[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.