Statement on Signing Bill for U.S. Participation in Early Warning
System in the Sinai
(October 16, 1975)
I AM deeply gratified today to sign this important
measure which was approved last week by an overwhelming majority of
both Houses of the Congress. My signature reaffirms the commitment of
the United States to work toward a just and lasting peace for all nations
and all peoples in the Middle East.
The Sinai agreement, which American civilians will
help support, is a significant step toward an overall settlement in
the Middle East. But neither the United States nor Egypt nor Israel
see it as an end to itself.
The war in October 1973 brought home to Americans just
how dangerous another Arab-Israeli conflict would be, not only for the
people of the area but for the entire world. It also brought home the
pressing need for a just settlement of the problems which underlie the
tension and instability in that part of the world.
As a result, for 2 years our Government, with the government
of the countries directly involved, has been engaged in vigorous diplomatic
efforts to promote the prospects of peace on the basis of Security Council
Resolutions 338 and 242.
With the help and the negotiating skill of Secretary
of State Kissinger, we have made great progress, in good part because
of the trust placed in the United States by both Israel and its Arab
neighbors. This confidence must be maintained if there is to be further
progress and if the United States is to retain the mutually beneficial
relationships it has established with Israel and the Arab States.
We must continue our diplomatic efforts with the parties
in order to sustain the momentum toward peace generated by the Sinai
agreement, and the United States must accept the responsibilities which
flow from our stake in peace in the Middle East and from our bilateral
relationships which form the foundation for success in our diplomatic
efforts.
I will soon consult Congress on what is required to
sustain these bilateral relationships, just as the Administration has
consulted Congress very fully over the past month on the latest diplomatic
step, including the use of United States civilians to further the peace
process.
We anticipate the same support and understanding by
the Congress. The overall Middle East policy of the United States is
founded upon the most basic reasons of national necessity as well as
our desire to help bring peace to a region whose peoples have suffered
too much already.
I reaffirm today that we will not accept stagnation
or stalemate in the Middle East. The participation of the United States
civilians in the Sinai early warning system demonstrates that determination.
I appreciate very greatly the cooperation of the Congress
in this important contribution to stability and peace.
Thank you very much.
Sources: Public Papers of the President |