, clearheadedness, focus, and determination to help resolve this issue in the best possible way.

Mr. President, permit me to say what I feel; I was mentioning it more than once in the last few days. You have the tolerance and the patience of Job, and you are the subject of our admiration and respect. And we hope that you will be with us as we see greater successes and as we help our brethren and our friends move ahead towards a better tomorrow.

On behalf of Noor and for those colleagues of mine from Jordan, thank you all for your great kindness, and thank you, our Israeli friends in this very fine delegation, for all your contributions and efforts.

And obviously, my pride is limitless in the efforts and in the commitment of President Arafat and his colleagues.

I think we are moving. We are not marking time but we are moving in the right direction. I believe that very sincerely. And may God bless our efforts.

Thank you very much.  

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