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1994-05-12
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<text>
<title>PLO Official 'Abbas on 'New Page' in Relations</title>
<article>
<hdr>
Foreign Broadcast Information Service, September 14, 1993
PLO Official 'Abbas on 'New Page' in Relations
</hdr>
<body>
<p>["Text" of speech by PLO Executive Committee Member Mahmud
'Abbas at the signing ceremony between Israel and the PLO at the
White House on 13 September, in Arabic with passage-by-passage
translation into English--live]
</p>
<p> [Text] Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: In these
historic moments, with feelings of joy that are mixed with the
greatest sense of responsibility regarding the events that are
affecting our entire region, I greet you and I greet this
distinguished gathering. I hope that this meeting in Washington
will prove to be the onset of a positive and constructive change
that will serve the interests of the Palestinian and Israeli
peoples.
</p>
<p> We have come to this point, because we believe that
peaceful coexistence and cooperation are the only means for
reaching understanding and for realizing the hopes of the
Palestinians and the Israelis. The agreement we will sign
reflects the decision we made in the PLO to turn a new page in
our relationship with Israel.
</p>
<p> We know quite well that this is merely the beginning of a
journey that is surrounded by numerous dangers and difficulties,
and yet our mutual determination to overcome everything that
stands in the way of the cause of peace, our common belief that peace is the only means to security and stability, and
our mutual aspiration for a secure peace characterized by
cooperation--all this will enable us to overcome all obstacles
with the support of the international community.
</p>
<p> And here, I would like to mention, in particular, the
United States Government, which will shoulder the responsibility
of continuing to play an effective and a distinct role in the
next stage so that this great achievement may be completed.
</p>
<p> In this regard, it is important for me to say that we are
looking forward with a great deal of hope and optimism to a date
that is two years from today, when negotiations over the final
status of our country are set to begin. We will then settle the
remaining fundamental issues, especially those of Jerusalem, the
refugees, and the settlements. At that time, we will be laying
the last brick in the edifice of peace, whose foundations we are
establishing today.
</p>
<p> The major challenge facing the Palestinian people is
economic development after years of struggle, during which our
national infrastructure and institutions had to put up with a
heavy, exhausting burden. We are looking to the world for its
support and encouragement in our struggle for the growth and
development that begins today.
</p>
<p> I thank the Government of the United States of America and
the Government of the Russian Federation for the part they
played and for their efforts and their sponsorship of the peace
process. I also appreciate the roled played by the Government of
Norway in bringing about this agreement and I look forward to
seeing positive results soon on the remaining Arab-Israeli
tracks so we can proceed together with our Arab brothers on this
comprehensive quest for peace. Thank you.
</p>
</body>
</article>
</text>