    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book I)]
    [January 14, 1997]
    [Pages 36-37]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on the Israeli-Palestinian Agreement on Hebron and an Exchange
    With Reporters
    January 14, 1997

        The President. A few minutes ago, Prime Minister Netanyahu and
    Chairman Arafat called me to tell me that they have reached agreement on
    the Israeli redeployment in Hebron. This achievement brings to a
    successful conclusion the talks that were launched in Washington last
    September, and it brings us another step closer to a lasting, secure
    Middle East peace.
        Once again, the Israelis and the Palestinians have shown they can
    resolve their differences and help to build a brighter future for their
    children by finding ways to address each other's concerns. And once
    again, the forces of peace have prevailed over a history of division.
        Israel will promptly redeploy its troops. The parties will establish
    practical security arrangements to strengthen stability and improve
    cooperation. There will also be an agreed roadmap for further
    redeployment by Israel. The Palestinians have reaffirmed their
    commitments, including their commitment to fight terrorism.
        I thank Prime Minister Netanyahu and Chairman Arafat for their
    leadership. King Hussein also deserves special recognition and gratitude
    for his work for peace. I also want to express my appreciation to
    President Mubarak for his support. Finally, let me thank Secretary
    Christopher, who worked on this all weekend long, and our United States
    team. And especially let me thank our Special Middle East Coordinator,
    Dennis Ross, who has worked so hard and so long to help conclude this
    agreement.
        Today's agreement is not an end in itself. Bringing its words to
    life will require active and continuous cooperation between Israeli and
    Palestinian officials. It will demand every effort to stop those who
    would choose confrontation over cooperation. In short, this is not a
    time to relax. It is a time to reinforce our commitment to peace.
        That's why it is so important that the Israelis and the Palestinians
    have agreed to continue to work on the remaining issues contained in
    their agreements. As they do, the United States will do all it can to
    help. We will do everything we can to build a just and durable peace, a
    peace that will mean a better life for Israelis, for Palestinians, for
    all the people of the Middle East.
        And now I'd like to ask Mr. Berger to come up here and give you the
    details from our perspective of what's happened over the last couple
    weeks.
        Q. Sir, if it took so long for this agreement to be worked out, sir,
    on a relatively minor point of redeploying troops in Hebron, what does--
    is it a bad omen for the other unresolved issues that they now face?

    [[Page 37]]

        The President. No. I think it's a good omen, because--keep in mind
    this agreement was not just about the Hebron redeployment. It was about
    a timetable for further redeployment. It was about other arrangements
    that would shape their future working relationship. So this is--there's
    much more in this agreement now. And Mr. Berger can answer more
    questions about it.

    Note: The President spoke at 8:27 p.m. in the Briefing Room at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu
    of Israel; Chairman Yasser Arafat of the Palestinian Authority; King
    Hussein I of Jordan; and President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt.