Utenriksminister Bjørn Tore Godals tale ved undertegningsseremonien i Det hvite hus, 28.9.95

P R E S S E M E L D I N G
Utenriksdepartementet

28. september 1995

Utenriksminister Bjørn Tore Godals tale ved undertegningssermonien i det Hvite Hus, 28.9.95

Nedenfor gjengis teksten til talen som Utenriksminister Bjørn Tore Godal holdt i Det Hvite Hus under untertegningssermonien for den nye interimsavtalen mellom Israel og PLO, torsdag 28. september 1995.

"Mr. President, Your Majesty, President Mubarak, Excellencies, Dear Friends.

This day is dedicated to the peace-makers. I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for the personal role you have played and for your gracious hospitality, which has made it possible for US to assemble at the White House today to salute them; Prime Minister Rabin, Chairman Arafat, Foreign Minister Peres, and their eminent negotiators.

Their courage led to the Oslo Agreement two years ago, and was honoured last year by a well deserved Nobel Peace Prize The Interim Agreement has been made possible by the parties' common commitment to a common end. They view each other's problems as shared problems. This has made it possible to maintain the momentum created three years ago.

Peace must be won. Every day For that reason we must all renew our commitment:

• We pledge with renewed vigour our continued political support to the historic peace process between Israelis and Palestinians.
• We will assist in the consolidation of peace by economic means. If Norway will, as Chairman of the Ad Hoc Liason Committee, work with donors and parties themselves to underpin the peace process.
• Finally, we will support people-to-people cooperation between Israelis and Palestinians to overcome the divisions of the past.

The signing of the Declaration of Principles at the White House two years ago meant that peace was no longer merely a dream. it was finally becoming a reality. For peace to take hold, it must make a difference to peoples' daily life, in the form of better living conditions, health, education and employment.

Today's agreement holds out a promise of exactly that. Political visions are being translated into tangible improvements for the individual.

Thus today I wish to appeal to every Israeli citizen, to every Palestinian to remain steadfast In their pursuit of reconciliation and peace. The path ahead has been charted by the distinguished political leaders we are honouring today.

Peace is there to be enjoyed. I feel confident that the opportunities afforded by peace will be grasped for the benefit of all peoples of the region, and the world at large.

Thank you, Mr. President.

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Lagt inn 28 september 1995 av Statens forvaltningstjeneste, ODIN-redaksjonen