[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.