In the long and continuing struggle for harmony in the Middle East , there is no more lasting or devoted peace-seeker than twice elected Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres. The winner of the 1994 Nobel Peace Prize, Mr. Peres has dedicated his entire adult life to the formation of his country and the realization of peace between Israel and her neighbors. In the 1970's, he served as Israel 's minister of defense, and in the 1980's, as Prime Minister, he saved the Israeli economy from near collapse. As Foreign Minister and Prime Minister in the 1990's, he was the key architect of the historic Oslo Peace Accords. In March 2001, Mr. Peres was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister in the National Unity government headed by Ariel Sharon, serving until October 2002 when he resigned together with the other Labor ministers. He is the founder of the Peres Center for Peace, a non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting peace and economic stability in the Middle East . In his speeches, Mr. Peres shares the historic story of the realization of Israel and the dramatic events that have comprised its first fifty years. He shares with a statesman's confidence and experience the burdens he faced as Prime Minister and predicts the future for his country and the Middle East . Mr. Peres lives in Israel and makes frequent trips to the United States .
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