    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 33 (Monday, August 21, 2000)]
    [Pages 1855-1857]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Written Responses to Questions Submitted by the Arabic-Language
    Newspaper Al Hayat

    August 10, 2000

    Middle East Peace Process

        Q. Do you have any special message for the Arab world after Camp
    David?
        The President. We have in the next few months an historic chance to
    resolve the Palestinian issue. It is the core of the Arab-Israeli
    conflict, and we can and must resolve it on a basis that's fair,
    honorable, and lasting. Together, we need to seize this opportunity, or
    it will be lost. The parties cannot do it alone. We need the help of our
    Arab friends in the region. And we need an approach that resolves
    problems in a practical and fair way so that the principles that guide
    Arab-Israeli peace--comprehensiveness and implementation of United
    Nations Security Resolutions 242 and 338, including land for peace--can
    be realized in a way that meets the needs of both sides. What is fair
    and just for Palestinians and Arabs must also be fair and just for
    Israelis. There cannot be a winner and a loser in these negotiations. We
    must have two winners, or we will lose the peace.
        I know that there is a deep sense of grievance in the Arab world,
    and through nearly 8 years of working for peace alongside Chairman
    Arafat, I understand the suffering and pain of the Palestinians. But I
    also know that the only pathway to realize Palestinian aspirations is
    through negotiations, through the process of give and take where each
    side can have its needs met and its hopes realized. I urge all those in
    this region committed to peace to join with me and to seize this
    historic moment.
        The opportunity to work for a lasting peace between the Palestinian
    and Israeli people has been among the most meaningful and rewarding
    aspects of my Presidency. I am motivated in these efforts by the
    possibility of a better future for all of the peoples in the region. We
    must all remain focused on this better future, a future in which the
    Palestinian people might finally achieve through negotiations their
    aspiration of a Palestinian State recognized by and integrated with the
    world, at peace and working to address the needs of the Palestinian
    people.

    U.S. Role in the Peace Process

        Q. How would you characterize the American role during Camp David
    talks? Do you see that role evolving in the future, and if so, in what
    direction?
        The President. The talks at Camp David were revolutionary in their
    detail, their directness, and their honesty about what each side needed
    to reach an agreement. I worked personally--sometimes all night long--
    with both sides to advance this process. Both sides, both Chairman
    Arafat and Prime Minister Barak, worked hard and in good faith on
    difficult problems. Sometimes we proposed ideas, suggestions, even
    language. We made progress across the board. At the same time, our role
    was not and will never be a substitute for direct Israeli-Palestinian
    engagement. We will need both levels of interaction to reach an
    agreement.

    U.S. Embassy

        Q.  You have repeatedly urged the two sides of the conflict not to
    take any unilateral action that could block progress in the peace
    process. However, you told Israeli television in your recent interview
    that you are reviewing the decision to move the Embassy to Jerusalem by
    the end of the year. Don't you consider this announcement a
    contradiction of the stated American policy and an impediment to your
    peace efforts?
        The President. From the beginning of my administration, one factor
    has guided me: to take no action that I judged would harm the peace
    process. That still is my guiding principle. The 2 weeks I spent at Camp
    David

    [[Page 1856]]

    underscores my commitment to doing everything I can to help both sides
    reach an agreement.
        With regard to the Embassy, I stated that I would review the issue
    by the end of the year, and I will do so. It is my great hope that by
    then Israelis and Palestinians--with our help--will have reached an
    agreement on Jerusalem that meets their needs. Then I would also be able
    to inaugurate an American Embassy in the capital of a Palestinian State.
    I firmly believe that the Jerusalem problem can be resolved in a way in
    which both sides' national aspirations can be realized.

    Jerusalem

        Q.  Many Arabs consider President Clinton as the most sympathetic to
    the suffering of the Palestinian people and their political aspirations
    and the only leader in their history to have achieved breakthroughs in
    the Arab-Israeli conflict. Are you concerned that taking a position in
    the issue of Jerusalem at this stage would hurt not only Arabs but
    Muslims and Christians around the world?
        The President. I have worked hard to understand the plight of the
    Palestinian people, to understand their aspirations, their losses, and
    their frustrations. My trip to Gaza and the opportunity to address the
    Palestinian National Council with Chairman Arafat was critical to this
    process and a great honor for me.
        I am guided in my efforts by one central goal, the need to promote a
    fair and honorable solution to each of the core issues that both sides
    find acceptable. Jerusalem is a difficult issue because of its critical
    importance to Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. It is a unique problem
    which requires a unique solution. In this regard, Jerusalem is really
    three cities: It is a municipal city like any other with problems of
    environment, traffic control, and city services; it is a holy city which
    embodies the values of three great religious traditions and which
    contains religious sites sacred to three religions; and it is a
    political city which symbolizes the national aspirations of Israelis and
    Palestinians. Resolving the issue of Jerusalem means dealing with all
    three of these dimensions in a way that harms no one's interests and
    promotes the interests of all. And I believe it can be done.
        Q.  The Camp David summit was a landmark in terms of tackling for
    the first time the core issues, and at the same time it did not produce
    the hoped-for final agreement. Are you worried that reducing your
    personal involvement in the process would lead to a speedy deterioration
    of the situation?
        The President. One of the remarkable aspects of the Camp David
    experience was that Israelis and Palestinians engaged on the core issues
    in an unprecedented manner. They broke taboos and discussed issues
    seriously and not on the basis of mere rhetoric and slogans. I am ready
    to do my part. To do so effectively, both sides will need to be ready to
    make historic decisions and, on the most sensitive issues, recognize
    that both must be satisfied.

    Confidentiality of the Peace Process

        Q.  Did you receive a letter from Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat
    recently? What can you tell us about it?
        The President. One of the reasons Arabs and Israelis continue to
    look to the United States for help is that we protect their confidences.
    I have great respect for Chairman Arafat, and I'm sure you understand
    that I'm not going to start now by talking publicly about letters either
    from him or Prime Minister Barak.

    Further Negotiations

        Q. Are you willing to issue an unconditional invitation for Arafat
    and Prime Minister Barak to come to Washington and give peace another
    shot?
        The President. I'm willing to do anything if it will help Israelis
    and Palestinians reach an agreement. At the same time, I know that the
    two sides need to reflect on what happened at Camp David and work
    together. Without an Israeli-Palestinian foundation on the substance of
    the issues, the United States cannot play its role effectively. That
    process got a big boost at Camp David. It needs to be continued now.
    Both leaders must be ready to make historic decisions.

    [[Page 1857]]

    Egypt's Role in the Peace Process

        Q.  There has been criticism of Egypt's role. What is your view?
        The President. The fact is that all that has happened since the
    original Camp David in September 1978, including Madrid and Oslo, is a
    vindication of the courageous and visionary policy of Egypt. Egypt was a
    pioneer for peace and continues to be a key partner for the United
    States. We agree on the fundamentals of the peace process, and we will
    not be able to reach an Israeli-Palestinian agreement on these core
    issues without close consultation with Egypt. We are engaged in such a
    process today.

    Note: The responses referred to Chairman Yasser Arafat of the
    Palestinian Authority and Prime Minister Ehud Barak of Israel. The
    questions and answers were released by the Office of the Press Secretary
    on August 11. This item was not received in time for publication in the
    appropriate issue.