[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.