A MARTYR'S DEATH

Choking up as he spoke of Rabin in the Rose Garden Saturday afternoon, a few yards from the spot where Rabin and Yasser Arafat signed their historic peace agreement in September, 1994, President Clinton said, "The world has lost one of its greatest men, a martyr for his nation's peace." To the Israeli people, Clinton said: "Just as America has stood by you in moments of triumph, so now we stand by you in this moment of grief. 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 defense of that peace he did so much to create. Peace must be and peace will be Prime Minister Rabin's lasting legacy." The President recalled Rabin's statement in Washington a month ago: "We should not let the land flowing with milk and honey become a land flowing with blood and tears. Don't let it happen." The President added: "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 and my friend. I admired him and I loved him very much. Because words cannot express my true feelings, let me just say Shalom, chaver -- Goodbye, friend." Clinton will leave for Israel at 4pm on Sunday to attend Rabin's funeral, accompanied by a large U.S. delegation. U.S. flags will fly at half-staff until Rabin is buried on Tuesday.