[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 33, Number 7 (Monday, February 17, 1997)]
[Pages 182-183]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Prior to Discussions With Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu of 
Israel and an Exchange With Reporters

February 13, 1997

    The President. Let me say two things. First of all, I'm delighted to 
have the Prime Minister back in Washington, and I applaud the terrific 
effort that he and Chairman Arafat made to resolve the issues relating 
to Hebron. And I'm looking forward to the next steps.
    The second thing I'd like to say is, we are going to have a press 
conference after this

[[Page 183]]

is over, and because we have a lot of things to discuss and a limited 
amount of time to discuss them, I would prefer if we would defer all 
questions until the press conference. I will give you an extended 
opportunity to ask questions related to this, and I know you have some 
other questions on other things, but I'd rather answer them at the press 
conference.
    Q. And I'll obey you for a change. [Laughter]
    Q. Sir, I like your tie.
    The President. Thank you. Pamela Harriman gave me that the last time 
I was in Paris. That's why I wore it today. Her last gift to me was this 
tie. That's why I wore it today.

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

    The President. Let me make a brief statement, if I might. First of 
all, I am very, very pleased that the Prime Minister is back in 
Washington. I'm looking forward to our meeting. I want, once again, to 
congratulate him for the agreement that was made with Chairman Arafat 
over Hebron. It was a brave and wise thing to do. Obviously, the United 
States wants to make whatever contribution we can to the continuation of 
a peace process.
    The second thing I would like to say is that we have a lot of things 
to discuss here, as you might imagine, and a limited time in which to 
discuss them. I will be happy to take your questions, but I would like 
to defer it until our press conference. And at least I and I think the 
Prime Minister will be willing to stay for a reasonable period of time 
to get virtually all the questions out. But we need to get on with our 
meeting now.
    Q. Mr. President, are you willing to take--[inaudible]--the Hamas 
member, to Israel----
    The President. I'll answer the questions at the press conference.
    Prime Minister Netanyahu. This is the Israeli press, Mr. President.
    The President. No, it's okay.
    Q. What's wrong with the Israeli press?
    Prime Minister Netanyahu. A very good press.
    The President. Nothing. [Laughter] Wait, wait, wait. The Prime 
Minister wants to make a statement.
    Prime Minister Netanyahu. It's a very brief statement, but I think 
it says a lot. I'm very, very happy to be here with President Clinton 
again. We have seen him personally and his staff make a tremendous 
contribution for peace. I think their contribution for the Hebron 
agreement was decisive, and it reflects and reaffirms the leadership for 
peace that President Clinton has shown throughout his term of office.
    I think we've taken bold steps for peace. It's time that we see such 
steps from our partners as well. And if we have this mutuality, we will 
have, I think, a great future, a different future and hope for our 
children and our grandchildren.
    Q. Mr. President, can you take one question?
    The President. At the press conference. I will answer at the press 
conference. And I promise, if he doesn't call on you, I will.

Note: The President spoke at 1:12 p.m. in the Oval Office at the White 
House. In his remarks, he referred to Chairman Yasser Arafat of the 
Palestinian Authority. A tape was not available for verification of the 
content of these remarks.