    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1994, Book II)]
    [October 26, 1994]
    [Pages 1874-1877]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 1874]]

    The President's News Conference With President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt in
    Cairo
    October 26, 1994

        President Mubarak. Good morning. It is a source of great pleasure
    for me to welcome President Clinton and his able assistants in Cairo on
    behalf of the people of Egypt. We look upon President Clinton with great
    admiration and esteem. He's a man of courage and conviction, a man of
    ideals and action alike.
        Since he has assumed his awesome responsibilities, he has
    demonstrated an exceptional ability to combine his evident concern over
    domestic matters with a genuine interest in foreign policy. Under his
    leadership, the United States has played a pivotal role in the
    maintenance of world peace and security. Such a role is indispensable in
    an era of profound change and--[inaudible]. It was only natural that the
    Middle East received much attention from the President and the American
    people.
        During the past 2 years, much has been achieved on the road to
    peace. To a great extent, this was due to the active role the Clinton
    administration undertook with vigor and perseverance. And it has been a
    success story all along.
        We are not unmindful of the obstacles that remain on the road to a
    comprehensive and lasting peace. But we are determined to pursue that
    goal with vigor and determination. As you move to consolidate the steps
    which were taken on the Palestinian and Jordanian tracks, we cannot lose
    sight of the centrality of the Syrian and Lebanese track. Today I
    discussed with President Clinton the necessity of making meaningful
    progress on these tracks. I assured our guests that President Asad is
    wholeheartedly committed to a just and honorable peace. So is the
    Lebanese leadership. Hence, we should spare no effort in order to reach
    that goal without delay. In the weeks ahead, we shall work together and
    more in harmony toward that end.
        We must rekindle hope in the hearts of the peace-loving forces in
    the region. And with the same goal we must fight despair and violence.
    We deplore the killing of innocent people and attempts to spread fear
    and hatred. The time has come for healing all wounds of the past and of
    creating a better future for Arabs as well as Israelis.
        President Clinton, you have made a great contribution to the
    solidification of the ever-growing friendship between our two nations.
    Through your words and deeds alike you have cemented our partnership for
    peace and development. This role is highly appreciated by our people.
        In our discussion this morning we explored new ways and means for
    strengthening our cooperation even further. We are determined to make it
    a stable and everlasting aspect of our policy.
        In short, we are in agreement that this relationship, which is based
    on mutual respect and mutuality, is a constant element of progress and
    stability, a model for cooperation and solidarity among nations.
        Much credit goes to you, Mr. President, and your vision and sound
    judgment. I wish you success in the efforts you are exerting during this
    trip. Your decision to make Cairo your first stop is a good omen, for it
    is here in this proud city that the first and most difficult steps and
    decisions towards peace were taken.
        May God Almighty bless your endeavor and guide your steps. And thank
    you.
        President Clinton. Thank you. Thank you, President Mubarak.
        It is fitting that we begin this day, which will include the
    celebration of a new peace between Israel and Jordan, in Egypt with
    President Mubarak. Egypt's courageous example set at Camp David and
    President Mubarak's tireless leadership in the peace process have paved
    the way to the historic progress we celebrate on this day. Mr.
    President, this region, indeed, the entire international community, owe
    to you and your nation a deep debt of gratitude. Egypt led the way. And
    I am proud to stand here with you, the United States is proud to stand
    with Egypt as partners in the pursuit of peace.
        Today I reaffirmed to President Mubarak my commitment to do all I
    can to achieve a comprehensive settlement. The peace we seek calls on
    the parties to do more than lay down arms. We seek reconciliation
    between peoples, cooperation between governments joined by a vision of
    shared destiny. The United States has walked each step with Egypt.
    Despite many sac-

    [[Page 1875]]

    rifices, the journey to peace has brought Egypt to better times. After
    so many years of conflict and so many casualties, no Egyptian has died
    in battle against Israel since 1973.
        Now we're on the verge of seeing those and other benefits extend
    throughout the region. I salute President Mubarak for the crucial role
    he has played in bringing the Palestinians and the Israelis together.
    Your work helped make possible the historic handshake between Prime
    Minister Rabin and Chairman Arafat in the White House last year.
        To keep moving on that front, President Mubarak and I have just met
    with Chairman Arafat. We had a useful discussion about the need to fully
    implement the Declaration of Principles between the Palestinian
    Liberation Organization and Israel. We reviewed the progress toward
    elections and the early empowerment of Palestinian authorities in the
    West Bank.
        I made it clear that the United States places great importance on
    establishing strong and accountable democratic institutions. I also told
    Chairman Arafat that as the Palestinian administration starts to work on
    setting up a system to raise revenues, the United States will lead an
    international effort to support the Israeli-Palestinian agreement on
    early empowerment in the West Bank.
        We also discussed a matter of great urgency, the absolute necessity
    to combat Hamas and all other extremist groups using terror to
    perpetuate hatred. We agreed that the same courage is needed to fight
    the enemies of peace that Chairman Arafat showed in making peace.
        I want to reaffirm that the United States will stand with all
    friends of peace. Terrorists must not be allowed--must not be allowed--
    to intimidate the peoples of this region into abandoning the peace
    process. At this moment of opportunity, those who perpetuate violence
    pose the greatest threat to the Palestinian people and to all Arab
    people. The enemies of peace are desperate, but they must not defeat the
    hopeful forces of the future.
        President Mubarak and I discussed our determination to stand as
    partners in this and many other efforts. We have worked on many things
    around the world in the past; we do in the present. I congratulated him
    again on the success of the remarkable population conference here at
    Cairo. We will continue to work together on many fronts, including the
    need to stand up and repel the Iraqi threat to Kuwait.
        Our countries share a commitment to promote economic growth in Egypt
    as well. At my request, the Vice President met with President Mubarak
    when he was in Cairo in September, and they initiated a new partnership
    for economic growth. Earlier this week our two countries agreed to
    establish new committees to support this partnership. The Vice President
    will be saying more about that in the next few months. I believe he'll
    have the opportunity to come back here.
        Again, let me thank President and Mrs. Mubarak for their gracious
    reception. And let me thank President Mubarak especially again for his
    leadership in this process. I am confident we would not be where we are
    today had it not been for him.
        Thank you, sir.

    Middle East Peace Process

        Q. I'd like to ask both President Mubarak and President Clinton how
    Chairman Arafat responded to your saying that it is an absolute
    necessity to combat Hamas and other groups of terror and how both of you
    interpret Chairman Arafat's comment about the Israel-Jordan agreement,
    saying that those who support it should drink sea water?
        President Mubarak. Chairman Arafat is very keen to put the violence
    of Hamas to an end. I remember when one of the events took place a
    couple of weeks ago, he did his utmost and he captured several of the
    people of Hamas when he heard that the man--the soldier is still in
    Gaza, although it proved that the man was not in Gaza. He came here the
    second day, and Secretary Christopher was here, and he told him about
    the effort which Arafat did to avoid this trouble. Hamas needs
    cooperation between both sides, so as not to spoil the peace process and
    the progress of peace in the area.
        President Clinton. I felt that we got a very firm and unambiguous
    response. Certainly, the position that I took, the position that
    President Mubarak took was very firm and unambiguous. And Chairman
    Arafat said he would continue to do all he could to combat terrorism,
    specifically Hamas but other groups as well. And I am satisfied with the
    response that he gave, and I believe he will attempt to implement it.
        We discussed that and a whole range of other issues. But I believe,
    on this issue, he will continue to do that. He understands, I think,
    clearly that Hamas is his enemy now, that once you

    [[Page 1876]]

    become a partner in the peace process you have to fight for peace and
    those who seek to undermine it are seeking to undermine you. I think he
    clearly understands that. And I was satisfied with the answer I
    received. And we will have to now proceed to achieve the results. But I
    think the understanding there is clear.
        Q. And what about the Israel-Jordan treaty, his response----
        President Clinton. We did not discuss his comments yesterday. I can
    tell you this: I think that this is a great day, and I think that it
    will continue the process. And I agree with President Mubarak, we have
    to also move on with Syria and with Lebanon. But clearly, the peace
    process is moving in the right direction.
        Q. U.S. President, you are the first American President to visit
    Syria in 20 years. Do you expect to narrow the gap between the Israeli
    and the Syrian viewpoints or produce a breakthrough on this track before
    the end of 1994?
        President Clinton. I expect that we will make some progress. I
    expect that we will narrow the gap. I do not expect this trip to Syria
    to produce a dramatic breakthrough in the immediate aftermath of the
    trip, but I believe we have made a good deal of progress in the last few
    months. I have been quite encouraged by that, and it is on that basis
    and my conviction that both President Asad and Prime Minister Rabin and
    their two peoples want to continue to work for peace that I go to Syria.
        In terms of the timing of a breakthrough, I don't want to commit
    myself to that because that really is up to the parties. They must
    determine the substance and the timing. But I believe we should move as
    quickly as possible, and I am pushing it as quickly as possible. I
    cannot give you a date.
        Q. President Clinton, earlier this week your Secretary of State
    spoke in Washington, and he talked about putting international pressure
    on Iran to deal with Hamas. He didn't name the Western states, but it's
    clear that there are some, perhaps including Germany and France, that
    are believed to be trading with Iran. What kind of international effort
    do you plan to lead to crack down on Iran? And I'm wondering whether
    President Mubarak can talk about perhaps what the Arab world might be
    willing to do to put pressure on other terrorist states as well.
        President Clinton. Well, first of all, let me say that what we want
    to do with regard to Hamas and these other terrorist groups is to try to
    move to put pressure on all points of support for them that we are able
    to determine. And that would include an effort that would go beyond
    Iran.
        Obviously, there are things that can be done that are well-known to
    all of you in the form of refraining from having economic relations. And
    we're going to ask all of our friends throughout the world to support
    this, all the people who are the friends of peace and the enemies of
    terrorism. We ask them to recognize that they cannot have it both ways.
        Q. President Clinton, in connection with terrorism, and also
    Chairman Arafat, how will the U.S. objectively evaluate what he is doing
    to combat terrorism? And is there any plan that the U.S. would have to
    peg the amount of money that it would raise for the implementation of
    the agreement between Israel and PLO to his cracking down on terrorism?
        President Clinton. Let me answer the second part of that question
    first, because I think it's important to get this out. There was
    absolutely no discussion of tying any effort--of aid by the United
    States or the international community to this effort. The effort to
    combat terrorism is the first step that is the precondition to making
    the whole peace process work.
        So we did discuss the need that we have always acknowledged and
    supported to continue with elections in the territories, to have
    economic development assistance. But there was no quid pro quo
    discussion. Chairman Arafat started the discussion himself with his
    desire to combat terrorist groups and with his willingness to do all
    that he could.
        I think that we would all admit that it is impossible to guarantee
    100 percent success in any effort. I mean, in the United States we're
    not 100 percent successful in combating crime or organized crime. What
    we want is 100 percent effort. And I think it will be obvious to the
    Israelis, who are partners in the peace process with the PLO, and to the
    United States and to the other parties whether that effort is being
    made. I must say that from my own observation, based on what our own
    people have told me, there has been an increasing effort in the last
    several weeks on the part of Chairman Arafat and the authorities in the
    territories to do what they can on this front. And I think it will
    continue to increase. And I think President Mubarak agrees with that.

    [[Page 1877]]

        President Mubarak. Yes, I agree with that.
        Q. President Clinton, sir, what is the statement you're making after
    speaking so strongly against terrorism by visiting Syria, a country
    which the U.S. still labels as an advocate of terrorism?
        And President Mubarak, please, did you discuss the issue of the
    sanctions imposed against Libya with President Clinton, and if so, do
    you hope for a lifting--a complete or partial lifting of these sanctions
    soon?
        President Clinton. Let me answer the Syrian question first and then
    defer to President Mubarak.
        Terrorism is still an issue between our two countries, and it cannot
    be ignored. But the most successful way to end terrorism in this part of
    the world is to have a comprehensive peace in the Middle East. Syria is
    a partner in the peace process. We are making progress in that process.
    I believe President Asad wants a comprehensive peace and wants an end to
    terrorism as a part of that. And therefore, I think it would be a
    mistake for me not to take this opportunity, since I'm in the region, to
    try to go to Syria to further the peace process.
        President Mubarak. Concerning the sanctions in Libya and Iraq, we
    just touched these two issues in general. They were on my agenda. We
    just had a very short discussion about it.
        Q. Are we still at the status quo now as it is, or will there be
    developments with regards to these sanctions?
        President Mubarak. This needs further discussions with the United
    States.
        Q. The question from Egyptian television is addressed to the two
    heads of state. President Clinton, President Mubarak, what's the
    American viewpoint and the Egyptian viewpoint respectively on the delay
    on implementation of self-rule in the territories?
        President Clinton. The American viewpoint is that we should proceed
    as quickly as we can. We want to have--we want to support the elections
    process, and we want to support the multinational development process in
    the territories. And we do support that. We also are very sensitive to
    and understand the security concerns of Israel. So one of the things
    that I had hoped to do in my meeting with Chairman Arafat, and again in
    my meetings in Israel, is to try to work through the differences on both
    sides about that so we can proceed with the elections and proceed with
    the development process. I think we should do it sooner rather than
    later, giving proper concern to the security needs of Israel.
        President Mubarak. Concerning the Egyptian point of view toward
    this, we are with the continuation of the implementation of the
    declaration principles. But if we are going to respond to terroristic
    action, this will delay the peace process and this will not lead to any
    security and any comprehensive peace in the whole area.
        Thank you very much.
        Q. And Mr. President, please, did Chairman Arafat ask your
    assistance or mediation to solve the problem of the holy places in
    Jerusalem between Jordan and Palestine?
        President Clinton. No, we did not discuss that at all.
        President Mubarak. Let's just leave it at that.

    Note: The President's 75th news conference began at approximately 9:45
    a.m. at El-Qubbeh Palace. In his remarks, he referred to Yasser Arafat,
    Chairman, Palestine Liberation Organization.