USA: RABIN ASSASSINATION: PRESIDENT CLINTON'S REACTION

(5 Nov 1995) English/Nat

U-S President Bill Clinton choked back tears as he paid tribute to the assassinated Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.

Clinton, who presided over the 1994 peace accord between Israel and the P-L-O, spoke of his sadness and urged others to continue the work towards peace which Rabin had done much to achieve.

Peace must be and will be the Prime Minister's lasting legacy, said the President.

The U-S President walked slowly out to the waiting media in the Rose Garden of the White House - not far from the spot where Yitzhak Rabin and Yasser Arafat signed their historic accord in 1994.

His tribute to Rabin was glowing and heartfelt.

SOUNDBITE:
"The world has lost one of its greatest men, a warrior for his nation's freedom, and now a martyr for his nation's peace. To Leah Rabin and her children, Hillary and I send our love and our prayers. To the people of Israel I want you to know that the hearts and prayers of all Americans are with you. Just as America has stood by you in moments of crisis and trial, so now we all stand by you in this moment of grieving and loss. For half a century Yitzhak Rabin risked his life to defend his country - today he gave his life to bring it a lasting peace. His last act, his last words, were in defence of that peace he did so much to create. Peace must be and peace will be Prime Minister Rabin's lasting legacy. Tonight the land for which he gave his life is in mourning, but I want the world to remember what Prime Minister Rabin said here at the White House barely one month ago, and I quote: We should not let the land flowing with milk and honey become a land flowing with blood and tears. Don't let it happen. Now it falls to us, all those in Israel, throughout the Middle East and around the world who yearn for and love peace to make sure it doesn't happen. Yitzhak Rabin was my partner, he was my friend. I admired him and I loved him very much. Because words cannot express my true feelings, let me just say, Shalom Havere, Goodbye Friend"
SUPER CAPTION: Bill Clinton, U-S President

The President was visibly overcome with emotion as he concluded his tribute.

The United States flag was flying at half-mast at the White House as a sign of respect for the late Israeli leader.

Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter:   / ap_archive  
Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​
Instagram:   / apnews  


You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...