Press Release

149/1998
23 October 1998

Norway's premier congratulates parties on Middle East agreement

Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik today sent his congratulations to President Bill Clinton, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Yasser Arafat, following the signing of the Israeli-Palestinian agreement brokered at Wye Plantation in Maryland, USA on Friday. In his letters , Mr. Bondevik said the breakthrough has brought the Middle East peace process and the follow-up of the Oslo accords, back on track. He also assured that Norway remains committed to assist the parties in securing a final status settlement and lasting peace in the Middle East.

The Prime Minister’s letter to Mr. Clinton reads as follows:

” Dear Mr. President, The breakthrough achieved today at the Wye Plantation is of fundamental importance to the Middle East peace process and the follow-up of the Oslo accords.

I congratulate you warmly with the success of the American mediation effort and your personal contribution. It has played a decisive role.

The momentum generated by the agreement must now be maintained through acts of implementation on both sides. My government, as before, remains committed to assist the parties in securing a final status settlement and lasting peace in the Middle East. Yours sincerely Kjell Magne Bondevik”.

The Prime Minister’s letter to Mr. Netanyahu reads as follows:

”Dear Benjamin, The agreement signed at the Wye Plantation is a decisive accomplishment which has brought the Middle East peace process and the follow up of the Oslo accords back on track.

I congratulate you warmly with this achievement and your personal contribution to it.

The momentum generated must now be maintained through acts of implementation on both sides. As before, Norway and the international community stand ready to assist you in moving the peace process forward and in reaching a final status settlement. Yours sincerely Kjell Magne Bondevik”.

The Prime Minister’s letter to Mr. Arafat reads as follows:

”Dear Mr. President, It is with great satisfaction that the Norwegian Government has received the news of the agreement signed at the Wye Plantation. It decisively brings the peace process and the follow-up of the Oslo accords forward. Many of the hopes you expressed at our meeting in Oslo two weeks ago, it seems, have been fulfilled.

I congratulate you sincerely with this accomplishment and your contribution to it.

It is now important that the momentum created at Wye be sustained. Norway, as before, remains committed to work with the parties to obtain a final status settlement and lasting peace in the Middle East. Yours sincerely Kjell Magne Bondevik”.