[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 35, Number 50 (Monday, December 20, 1999)]
[Pages 2621-2622]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Prior to Discussions With Prime Minister Ehud Barak of Israel 
and Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara of Syria

December 15, 1999

Middle East Peace Process

    The President. Good morning. It is an honor to welcome Prime 
Minister Barak, Foreign Minister Shara, and the members of the Israeli 
and Syrian delegations here to the White House.
    When the history of this century is written, some of its most 
illustrious chapters will be the stories of men and women who put old 
rivalries and conflicts behind them and looked ahead to peace and 
reconciliation for their children. What we are witnessing today is not 
yet peace, and getting there will require bold thinking and hard 
choices. But today is a big step along that path.
    Prime Minister Barak and Foreign Minister Shara are about to begin 
the highest level meeting ever between their two countries. They are 
prepared to get down to business. For the first time in history, there 
is a chance of a comprehensive peace between Israel and Syria and, 
indeed, all its neighbors.
    That Prime Minister Barak and Foreign Minister Shara chose to come 
here to Washington reminds us of one other fact, of course, which is the 
United States own responsibility in this endeavor. Secretary Albright 
and I and our entire team will do everything we possibly can to help the 
parties succeed, for a comprehensive peace in the Middle East is vital 
not only to the region; it is also vital to the world and to the 
security of the American people, for we have learned from experience 
that tensions in the region can escalate, and the escalations can lead 
into diplomatic, financial, and ultimately, military involvement, far 
more costly than even the costliest peace.
    We should be clear, of course, the success of the enterprise we 
embark upon today is not guaranteed. The road to peace is no easier, and 
in many ways it is harder, than the road to war. There will be 
challenges along the way, but we have never had such an extraordinary 
opportunity to reach a comprehensive settlement.
    Prime Minister Barak, an exceptional hero in war, is now a 
determined soldier for peace. He knows a negotiated peace, one that 
serves the interests of all sides, is the only way to bring genuine 
security to the people of Israel, to see that they are bound by a circle 
of peace.
    President Asad, too, has known the cost of war. From my discussion 
with him in recent months, I am convinced he knows what a true peace 
could do to lift the lives of his people and give them a better future. 
And Foreign Minister Shara is an able representative of the President 
and the people of Syria.
    Let me also say a brief word about the continuing progress of the 
Palestinian track. Chairman Arafat also has embarked on a courageous 
quest for peace, and the Israelis and the Palestinians continue to work 
on that.

[[Page 2622]]

    We see now leaders with an unquestioned determination to defend and 
advance the interest of their own people but also determined to marshal 
the courage and creativity, the vision and resolve, to secure a bright 
future based on peace rather than a dark future under the storm clouds 
of continuing, endless conflict.
    At the close of this millennium and in this season of religious 
celebration for Jews, for Muslims, for Christians, Israelis, 
Palestinians, Syrians, Lebanese, all have it within their power to end 
decades of bitter conflict. Together, they can choose to write a new 
chapter in the history of our time. Again, let me say that today's 
meeting is a big step in the right direction, and I am profoundly 
grateful for the leaders of both nations for being here.
    We have just talked and agreed that it would be appropriate for each 
leader to say a few brief words on behalf of the delegation. We will 
take no questions, in keeping with our commitment to do serious business 
and not cause more problems than we can solve out here with you and all 
your helpful questions.
    But I will begin with Prime Minister Barak.

[At this point, Prime Minister Barak and Foreign Minister al-Shara made 
remarks.]

    The President. Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen. We're 
going to work.

Note: The President spoke at 10:12 a.m. in the Rose Garden at the White 
House. In his remarks, he referred to President Hafiz al-Asad of Syria; 
and Chairman Yasser Arafat of the Palestinian Authority. The transcript 
released by the Office of the Press Secretary also included the remarks 
of Prime Minister Barak and Foreign Minister al-Shara.