    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book II)]
    [September 9, 1996]
    [Pages 1513-1514]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Prior to Discussions With Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu of
    Israel and an Exchange With Reporters
    September 9, 1996

        The President. Is everybody in? Let me just say very briefly, it's a
    pleasure to welcome Prime Minister Netanyahu back to the White House;
    Mr. Gold; our new Ambassador from Israel, welcome, sir. I'm especially
    glad to have this chance to visit with him so soon after his historic
    meeting with Mr. Arafat, and I'm looking forward to getting a briefing
    on that and discussing the issues that are still outstanding.
        All of you know the United States is still committed to peace and
    security, and I think we're making some progress in that direction.

    [[Page 1514]]

    And I'm going to do whatever I can to advance it.

    Middle East Peace Process

        Q. Mr. Prime Minister, when do you think you'll pull your occupation
    troops out of the Golan Heights and Lebanon?
        Prime Minister Netanyahu. Well, you didn't waste any time.
    [Laughter] First of all, let me say that I'm delighted to be here with
    President Clinton and Vice President Gore and Secretary Christopher.
        We've renewed our commitment to achieving peace with the
    Palestinians and with the Syrians. I think that we've been greatly
    assisted by President Clinton and his staff in resuming the negotiations
    with the Palestinians. It's not an easy road ahead, but it's one we're
    committed to and we'll pursue it. And I went over the notes of the
    conversation that I had with President Clinton a few months ago here,
    and we've pretty much done what we set out to do, again, with the
    support--I think the very important support of the United States.
        I hope to have the same kind of support as we seek to resume the
    peace talks with the Syrians. And in fact, we're enjoying American
    assistance, and so far we're awaiting the Syrian response.
        Q. Where do both of you see the process going with, first, with the
    Palestinians, and with the Syrians?
        Prime Minister Netanyahu. Mr. President.
        The President. Well, that's what we're going to talk about.

    Note: The President spoke at 4:50 p.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Dore Gold, Policy Adviser to Prime
    Minister Netanyahu; Israeli Ambassador to the United States Eliahu Ben-
    Elissar; and Chairman Yasser Arafat of the Palestinian Authority. A tape
    was not available for verification of the content of these remarks.