    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000, Book I)]
    [June 10, 2000]
    [Page 1120]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Death of President Hafiz al-Asad of Syria
    June 10, 2000

        I am saddened by the news of President Asad's death and want to
    offer my condolences to his family and to the Syrian people.
        Over the past 7 years, I have met him many times and gotten to know
    him very well. We had our differences, but I always respected him. Since
    the Madrid Conference, he made a strategic choice for peace, and we
    worked together to achieve that goal. Throughout my contacts with him,
    including our last meeting, he made clear Syria's continued commitment
    to the path of peace.
        We look forward to working with Syria to achieve the goal of a
    comprehensive peace.