    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book II)]
    [September 4, 1997]
    [Pages 1129-1130]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on the Terrorist Attack in Jerusalem and an Exchange With
    Reporters in Martha's Vineyard
    September 4, 1997

        The President. Today's bombing in Jerusalem is an outrageous and
    inhuman act. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their
    families and all the people of Israel.
        It is clear that the perpetrators of this attack intended to kill
    both innocent people and the peace process itself. They must not be
    allowed to succeed. Everything possible must be done to stop them.
        The peace process can only move forward in a secure environment. And
    the Palestinian Authority, through concrete actions on its own and
    continuing work with the Israeli authorities, must do all it can to
    create an environment that leaves no doubt that terror will not be
    tolerated. This is the message that Secretary Albright will emphasize
    when she travels to the region next week.
        I know the overwhelming majority of Israelis and Palestinians yearn
    for an end to violence and for the start of lasting peace. If they are
    to see their hopes realized, we must see the strongest possible security
    cooperation. Only on that basis can the process proceed.

    1996 Campaign Financing

        Q. Mr. President, the Justice Department says it's investigating--
    reviewing, rather, whether campaign solicitations by Vice President Al
    Gore should warrant a preliminary investigation which could trigger the
    independent counsel law. Do you think that the Vice President's conduct
    should be investigated?
        The President. I have nothing to add to what I've said before. I
    believe what he did was legal, and the Justice Department has to make
    its own determination, which I'm confident they will do, based on the
    law.

    Middle East Peace Process

        Q. Back on the bombing, sir----
        The President. Yes?
        Q.----what does this do to the peace process, do you believe?
        The President. I would hope it would give it added urgency. It is
    obvious that when things are hanging in limbo, all sides become more
    vulnerable to the enemies of peace, and particularly the people of
    Israel become more vulnerable to the terrorists who desperately do not
    want to see this peace process proceed. They

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    do not want a peaceful resolution of the differences between the
    Israelis and the Palestinians. They do not want us to be able to go
    forward to see an ultimate resolution with the Syrians and the Lebanese.
    Hamas does not want that. Hamas and the other terrorists, they thrive on
    anger and anxiety and uncertainty and being able to inject their
    murderers into this situation.
        So what I hope will happen is that we will see--we believe we've
    made some progress--Mr. Ross went out there--on the security
    cooperation, and I hope we'll see some more, and I hope we'll see that
    this peace process can get going again.
        I think it's all the more important for Secretary Albright to go,
    and I've made it clear. And I tried to call Prime Minister Netanyahu. He
    was in the hospital with the victims and so he was unable to take my
    call, but I look forward to a discussion with him. I think it's
    important that she go on and go right out there, and we keep pushing
    this thing.
        Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 12:18 p.m. at the Richard Friedman
    residence. In his remarks, he referred to Special Middle East
    Coordinator Dennis B. Ross and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu of
    Israel.