    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book II)]
    [December 11, 1995]
    [Pages 1876-1877]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Exchange With Reporters Prior to Discussions With Prime Minister Shimon
    Peres of Israel
    December 11, 1995

        The President. Good morning, everyone. It's a pleasure and an honor
    to have the Prime Minister here. We're about to start our talks. And as
    you know, after we have those talks, we will have a press conference,
    and we'll be available for your questions. But I'm very much looking
    forward to continuing our work on the peace process and continuing our
    strong partnership.
        Q. Will you, Mr. President, become actively involved in an Israeli-
    Syrian track?
        The President. Well, we're going to--let us have our talk, and I'll
    be glad to answer the questions after we finish our visit.
        Thank you.

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

        The President. Good morning everyone. I want to welcome the Prime
    Minister here. It's pleasure to have him here and a privilege to
    continue our partnership, our search for peace. I'm looking forward to
    our visit. And of course, after the visit we'll have a press conference
    and the opportunity to answer your questions.
        Prime Minister Peres. May I say the President has changed our hearts
    and changed our language. He changed our hearts by a very moving
    appearance at the funeral of the late Yitzhak Rabin. And he changed our
    language by adding two words that were never in our vocabulary: Shalom,
    chaver. It became a household expression.

    Note: The President spoke at 10:46 a.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House. A tape was not

    [[Page 1877]]

    available for verification of the content of these remarks.