    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book II)]
    [November 12, 1993]
    [Pages 1960-1961]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Exchange With Reporters Prior to Discussions With Prime Minister Yitzhak
    Rabin of Israel
    November 12, 1993

    Middle East Peace Process

        Q. Mr. President, are you considering a stop in the Middle East
    during your Europe trip in January to help the momentum of the Middle
    East peace process?

        The President. The Prime Minister and I are going to talk about what
    we can do to keep this going, but that's not one of the things that's
    been raised so far by anyone.

    [At this point, one group of reporters left the room, and another group
    entered.]

        Q. President Clinton, is King Hussein strong enough to make peace
    with Israel before President Asad?

        The President. I think he's in a good position to proceed now. And
    of course, we all have come out for a process that will lead to
    comprehensive peace in the Middle East. But I think King Hussein
    obviously wants peace, and the recent elections must surely encourage
    him. I think the people of Jordan want peace.

        Q. Do you think there's a chance to reach any progress with the
    Syrians?

        The President. I hope so. We're going to discuss that today and a
    number of other issues. Over the long run, I think we'll have to make
    progress with everyone.

    PLO Terrorism

        Q. Mr. Prime Minister, what's your comment on the involvement of PLO
    people in the kidnaping and killing of an Israeli?

        Prime Minister Rabin. We consider it as a great and dangerous
    violation of the commitment of the PLO. In the letter that was signed by
    the Chairman of the PLO to me, he committed himself to renounce and
    reject terrorism. Keeping commitments is the basis for the advancement
    towards peace. We'll keep our commitments; we demand them to keep their
    commitments and to come up openly in renouncing

    [[Page 1961]]

    and taking the disciplined measures to which he is committed, as it is
    written in the letter that he signed and sent to me.

    Note: The exchange began at 10:41 a.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House. A tape was not available for verification of the content of this
    exchange.