But it is the parties themselves who must make the major effort to begin seriously this much needed peacemaking process. Otherwise, no progress toward peace will be made. In recent weeks some progress in this direction, I think, has been achieved. So tonight I appeal and I urge the leaders of the Middle East to try to maintain and to accelerate their dialogue. I urge them to put their views out on the table, to begin talking the substance of peace.
Many channels are open.
How the talking is done at the outset is not very important tonight. But we just must not lose whatever momentum exists for peace. And, in the end, those who must live together must, in the words of Isaiah, learn to reason together. The position of the United States rests on the principles of peace that I outlined on June 19, 1967. That statement remains the foundation of American policy.