[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 34, Number 20 (Monday, May 18, 1998)]
[Page 845]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on the Middle East Peace Process

May 11, 1998

    I have just met with Secretary Albright, National Security Adviser 
Berger, and Ambassador Ross. Unfortunately, there will not be a meeting 
today with Prime Minister Netanyahu and Chairman Arafat to launch the 
permanent status talks. I regret that.
    I have asked Secretary Albright to meet later this week with Prime 
Minister Netanyahu while he is in Washington. The objective of those 
discussions will be to seek to overcome the remaining differences so 
that we can proceed immediately with accelerated permanent status talks.
    Secretary Albright will then report to me whether, as a result of 
her discussions with the Prime Minister, the basis exists to launch 
those talks in Washington.