    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1994, Book II)]
    [October 25, 1994]
    [Pages 1868-1869]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on Departure for the Middle East
    October 25, 1994

        Good morning. Today I embark on a mission inspired by a dream of
    peace, a dream as ancient as the peoples I will visit, a dream that now,
    after years of struggle, has a new chance of becoming a reality.
        Tomorrow, in the desert between Israel and Jordan, two neighbors
    will agree to lay to rest age-old animosities and give a new future to
    their countries and their children. King Hussein and Prime Minister
    Rabin will enter into an historic peace treaty. By their courage, they
    help their peoples, their region, and the entire world. They help to
    begin a final journey to peace in one of the most perilous conflicts of
    our age. By taking part in that ceremony, I will help to fulfill a
    mission pursued vigorously by the United States, by Presidents of both
    parties, since the end of World War II.
        Peace in the Middle East is in our fundamental interests, and our
    continued participation in the peace process is crucial to its success.
    The signing ceremony I will witness grows out of the peace process we
    have helped to build.
        The treaty between Israel and Jordan will be only the second full
    peace treaty between Israel and one of its Arab neighbors and the first
    ever signed in the Middle East itself. The roots of this process reach
    back to the Camp David accords between the late Anwar Sadat of Egypt and
    Menachem Begin of Israel, in which President Carter played such a
    pivotal role, and to the historic peace treaty they signed here 15 years
    ago.
        But this trip is more than a celebration of another important step
    toward peace, it's an opportunity to pursue new steps. Israel and Jordan
    have shown that contact can overcome conflict and that direct talks can
    produce peace. My goal is to make clear that the time has arrived for
    all parties to follow the brave and hopeful inspiration of Israel and
    Jordan. With so much at stake, it is more important than ever for the
    United States to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with those who are taking
    risks for peace.
        For all the progress toward peace, indeed, because of that progress,
    we have witnessed a new wave of terrorism and violence. No step on this
    long journey requires more patience, more discipline, more courage than
    the steps still to come. At this crucial moment, the people of the
    Middle East stand at a crossroads. In one direction lies the dark past
    of violence, terrorism, and insecurity that desperate enemies of peace
    seek to prolong. In the other lies a brighter future, a brighter future
    that Israel and all her Arab neighbors can achieve if they have

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    the courage to stand up to violence, to terrorism, to mistrust, to build
    that future.
        Above all else, I go to the Middle East to deliver one clear
    message: The United States stands by those who, in the words of the
    Psalms, ``seek peace and pursue it.'' And we stand up to those who
    threaten to destroy the dream that has brought us to this historic
    moment.
        Standing up for peace in this region includes countering the
    aggressive acts of Iraq's toward its neighbors. Like our troops around
    the world, the men and women of our Armed Forces stationed in Kuwait are
    the strength behind our pledge to support peace and security. They are
    doing a magnificent job, and I want them to know how proud all Americans
    are of their efforts. When I visit them on Friday, I know I'll carry the
    good wishes of all their fellow Americans, just as I know all Americans
    will pray this week for the progress toward peace as we witness this
    historic treaty and carry the peace process forward.
        Thank you very much.

    Note: The President spoke at 7:42 a.m. in the Rose Garden at the White
    House.