[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.