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Clinton Bids Israelis, Palestinians Farewell With Final Call For Peace
JERUSALEM (News Agencies) - Outgoing U.S. President Bill Clinton, who has made the quest for a Middle East peace accord a personal goal, appealed in open letters Friday to Israelis and Palestinians to continue efforts to end their decades-long conflict.
Clinton also told the Israelis that he had recommended they be allowed to buy the advanced F-22 warplane when it becomes available.
His appeals, published in the Palestinian newspaper al-Quds and Israel's top-selling daily Yediot Aharonot, came in lieu of an elusive peace agreement between the two sides, or at least a declaration of principles before his final day in office Saturday.
Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat heaped praise on Clinton in a live address on Palestinian television Friday evening, saying he appreciated the outgoing president's "tireless and continuing efforts to achieve a lasting, comprehensive and just peace for the Palestinians, Israelis and the people of the region."
Arafat saluted Clinton for helping the Palestinians and Israelis negotiate substantive matters, such as "Jerusalem, settlements, borders, refugees, water and other important issues."
"It is unfortunate that we could not reach an agreement during President Clinton's presidency, but we will continue exerting maximum efforts to achieve a comprehensive peace agreement with President George W. Bush," Arafat said.
"We will not forget President Clinton's contributions," he added.
In his letter to the Palestinians, Clinton wrote: "As one who has watched you and Chairman Arafat work so hard to achieve your goals, allow me to say this: now is not the time to heed the voices of vengeance and desperation, for they produce only bloodshed and death.
"Nothing you have accomplished has been accomplished through violence," he wrote, according to the official text of the letter provided by the U.S. embassy.
Meanwhile, Clinton asked the Israeli public not to give up on the peace process, also stressing the U.S. commitment to the Jewish state's armed forces and including his recommendation that Israel be allowed to buy the advanced fighter plane.
"You live in a world beset with dangers, and you are reminded of this reality on a daily basis. I broadened our special bilateral relationship, and I helped to defend and bolster your security.
"As part of this ongoing effort, I am now recommending that when sales for our advanced F-22 warplane begin, Israel should be among the first foreign nations, if not the first, allowed to purchase it if she so wishes," Clinton wrote.
The U.S. defense department plans to replace the U.S. F-15 fighters with the new F-22s, according to its website.
"You, who returned to your ancient homeland after 2000 years, you whose hopes and dreams were almost extinguished in the Holocaust, you who have not enjoyed one day of peace and quiet since the State of Israel was founded, allow me to share with you one parting thought: Today you are closer than ever to ending 100 years of struggle, to peace and a normal life.
"Please do not give up on your quest for peace, not now when it is almost within reach."
Clinton also acknowledged the pain and disappointment of the Palestinians since the 1993 Oslo peace accord, which paved the way for Palestinian autonomy.
"The past eight years have not been easy ones for you. You face daily humiliations; you must struggle simply to find a job; worst of all, you continue to see too many children grow up in poverty.
"Peace, it is true, has not yet borne its fruits. And so I understand your disillusionment, the frustration, even the anger," Clinton said.
"But, do not lose sight of what you have achieved: the ability to rule yourselves and elect your leaders and build your institutions."
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