By the Associated Press
Accord-signing ceremony at the White House
Friday, October 23, 1998

HUSSEIN: Mr. President, Mr. Vice President, Mrs. Albright, Secretary of State, my friend Sandy Berger and, of course, all our friends here and all our friends who played such a vital part in the last few days in which I was privileged to be an observer and one who sought to give courage through the process that was ongoing. George Tenet.

And as the president said, Dennis has lost his black hair and -- me, I have lost all mine, even my eyebrows.

But this is part of the life which we live and I'm privileged to be with you all.

And no matter where I would have been, if I had an ounce of strength -- I would have done my utmost to be there and to help in any way I can.

By the way, many in our part of the world, in different parts of the world have written me off. But I have a lot of faith in God. And I believe that one lives one's destiny.

And as far as I'm concerned, my morale is the highest it has ever been. And this has been a shot in the arm for me what you have accomplished today, President Arafat and Prime Minister Netanyahu and (off microphone).

I recall in this gathering the past two times over many years and one thing that remained with me throughout those many years was the thought of commitment to the cause of peace. We quarrel, we agree. We are friendly, we are not friendly. But we have no right to dictate through irresponsible action or narrow-mindedness the future of our children and our children's children.

There has been enough destruction, enough death, enough waste.

And it's time that together we occupy a place beyond ourselves, our peoples that is worthy of them and their sons, the descendants of the children of Abraham, Palestinians and Israelis coming together.

I have attended previous occasions here. And of course you, Mr. President, together with the late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, were my partners four years ago in the Washington Declaration, and later on when the state of peace was finalized and our meeting in Jordan and in Aqaba.

I don't think we might have given you as much hard work or less sleep than you have been subjected to of late.

But what I found this time and what really gives me hope and confidence is that that same chemistry, after the first meeting between Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Arafat, is there. I think that we've passed the crossroad. We have made our commitment to the welfare and happiness and security and future of our peoples in all the times to come.

And now, while our partners are (off microphone) -- and we wish them every success in their endeavors, and we'll do everything we can to help them.

I think such a step as is concluded today will inevitably trigger those who want to destroy life, destroy hope, create fear in the hearts and minds of people, trigger in them their worst instincts. They'll be skeptical on the surface, but if they can they will cause damage -- wherever they are and wherever they belong.

Let's hope that the overwhelming majority of us, those who are committed to the future, those who know what responsibilities they hold now will be able -- through steady progress and a determined, combined, joint effort -- be able to thwart their aims and their objectives, and move -- and maybe, God willing, witness the dawn that we are always seeking of a comprehensive peace in our entire region.

Mr. President, I have had the privilege of being a friend of the United States and presidents since the late President Eisenhower. And throughout all the years that have passed, I have kept in touch. But on the subject of peace, the peace we are seeking, I have never -- with all due respect and all the affection that I have for your predecessors -- have known someone with your dedication, clear-headedness, focus and determination to help resolve this issue in the best possible way.

Mr. President, permit me to say what I feel. I was mentioning it more than once in the last few days. You have the tolerance and the patience of Job.

And you are the subject of our admiration and respect.

And we hope that you will be with us as we see greater successes, and as we help our brethren and our friends move ahead towards a better tomorrow.

On behalf of Noor and for (off microphone) and colleagues of mine from Jordan, thank you all for your great kindness. And thank you, our Israeli friends in this very fine delegation, for all your contributions and efforts. And obviously, my pride is limitless in the efforts and in the commitment of President Arafat and his colleagues.

I think we are moving. We are not marking time, but we are moving in the right direction. I believe that very sincerely, and may God bless our efforts.

Thank you very much.