The seven delegations walked to the plenary hall. President Mubarak, President Clinton, Prime Minister Barak, President Arafat, King Abdullah II, Javier Solana and the Secretary-General stood together for the cameras before taking their seats. President Mubarak made opening remarks. President Clinton then laid out the broad outlines of the agreement and thanked each of the principals for their role in achieving it. Before heading home to New York via Paris, the Secretary-General issued a statement saying that he was relieved and thankful that Israeli and Palestinian leaders had stepped back from the abyss and renewed their commitment to resolve their differences by peaceful means .
Feelings run high on both sides.
Mutual mistrust is deep. There are wounds in the families and communities concerned that may take a generation to heal. He added that we need to look beyond the violence and bitterness, the pain and the hurt, beyond even the outcome of today s Summit, to a future in which Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side in a just and lasting peace.