    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book II)]
    [July 30, 1997]
    [Pages 1026-1027]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on the Terrorist Attack in Jerusalem, Israel, and an Exchange
    With Reporters
    July 30, 1997

        The President. Good morning. Today's bombing by terrorists in
    Jerusalem was a barbarous act. There is no excuse and there must be no
    tolerance for this kind of inhumanity. The slaughter was aimed directly
    at innocent Israelis. And make no mistake, it was also aimed at the
    majority of Israelis, Palestinians, and Arabs who want a lasting and
    just peace.
        The only answer can and must be concrete steps by the Palestinian
    Authority to increase security operations and the strengthening of
    security cooperation between Palestinians and Israelis and a deepened
    determination by both Palestinians and Israelis to pursue peace. Only
    when a lasting and secure peace is achieved will the enemies of peace be
    defeated.
        I have just spoken to Prime Minister Netanyahu. I told him the
    hearts and prayers of Americans are with him, the people of Israel, and
    the victims of the attack and their families.
        I have nothing further to say about this except to say, again, we
    must not let the enemies of peace prevail. There must be increased
    security operations, increased security cooperation, and a continuing
    commitment that is deep into the peace process.
        Q. Mr. President, what kind of security could have guarded against
    these two people who apparently were willing to kill themselves in order
    to do this damage?
        The President. Well, I can't answer that, but I do know that there
    have been long periods when the security operations have succeeded. And
    if these people were part of larger networks, there may well be
    something else that can be done, but I don't obviously know the facts of
    this specific case. We can't say whether any action by the Palestinian
    Authority, for example, could have stopped this bombing, but we can say,
    from our observations, that there could be increased security activity
    and cooperation.
        Q. Will you try to reach Chairman Arafat, and what publicly do you
    expect him to do in the wake of this explosion?
        The President. Well, he's already talked to Prime Minister
    Netanyahu, and I would expect him to say in public what he said to him
    in private. And I would expect there to be increased security activity
    and increased security cooperation.
        Q. Mr. President, how long will the Dennis Ross trip be postponed,
    and what specific new steps will he bring from the United States trying
    to revive the peace process?
        The President. I think it's inappropriate to discuss the second part
    of your question at this moment, but the trip will be postponed for a
    period--an appropriate period of mourning.
        Q. Mr. President, do you think that it's time for either you or the
    Secretary of State to become personally involved? There has been a lot
    of criticism that the United States hasn't been----
        The President. First of all, I think the suggestion that we've not
    been personally involved is just false. But certainly----
        Q. In a public way, though.
        The President. Well, I believe, and I think that the record will
    bear this out--I believe--my personal involvement has been continuing
    and intense in this. But I know of no example in recent history where
    peace is made by third parties trying to be helpful making public
    statements alone. I believe the way I'm doing this is the most effective
    way. But you should not conclude for a moment that the White House has
    not been intimately and intensely and continuously involved in this
    peace process, particularly as it has gotten more difficult.
        Thank you.

    [[Page 1027]]

    Note: The President spoke at 9:45 a.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; and
    Special Middle East Coordinator Dennis Ross.