    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 23 (Monday, June 12, 2000)]
    [Pages 1306-1307]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Exchange With Reporters Prior to Discussions With King Abdullah II
    of Jordan

    June 6, 2000

    Middle East Peace Process

         Q. Mr. President, are you encouraged that the talks will be moving
    back to Washington now, sir?
         The President. Yes. And Secretary Albright, I think, has had a good
    trip out there. I mean, we're working at it, and I'm encouraged. You
    know it's not going to be easy, but I'm encouraged.
        I would like to say a special word of thanks to His Majesty for the
    commitment he's shown to peace and also to reform within his own country
    and rebuilding the economy of Jordan. I have enormous respect for his
    leadership and great gratitude for the strength of our partnership,
    which he has continued. So I am delighted that he is here. And he's
    coming at a good time. We have a lot to discuss today.

    Jordan-U.S. Free Trade Agreement

         Q. Mr. President, will you announce a free trade agreement with
    Jordan or the beginning of negotiations towards that end?
         The President. I think we'll have a good announcement on the trade
    issue, and I think it's important. I'm excited about--we have to discuss
    it, and we want to make sure that we're clear and in agreement on all
    the essential points. I think we are, and I'm encouraged. I think it's a
    very good thing to do.

    Middle East Peace Process

         Q. Mr. President, what's the outlook for a Camp David-style summit?
         The President. Well, I want to wait until Secretary Albright gets
    back. As you know, I saw Prime Minister Barak when I was in Europe, and
    I'm going to see Mr. Arafat, Chairman Arafat--I think about a week from
    tomorrow, something like that--soon, anyway. And of course, His Majesty
    and I are

    [[Page 1307]]

    going to talk today. So after that, we'll make some decisions about what
    to do next.
        But you know, we're down now to the difficult issues and to the
    difficult decisions. And those of us who are not charged with making
    them, but are charged with helping them get made, just have to try to
    create the best possible environment. I'll do whatever I can. I have for
    over 7 years, and I'll continue to do that.
         Q. Your Majesty, do you foresee any possibility for resuming talks
    between Israel and Syria?
         King Abdullah II. Well, we have a series of discussions about the
    peace process in the next half an hour, so we'll see what comes out of
    that.
         Q. Your Majesty, would you say that both parties--both the
    Palestinians and the Israelis--need to maybe limit their expectations in
    these talks? There's a lot of talk now on the Palestinian side; people
    are recommending to the Palestinians to go for it all and get
    everything, 100 percent, the same way that Lebanon did.
         King Abdullah II. There are healthy discussions between President
    Arafat and the Prime Minister, and we have to give them the benefit of
    the doubt and see what unfolds in the next week or so.
         Q. But do you expect either side to get everything they want, or
    will--would you suggest that maybe the Palestinians will only get 90
    percent, or 90-something percent, of the West Bank? Or do you expect
    them to get everything?
         King Abdullah II. Well, I've been told by an old friend of mine
    that the best solution is one that both sides are a bit unhappy with,
    which means that both sides have had to give up something. And I think
    that when we look at final status, both sides have to be very openminded
    about the other people's positions.
         Q. Mr. President, Jordan will face several challenges from final
    status peace talks, including refugees and water. Will the U.S. offer
    support--financial, moral support, et cetera--towards us?
         The President. Well, I think to have any kind of complete agreement
    on this, there has to be a provision made for dealing with the refugee
    problems, including some sort of fund, international fund, which would
    deal with the financial burdens of the displaced refugees everywhere,
    including Jordan. That's what I'm in favor of.
        Thank you.

    Note: The exchange began at 10:40 a.m. in the Colonnade at the White
    House. In his remarks, the President referred to Prime Minister Ehud
    Barak of Israel; and Chairman Yasser Arafat of the Palestinian
    Authority. A tape was not available for verification of the content of
    this exchange.