    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book I)]
    [April 5, 1995]
    [Pages 463-470]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's News Conference With President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt
    April 5, 1995

        President Clinton. Good afternoon. Please be seated. As always, it's
    a great pleasure to have President Mubarak back at the White House. For
    14 years, he has been a valued friend and partner to the United States.
    He was one of the first foreign leaders to visit me here after I became
    President, and I began my trip to the Middle East last fall by visiting
    him in Cairo to seek his counsel. Under his wise leadership, Egypt has
    been an ally, as well as a source of stability in the region and
    throughout the world.
        In the last 2 years, we've witnessed the dawn of a new era in the
    Middle East. Without President Mubarak's tireless efforts on behalf of
    peace, these landmark achievements would not have occurred. Thanks to
    his persistence, the promise of Camp David, where Egypt took its stand
    against war, has been redeemed. In the months and years ahead, we will
    continue to look to President Mubarak to play a vital role in broadening
    the circle of peace. We're determined to do everything we can meanwhile
    to deepen our own partnership for peace and prosperity.
        He and his government have already made great strides toward
    reforming and restructuring the Egyptian economy. I got a very
    impressive report on the progress that has been made at the luncheon we
    just concluded. But more is necessary to stimulate the economy so that
    it can provide good jobs and a future of hope for the hundreds of
    thousands of young people who enter the Egyptian work force every year.
        The United States is committed to helping. Vice President Gore just
    returned from his second visit to Egypt in the last 6 months. On my
    behalf, he began a dialog for growth and development with President
    Mubarak that is unprecedented in its scope and ambition. Today he and I
    have taken another step forward in this partnership by meeting with the
    new members of our Presidents' Council at their first gathering. These
    top American and Egyptian

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    businessmen will advise us on several vital issues: expanding the
    private sector, building stronger commercial ties between our peoples,
    creating better conditions to attract United States investment to Egypt.
        We're also working together to bring more prosperity and stability
    to the entire region, efforts that are essential for peace to establish
    firm roots. We reaffirmed our support for greater regional cooperation
    and development, especially the economic initiative that began at the
    Casablanca summit. We also had a good discussion about the need to lift
    the boycott of Israel and ways to accomplish this as soon as possible.
        Egypt and the United States share a determination to confront and to
    defeat all those who would undermine peace and security through the use
    of terror and weapons of mass destruction. President Mubarak told me of
    Egypt's regional proliferation concerns and of its commitment to a
    strong, universal Non-Proliferation Treaty and to a Middle East that is
    free of all weapons of mass destruction. The United States shares those
    goals.
        To create the confidence and security that will make those aims a
    reality, we must continue to do all we can to bring a comprehensive and
    lasting peace to the Middle East. For the same reason, I believe we must
    ensure that the NPT is strong and as enduring as possible. Indefinite
    and unconditional extension of NPT is vital to achieving the goals that
    we both share.
        When President Mubarak and I first met here 2 years ago, he told me
    that together we could help to make a just and comprehensive peace in
    the Middle East. He was right. We have worked side by side to fulfill
    that vision. Doing so, we have deepened the friendship between our two
    nations. Our goal is now within grasp, and America is proud to be
    Egypt's partner on this great mission.
        Mr. President.
        President Mubarak. Thank you. Once again I meet with my good friend
    President Clinton in order to pursue our joint endeavor for the benefit
    of our two nations.
        We discussed all issues of mutual interest in the spirit of
    friendship, candor, and mutual confidence. Our views were similar on
    various issues. Our paramount commitment is to strengthen the structure
    of world peace and security and to promote cooperation among nations.
    Our two countries are destined to play a pivotal role throughout the
    world and in their regions, respectively. We are determined to pursue
    our mission with vigor and determination. We realize that the challenge
    is awesome, but our commitment to our noble goals is firm, and quite
    firm.
        President Clinton, together we worked tirelessly for decades to
    promote peace and security in the Middle East. We achieve tangible
    success year after year, and we remain determined to pursue this goal
    until a just and comprehensive peace is reached throughout the area. We
    should never allow enemies of peace to threaten the gains which were
    made in the recent past. We will never hesitate to condemn terrorism and
    all forms of violence. Our aim is to eliminate the sources of hatred and
    conflict.
        As we move to cement the structure of peace and security in the
    Middle East, we should do our utmost in order to remove all potential
    threats. Our purpose is to build together a new future of hope and
    promise for this troubled region. With this in mind, I deemed it
    necessary to propose in 1990 the establishment of a Middle East free of
    all weapons of mass destruction. My objective was and still is to make
    every Arab and Israeli feel more secure and less worried about the
    future and that of his children.
        I explained to President Clinton and his able assistants our
    position on the NPT. We remain among the most enthusiastic supporters of
    the treaty. We consider it one of the pillars of the stable world order.
    Hence, we would like to reinforce the moral authority of the NPT. By the
    same token, we have a certain concern which emanates from the existence
    of nuclear programs in our region.
        Our view is that since peace is spreading throughout the region, all
    the parts ought to work together towards the elimination of the
    potential threats, especially the spreading of nuclear, chemical, and
    biological weapons. This is the true application of the principle of the
    universality and adherence to the NPT. All states of the region should
    realize that it serves in their own interests to accede to the treaty.
    Unless this is done, no one would have control over the spread of such
    lethal weapons in a fragile and vulnerable region which has suffered
    long enough from war and devastation.
        We propose, for our common good, to achieve that through serious but
    friendly negotiations between Egypt, and perhaps other Arab countries,
    and Israel. It is our sincere hope that Israel will approach this issue
    in a positive and

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    constructive spirit. The U.S., under the leadership of President
    Clinton, can help attain this objective.
        Our bilateral relations, Mr. President, are excellent. We work
    together in various fields in harmony and mutual trust. As we have been
    partners in peace and security, we are establishing a new solid
    partnership for economic growth and development. Thanks to President
    Clinton and Vice President Al Gore, we have developed a new concept for
    this partnership. The idea is to stimulate growth and productivity. It
    is vital to create jobs for our young people. We shall do that through
    promoting trade and investment.
        We have already begun the implementation of this concept, and we are
    determined to make it a success story. We are encouraging the private
    sector to play a major role in this endeavor. As you know, our economy
    is becoming more and more business-friendly. This is a cornerstone of
    our economic reform program. We are fully committed to pursue this
    reform until it bears fruit.
        In conclusion, I would like to thank President Clinton for his warm
    reception and hospitality. We are most appreciative of the understanding
    and the cooperation we have been receiving from every American. We will
    leave this great country with a renewed assurance of the solidity of the
    friendship and the depth of our cooperation.
        Thank you, Mr. President.
        President Clinton. Thank you.
        I'd like to alternate questions now between the American and the
    Egyptian press. We'll start with Ms. Santos [Lori Santos, United Press
    International].

    Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty

        Q. Mr. President, did President Mubarak assure you that he will sign
    the extension of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and stop urging
    other Arab nations not to sign unless Israel does?
        President Clinton. Let me tell you the position that I took on it.
    And I think I'll let President Mubarak speak for himself. We believe
    that the NPT should be universal. And we believe that the Middle East
    should be free of all weapons of mass destruction, nuclear, biological,
    chemical. We also believe that cannot be accomplished overnight and that
    Egypt and Israel, as the first two parties to make peace in the Middle
    East, should work on this together. And I'm encouraged that the Foreign
    Ministers, Mr. Moussa and Mr. Peres, are going to meet soon on this
    issue.
        The reason we believe, however, that we should vote for an NPT
    extension that is indefinite, without regard to whether every country in
    the world that we think should be in the NPT is in it, is that it seems
    to us that with the indefinite extension of the NPT, that will allay a
    lot of the security concerns of countries that are not in it and
    encourage them to get in it, whereas if we don't indefinitely extend it,
    then countries that are not fully participating may think they should
    hedge their bets for the future. So that's our policy; that's why we
    support it and why we hope it will prevail.
        Mr. President, would you----
        President Mubarak. I would like to say something about the NPT. In
    1968, we were one of the 18 countries who participated in drafting the
    agreement of the NPT. We are supporting the NPT. We know that the NPT is
    for the welfare of the whole world in the new world order. And we know
    it's very important that all parties should join the NPT. We are working
    very hard for that, and we will never withdraw from the NPT--just to
    make sure of what you may mean that way.

    Egypt-Israel Relations

        Q. President Mubarak, the new peace between Jordan and Israel is
    warming up fast. The first peace between Israel and Egypt is still
    somewhat chilly. Will you come to Israel for the first time and
    personally warm it up so we can move ahead together?
        President Mubarak. Jordan has about 3 million population, Egypt
    about 60 million. Jordan and Israel are living with each other, let us
    be very realistic and frank, long time ago. They have so many
    Palestinians here and there. But believe me, without the key of peace
    which was started by late President Sadat, I don't think that neither
    Jordan nor Palestinian would have the courage or would have thought of
    opening peace with this country.
        Peace is not cold, as some people could say, but sometimes it's
    affected by a statement here or there. But believe me, there is much
    more progress on the cooperation with the Israelis between Israel and
    Egypt now. And this is the cornerstone.

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        President Clinton. Someone from the Egyptian press.
        Q. Mr. President----
        President Clinton. Go ahead.
        Q. As the national security is top priority for the United States
    and Egypt and we are friends and allies, how can the United States help
    Egypt to secure its national security while there are nuclear weapons at
    its borders, a few kilometers from its borders? And my question is to
    both Presidents.
        President Clinton. Well, I will restate what I said before. I
    believe that we--Egypt's security is best served in terms of what the
    United States can do in three ways, first of all, by continuing the
    general search to rid the entire region of all kinds of weapons of mass
    destruction. And we realize that we deal with the history and the facts
    of the countries as we find them, that it cannot be done overnight, but
    that that must be our goal and we must be working on that. And universal
    application of NPT is one of the ways we think that should be done.
        The second thing is a comprehensive peace in the Middle East. If we
    can resolve the issues still outstanding among the other countries in
    the Middle East, that clearly will help to bolster Egypt's security.
        Then the third thing I think we can do is what we are doing here by
    trying to strengthen our economic ties, so that the reform policies that
    have been adopted by President Mubarak and his government will be
    rewarded and people who live inside Egypt will feel more personally
    secure with their own opportunities.
        I think all those things have to be pursued, but I don't think that
    we can--any of us can pretend that we can do it without regard to the
    past history of the countries involved.
        President Mubarak. I think I agree to all of what President Clinton
    already mentioned, and I have nothing to add more than that.
        Q. Mr. President----
        President Clinton. Go ahead, Terry [Terence Hunt, Associated Press].

    CIA and Guatemala

        Q. Mr. President, the Senate is holding hearings today on CIA
    dealings in Guatemala, and I know that you've ordered an investigation.
    Can you say if the CIA's activities were appropriate in Guatemala, and
    were the White House and Congress kept fully and properly informed?
        President Clinton. Well, I cannot answer the questions fully until I
    see the investigation. I think both those questions are--they're still
    open questions. I wish I could say absolutely yes to both of them. But
    because I can't say, with absolute conviction, yes to both of them, I
    have ordered an investigation that, as you know, is reasonably unusual
    in its scope and in terms of who's doing it. And so, I'm going to keep
    working until we get to the bottom of it. And then when I do, I'll give
    you the best answer I can.
        Yes, ma'am.

    Middle East Peace Process

        Q. Egypt and the United States have played a pivotal role in the
    peace process since its inception. What, in your views, are--this is for
    both Presidents--the steps that should be taken by all parties concerned
    to further the peace process, especially that the Israeli and the
    American elections are soon, close?
        President Clinton. Do you want to go first? [Laughter]
        President Mubarak. As you like.
        About the peace process, you know there is a Declaration of
    Principles, first of all, with the Palestinians, and we consider that,
    the Palestinian problem, the main problem in the whole Middle East
    issue.
        The implementation may be a little bit lagging behind, because some
    terroristic action taking place--[inaudible]--and the Israelis are
    looking for their security. My proposal is--and I spoke with Mr. Arafat
    and Mr. Rabin--they should both cooperate. The two authorities should
    cooperate to avoid all this terroristic action, because if we surrender
    to these people, they will feel it is a success for them and the whole
    peace process will be a failure. I think both understand this very well,
    and I hope that they could do well in that direction and to continue the
    implementation of the Declaration of Principles.
        If it is in the course of the Syrians, I know that the Syrians are
    now negotiating on the level of ambassadors here. I hope that there will
    be progress in the future. I am very sure that President Asad want reach
    a settlement to the problem and want sign--to reach an agreement, peace
    agreement with Israel.
        President Clinton. I agree with the points that have been made. I
    would only make two other points. With regard to the Palestinians, it's
    also

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    important that we try to resolve--as we resolve the security issues,
    that we try to work on getting economic investment back into Gaza and to
    Jericho, so that there is some opportunity for people there, some
    alternative to the destructive behavior that many are urging.
        And with regard to the Syrians, I agree with what President Mubarak
    said, but--I think President Asad does want peace, and I think Prime
    Minister Rabin wants peace, but I think it is important that they reach
    an agreement fairly soon for the reasons that you said.
        And let me say further, let me reiterate something I said in my
    opening statement. I think we've got a good chance to keep implementing
    the principles, with all the difficulties the Palestinians are having. I
    think we've got a good chance to reach an agreement with Syria and
    Israel. And I don't think either thing would happen if it weren't for
    the intense involvement of both the United States and Egypt.
        Go ahead.

    Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty

        Q. This is a question for both of you. Are you saying that it would
    be acceptable if Israel would agree to sign the NPT at some point in the
    future, say, at the time a comprehensive Middle East peace is reached?
        President Clinton. Well, I think President Mubarak should answer
    that, since it's really a question about whether it would be acceptable
    from his point of view. My position is that all countries should joint
    the NPT; that the Middle East should be free of all weapons of mass
    destruction, nuclear, biological and chemical; that that objective will
    be more easily achieved, notwithstanding the differences between Israel
    and the other countries, if we have an indefinite extension. That is the
    position of the United States and the position that I strongly believe
    to be the correct one. At any rate, I hope we'll be able to prevail with
    that position when the vote comes with a healthy majority.
        The President of Egypt has his own views and convictions, and what
    he said is absolutely true: Egypt has been a complete and consistent
    supporter of the NPT regime from its inception. So I think I should let
    him answer for himself.
        President Mubarak. We have no problem even with the United States
    concerning the NPT, as I have already mentioned before. The NPT--as I
    said, we were one of the 18 countries who drafted, participated in the
    draft. The point is, there is peace in the area. Egypt signed peace
    agreement, and we are in peace with Israel. Jordan signed peace
    agreement. Palestinian Declaration of Principles has been implemented
    now. Syria is on its way to reach an agreement. So there will be peace
    in the whole area.
        So I don't think that Israel will be in need for any nuclear weapons
    in the future. But we are negotiating this issue to find any kind of
    formula to be agreed upon. We are not asking them to join the NPT now or
    tomorrow. We would like to know what we are going to do just for our
    national security. I think the ministers are going to meet tomorrow. I
    hope, with the help of the United States, we could narrow the gap and
    reach something concerning this issue.

    Middle East Peace Process

        Q. My question is for President Clinton. The Middle East continues
    to give rise to cynicism regarding the wider peace. Do you think that
    this might be due to lack of forceful American engagement?
        President Clinton. Because of the continuing problems?
        Q. Yes, because of the feeling that nothing is happening.
        President Clinton. Well, first of all, a very great deal has
    happened in the last 2 years, and more than at any time in the last 15
    years since the Camp David accords. So we have accomplished a great
    deal. We're about half of the way home toward a complete resolution of
    it.
        The Secretary of State just got back from the Middle East. The Vice
    President has been to Egypt twice in the last 6 months. I am sending
    another envoy out today. I have been in regular and extensive contact
    with President Asad and Prime Minister Rabin, who was just here to see
    me recently. So we are working at it very, very hard.
        I was concerned and, frankly, I would have agreed with a little bit
    of your question until about a month ago. About a month ago we got some
    new energy, some new direction, some new sense that both parties were
    really committed to trying to resolve this in the reasonably near
    future. So I'm more optimistic now, and I just think we have to keep
    working and people have to believe that there is not an unlimited amount
    of time within which to resolve this before other factors intervene.

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        Wolf [Wolf Blitzer, Cable News Network].

    104th Congress

        Q. Mr. President, if I could ask you a domestic question. The 100
    days of the Republican Contract is about to end. Could you give us your
    assessment of these 100 days, what lessons have you learned, and where
    are you planning to go from here?
        President Clinton. Well, I think, for one thing, I thought it got
    off to a pretty good start. From my point of view and my convictions,
    it's not ending as well as it started, because I don't agree with this
    tax bill. But it got off to a good start. The first three issues that
    were really taken up in earnest were issues that I also campaigned on:
    Applying to Congress the same laws they apply to the private sector--
    that's been passed and I've signed it; reducing the ability of the
    Federal Government to pass mandates on to State and local governments
    that cost the taxpayers there--I've signed that into law and I applaud
    the Congress for doing that; and both Houses have passed a version of
    the line-item veto, which I think is badly needed to control unnecessary
    spending. So those things I think are quite good.
        In terms of a lot of the other measures which have made their way
    through the House, I think it depends on what the Senate does to them in
    terms of whether I think they're good for America. I do not believe that
    it's wise to have a tax cut of this magnitude where--with the deficit
    we've got and with our need to invest in our future and our children,
    where one percent of the people get 20 percent of the benefits and 12
    percent of the people get half of the benefits, and in order to pay for
    it we run the risk of exploding the deficit or devastating our
    commitment to our children, to our educational system, and to our
    support for families, all of which are critical to our future economic
    growth.
        I mean, we don't want to go back to trickle-down economics here
    under another term. The reason I ran for President was to get out of the
    old fight between tax-and-spend economics and trickle-down economics. I
    wanted to invest and grow the economy. So we reduced the deficit and
    increased our investment in education and technology and our efforts in
    trade. That economic strategy is working to lift Americans' incomes. Now
    we have to add an educational component. And this tax approach is just
    wrong in my judgment.
        So I'm going to keep working. Let's see what happens in the next 100
    days and the 100 days after that and the 100 days after that. But our
    goals should be to lift the future prospects of the American people and
    grow the middle class again. And that's my assessment at this point.

    Middle East Peace Process

        Q. President Clinton, in the serious effort that your administration
    is dedicating to our Israeli-Palestinian peace, you are to be commended
    and your administration. And in the attempt to assist the Palestinian
    Authority in receiving the needed funds to build its infrastructure, can
    you please call, you and President Mubarak, on the Israeli Government
    and Mr. Rabin to end the closure of the Gaza Strip and the territories
    and allow more workers to enter Israel seeking employment as a way of
    injecting more funds in Gaza and the West Bank and all of the
    territories and help improve the economic conditions of the Palestinians
    that you are also working hard on that? Thank you.
        President Clinton. We talked about this at some length together. I
    think it's the toughest issue, frankly, that we face between the
    Israelis and the Palestinians for this reason. When the borders were
    open, it made Israel more vulnerable to terrorism. When innocent people
    are killed, it undermines support in Israel for the peace process and
    weakens the government's ability to go forward. When the borders are
    closed, the incomes of the Palestinian people drop dramatically, and it
    makes young people more vulnerable to the appeals of the terrorists.
        So it is an almost insoluble problem in that sense. It is the most
    difficult problem. And it is--obviously, the enemies of peace know this,
    and they seek to be rewarded whether the borders are open or the borders
    are closed. They think they will get their reward.
        So I would say to you that I wish I had an easy answer. We are
    working on this problem. We are certainly talking to the Israelis about
    it. But it is the most difficult aspect of this process. And it is
    something that we have to be--I'm very sympathetic with the Palestinians
    who are within Gaza, and with the instability there, which undermines
    our ability to get, for example, Palestinian-Americans to invest there.

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        On the other hand, I understand Prime Minister Rabin's situation. I
    saw what it did to Israel when these acts of terror started occurring
    again, what it did to the psychology of the people, their feeling of
    confidence that peace could make a difference for them. So I won't
    presume to give you a final answer today, except to say I am very
    focused on this, and I know that this is the toughest part of the
    problem and that we're going to have to resolve it.
        President Mubarak. I think what--we discussed this at length with
    President Clinton and we had long talks about it, realizing the
    situation will be much more difficult in Jericho and the Gaza because
    the income of the people nearly stopped. And we're wondering how are
    they going to live. And this may complicate the whole situation. That's
    why we have--already I have contact Mr. Rabin several times, and I spoke
    with Arafat. They should find a way for these people to have their
    income. Otherwise we'll return to terrorists, as the President already
    said, and it will be very difficult after that to solve the problem
    because complications will continue and the terrorist groups will feel
    that they succeed.
        President Clinton. Brian [Brian Williams, NBC News].

    President's Role in the Legislative Process

        Q. Mr. President, one more domestic question. I'm curious as to your
    role over the next 100 days. Do you see it changing from that of
    dissenter to something, for lack of a better word, more proactive, more
    proactive legislatively?
        President Clinton. Well, we were quite active in the--first of all,
    I agreed with--let me go back to the three areas which have passed. With
    regard to the bill applying to Congress the laws they put on the private
    sector, there was no activity for us to undertake, since I agree with
    the bill as it was drafted by the congressional leadership.
        With regard to the bill on unfunded mandates, we were quite active
    in the Senate there and in the conference committee to try to get a bill
    which would permit us to protect the national interest and still give
    relief to State and local governments.
        And with regard to the line-item veto, I personally lobbied a number
    of Democratic Senators very hard to make sure that we would be able to
    get a line-item veto through the Senate so we could go to conference and
    get one to my desk. Now, as I said, all three of those things I have
    worked very hard on.
        All the other contract items that have passed with which I disagree,
    we are working in the United States Senate and we will work in the
    conference committee to try to get bills that are consistent with the
    principles that I hold to my desk so that I can sign them, not veto
    them. I do not want a pile of vetoes.
        In the next 100 days, you're going to see a very exciting debate
    about welfare reform, something I've been involved in for 15 years. I
    have laid out my principles very, very clearly on that. You're going to
    see a debate about the larger budget that will run for the next 6
    months, I think, in which I have very strong feelings about what we
    should be doing. I hope that I can focus the attention of the Congress
    on the need to lift the incomes of the American people, which means that
    if we're going to have a tax cut it ought to be for middle-class people
    to raise their children and educate themselves and their children,
    because that will raise incomes over the long run. And I hope I'll be
    able to persuade the Congress to raise the minimum wage. So I think I'll
    be involved in this debate with Congress.
        Meanwhile, we're going to be pursuing our efforts to reform
    Government that we can do through the executive branch and our efforts
    to expand the American economy and our efforts to make the American
    people more secure. We will be pursuing those things just as we always
    have. And it will be a very exciting time.
        I'm enjoying this, but I'm determined to see that the American
    people come out the winner. I do not want us to go back to trickle-down
    economics and to go back to the old debate, which is we should spend
    more on everything or less on everything. The less-on-everything crowd
    now has a majority in the Congress. What we should do is spend less on
    some things and more on some things and invest in things that will grow
    our economy and raise our incomes.
        So I'm looking forward to being part of this debate. And I'm
    determined to see that it's a positive thing for the American people.
        One more question from an Egyptian.

    Antiterrorism Efforts

        Q. Mr. President, Egypt has been--has a very good record combating
    and containing terrorism inside the country. What could the neighbors

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    of Egypt in North Africa and the Middle East learn from the Egyptian
    experience?
        President Mubarak. This question to me?
        Q. Yes.
        President Mubarak. Each country has its own tradition, its own way
    of living, its own way of dealing with the problems. We could manage to
    put down all the terroristic action to a great extent by law. We are not
    violating the law. Our neighbors, they have different characters,
    different situation, and they have their own idea that could make a good
    estimation of a situation to adopt what decision which could suit them
    to put an end to terrorism that's completely different from ours.
        President Clinton. Thank you.

    Note: The President's 91st news conference began at 2:44 p.m. in the
    East Room at the White House. During the news conference, the following
    persons were referred to: Minister of Foreign Affairs Amre Mahmoud
    Moussa of Egypt, Foreign Minister Shimon Peres of Israel, Palestine
    Liberation Organization Chairman Yasser Arafat, Prime Minister Yitzhak
    Rabin of Israel, and President Hafiz al-Asad of Syria.