    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000, Book I)]
    [April 20, 2000]
    [Pages 754-755]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Prior to Discussions With Chairman Yasser Arafat of the Palestinian Authority and an Exchange With
    Reporters
    April 20, 2000

        The President.  Hello, everyone. Let me just briefly say that I am
    very, very glad to have Chairman Arafat back here at the White House.
    And I'm looking forward to our talks. We've reached a very serious time
    in the peace process. He and Prime Minister Barak
    have set for themselves an ambitious timetable to reach a framework
    agreement as soon as they can, and then a final agreement by the middle
    of September. So we're working hard on it, and I think we'll get some
    things done today.

    Elian Gonzalez

        Q.  Mr. President, a short time ago, Juan Miguel Gonzalez came out
    and called on the American people to help him urge you and your Attorney
    General to reunite him with his son. Do you have a message for Juan
    Miguel Gonzalez? And also, what steps is your administration prepared to
    take if the boy's Miami relatives won't turn him----
        The President.  First of all, I think he should be reunited with his son. That is the law. And
    the main argument of the family in Miami for not doing so has now been
    removed. I mean,

    [[Page 755]]

    their main argument was, if we let him go back to his father before the
    court rules, he might go back to Cuba. The court has now said he
    shouldn't go back to Cuba. The Justice Department agrees with that, and
    he has agreed to that.
        So there is now no conceivable argument for his not being able to be reunited with his son. And that
    is what the lawful process has said. The immigration law is clear, and
    the determination of the INS and a Federal court are clear. So I think
    he should be united in as prompt and orderly way as possible.
        Q.  Well, what about the appeals court suggestion that a 6-year-old
    maybe has some rights to say where he wants to live and apply for asylum
    on his own behalf?
        The President.  Well, even if the appeals court were to say that,
    which would be a rather dramatic departure from the law, then there
    would have to be some setup at a trial level for determining that. And
    in the meanwhile, while all this legal process plays out, as a matter of
    law the INS determined and a Federal court affirmed that the father
    should have custody.
        So, clearly, he should be reunited.
    And the argument that he might go back to Cuba before this thing can be
    finally resolved in the courts is no longer there. That's not an
    argument anymore.

    Middle East Peace Process

        Q.  Mr. President, did you write a letter for former Prime Minister
    Netanyahu, promising him that Israel would keep its nuclear or mass
    destruction weapons in case they reach an agreement with the
    Palestinians?
        The President.  I don't believe that issue ever came up in
    connection with an agreement with the Palestinians, with Mr.
    Netanyahu or any other Israeli Prime
    Minister. To the best of my memory, it did not.
        I think you all know what the issues are between the Israelis and
    the Palestinians. They are difficult, but I think they can be bridged.
    If the parties want to do this, we will do everything we can to help
    them and to minimize the difficulties and the risks involved. There are
    risks and difficulties involved for Chairman Arafat; there are risks and
    difficulties involved for Prime Minister Barak,
    for the Palestinian people, and for the Israeli people. I believe they
    are not nearly as great as the risks and difficulties of not making a
    peace agreement, so I hope they will do it. And if they want to do it,
    I'll do whatever I can to help them.

     Note:  The President spoke at 5:54 p.m. in the Rose Garden at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Prime Minister Ehud Barak and
    former Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu of Israel.