American Embassy Tel Aviv Press Section

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Richard H. Jones

The Inauguration Ceremony

IDAN Division Storage Base “Nachshonim”

December 6, 2005

AMBASSADOR JONES:  I am pleased to take part in this great event today.  Over the past four and a half years since the laying of the cornerstone by my predecessor, Daniel Kurtzer, we have watched the progress as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, its partners from the IDF and their contractors have turned an inhospitable field into the magnificent storage facility that you see all around you.

Under the terms of the Wye River accords the United States agreed to fund several separation bases for the Israeli Defense Forces.  Here at Nachshonim we see the culmination of the largest part of that commitment -  a fully operational base to store the equipment of the entire IDAN Israeli Reserve Division. 

The Corps of Engineers and its contractor, Joint Venture AAB, have overcome many obstacles to provide a superior quality facility for the Division and its Brigades that will operate from here.  I congratulate you all on your success. 

The creation of this base represents a truly cooperative effort.  Working side by side with the Corps of Engineers, members of the Ministry of Defense and the IDF have worked tirelessly to resolve issues and to provide support.  Without that support, this project would not have succeeded.  I commend the many architects and engineers who contributed to the design of this facility.   I know they are proud to have been a part of this effort, and well they should be.  

The inauguration of this base represents only a small portion of the U.S. commitment to peace in Israel.  But it is significant, as it comprises half  -- fully 50 percent -- of the military-related construction generated by the Wye River Accords.  This represents a success story among the many initiatives that have been undertaken.  It was accomplished with much hard work and dedication and I pledge that we will continue to work to provide the same level of commitment in the future.

This base also represents one of the cornerstones of United States policy in the Middle East, our steadfast support for Israel's security.  The base is a tangible demonstration of our belief that Israel is better prepared to make peace when it is capable of defending itself against current and future threats in the region. 

The IDF played a crucial role in Israel's disengagement from Gaza, the most significant development in the movement towards peace for many years.  The unwavering discipline, compassion, and sense of duty displayed by Israel's soldiers and police in September and October of this year were justifiably praised throughout the world, as was Prime Minister Sharon's political courage in undertaking this initiative.

Israel and the Palestinians continue to pursue progress as evidenced by the recent Agreement on Movement and Access and the related set of Agreed Principles for the Rafah Crossing which were announced recently in Jerusalem after Secretary Rice’s all-night negotiations with Israeli and Palestinian officials. These agreements are intended to give the Palestinian people more control over their lives, the freedom to move, to trade, to live ordinary lives, while at the same time ensuring that Israel's security needs are met.

U.S. policy remains firmly anchored in President Bush’s vision -- first enumerated in June of 2002 -- of two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security.  There is clearly more work to be done to realize this historic vision, as evidenced by the terrible bombing in Netanya yesterday.  Even as Israel wages peace, it must be able to defend itself.  This base is a part of that mission and a reflection of U.S. and Israel’s joint commitment to the security of the region.

Mr. Golan and COL Liberman, you are fortunate to have the professionals on your staff to execute this project.  COL Burcham, you have a solid team here in Israel.  They are an important part of our Embassy community.  We look forward to continuing to work with them on this and all your future projects and we hope that there will be many.

To the soldiers and men of the IDAN Division and to the entire IDF, you can be proud of these facilities.  I know they will serve you well.  They are some of the finest military facilities in the country.  Enjoy them as you join your dispersed Brigades at this State of the Art Maintenance and Storage Facility.  As you do so, please be confident of the friendship and the support of the United States of America today and always.

Thank you very much.

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