    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book I)]
    [July 27, 1993]
    [Page 1193]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Exchange With Reporters Prior to a Meeting With Congressional Leaders
    July 27, 1993

    Economic Program

        Q. Mr. President, are these your ``delay in gridlock'' friends?
        The President. These are my friends. This group had always supported
    an aggressive approach to deficit reduction, the balanced approach.

    Middle East Peace Talks

        Q. Are you sure?
        Why is Secretary Christopher coming back?
        The President. Because I want to talk with him about the Middle East
    before he goes there.
        Q. Do you think the peace process is in jeopardy, sir?
        The President. Well, I hope not. I certainly have no reason to
    believe that it is, but obviously I'm concerned about it. I think the
    Syrians have shown commendable restraint so far. And I don't think we
    should let Hezbollah and all these groups that don't want anything good
    to happen in the Middle East derail the peace process by what they do. I
    don't think we should, any of us, should allow that. I mean, I really
    want something to happen there. So I'm very hopeful. But I thought that
    in view of the events there, that he ought to come home, and we ought to
    have a conversation about it before he goes to the Middle East.

    Note: The exchange began at 10:20 a.m. in the Roosevelt Room at the
    White House. A tape was not available for verification of the content of
    this exchange.