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26 October 2004

U.S. Commemorates 10th Anniversary of Israel-Jordan Peace

Bush administration remains committed to broader regional peace

Commemorating the 10th anniversary of Israel and Jordan's October 1994 peace treaty, the State Department has saluted the two leaders who made the accord a reality.

"Today we honor the courage and vision of King Hussein and Yitzhak Rabin, both of whom dreamed of a better future for the people of the Middle East and took the bold step forward towards realizing that dream for the people of Jordan and Israel," said a State Department spokesman in an October 26 press release.

The press release mentioned the economic and security benefits the two countries derived from the treaty and said that the United States remains committed to helping Israel realize peace with all of its neighbors, including the Palestinians.

Following is the text of the press release:

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
October 26, 2004

STATEMENT BY DEPUTY SPOKESMAN ADAM ERELI

JORDAN/ISRAEL: 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF JORDAN-ISRAEL PEACE TREATY

Ten years ago today, the leaders of Jordan and Israel signed a treaty of peace between the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the State of Israel. Since then, the relationship between these two countries has grown and endures. Today we honor the courage and vision of King Hussein and Yitzhak Rabin, both of whom dreamed of a better future for the people of the Middle East and took the bold step forward towards realizing that dream for the people of Jordan and Israel. Jordanians and Israelis have reaped significant benefits, including increased trade and improved security, and are moving further down the path of mutual understanding.

The United States is proud to have assisted in the birth of peace between Israel and Jordan, just as it played a key role in facilitating peace between Israel and Egypt. The U.S. aspires for a comprehensive peace between Israel and all of its neighbors, as well as with the Palestinians, and will continue to work with all parties of goodwill to expand the just, lasting, and mutually beneficial peace that Jordan and Israel have achieved.

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(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)