Peace requires the active involvement of the international community. The critical role played by the United States, and especially the relentless dedication and unequivocal commitment of President Bill Clinton, has been massive and constructive. We have also seen the European Union rising to the task, and we commend the role of the French Presidency and that of other key European governments. Peace needs your advice and it will need your support to cement it once it is achieved. I believe that it is also important that Russia, Asia and the Arab world express their opinion that now is the time to make historical decisions.
Time is an elusive and perishable commodity.
We are all running out of it. Mr. President, a major goal of the State of Israel upon it establishment was to become a constructive member of the family of nations. As an integral part of that family, we have, throughout the years, shared with other countries our experience in nation-building, immigration absorption and development and modernization processes. Israel has volunteered worldwide its experience and expertise in agriculture, crop improvement, water management, arresting desertification, medicine, education, computer sciences, environmental policies and democracy. We are open to developing wide spaces of cooperation with our Palestinian neighbours and indeed with all the countries of the Middle East.