[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.