    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book II)]
    [July 9, 1996]
    [Pages 1087-1088]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Exchange With Reporters Prior to Discussions With Prime Minister
    Binyamin Netanyahu of Israel
    July 9, 1996

    Prime Minister's Visit

        Q.  Mr. President, do you think it's a good idea for Prime Minister
    Netanyahu to sit down with Yasser Arafat personally and try to work out
    the problems between the Israelis and the Palestinians?
        The President.  Well, I think it's a good idea for him to sit down
    with me. And we're looking forward to it. We'll be able to--we'll answer
    your questions later. I think we should wait until after we have a
    chance to visit to answer questions.

    Terrorist Attack in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia

        Q. Has there been any progress in determining who was responsible
    for the terrorist action in Saudi Arabia?
        The President.  Well, I got an update yesterday. I think the
    investigation is progressing. I don't know how to--I don't want to
    answer your question specifically. I feel confident that the
    investigation is being handled in the proper way and it is progressing.
        Q.  If it is state-sponsored, though, is there going to be U.S.
    retaliation if you can conclude that a state was responsible for this
    action?
        The President.  Let me--let's do the investigation first.

    Prime Minister's Visit

        Q.  Mr. Prime Minister, are you bringing the President information
    about Palestinian violations of the accord, sir?
        Prime Minister Netanyahu. First of all, I'm bringing with me to the
    President a lot of good will from the people of Israel to the people of
    the United States and from the leadership of Israel to the leadership of
    the United States. I'm sure we'll have a productive discussion, and I'm
    sure you'll bear with us until we do.

    Terrorist Attack in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia

        Q. Mr. Prime Minister, do you think there are any Syrian links to
    the bombing in Saudi Arabia?
        Prime Minister Netanyahu. Well, I thought that the President's
    suggestion of first investigating and then declaring may be not that
    frequent among political leaders, but I think it's wise. It's a wise
    suggestion in which I'll follow.
        Q. Do you have any evidence of Syrian involvement? Do you?
        The President. Thank you. We'll answer more later. Thank you.

    Secretary of Defense William Perry

        Q. Mr. President, Secretary Perry seems to be getting a pretty tough
    grilling right now up on the Hill. Do you still have confidence in
    Secretary Perry?
        The President. Oh, absolutely. He's been a very good Defense
    Secretary. This is a tough issue. That's why I appointed General Downing
    to look at it all, to get the facts, and to evaluate the security
    situation there and elsewhere where our people might be at risk. And we
    will do a good job of that. But I think the American

    [[Page 1088]]

    people recognize that, on balance, our military people have done a good
    job and that he's been quite a good and effective Defense Secretary. I
    have full confidence in him. And I believe that every fairminded person,
    when they look at his record, will feel the same way.

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

    Prime Minister's Visit

        The President. Let's get everyone in first.
        Prime Minister Netanyahu. This is the most genteel press of all, the
    Israeli press. They're all pussycats here.
        The President. Let me, first of all, say I'm delighted to have the
    Prime Minister here. I've looked forward to having a chance to have this
    conversation. He and his family arrived late last night, and I'm glad to
    see him looking so bright-eyed this morning. And I think that I should
    defer answering any substantive questions until we have a chance to
    visit. When we have a chance to visit, we're going to make ourselves
    available to you, and I'll answer whatever substantive questions you
    have then.
        Q. Mr. President, will you promise the Prime Minister that in the
    second Clinton administration the Embassy will move to West Jerusalem as
    the law of the land says?
        The President. I'll promise the Prime Minister to answer questions
    after we have a chance to visit.
        Q. Mr. President, are you going to change your policy towards Syria?
        The President. I'll talk about all this after we have a chance to
    visit. I want to visit with the Prime Minister first.
        Q. Mr. President, are you expecting to get any specific answers from
    the Prime Minister regarding Hebron, as an example?
        The President. I expect we'll have a good conversation.
        Q. [Inaudible]--the chemistry between you two is important to you,
    Mr. President?
        The President. I have always thought it was pretty good. I read the
    Prime Minister's--one of his books a long time before I even ran for
    President before, and I've always been very interested and admiring of
    his understanding of the problem of terrorism, which I think he
    explained to the world in advance of many other people focusing on it.
    And I just read his most recent book. And we've always had a cordial
    relationship. So I'm looking forward to renewing it and working with
    him.

    Note: The exchange began at 11:10 a.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House. In his remarks, the President referred to Gen. Wayne A. Downing,
    USA (Ret.), Director, Downing Assessment Task Force. A tape was not
    available for verification of the content of this exchange.