Ambassador
James B. Cunningham

Biography

Speeches

American Embassy Tel Aviv – Press Section
U.S. Ambassador James B. Cunningham
“15 Years Since the Treaty Between Israel and Jordan”

Hebrew University, Jerusalem
October 26, 2009

AMBASSADOR CUNNINGHAM: Good morning. Thank you to the Truman Institute for inviting me to join you again. Distinguished guests, there is a wonderful Hebrew expression: “May we meet on happy occasions.” This is indeed a happy occasion. It is my pleasure to be here again. Only six months ago in this room we celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Egypt-Israel Treaty. Today, we commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Israel-Jordan Agreement and to pay tribute to the courage and vision of two great leaders: King Hussein and Prime Minister Rabin. These men continue to be an inspiration to all of us as we work toward peace between Israelis and Arabs.

Both men dreamed of a better life for their peoples and for the peoples of the entire region. They took the monumental steps necessary to create a permanent peace. Both leaders demonstrated an overwhelming commitment at tremendous personal sacrifice.

The United States values its long and close relationship with both Israel and Jordan. While the majority of credit for the agreement belongs to King Hussein and Prime Minister Rabin, my country also provided valuable support in pursuit of the agreement. After two years of discussions in Washington, Israelis and Jordanians – King Hussein and Prime Minister Rabin – reached a common agenda in September 1993 and in July 1994 signed the Washington Declaration with President Clinton as a witness. Then exactly 15 years ago today after a series of bilateral meetings they signed a treaty of peace at the Arava Crossing also in the presence of President Clinton.

Ambassador Sam Lewis noted that no other major power in history has expended so much diplomatic effort over so many decades to try to mediate peace among foreign nations as has the United States. The United States took some very practical steps to create the condition in which peacemaking could prosper. We worked with Jordan on debt relief, helped with military modernization and assisted Jordan international trade. For Israel, the Oslo Accords provided political space to proceed with Palestinian talks.

In some ways, the vision of King Hussein and Prime Minister Rabin has been realized. There is a peaceful border between Israel and Jordan, trade relations and cooperative projects particularly in preserving a fragile and shared environment.

As we all know, though, peace agreements notwithstanding, relations between states experience ups and downs in periods of agreement and periods of tension. A peace agreement and the establishment of relations provided the critical mechanism for resolving disagreements. Diplomatic relations and communications channels allow for ongoing dialogue. These achievements are extremely important as we have heard already and we will hear again. However, there are opportunities for cooperation and mutual benefit between Israel and Jordan that have yet to be realized.

We hope and trust the relationship will continue to develop including in the context of progress towards resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

President Obama met with King Abdullah and Foreign Minister (Nasser) Judeh in recent months. The President used the opportunity to express his appreciation for Jordan’s leadership in working with other Arab states to support peace with deeds as well as with words. The President and the King agreed on the need to launch Israeli-Palestinian negotiations as soon as possible. President Obama underscored his strong support for Jordan’s efforts to work with other Arab states to reach out to Israel and to make gestures that would demonstrate the meaning of the Arab Peace Initiative.

Then, of course, the President subsequently met with Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Abbass together in New York only a month ago.

The Administration is determined to get negotiations restarted as soon as possible. As you know, this was the first meeting between Israelis and Palestinians at this level in nearly a year. Even ten months ago, such a meeting did not seem possible.

Less than a week before President Obama took office, conflict was raging in Gaza and Southern Israel, causing deep suffering on both sides. Therefore, the meeting in New York was an important step in publicly reconfirming that both parties share the goal of a two-state solution and a comprehensive peace. The United States remains committed to helping them get there.

In his meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Abbass, President Obama noted that it is difficult to disentangle ourselves from history, but we must do so. He also emphasized that all must take risks for peace.

I point again to the examples of both the Israeli-Egyptian and the Israeli-Jordanian Agreements. No agreement comes without pain and without cost. But these two treaties demonstrate the enormous value and benefits to be gained over the long run.

It was made clear to our friends that neither side should hold out for the perfect formula. The issues at hand can only be resolved through direct negotiations and the President would like them to start as soon as possible without pre-conditions.

While there are differences in the parties’ position on core issues, such differences exist at the outset of every negotiation. If we accepted that such differences would remain unbridgeable, no conflict would ever be resolved. All parties must take responsibility for peace.

I salute again Jordan’s leadership in this regard and its contribution of sustained consistent support which has launched a serious effort to build a viable and independent Palestinian state that serves its people.

We do not seek negotiations for the sake of negotiations. We want more peace and less process. As we are all here in the course of the day today, progress can be made and will be made through determined, patient and persevering engagement in negotiations.

Today, we celebrate the example set by Jordan and Israel and really by their leaders fifteen years ago. I hope and believe that one day we will be able to repeat the expression “may we meet on happy occasions” at a conference in honor of the Israeli-Palestinian Treaty.

Thank you very much.