    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
    [July 19, 1999]
    [Pages 1246-1252]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's News Conference With Prime Minister Ehud Barak of Israel
    July 19, 1999

        President Clinton. Good afternoon. Please be seated. Prime Minister
    Barak and I have had a very good series of meetings over the past few
    days. Of course, we have focused primarily

    [[Page 1247]]

    on the Middle East peace process. We strongly agree that a negotiated
    peace is the best way to make Israel more secure, the best path to
    lasting stability and prosperity for all the peoples of the Middle East.
        The Prime Minister is determined to accelerate that process, to
    reach with Chairman Arafat a permanent status
    agreement between Israel and the Palestinian people, and to achieve a
    broader regional peace that includes Syria and Lebanon. As he has said,
    the objective now is to put the peace process back on all its tracks.
        But we should have no illusions. The way ahead will be difficult.
    There are hard decisions to be made. Knowing his long record of
    accomplishment, both as soldier and civilian, and having spent a good
    deal of time with him these past few days, I believe the Prime Minister
    is ready to move forward decisively. And America is clearly ready to
    help in any way we can. As Israel takes calculated risks for peace, we
    will continue to support Israel's defense.
        Today we have agreed to strengthen our security assistance to Israel
    so Israel can best meet the threats to its citizens, including terrorism
    and the growing threat of long-range missiles and weapons of mass
    destruction. We've also agreed to establish a high-level joint planning
    group to consult on security issues and to report back regularly to the
    Prime Minister and to me personally.
        I intend to work closely with our Congress for expedited approval of
    a package that includes not only aid to Israel but also assistance to
    the Palestinian people and Jordan in the context of implementing the Wye
    River agreement. Making Israel stronger and making Palestinians and
    Jordanians more secure and more prosperous: all these are crucial to
    building a just and lasting peace in the region.
        Finally, I want to announce that America and Israel will be taking
    our partnership to new heights, literally. As part of an effort to
    enhance our scientific cooperation, we will create a working group
    between NASA and the Israel Space Agency to advance scientific research,
    educational activities, and the peaceful uses of space. And an Israeli
    astronaut and a payload of Israeli instruments will fly on a space
    shuttle mission next year.
        All these efforts will strengthen the bonds between our two
    democracies. They will help us to build a better future together. I am
    proud that Prime Minister Barak is my partner in this work. I look
    forward to seeing him again soon.
        Mr. Prime Minister, the floor is yours.
        Prime Minister Barak. Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen. President
    Clinton and I have just concluded the last in our series of meetings.
    Those meetings were held in an atmosphere of deep friendship and
    understanding that characterizes the bilateral relationship between
    Israel and the United States.
        Our policy is based on the following: We are committed to the
    renewal of the peace process. It is our intention to move the process
    forward simultaneously on all tracks--bilateral, the Palestinian, the
    Syrians, and the Lebanese, as well as the multilateral. We will leave no
    stone unturned in our efforts to reinvigorate the process, which must be
    based upon direct talks between the parties themselves and conducted in
    an atmosphere of mutual trust.
        Any unilateral steps, acts or threats of terrorism, violence, or
    other forms of aggression have no place in a process of peace. The peace
    we seek to establish is only the one that will enhance the security of
    Israel. Only a strong and secure Israel is capable of making the
    difficult choices that the process requires.
        I will not shy away from those difficult choices, but I have
    responsibility to the people of Israel to do all that I possibly can to
    minimize the risks and dangers involved. From here, I call upon our Arab
    partners and their leaders to embark with us together on this historic
    journey, which requires tough choices from all parties.
        Mr. President, Israel and America share a unique friendship and a
    very special partnership. Our relationship is built upon common values,
    shared interests, and a mutual vision as to the future of the region. A
    strong Israeli-American relationship must be the cornerstone on which to
    build a peaceful Middle East. Mr. President, the road ahead may be long
    and arduous, but together with our peace partners, we can and will make
    it happen.
        We know, Mr. President, that in the pursuit of this sacred mission,
    a mission of peace, we can count on your wisdom, experience, good
    advice, and continued support all along the road.
        For Nava and for myself, thank you again for your warm hospitality
    accorded us throughout our visit and for your consistent friendship and
    support.
        Thank you.

    [[Page 1248]]

        President Clinton. Terry [Terence Hunt, Associated Press].

    Middle East Peace Process

        Q. Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, the Prime Minister has
    committed himself to implementing the West Bank pull-back agreed upon at
    Wye River. You just talked about accelerating the peace process.
    Realistically speaking, looking ahead, how long before the final status
    talks get underway on the tough issues like Jerusalem, the Palestinian
    hopes for a homeland, refugees? And what specific steps can the United
    States do to facilitate this process? Maybe if each of you could address
    those.
        President Clinton. Well, first of all, the United States will
    continue to do what it has done all along. I believe that we should be
    prepared to support a final status agreement in the way we have
    supported all these other agreements, going all the way back to Camp
    David and through those that have been reached during my tenure. We
    should support the security of Israel, the stability of the region, the
    economic development of the region. And we should help to work out any
    of the particular problems as they arise.
        In terms of the timing, I don't think it's for the United States to
    set the timetables here. I think we should just be supportive of moving
    ahead as vigorously as possible. But it's not our role--and shouldn't
    be--to impose an outside timetable on the process.
        Prime Minister Barak. We are committed to agreements signed by
    Israeli governments. We are committed to Wye. We will implement it. We
    are committed to the permanent status negotiations, and we intend to go
    forward and do it.
        We have to consider, together with Chairman Arafat, the way to
    combine the Wye agreement implementation with the pushing forward of the
    permanent status negotiations and implementation. And we will do exactly
    that in the coming months.
        I would suggest a kind of framework of about 15 months, within which
    we will know whether we have a breakthrough and are really going to put
    an end to the conflict, or alternatively--I hope this will not be the
    case--we are stuck once again. I use the kind of framework of 15 months
    to signal to all publics and ask the players that we are not talking
    about a miraculous solution, magic solution, that will drop upon us from
    heaven in 3 weeks, and we do not intend to drag our foot for another 3
    years.
        President Clinton. Want to take a question from an Israeli
    journalist?
        Prime Minister Barak. Please.

    President Hafiz al-Asad of Syria

        Q. Mr. President, do you intend to have talks or to meet with
    President Asad at the present time and maybe shoot for a summit meeting
    here with President Asad?
        And, Prime Minister Barak, another question also on Damascus. Today
    terrorist organizations there were urged to leave the country by the
    Syrian Government. Is there any proof of this news that you heard, and
    if it's true, do you see any significance?
        President Clinton. Well, let me answer the first question. I have
    had regular contact, as you know, and a lot of contact with President
    Asad over the last 6\1/2\ years. He knows very well that I am committed
    to the peace process between Israel and Syria, and that I believe that
    he has a golden opportunity now to resume that process and that I hope
    he will do so. And I intend to reaffirm that in the appropriate way at
    the conclusion of our meeting.
        We, too, would like more normal relations with Syria, and we would
    like Syria to be reconciled to all its neighbors in the region. And I
    think anything that Syria does to disassociate itself from terrorists is
    a positive step in the right direction.
        Yes, ma'am. Helen [Helen Thomas, United Press International], you're
    next; I'll take you next.

    Future Israeli Security

        Q. Mr. Prime Minister, a question to you. As Israel moves now to
    resume peace talks with its Arab adversaries, what and who do you regard
    as the real existential threats to Israel in the coming century? Do you
    look more toward Iran and Iraq? Do you have different views on these
    issues than your predecessor? Thank you.
        Prime Minister Barak. Unlike this part of the world, our neighbor--
    unlike North America--Western Europe is a very tough neighborhood, you
    know, kind of merciless environment, no second opportunity for those who
    cannot defend themselves. And many threats might loom over the horizon
    without very long early warning. We, of course, see the risk. This is
    one of the reasons

    [[Page 1249]]

    why I'm so determined to do whatever we can to achieve peace.
        I spent all my life in uniform fighting for the security of our
    country, and we know from our experience that by strengthening Israel
    and going toward peace, we will reduce this kind of threat. There are a
    lot of conventional armed forces around us. If you combine them together
    it's more weapon systems in the Middle East than in NATO. And of course,
    the prospect of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and missile
    technology to places like Iran or Iraq create a major threat to the
    stability of the whole Middle East, to the free flow of oil from this
    region that helps to sustain the economies of both Europe and Japan,
    and, of course, to Israel. And we are watching very carefully these
    kinds of threats.
        We do not aspire to eliminate any future risk from the globe by
    making peace with our neighbors, but we're clearly determined to make
    our future and the future of our neighbors better by reaching a full
    agreement about peace with all our neighbors around.
        Q. Iraq and Iran, sir?
        Prime Minister Barak. Iran and Iraq is a sources of potential threat
    to the stability of the Middle East and to Israel if they reach missile
    technology, nuclear weapons, and, by this, the combination to really
    launch them.

    Middle East Peace Process

        Q. President Clinton, you have met with Prime Minister Barak for
    many hours, and we all know that you have concluded some sort of a
    program to advance the peace process. Can you please tell us some of
    these details that you can tell us? What is expected in the coming days
    or weeks, and when is the talks between Syria and Israel are going to be
    resumed? Is there any date?
        And a question to Prime Minister Barak, what is your reaction to the
    meeting of Abd al-Halim Khaddam in Damascus with a few Palestinian
    organizations that are imposing the Olso--the peace process? Do you
    think that it's a significant step for peace?
        President Clinton. First of all, we have issued a very detailed
    joint statement. I don't know if you have it yet or not.
        Q. I've read it, but it doesn't say specifically what are the coming
    moves.
        President Clinton. That's right; that's on purpose. [Laughter] So
    you know, sometimes in this process, the less you say, the better. Let
    me say that you know that Prime Minister Barak has talked to Chairman
    Arafat, and they intend to talk again. And I
    have said that I will make it known to President Asad what I consider to be the very satisfactory results of this
    meeting and that this is an important time to restart the peace process.
    I think to go beyond that right now would be an error on my part, not
    because I don't intend to push ahead in every way I can, but I just
    think it would be a mistake.
        Prime Minister Barak. I can just add to this that I'm fully
    confident that when we will have something to tell, we will be
    interviewed by you, and we'll tell you, and the public will know. There
    will be no secrets when something really happens in the open.
        On the other part of your question, I did not get a real report
    about this meeting, but if there was such a meeting and the Syrians
    really asked the terror organizations to reduce their level of activity,
    if that is true, it is, of course, good news for all of us.
        President Clinton. Helen.

    Israeli-Palestinian Relations

        Q. Mr. Prime Minister, there's an expression----
        Prime Minister Barak. I awaited you. [Laughter]
        Q. ----that if you walk in someone's moccasins, then you'll know how
    they really feel. If you were walking in a Palestinian's shoes, how
    would you feel about occupation, annexation, incarceration for months,
    for years without a charge, without a trial?
        Prime Minister Barak. I was elected Prime Minister of the State of
    Israel. I'm fully focused on the security and future of the Israelis. I
    am aware that the same way that a person cannot choose his parents, a
    nation cannot choose its neighbors. They are there, the Palestinians; we
    respect them. We want to build a peace with them that will put an end to
    the conflict with all the sufferings that happen on both sides of this
    conflict. We are determined to do it. I believe that focusing on how to
    solve the problems of the future is a more, may I say, productive way to
    consume our time than dealing with analyzing past events or their
    interpretation.
        Q. Well, they aren't past. They're very current.

    [[Page 1250]]

        Prime Minister Barak. We are working on bringing a peace that will
    create a different environment in the Middle East, and I am fully
    focused on this future, rather than on analysis of the past.
        President Clinton. Do you want to take another question?
        Prime Minister Barak. Please.

    U.S. Role in Middle East Peace Process

        Q. How do you reconcile between the Prime Minister's expectation to
    get your support to the further negotiations with the Palestinians, the
    potential difficulties that Israel will face, with your role as an
    honest broker?
        President Clinton. Why are they inconsistent? I'm not sure I
    understand the question.
        Q. It's a cultural gap.
        Q. No, it's not cultural gap.
        President Clinton. No, no, explain the question. I'm sorry; I don't
    mean to be dense, but I don't understand the question.
        Q. We understand that the Prime Minister strove to get your
    understanding to Israel's point of view with regard to the negotiations
    that he will have with the Palestinians.
        President Clinton. Yes, that's correct.
        Q. On the other hand, America is going to play the role of an honest
    broker between Israel and the Palestinians. So probably there is a kind
    of conflict between these two roles.
        President Clinton. Oh, I see what you mean. Actually, in this case,
    I disagree with that for the following reason. The Prime Minister has
    made it clear--this goes a little bit to the question Helen asked in a
    general way--the Prime Minister has made it clear that however he
    proceeds into the future in negotiating with the Palestinians that it
    must all be done by agreement, including the ideas of synchronizing Wye
    and going to the final status talks. I'm convinced that at the end of
    the road, anything they could both agree to would be in both their
    interests.
        And I must say, I think--some of you may think this is naive,
    especially as long as I've been doing this--but I honestly believe that
    the most important element for success for an Israeli Prime Minister in
    negotiating an agreement with the Palestians is being able to set aside
    the accumulated burdens of the past to at least see them with respect
    and understand how they perceive the legitimacy of their aspirations.
    And I have seen that with this Prime Minister. And I think when you do
    that, then there will be a way to work this out.
        I think that in a peculiar way, the United States can only be of
    value to the Palestinians because we are so close to Israel. Otherwise,
    of what value are we to them? And because we are, if we believe they
    have a good point that I privately and personally communicate to the
    Prime Minister or his designated representatives, it should carry more
    weight because they know how close we are.
        So I don't see the two things as in conflict. I think that, in the
    end, they both have to believe they have won or there will be no
    agreement. If either side believes that it has lost, why should they
    agree?

    Convicted Spy Jonathan Pollard

        Q. Mr. President, did the subject of Jonathan Pollard and his
    possible release come up in any form during your discussions? It's now 8
    months since White House Counsel Chuck Ruff requested the major U.S.
    Governmental agencies to offer their opinions on this. Did any of those
    agencies recommend or indicate that they would recommend his release?
        And, Mr. Prime Minister, did President Clinton give you any reason
    to expect that Pollard's release may be a possibility?
        Prime Minister Barak. Maybe I'll answer first, and it will make it
    more--smoother in a way. I clearly want to see Jonathan Pollard
    released, but I am of the position that any public discussion of this
    issue doesn't push forward the purpose of having him released. For many
    reasons, this is a subject that should be dealt with not in public, but
    at most, between the leaders of the two nations.
        President Clinton. One more over here, and then we'll take--Sam [Sam
    Donaldson, ABC News], you want a question?

    First Lady's Position on Middle East
    Process

        Q. Sir, I'd like to take another crack at a question you've been
    asked before. You've said that when Mrs. Clinton expresses her opinions
    publicly she's just doing something in public which you've done in
    private before--that is, have disagreements. That's the American way.
    But when she talks about an opinion in which she takes the Israeli
    position on Jerusalem, doesn't this make it more difficult for you to be
    that honest broker that one of your colleagues talked about, sir?

    [[Page 1251]]

        President Clinton. No, no. For one thing--let me say, that issue is
    not one that--that's not the public-private distinction. The Government
    of the United States, the executive branch, the President, is a sponsor
    of the peace process and a facilitator of it. In that context, those of
    us with positions of official responsibility who are all the time asking
    Israel and the Palestinians, we're all the time asking both sides not to
    do anything which prejudices final status issues--I have taken the
    position that my government should not prejudice final status issues.
        There are many American citizens who consider, for example,
    Jerusalem to be the capital of Israel; Israel considers Jerusalem to be
    the capital of Israel. You heard the Prime Minister say that he hoped
    that when we had all this worked out, everybody's Embassy would be
    there.
        The genius, I thought, of the legislation which was passed by the
    Congress and sponsored I think primarily by Senator Moynihan was that it permitted each individual Member
    of Congress and, therefore, imposed on everybody who might want to be in
    Congress, the responsibility of expressing their opinion on it, while
    allowing the United States to continue to be an honest broker through
    the waiver authority so we don't have to prejudice the final status
    issue.
        The status of Jerusalem is, under the Oslo accords, something that
    the parties themselves have to work out at the end. So that's my
    position. I don't think there is any inconsistency there at all. I think
    that anybody who is ever going to consider being a candidate for
    Congress in any place in this country, or the Senate, where people care
    about this, might be asked about it. But we have a framework in our law,
    which I think is quite good, where people can express their opinion
    about it, vote for a law, support the law, but the President, whoever
    the President is, is permitted to honor the obligation of the United
    States not to prejudice the final status issue.
        Q. But sir, the thrust----
        Prime Minister Barak. ----of Israeli TV----
        Q. Sir, may I just follow up?
        Prime Minister Barak. Please, let the young lady--beauty before age.
    [Laughter] I'm not quarreling with your wisdom, but look, a young
    Israeli. [Laughter]

    Palestinian State

        Q. To both of you, Prime Minister Barak was mentioning that 15-month
    framework for the negotiation; do you see, Mr. President, and you, Prime
    Minister Barak, a Palestinian state at the end of this period of time?
        Prime Minister Barak. I think it's too early to think of the results
    of the negotiations about permanent status that were hardly begun. And I
    don't think that you should interpret this 15-month framework as a kind
    of a deadline where everything should be either fully concluded and
    implemented, or the whole thing is blown up, blown apart. I don't think
    that is the case.
        We have this framework in order that different players on different
    tracks with only partially transparent membranes between them could make
    up their judgment about what should be concluded in their own track,
    vis-a-vis Israel, while taking into account the fact that the others are
    continuing.
        So without providing them with a certain timeframe they might be
    lost or suspicions would be heightened, which as you know, happens very
    often in the Middle East. So in order to produce a certain kind of
    common basis, common framework, and common understanding about how we
    intend to move, we shaped this timeframe. It could not be interpreted as
    more than this.
        Q. What about the possibility of a Palestinian state?
        Prime Minister Barak. Oh, this was the question, I thought--
    [laughter]. It's part of the permanent status negotiations, and I'm
    confident that the nature of the Palestinian entity will emerge quite
    naturally out of these permanent status negotiations. We are
    concentrating on solving at the same time all the problems that are on
    the table--the refugees, the border, the future of settlements, the
    problem of Jerusalem. And I don't think it's a very easy task to solve
    part of the problem without solving, at the same time, the other parts.
        President Clinton. Joe says we were about to draw this to a close.
    But if you want to chew on me, I'll be back Wednesday; we're going to
    have a press conference. Thank you very much. Thank you.
        Oh, wait, wait, I'll answer the Coast Guard question. Go ahead. This
    is important--further--what's going on for America today, so I'll answer
    this. Go ahead.

    [[Page 1252]]

    John F. Kennedy, Jr.

        Q. Mr. President, I'm told that you were briefed earlier today by
    the U.S. Coast Guard about their search for the wreckage of the Kennedy
    plane. Can you tell us what the results of that are to date? And also,
    sir, since the search became a--quote, unquote--``recovery operation''
    last night, have you had a chance to speak with any members of the
    Kennedy family, and if so, can you relate some or all of those
    conversations?
        President Clinton. Well, let me say, first of all, I did speak with
    Admiral Larrabee this morning, and again
    I want to say I think the Coast Guard, the National Transportation
    Safety Board, the FAA, all the State and local entities who have worked
    for them have done quite a fine job here; and I'm grateful to them.
        He was actually, Admiral Larrabee,
    somewhat optimistic that they would eventually be successful in this
    area they have identified, in finding further--at least further parts of
    the plane. And I believe it's appropriate that this search continue. So
    I think they've done a good job.
        I have had, over the last 3 days, several conversations with Senator
    Kennedy, and I have talked with
    Caroline, and I have--but I
    think it would not be appropriate for me to talk about the merits of it.
        Let me say that John Kennedy and his sister and later his wife, were uncommonly kind to my daughter and to my wife,
    and this has been a very difficult thing for us, personally, as well as
    because of my position. They are very strong people, and I think they
    are carrying on as well as any human beings could. But they need the
    support and prayers of our country.
        Thank you.
        Prime Minister Barak. Allow me please to add to it--to extend on
    behalf of myself and the Israeli people our prayers and thoughts to the
    Kennedy family that faced so many tragedies and now is facing another
    one, a tragedy that I believe touched hearts of billions all around the
    world.
        Thank you.
        President Clinton. Thank you very much.

    Note: The President's 178th news conference began at 4 p.m. in
    Presidential Hall (formerly Room 450) in the Old Executive Office
    Building. In his remarks, the President referred to Chairman Yasser
    Arafat of the Palestinian Authority; First Coast Guard District
    Commander Rear Adm. Richard M. Larrabee, USCG, who headed the search and
    recovery efforts off the coast of Martha's Vineyard, MA, to locate the
    missing aircraft that carried John F. Kennedy, Jr., his wife, Carolyn
    Bessette Kennedy, and her sister Lauren Bessette. The President also
    referred to Mr. Kennedy's sister, Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg. Prime
    Minister Barak referred to his wife, Nava; and Vice President Abd al-
    Halim Khaddam of Syria.