    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book I)]
    [February 13, 1997]
    [Pages 150-151]
    [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
    February 13, 1997

        President Clinton. Let me say two things. First of all, I'm
    delighted to have the Prime Minister back in Washington, and I applaud
    the terrific effort that he and Chairman Arafat made to resolve the
    issues relating to Hebron. And I'm looking forward to the next steps.
        The second thing I'd like to say is, we are going to have a press
    conference after this is over, and because we have a lot of things to
    discuss and a limited amount of time to discuss them, I would prefer if
    we would defer all questions until the press conference. I will give you
    an extended opportunity to ask questions related to this, and I know you
    have some other questions on other things, but I'd rather answer them at
    the press conference.

    [[Page 151]]

        Q. And I'll obey you for a change. [Laughter]
        Q. Sir, I like your tie.
        President Clinton. Thank you. Pamela Harriman gave me that the last
    time I was in Paris. That's why I wore it today. Her last gift to me was
    this tie. That's why I wore it today.

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

        President Clinton. Let me make a brief statement, if I might. First
    of all, I am very, very pleased that the Prime Minister is back in
    Washington. I'm looking forward to our meeting. I want, once again, to
    congratulate him for the agreement that was made with Chairman Arafat
    over Hebron. It was a brave and wise thing to do. Obviously, the United
    States wants to make whatever contribution we can to the continuation of
    a peace process.
        The second thing I would like to say is that we have a lot of things
    to discuss here, as you might imagine, and a limited time in which to
    discuss them. I will be happy to take your questions, but I would like
    to defer it until our press conference. And at least I and I think the
    Prime Minister will be willing to stay for a reasonable period of time
    to get virtually all the questions out. But we need to get on with our
    meeting now.
        Q. Mr. President, are you willing to take--[inaudible]--the Hamas
    member, to Israel----
        President Clinton. I'll answer the questions at the press
    conference.
        Prime Minister Netanyahu. This is the Israeli press, Mr. President.
        President Clinton. No, it's okay.
        Q. What's wrong with the Israeli press?
        Prime Minister Netanyahu. A very good press.
        President Clinton. Nothing. [Laughter] Wait, wait, wait. The Prime
    Minister wants to make a statement.
        Prime Minister Netanyahu. It's a very brief statement, but I think
    it says a lot. I'm very, very happy to be here with President Clinton
    again. We have seen him personally and his staff make a tremendous
    contribution for peace. I think their contribution for the Hebron
    agreement was decisive, and it reflects and reaffirms the leadership for
    peace that President Clinton has shown throughout his term of office.
        I think we've taken bold steps for peace. It's time that we see such
    steps from our partners as well. And if we have this mutuality, we will
    have, I think, a great future, a different future and hope for our
    children and our grandchildren.
        Q. Mr. President, can you take one question?
        President Clinton. At the press conference. I will answer at the
    press conference. And I promise, if he doesn't call on you, I will.

    Note: The President spoke at 1:12 p.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Chairman Yasser Arafat of the
    Palestinian Authority. A tape was not available for verification of the
    content of these remarks.