"You take up your duties in the United States at an important moment in the relations between our countries. We are facing a historic opportunity to close the circle of peace in the Middle East," President Clinton said as he welcomed newly appointed Ambassador of Israel David Ivry to Washington.

The Ambassador presented his letter of credence to Clinton at a ceremony February 3 at the White House.

"As we are seeing in the negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, and between Israel and Syria, all sides genuinely desire peace; but overcoming a legacy of mistrust and confrontation is not easy," President Clinton said.

"Nevertheless, I believe we agree that the logic of peace has become compelling for Arabs and Israelis alike; and I believe that the difficult negotiations that still lie ahead will lead to eventual success because, increasingly, we have all come to understand that there is no better alternative."

Clinton said the United States is "committed to Israel's survival, security and well-being [and] equally committed to continuing our shared quest for a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle East."

Ambassador Ivry extended to the President the gratitude of the people of Israel for the "vital and enduring partnership forged between our two nations."

"The special relationship between the United States and Israel constitutes a central pillar of Israel's national security, without which we would be unable to take the necessary risks for peace," he said.

Ivry said the Government of Israel "is fully committed to achieving an historic reconciliation in the Middle East and ending the century-long Arab-Israeli conflict."

The Ambassador said he looks forward to working closely with the Clinton Administration "in pursuing our shared interests, as together we face the opportunities and challenges of a new century."

Following are the texts of Clinton and Ivry's remarks:

(Begin Clinton text)

THE PRESIDENT'S REPLY TO THE REMARKS OF THE NEWLY APPOINTED AMBASSADOR
OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL DAVID IVRY UPON THE OCCASION OF THE PRESENTATION OF
HIS LETTER OF CREDENCE

Mr. Ambassador:

I am pleased to accept your Letter of Credence from President Ezer Weizman, which establishes you as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Israel to the United States of America, and I acknowledge the Letter of Recall of your distinguished predecessor. Thank you for your greetings on behalf of the government and the people of Israel. I extend to you and Mrs. Ivry a warm welcome to Washington.

You take up your duties in the United States at an important moment in the relations between our countries. We are facing a historic opportunity to close the circle of peace in the Middle East. I look forward to working with you and your government as Israel and its neighbors strive to build new relationships. As we are seeing in the negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, and between Israel and Syria, all sides genuinely desire peace; but overcoming a legacy of mistrust and confrontation is not easy.

Nevertheless, I believe we agree that the logic of peace has become compelling for Arabs and Israelis alike; and I believe that the difficult negotiations that still lie ahead will lead to eventual success because, increasingly, we have all come to understand that there is no better alternative. The children of the Middle East deserve to grow up free from the threats of terror and war, in societies that are working together to build a prosperous future, manage shared resources and enrich civic life. It is in America's interest to help them do so.

The United States has witnessed with deep admiration Israel's many successes over the past fifty-two years. Israel has built strong democratic institutions; developed a modern, high-tech economy; and achieved historic peace treaties with two of its Arab neighbors. With Prime Minister Barak's bold initiatives there is a great opportunity to achieve much more. The United States will do everything it can to support Israel's efforts in this regard.

The special relationship between our two countries is a genuine partnership, built on shared understandings and values. Our people continue to enjoy the fruits of many years of close and productive economic and cultural cooperation into this first year of a new century and a new millennium.

The United States is committed to Israel's survival, security and well-being.

We are equally committed to continuing our shared quest for a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle East. We look forward to working closely with you in pursuing our common goals and interests.

I heartily welcome you as Israel's ambassador resident in Washington and wish you every success in your endeavors here.

(End Clinton text)

(Begin Ivry text)

Remarks by
His Excellency David Ivry
The Appointed Ambassador
of the State of Israel
Upon the Occasion of the Presentation of
His Letter of Credence

Dear Mr. President,

I am honored to present you with my credentials as the Ambassador of Israel to the United States of America. I stand before you at a defining moment in Israel's history, as we embark upon a final, comprehensive peace with our neighbors. At this historic juncture, fraught with promise and peril, the people of Israel are profoundly grateful for the vital and enduring partnership forged between our two nations. As such, it is my privilege to convey the heartfelt wishes of my countrymen, as well as warmest personal regards from President Weizman, Prime Minister Barak and Foreign Minister Levy.

The special relationship between the United States and Israel constitutes a central pillar of Israel's national security, without which we would be unable to take the necessary risks for peace. The Government of Israel is fully committed to achieving an historic reconciliation in the Middle East and ending the century-long Arab-Israeli conflict. We have set bold timetables for reaching a permanent settlement with the Palestinians, are engaged in historic talks with Syria, while at the same time working to reinvigorate the multilateral process and normalize Israel's relations with Arab and Islamic states near and far.

While fully aware of the painful decisions ahead, we know that Israel is not alone in this endeavor. The United States and Israel share a unique partnership that is broad-based and bipartisan. America's ironclad commitment to Israel's qualitative edge and ability to defend itself is vital to Israel's security and stability in the region. The United States has continuously demonstrated its commitment to the pursuit of peace in the Middle East, while staunchly supporting Israel's security needs and helping minimize the risks and costs involved.

On a personal note, Mr. President, while U.S.-Israel relations have grown stronger in the latter part of the twentieth century, they have prospered markedly under your leadership, culminating in a series of measures aimed at significantly enhancing our unique bilateral relationship and strategic partnership. Having been intimately involved in this dialogue over the years as director general of Israel's Ministry of Defense and chief Israeli representative to the U.S.-Israel strategic dialogue, I am especially proud of this remarkable achievement. On several occasions, I was privileged to escort the late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin to the Oval Office, where I personally witnessed the warm relationship you shared. In the same spirit of friendship and cooperation, I look forward to working with your Administration to further enhance the relationship between our two countries.

Whereas strategic interests lay at the forefront of the U.S.-Israel relationship, our shared democratic values, common heritage and fundamental interests form its bedrock. The broad cooperation between our two governments and peoples encompasses the heights of human endeavor while transcending politics and geography. Joint projects in space and science, water resources and regional development enrich the tapestry of U.S.-Israel relations while making our region a better place.

I look forward to working closely with your Administration in pursuing our shared interests, as together we face the opportunities and challenges of a new century.

(End Ivry text)

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State.)