[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992-1993, Book II)]
[December 17, 1992]
[Page 2198]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



[[Page 2198]]


Remarks Prior to Discussions With Ambassador Souheil Chammas of the 
Lebanese Peace Delegation
December 17, 1992

    The President. Welcome, and my respects to people at home. And we're 
just delighted you're here at the White House. I think it's proper and 
fitting, and I'm very pleased you're here.
    Q. Are you happy with the way these talks are going, Mr. President?
    The President. You can answer, sure.
    Ambassador Chammas. Maybe we would have wished that the peace talks 
go ahead at a larger pace. But I take this opportunity to express the 
deep gratitude and recognition of the Lebanese Government on behalf of 
my President, the Prime Minister, and the political leadership, as well 
as the people of Lebanon. We think the initiative of President Bush in 
holding the Madrid conference and initiating the peace process will in 
the end be an historic landmark. And time will prove that we're right. 
Those of us who have accepted to come and join the peace process came 
knowing in the end, regardless of the difficulties, it would reach 
ultimately its fruitful conclusions. And this would be good for the 
area, its people, and all the states there.
    The President. A very good statement. A very good statement.
    Q. Do you think the deportation of 400 Palestinians will disrupt the 
talks?
    Ambassador Chammas. It will loom largely over the talks. And we 
expressly hope that President Bush, with his weight in the 
administration, will do what they think they can in order to have the 
Israeli Government rescind the decision, because in itself deportation 
is bad. And under the circumstances it will adversely affect the peace 
process, I regret to say. And if the news were to be correct that they 
could be deported to Lebanon, this will further aggravate an already 
grave situation in Lebanon. And I'm sure I will raise this with the 
President of the United States if President Bush would be kind enough to 
listen to me.
    The President. And I look forward to--[inaudible]--having a good 
discussion. Thank you all very much.

                    Note: The President spoke at 10 a.m. in the Oval 
                        Office at the White House.