Thank you very much, John. It was wonderful to be serenaded by these great kids. I want you all to know that you sound an awful lot better than I did when I sang in Asia last month …
Welcome The Department of State. I want to congratulate all 160 campers—Palestinians, Jordanians, Israelis, Israeli Arabs, Egyptians, Tunisians, Qataris, Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Macedonians, Kosovars, and Yugoslavians. And my thanks also to the other VIPs here—the assembled Ambassadors, colleagues, friends of Seeds of Peace, Bobbie, Tim and Lindsay.
What is happening now in the Middle East makes what you are doing all the more important. Since its inception, you and your predecessors in Seeds have helped us understand that peace is possible. If only we can end the violence. If only we can break down the barriers of hatred and distrust.
In your anthem you just sand: “We stand hand-in-hand as we watch the bricks fall. We’ve learned from the past and fear not what’s ahead.”
That’s very good. I like that. And I commend you for your courage and for daring to believe that, no matter how bad at times things can get, a bright future still is possible.
The horrors of this past week only serve to remind us why peace is so urgent. Your lives and the lives of your generation are far too precious to be wasted on perpetuating hate and endless conflict.
Seeds of Peace not only inspires hope—Seeds of Peace creates hope. You are among the best and brightest of your generation. You have dedicated yourselves to work for peace. To speak for peace even when the voices of hate and violence and vengeance shout all around you.
Your experiences in Seeds give real content to what peace between peoples can really mean in practice. Seeds has equipped you with the skills and tools to listen not preach, to teach not lecture. Most important of all, it has shown you how to share what you have felt and learned with others.
Looking at all of you, it is easier for me and others of my generation to envision a Cyprus, a Middle East, and a Balkans free of conflict. To envision that a web of personal and economic ties will one day replace mistrust and misunderstanding. To envision a time where friendships such as those you have made as Seeds are the norm and not the exception. Where young people of different ethnic backgrounds can grow up to be good neighbors.
Like each of you, Asel Asleh was a Seeds of Peace. He lost his life last October, but he remains an enduring symbol of Hope. He embodied the Seeds’ ideals of promoting understanding and peaceful coexistence. Asel was a sensitive, caring, articulate young leader fighting the legacy of hatred to build a brighter future for Arabs and Israelis alike.
Tragically, he did not live to see the future he dreamed of, but each and every one of you must carry on for him, inspired by his memory, so that you will help create the future he wanted so much to be a part of.
Like all of you, President Bush believes, and I believe, that Asel Asleh’s vision is attainable. Not just a wonderful dream. And like you, we will keep working hard at peace.
President Bush and I, and all the people in this room who are dedicated to the principles of Seeds, will continue to do everything we can to ensure that your future will be different. That your world will be better. That your lives will be free of fear and full of opportunity.
Seeds is making a difference—one day at a time, one person at a time, one mind at a time, one heart at a time. You are terrific and I want to thank each and every on of you for what you are doing. I am honored to be a part of your outstanding program.
And now, I will be glad to answer some questions. And if I don’t get the time to answer every one now, I know that Aaron Miller will be on hand to field some more later in the program.