Meetings with King Hassan II and Arab League Delegation
(October 22, 1982)
The President. Our meeting today with King
Hassan and the delegation is an important milestone
along the road toward a common objective: a
just and lasting peace in the Middle East.
His Majesty King Hassan and his colleagues
were forthright and helpful to us in clarifying
the positions of the Arab
League adopted last
month in Fez, Morocco. I've clarified for His
Majesty and the delegation a number of points
concerning the peace initiative that I announced
September 1st. We listened to one another's views in the spirit of good will, understanding,
and mutual respect. Peace in the Middle East means achieving security
for all the states in that troubled region -- security for the Arab
States and security for Israel and a sense of identity for the Palestinian
people. We must pursue these goals rigorously, thoughtfully, and in
close consultation with all here.
And like our guests today, we all share the hope of peace. Our mutual
goal of peace and the road to it lies through a negotiating process
which I hope can be resumed in the very near future. I hope they realize
-- all the delegation and His Majesty -- how welcome they are here in
the United States and how much we appreciate their coming here.
The King. Mr. President, I and my colleagues would like to assure you,
would like to express our gratitude for this wonderful reception we
received today and the hospitality which we have received here today.
We also would like to thank you for the depth and the good will which
we have witnessed here today as we reviewed with you the hopes of the
Arabs and their objectives, which is peace with justice and dignity.
I personally believe that we will find in the framework of Security
Council Resolution 242 and in 338 and your program, your plan for peace,
and the decisions of the Fez conference -- we will find in all these,
which will save us a lot of time, in order to achieve our noble aim
and objective which is peace and coexistence and construction for the
welfare of the region and all mankind.
Thank you very much again, Mr. President.
Note: The President spoke at 1:45 p.m. at the Diplomatic Entrance on
the South Grounds of the White House.
King Hassan II of Morocco is Chairman of the Arab League. The delegation
included Foreign Ministers Sa'ud al Faysal of Saudi Arabia, Beji Caid
es-Sebsi of Tunisia, 'Abd al-Halim Khaddam of Syria, Ahmed Taleb Ibrahimi
of Algeria, and Marwan al-Kasim of Jordan, and Shazli Klibi, Secretary
General of the Arab League.
Earlier in the day, the President and the King held a meeting in the
Cabinet Room with members of the delegation and U.S. officials. The
President and Mrs. Reagan then met separately with King Hassan and his
children. The private visit was followed by a working luncheon in the
Residence with the American and Arab League delegations
Sources: Public Papers of the President |