[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 29, Number 43 (Monday, November 1, 1993)]
[Pages 2166-2167]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Exchange With Reporters Prior to Discussions With President Hosni 
Mubarak of Egypt

 October 25, 1993

Haiti

    Q. Mr. President, all these reports are coming out of Haiti that 
there could be a breakthrough in the process that would bring Aristide 
back in. Is that optimism justified?
    President Clinton. Well, there's been some movement over the 
weekend. I've learned in dealing with Haiti not to be optimistic ever. 
But there has been some movement, and it's hopeful, and we'll keep 
working on it.
    Let me also say, President Mubarak and I will have statements to 
make and will answer questions later, but I'm glad to welcome him back 
to Washington to congratulate him on his election. And this is the first 
opportunity I've had face to face to thank him for the critical role 
that he has played in the Middle East peace process. We're looking 
forward to having a good discussion about that, and we'll have more to 
say about it later.
    Q. Mr. President, over the weekend, Bob Dole said that returning 
Aristide to Haiti is not worth a single American life. What's your 
response?
    President Clinton. Well, my response is that our policy is to 
attempt to restore democracy in Haiti, that we are doing it in the way 
that we think is best and that is supported by Aristide and Prime 
Minister Malval. We have our ships there, and you know what we're doing. 
And they've never asked us to run the country for them. They've asked us 
to help the democratic process to be restored. We hope it can be done. 
The

[[Page 2167]]

United States has an interest in that, avoiding large-scale outpourings 
of refugees, making sure the country is not a conduit for drug 
deliveries to this country, and promoting democracy in our hemisphere. 
And we're pursuing that policy.

Palestinian Prisoners

    Q. President Mubarak, can we ask about your feelings about Israel's 
releasing these Palestinian prisoners today?
    President Mubarak. I think it's a very good act. And we have 
discussed this before with Prime Minister Rabin. And the man really--
[inaudible]--in doing as far as he could to restore peace and reach a 
comprehensive settlement to the problem. It's a very good step forward.
    Q. Mr. President, your feelings?
    President Clinton. I agree. I'm very pleased. He should come every 
day. I can say I agree--[laughter]--shorten my answer.

[At this point, one group of reporters left the room, and another group 
entered.]

President's Invitation to Egypt

    Q. Can I ask a question, Mr. President? When are you going to come 
and visit Egypt? [Inaudible]--invitation from me.
    President Clinton. I think President Mubarak will have to invite me.

Discussions with President Mubarak

    Q. President Clinton, which is the topic you wish to discuss with 
President Mubarak?
    President Clinton. We have many things to discuss. I want to discuss 
how we can continue to work together on a comprehensive peace in the 
Middle East. And I want to ask President Mubarak's advice on a whole 
range of foreign policy issues. I want to be able to thank him 
personally for the absolutely indispensable role that he has played in 
the peace process in the Middle East so far. I don't think we would be 
where we are today if it weren't for President Mubarak. And we'll have 
our conversation, and then I'll answer your questions afterward. And 
I'll try to make sure you get equal time with the American press.
    Q. Is Somalia on the topic of your talks with President Mubarak?
    President Clinton. Oh yes, I expect to discuss Somalia, yes.

Note: The exchange began at 11:09 a.m. in the Oval Office at the White 
House. A tape was not available for verification of the content of this 
exchange.