[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 30, Number 11 (Monday, March 21, 1994)]
[Pages 562-563]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement by Director of Communications on the President's Telephone 
Conversations With President Hafiz al-Asad of Syria and King Hussein of 
Jordan

March 18, 1994

    President Clinton called President Hafiz al-Asad of Syria and King 
Hussein of Jordan this afternoon to discuss developments in the Middle 
East peace process. President Asad informed the President that he had 
consulted with the leaders of Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon and that they 
had agreed that bilateral peace process negotiations with Israel would

[[Page 563]]

resume in April. President Asad noted that the Arab leaders took this 
decision in the context of their support for the U.N. Security Council 
resolution on Hebron and to enhance efforts to improve the security of 
the Palestinians and to advance the overall negotiating process toward a 
comprehensive and lasting peace.
    King Hussein expressed his support for the resumption of 
negotiations and his hopes for progress. President Clinton noted that 
the United States would be consulting with the Russian peace process 
cosponsor to determine a specific date in April for negotiations to 
begin.
    The President has also welcomed the intensive Israeli-Palestinian 
contacts which are taking place, including discussions today between 
Chairman Arafat and Prime Minister Rabin. A senior-level Israel-PLO 
meeting will take place in the coming days and will be announced shortly 
by the parties.