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Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's Address at the Desalination Facility in Ashkelon /Translation. |
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| 03/02/2004 |
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Minister of Infrastructures, my friend Yosef Paritzky,
Honorable Mayor of Ashkelon,
Director General of the Prime Minister's Office, Avigdor Itzchaky,
Directors General, CEOs in Israel and from abroad.
I admit that I am certainly excited by my visit here today. For many years, I fought for the construction of a desalination facility in Israel, being aware of the state of water resources and our future needs in light of Israel's development, population increase combined with the large number of immigrants, and the water shortage both here and in the entire region. I confess, it took me many years. I succeeded only after becoming Prime Minister. Before that, I was unable to promote this issue despite the fact that, like you, Yosef, I too had excellent assistants who worked towards realizing the matter and understood it. However, the number of obstacles in my path was endless. It is a fact that I succeeded only after reaching my current position.
I did not come here for a ceremony. The ceremony will take place in 2005 when we will be opening the spigot, or as you said, drink the first glass of water. I am here in the framework of my tracking the implementation of government resolutions made over the past few years. It was undoubtedly encouraging to hear and see the detailed explanations. It is true that we maintain regular contact, but it was good to see exactly how things stand in the field.
I would like to thank all the companies and their directors. It is most unusual that so many companies come together and succeed in cooperating. I would like to express our sincerest appreciation to all of you.
A few issues were raised here, which have not yet been resolved. There are problems regarding salt, and environmental issues (approvals from the Ministry of the Environment).
There is another issue which was raised and with which I am also familiar the supply and timely delivery of gas. Great efforts will have to be made in order to advance this issue. I think the solution you found here is a good one, and in the event of a delay in the supply of gas, it will be provided by the nearest facility of the Electricity Company, and the price of electricity will not exceed the price of gas. You raised this issue (I am not sure if you first brought to my attention, or if I first brought to your attention) the need to increase the volume of desalinated water. I think it can definitely be increased. At the time I assumed it could amount to 130 million cubic meters, and learned that the facility can produce 120 million cubic meters. We support this target and I think you too know the reason why I cannot give you an answer now there are certain legal problems. When they are resolved, we will indeed be able to increase the volume, as much as necessary or as much as possible, and both are applicable here. Increasing the volume to 120 million cubic meters is certainly important, also in light of difficulties we face in bringing in smaller companies for desalination.
I would like to say that the issue of water is exceptionally important to us. It is certainly important for the entire region, which suffers from a shortage of water. We are happy with the increased rainfalls and with the fact that the Kinneret is filling up. However, the region permanently suffers from a water shortage which will gradually worsen in the coming years.
There is no doubt that water desalination is also important in reaching regional agreements to reduce tensions, and with G-d's help, also for the achievement of peace.
I know that this is the primary issue which is currently being discussed in the media. In this regard, I would like to say that I believe we must take a number of steps to improve Israel's situation to increase the security of our citizens, improve our economy and thereby also increase aliyah, which is the answer to everything.
I do not doubt that in order to achieve this, a number of steps should be taken which are certainly painful. Let me tell you, that except for the settlers, this issue hurts me more than anyone else in the State of Israel. It is very painful to me. In spite of the difficulties, I made the decision as one who shoulders the responsibility of enabling the development of Israel with maximum security that this step must be taken. I look ahead in this regard. It is my responsibility, and my responsibility is not our daily convenience. It is my responsibility to ensure the development of Israel, as well as its security and economy in the coming years. And I repeat, this is certainly painful, and it is very painful to me. However, I am the one who shoulders this responsibility, therefore I said what I said, and I intend to implement what I said, because I believe this is what Israel will need in the coming years. It is difficult, but this is the decision I made.
I thank you all again, and would of course be happy to continue following up on your work here. Thank you very much.
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