[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 33, Number 11 (Monday, March 17, 1997)]
[Pages 321-322]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

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

March 10, 1997

    President Clinton. Let me say that I'm very glad to welcome 
President Mubarak back to Washington. The United States and Egypt have 
been partners in the quest for peace in the Middle East for two decades 
now. Nothing positive has happened except when we work together, and I 
think it's important that we continue to do so. And I'm looking forward 
to this meeting to discuss that as well as what we can do to improve the 
relations between our two countries.
    Welcome, Mr. President. I'm glad to see you.
    President Mubarak. Thank you very much.

Middle East Peace Process

    Q. President Mubarak, you're the leader of the first nation to begin 
a peace process with Israel. Do you buy President Clinton's rationale 
that he is preserving the peace process by, in effect, sanctioning the 
building of settlements in east Jerusalem?
    President Mubarak. It is said in the memo that the President did 
change his mind concerning the settlements, but the statements coming 
out from the State Department and from the White House concerning the 
settlements--the President is a full partner in the peace process. 
Without the United States, it would be very difficult to continue the 
peace process. So it's very important to have his influence, his 
leadership, his activity----
    Q. But he gave a green light with his veto.
    President Clinton. We're going to have a press conference later.
    President Mubarak. Yes.
    President Clinton. And we're going to answer all the questions. But 
I don't think it's fair to say I've sanctioned that. We'll have

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a press conference later. I'll answer more questions.
    Q. Are you prepared to explain the veto, Mr. President--Clinton?
    President Clinton. Sure. Yes, we'll have a press conference, and 
I'll answer all those questions. I'll be happy to answer that. And if no 
one gets to ask it, I will voluntarily answer it later.

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

    President Clinton. Let me begin by saying that it's a great honor 
for the United States to have President Mubarak back at the White House. 
His leadership for a comprehensive peace in the Middle East has been 
absolutely essential to any progress which has been made for 20 years 
now. We have worked closely together, and I'm looking forward to having 
this meeting.
    Let me also say that we're going to have a press conference 
afterward, and we'll do our best to answer whatever questions you have.
    Do you have anything you would like to say, Mr. President?
    President Mubarak. Usually, I come to the United States to meet Mr. 
Clinton, for the United States is a full partner for the peace process, 
making tremendous efforts so the process will continue, so as to reach a 
comprehensive settlement and peace could prevail in the whole area and 
cooperation will continue among the countries in the Middle East.
    I thank the President for his efforts, and we are going to discuss 
other issues now. Thank you.

Note: The President spoke at 11:11 a.m. in the Oval Office at the White 
House. A tape was not available for verification of the content of these 
remarks.