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Clinton says farewell to Israelis, Palestinians

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January 20, 2001 

JERUSALEM, JAN 19 (UNB/AP) - Outgoing U.S. President Bill Clinton send emotional farewell letters to Israelis and Palestinians through newspapers Friday, appealing to both to continue peace efforts despite the current round of violence.

Clinton has been deeply involved in Mideast peacemaking, hosting several summit meetings. Last month he offered bridging proposals in an effort to overcome the final obstacles in the way of an Israel-Palestinian peace treaty, but the two sides accepted them only with deep reservations.

Following a failed summit at the Camp David presidential retreat, peace efforts stalled. After violence erupted Sept. 28, Clinton tried several times to arrange a truce.

Members of incoming U.S. President George W. Bush's team have criticized Clinton for his personal involvement, saying that to preserve the prestige of the office, the president should leave negotiating to lower-level officials and confine his role to finalizing accords and signing treaties.

Clinton's letter to Israelis, translated into Hebrew and taking up most of the front page of the Yediot Ahronot daily, pledged his continued friendship and commitment to the Jewish state. He wrote that he has recommended that Israel be allowed to buy the most advanced U.S. fighter aircraft, the F-22, when sales begin, noting that he "helped protect and enhance your security" during his two terms in office.

In smaller articles on the front page of the Arabic-language Al Quds and Al Ayam newspapers, Clinton endorsed the right of the Palestinians to determine their own future in their land. He said he recognizes the daily humiliation and suffering the Palestinians face, but called on them not to think in terms of revenge, which would "not lead to anything but more bloodshed and death," according to the Arabic translation.

Clinton recalled his trip to Gaza in December, 1998 to address the Palestinian leadership, pointing out that he was the first president to make such a visit. He wrote that he learned about Palestinians' suffering and history there, but also their steadfastness and courage.

He appealed to the Palestinians to continue peace negotiations, despite their frustration over lack of progress. "Now more than ever, you need courageous leadership," he wrote, praising Yasser Arafat for taking the first step toward peace with Israel, but calling on the Palestinians to take the final step now, "to achieve God's will for your future and your children."

Clinton admonished the Palestinians, "None of your achievements were made through violence, and nothing can be advanced except by negotiations and peace."

In a similar message to the Israelis, Clinton admitted that the current round of violence has "shattered your confidence in the peace process," but told Israelis that it shows that peace efforts have not gone far enough.

He wrote, "Don't give up on the pursuit of peace. Not now, when it is almost within reach." He warned that even if there more conflict and violence, in the end the issues will remain the same.

Israel faces an election Feb. 6. Prime Minister Ehud Barak, who favors far-reaching concessions to the Palestinians for peace, is trailing far behind hard-liner Ariel Sharon, who has said that if elected, he will not compromise further with the Palestinians.