    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book I)]
    [March 13, 1996]
    [Pages 438-443]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 438]]

    The President's News Conference With President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt in
    Sharm al-Sheikh
    March 13, 1996

    Summit of the Peacemakers

        President Mubarak. Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Once again,
    the nations of the world have rallied together in order to enhance peace
    and promote security in the Middle East. Many leaders who are not
    present with us today contacted us to express their solidarity and
    support for the objectives of the conference.
        This site where the Peacemakers Summit was held was the theater of
    many battles in the unhappy past. Today it has become the living symbol
    of the new era of peace and coexistence. Our gathering represented all
    worldly cultures and reflected the real concern for peace and stability
    in this troubled area. It is our consensus the Sharm al-Sheikh
    conference was a big success.
        All leaders and delegates demonstrated a profound commitment to the
    promotion of peace and security throughout the region. All of them spoke
    their minds and discussed the issues in a spirit of openness, candor,
    and objectivity. Our discussions remained focused on the issues of peace
    and security. Many valuable contributions were made in the course of the
    two sessions we held.
        There were no sharp disagreements or disputes. The interventions
    went beyond the customary generalities and dealt with specific points
    which were quite relevant to the purpose of the summit conference. The
    outcome of the discussions were properly reflected in the statement
    which has been distributed to you a while ago.
        You have certainly noticed that the conference adopted a set of
    policies and measures in order to enhance the chance for peace and
    reinforce the security of all parties directly involved in the peace
    process. Concrete measures and mechanisms were agreed upon for the
    purpose of combating terror and the terrorists. All the peoples of the
    region view terrorism as one of the most dangerous threats to their
    security and stability, individually and collectively.
        It is our hope that the believers in peace and reconciliation who
    constitute the great majority will triumph over the forces of doom and
    gloom. Hope will ultimately prevail over despair and fear. It is our
    hope also the peace process would be activated and revived without
    delay. As greater security and tranquility are achieved in the area,
    restrictive measures would be eased and lifted as soon as possible. The
    living conditions of the innocent people who are suffering in the
    aftermath of the violence should be improved markedly.
        Finally, I would like to say a few words to all those wise leaders
    who attended the conference. I want to state in this gathering that we
    are indebted to each and every one of them for their significant
    contribution and positive spirit. The leaders of the parties who are
    immediately concerned exhibited their courage and vision. They spoke
    candidly and positively.
        Our Arab brothers exemplified the true spirit of Islam and the Arab
    culture. Our European friends demonstrated once again that they are
    fully aware that our two regions are inseparable. Our destiny is one and
    the same. The cosponsors of the peace process showed the depth of their
    commitment to peace and security in the Middle East. Each participant in
    the conference was equally helpful.
        President Clinton, who cochaired the meetings, who shares the podium
    with me, has made invaluable contributions. He worked with me day and
    night during the past few days. The 7 hours time difference was no
    barrier or hindrance. He's a statesman of vision and courage.
        Before I open the floor to your questions to both of us, I would
    like to thank you, representatives of the media, for your cooperation
    and patience. I realize that you are hard-pressed by time and space, but
    you'll prevail as we will. Thank you.
        President Clinton. Thank you very much, Mr. President. Let me begin
    by thanking President Mubarak for his willingness to host this historic
    meeting and by the work that he did to help get this amazing group of
    people together.
        This is an historic showing of the strength of peace in the Middle
    East today. And as the cochairman's statement makes clear, this
    unprecedented meeting of leaders from this region and from all around
    the world has been very serious, has been very successful, is very
    productive. The

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    statement has been passed out, I believe, to all of you, but I would
    like to summarize it for the benefit of those who may not have read it
    yet. And I see some of the members of the press nodding their heads they
    don't have it yet, so let me just--it's very brief, so let me go over
    it.
        The Summit of Peacemakers has just concluded. This meeting took
    place at a time when the peace process confronts serious threats. The
    summit had three fundamental objectives: to enhance the peace process,
    to promote security, and to combat terror.
        Accordingly, the participants here today expressed their full
    support for the Middle East peace process and their determination that
    this process continue in order to accomplish a just, lasting, and
    comprehensive peace in the region; affirmed their determination to
    promote security and stability and to prevent the enemies of peace from
    achieving their ultimate objective of destroying the real opportunity
    for peace in the Middle East; and reemphasized their strong condemnation
    of all acts of terror in all its abhorrent forms, whatever its
    motivation and whoever its perpetrator, including recent attacks in
    Israel, considering them alien to the moral and spiritual values shared
    by all peoples of the region; and reaffirmed their intention to stand
    staunchly against all such acts and to urge all governments to join them
    in this condemnation and opposition.
        To that end we decided to support the Israeli-Palestinian
    agreements, the continuation of the negotiating process, and to
    politically and economically reinforce it; to enhance the security
    situation for both with special attention to the current and pressing
    economic needs of the Palestinians; to support the continuation of the
    negotiating process in order to achieve a comprehensive settlement; to
    work together to promote security and stability in the region by
    developing effective and practical means of cooperation and further
    assistance; to promote coordination of efforts to stop acts of terror on
    bilateral, regional, and international levels, ensuring instigators of
    such acts are brought to justice; supporting efforts by all parties to
    prevent their territories from being used for terrorist purposes and
    preventing terrorist organizations from engaging in recruitment,
    supplying arms, or fundraising; to exert maximum efforts to identify and
    determine the sources of financing for these groups and to cooperate in
    cutting them off; and by providing training, equipment, and other forms
    of support to those taking steps against groups using violence and
    terror to undermine peace, security, or stability.
        Finally, to form a working group open to all summit participants to
    prepare recommendations on how best to implement the decisions contained
    in this statement through ongoing work and to report to the participants
    within 30 days. I can say that President Mubarak and I asked the
    participants to support an effort by the United States to coordinate an
    early working group meeting of these--of all the participants here, and
    we expect to do that within a couple of weeks.
        Let me just make one last point. This is a remarkable day because of
    the number of people from the region who came here, as well as those who
    came from all around the world. When I leave President Mubarak and
    Egypt, I will go to Israel with a clear message that Israel is not
    alone. Now, throughout the region as well as the world, there are
    peacemakers who stand together against terror, for security, and for the
    cause of peace. The meeting today and the statements which were made in
    public by the leaders who were here today would have been unthinkable
    just a short while ago.
        Let me say again to President Mubarak, you, sir, deserve a large
    share of credit for the fact that this meeting could take place, and it
    could have taken place in no other place than Egypt. We are grateful to
    you. And let me say on behalf of the United States, to the people of
    this region who stand for peace, you can all draw courage and strength
    and inspiration from what we have achieved here today and what we are
    committed to do in the future.
        Thank you very much.

    Palestinian Territories

        Q. President Mubarak and President Clinton, I have a question for
    Egyptian television. President Mubarak and President Clinton, what is
    your opinion on the closure of Palestinian territories and collective
    punishment pursued by Israel? Has this conference come up with any
    decisions to safeguard innocent Palestinians as well, because certain
    measures were taken against Palestinians right before the conference
    took place? Thank you.
        President Mubarak. Anyway, I think that the closure is starting to
    be released. We have discussed this--I discussed this with Prime Min-

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    ister Peres, and it was not going to last long. They opened the gates
    for supplies for the people, and I think this situation will not stay
    for a long time.
        President Clinton. Yes, we discussed it, and I know that there are
    many more trucks going in today with basic supplies than yesterday. And
    I expect to see some changes. But if I might say, viewed through one
    eye, this is collective punishment. Viewed through another, it is an
    elemental security measure at a time when it's hard to tell who may be
    wrapped in plastique. So it's very important that this be seen as a
    process of strengthening our common efforts against terrorism and for
    security, and opening the borders.
        Obviously the peace cannot succeed unless the people in Gaza have a
    chance to flourish economically, to reap the benefits of peace. And it
    is clear that peace and security are two sides of the same coin, not
    only for the Israelis but for the Palestinians. And having voted for
    peace, as the Palestinians have, they now are bound up together in a
    mutual destiny. And it is in all of our interests to see that both of
    them succeed in becoming more secure and more peaceful.

    Terrorist Nations

        Q. President Clinton, Prime Minister Peres and John Major both
    talked of Iran as a source of terrorism. He also mentioned Libya. Why
    did this conference not single out any of the nations that you accuse of
    sponsoring terrorism, point fingers, and impose or try to impose any
    kind of sanctions on these nations?
        President Clinton. Well, I think you know my statements on that
    issue have been quite clear and forthright, and the United States has
    taken very strong actions there. Let me answer you in this way: The
    nations here in what they agreed to do--and if you go back to my
    statement, this is a remarkable statement that every person here agreed
    that we would together take specific steps, including dealing with
    funding sources. I believe that's a pretty explicit commitment on our
    part to do what we can within our means to reduce terrorism in the area.
    And I believe that we shouldn't diminish what we did do by focusing on
    what was not done or said. What was done and said is far more than has
    ever been done and said by people working together in this region.
        President Mubarak. We don't want to accuse so many--mention any
    country now in the time being, but we condemn all kinds of terrorism
    wheresoever. And to condemn some countries who have--[inaudible]--should
    have definite reasons for that.

    Syria

        Q. President Mubarak and President Clinton, aren't you gentlemen
    worried or even bothered that something in the success of this
    conference is lacking as a result of the absence of a major player in
    the peace process in the Middle East, and I mean Syria?
        President Mubarak. Look, Syria is committed to peace. This
    conference is dealing with the peace process in general, and to see that
    or to condemn the terrorism and seek for security. Syria, although she
    didn't attend the conference--and it had its own reasons--but she said
    she is committed to peace, and I think she is ready to start
    negotiations for peace.
        President Clinton. Obviously, from our point of view, we wish the
    Syrians had come. President Mubarak invited them; we had urged them to
    come. But I wouldn't overread their absence here; it's part of a general
    pattern of going their own way.
        I was encouraged by the statement which was issued today, and I do
    believe that the Syrians still want to achieve a peace with Israel at
    the earliest practical time. Again I say to you, you can focus on what
    didn't happen today, but if you do, it will blind you to what has
    happened, which no one would have conceived of happening even a few
    months ago.
        And if you watch, we're going to follow up on this, and this
    agreement is very specific about what we're going to do. I should also
    talk about--we're talking about what didn't happen--no one can promise
    in Israel, in Gaza, in the United States, that--in Egypt--that there
    will never again ever be an act of terrorism. What we can promise is
    that we are working hard, we are increasing our capabilities to combat
    it, and we are going to reduce it and raise the price of doing it. And
    that is what we committed to do.

    Likud Party Leader Binyamin Netanyahu

        Q. President Clinton, can you tell me why you decided on this
    upcoming trip to Jerusalem to visit Mr. Netanyahu and what you plan to
    tell him?

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        President Clinton. Oh, I visited with him when I was there last
    time, and I always--typically, when I'm in any country, I visit with
    leaders of both parties. And I expect what I will do is to reaffirm my
    determination to fight for both peace and security for Israel, and I
    will listen to him, which is what I did the last time I was there.

    Middle East Peace Process

        Q. President Mubarak, President Clinton, do you have the feeling or
    the conviction now, in the light of the last days' and even hours'
    discussions, that--and decisions, probably--that the peace process will
    continue soon and that there will not be a long gap? And do you share
    the view of some political observers who believe that a long pause now
    will be extremely detrimental to the whole peace process?
        President Mubarak. I would like to tell you that the peace process,
    although she is meeting some problems, and we expect every now and then
    until we reach the final goal, we expect that we are going to meet some
    problems, but that doesn't mean that the peace process will stop. The
    peace process--we met here today just at least to stop the deterioration
    of the implementation of the peace agreements.
        I think it's a very important point for the peace process to
    continue. The Syrians have already declared that they are committed to
    peace. So we shouldn't worry because peace is so precious and it is
    going on and there is no other way else for the region except to go
    through the peace.
        President Clinton. Let's be candid here. The purpose of the terror
    was to kill the peace. I mean, the purpose of the terror was to make the
    Israelis feel so insecure that peace seemed worse--that pursuing the
    peace process seemed worse than some reversion to the status quo. And
    the purpose of the terror was to make sure that the Palestinians wound
    up suffering economically so much they no longer wanted to pursue the
    peace.
        Our purpose here is to try to bolster the level of confidence among
    Israelis and Palestinians to say that we need peace and security and
    basic prosperity, and we need to pursue all three at once. The pace of
    these processes is not within anyone's total control, as President
    Mubarak said. But what we know is if we keep pushing forward, if we
    don't permit it to slip backward, that in the end we believe we will
    succeed because all the parties not only want peace but it is in their
    interest to achieve it. And so the short answer to your question is, I
    believe we will prevail on whatever timetable, unless the enemies of
    peace can raise the pain of pursuing peace to the Israelis or to the
    Palestinians so high it seems pointless to them.

    Iran Sanctions and Security in Israel

        Q. Mr. President, you answered this question in a more general way
    but I wondered, after listening to Prime Minister Peres, if you are
    willing as the President of the United States to issue a challenge to
    all of the countries here to isolate Iran, not to do business with them,
    since it appears that they are in fact the major sponsors of Hamas? And
    I also wanted to ask you in regard to some of the other points you made
    here, if you were a family member of one of the victims in Israel--we've
    watched all of these anguished faces--do you think that you would feel,
    with so many of today's accomplishments yet to be achieved, that you
    would want this to go forward without a lot more security, the things
    that the Israeli people are demanding?
        President Clinton. Well, first of all, let me remind you that last
    year I took far stronger steps against Iran than any of our European
    allies had taken up to that point. And many of them disagree with me
    honestly. They believe that it's better to maintain some dialog, to have
    some engagement. I have continued to argue for the isolation of rogue
    states. I did it in the United Nations last year, and I continue to do
    that, and I will continue to do that based on the evidence we have at
    hand.
        In answer to your second question, I don't know how I would feel if
    I had lost a child. Anyone who says that you know exactly how you would
    act if you had lost a child, unless you've lost a child, you don't know
    that. I can tell you this, that I met with the two American Jewish
    families who lost their children recently, two of them, in New Jersey
    the other day, and their reactions, I think, are pretty reflective of
    the Israelis.
        One family--a woman who lost her daughter, her other daughter is
    about to go back to Israel to continue her studies and feels strongly
    that the peace process should continue because unless it continues there
    will never be any long-term security for the people of Israel. The other
    family, the father of a slain daughter, has spent

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    a lot of time going around our own country speaking up for the
    importance of peace, but he is very concerned about security because he
    knows unless people are secure they won't feel free to make peace. And I
    don't think that means they're ambivalent or wishy-washy. I think it
    means that they understand that these are two sides of the same coin.
        There must be a certain level of security in order for people to
    feel free to pursue peace. But unless we ultimately resolve these
    questions in a peace agreement, there will never be the kind of security
    that normal life brings and that people expect in the normal course of
    day-to-day events.

    Middle East Peace Process

        Q. Mr. Mubarak, in the light of the discussions of the day and in
    the light of the final statement, what are the steps adopted by this
    conference for us to guarantee that the peace process will go back to
    its normal course? Another question--that is, the guarantees presented
    by this conference so that the peace process might not run into
    difficulties again.
        President Mubarak. Well, in reality when it comes--[inaudible]--you
    cannot guarantee 100 percent that it will not be met with obstacles. I
    think nobody on Earth can guarantee this. Nobody on Earth can guarantee
    that there will be no terrorist acts to stop the peace process or to
    impede it. We must make sure that this will not happen, and this is why
    we have to take steps for security.
        Now, there are steps that were mentioned in the statement. We also
    decided to set up a committee to follow up this statement and to
    guarantee the peace process, and we talk about terrorism because
    terrorism seeks to impede this peace process. So it's two aspects. We
    wish to denounce terrorism, to struggle against it, and there are also
    means and ways, procedures specified in the statement to struggle
    against terrorism.

    Extremist Movement

        Q. President Clinton, I'd like to ask this question of you. Have you
    not adopted a series of mechanical means to combat what is essentially
    an ideological movement, namely Islamic extremism, a movement which in
    fact has caused great tragedy not only in Israel but also in Egypt and
    even in the United States and other countries? Should you not deal with
    the problem directly instead of through euphemisms?
        President Mubarak. I'll surely tell you that you are mentioning only
    Islamic--Muslims, like any other religion--Islam, like any other
    religion, is against violence, against any act of violence under any
    title.
        President Clinton. I want to support President Mubarak. He has taken
    action within Egypt to deal with the problems here. I am gratified that
    in our most serious terrorist incidents we have made arrests quickly,
    and in the cases where the legal process has run its course, we have
    achieved convictions with strong sentences.
        That does not mean--and in each of these countries, the facts may be
    somewhat different. So I don't think we're speaking in euphemisms when
    we talk about the terror here being tied up with the question of getting
    peace in the Middle East. But Islamic--to equate Islam with terror I
    think is a big mistake. I mean, the Japanese dealt with it in the Tokyo
    subway with the sarin gas. We dealt with it at Oklahoma City. People all
    over the world are coming to grips with it. The British are having their
    buildings blown up again.
        So I think you have to look at this in every country, in every place
    it rears its head, and see how it can be dealt with. The problem here is
    that the terror is associated with people who do not want a peaceful
    resolution in the Middle East. If we had a peaceful resolution in the
    Middle East and if the Palestinian Authority had time to develop as an
    ordinary government, they would have more and more and more capacity to
    deal with the terrorism on their own. And that's what we're talking
    about.
        One last question. Shall we take one last question?

    Middle East Peace Process

        Q. A question for President Mubarak. Madrid Conference II is an idea
    which was presented by Russia and by Syria, and again today it was
    presented by Saudi Arabia. What's your point of view about it, and will
    it be proposed to save the peace process?
        President Mubarak. Look, Madrid Conference, Cairo Conference, Moscow
    Conference, Washington Conference--it is--are issues which should be
    tackled and discussed and come out with a resolution to help the process
    to continue. When the Saudis said about Madrid--just to check if the
    peace process continues or

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    to help. We have discussed a very important issue which is handling the
    peace process, security, and terrorist action. This is very important
    because it is laying the peace process. So I don't think Madrid or
    Washington or Moscow or Egypt or France doesn't deal--the name of the
    town will solve the problem.
        Thank you very much.

    Note: The President's 115th news conference began at 3:50 p.m. in the
    courtyard at the Movenpick Hotel. Participants referred to Prime
    Minister Shimon Peres of Israel and Prime Minister John Major of the
    United Kingdom.