I Have Been Enriched Here

By: K.H. Abdurrahman Wahid

We are here in a conference that gives us a much better understanding of the problems we face in the Mideast: from the Roadmap envisioned by the negotiators, to Congressman Gilman’s account of the environment in the valley of the Jordan River.

People from widely different backgrounds meet each other here, make lifelong friends here because of a common faith in God, and go home enriched by all the meetings we have in so short a time. For me, personally, it means a long trip, about eight thousand miles, but it is worth it. Even though I cannot come to all the sessions because I have to meet different US officials (among them this time, a man from the American Jewish Committee), I think it is very worthwhile.

I, too, have been enriched by my experience here. This kind of conference is needed because we have a very intricate and complicated problem to deal with. It is also valuable because it yields so much information and gives us so many memories. When we depart, we do it with sorrow but also with happiness, as we all find the experience here worthwhile.

Thank you all, especially the IIFWP, for allowing us to gather here and giving us a chance to air our differences concerning the Middle East problems and the Roadmap to a peaceful solution. That is the purpose of this meeting, so we can know the feelings and hear the views of all the participants. Thank you very much. May God bless you all.