Warm greetings to Americans everywhere during this joyous Christmas season.

We're not expecting that they will. The kinds of issues that we engage in in the commission are clearly in the mutual interest of both countries.

The Gore-Chernomyrdin Commission itself is the expression of that.

Russia is deliberating now on whether or not to sign the implementing documents that would create a work plan for them in Partnership for Peace.

We have a very strong relationship with Russia.

I think we have to keep doing it.

The agenda we have embraced is ambitious and worthy.

I want to build on that.

It is fitting that this achievement be recognized by award of the Nobel Peace Prize and that the presentation take place in Norway.

On behalf of the American people I wish to extend congratulations to Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, Chairman Yasser Arafat, and Foreign Minister Shimon Peres on being selected as the Nobel Peace Prize laureates for 1994.

I want to begin by saying a special thank you, because this agreement and the good faith that has been followed in adhering to it has been good for the working families of the United States.