    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 32, Number 17 (Monday, April 29, 1996)]
    [Pages 725-726]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Remarks on the Agreement on Lebanon and an Exchange With Reporters

    April 26, 1996

        The President. Good afternoon. As you all know, just a short time
    ago Secretary Christopher concluded an agreement with the leaders of
    Israel, Lebanon, and Syria, to end the current crisis in southern
    Lebanon and northern Israel and to prevent it from starting again. I
    spoke with the Secretary this morning, shortly after 7 o'clock, and I
    have just spoken with the Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres, who joins
    me in welcoming this achievement.

    [[Page 726]]

        The agreement will stop Katyusha rocket attacks on northern Israel
    and protect both Lebanese and Israeli citizens. It sets up a mechanism
    to which Israel and Lebanon can refer complaints, composed of those two
    countries, the United States, France, and Syria. Because it is in
    writing, this agreement will be less likely to break down than the
    informal understandings that had been in place since 1993.
        I want to congratulate Secretary Christopher and his team for their
    tireless efforts over the past week. Now the civilians on both sides of
    the border can return to their homes and resume their normal lives with
    greater confidence and greater security than in the past. I also want to
    commend Prime Minister Peres, President Asad, Prime Minister Harawi, and
    the representatives of other interested governments, including France,
    for providing leadership which was very much needed to end this crisis.
        Now this agreement will only last if all those who worked with us to
    bring it about now work to make sure it succeeds. We must not and we
    will not tolerate new attempts to disrupt the calm which has been
    reestablished at such a terrible cost.
        I know I speak for all Americans in saying that our thoughts and
    prayers are with the innocent civilians and their families in Lebanon
    and in Israel who have suffered so much during the last 2 weeks. Now we
    must turn again to the hard work of building a comprehensive and lasting
    peace in the Middle East.
        Thank you very much.

    Middle East Peace Process

        Q. Mr. President, doesn't this really accept the status quo, and
    will--the real crux of the problem is Israeli occupation of Lebanon, and
    the President of Lebanon told you that he could restore order on the
    border if the Israeli troops got out. Why don't you work on that?
        The President. Well, first of all, that will be worked on in the
    context of resolving--making peace in the Middle East. That is a part of
    a comprehensive resolution to the Middle East peace process. That has
    always been our position. But first we had to restore the peace and stop
    the suffering of the innocent civilians.

    1996 Olympics

        Q. Mr. President, there are reports that there have been arrests in
    Georgia in connection, perhaps, with a militia group making some threats
    against the Olympics. I know you're planning on attending the Olympic
    games. Can you, first of all, tell us what exactly is going on?
        The President. Let me say--as you know, I have to leave--but the
    Justice Department will make whatever statements are appropriate there.
    I think it's inappropriate for me at this moment to say more.
        Thank you.
        Q. Are you concerned, though, about your security going to Atlanta?
        The President. No.

    Note: The President spoke at 12:50 p.m. in the Briefing Room at the
    White House. In his remarks, he referred to President Hafiz al-Asad of
    Syria and Prime Minister Ilyas Harawi of Lebanon.