    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 35 (Monday, September 4, 2000)]
    [Page 1970]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Exchange With Reporters Prior to Discussions With President Hosni
    Mubarak of Egypt in Cairo

    August 29, 2000

    Middle East Peace Process

        Q. What do you hope to accomplish in this meeting today, Mr. Mubarak
    and Mr. Clinton?
        President Mubarak. We're going to do our best to find a solution for
    the problem in the Middle East between Israel and the Palestinians. We
    are making some consultations so as you could help the two parties to
    reach a framework. It's very important. We hope to finish it by
    September. We want that.
        Q. Are you hopeful, sir?
        President Mubarak. I'm always hopeful. And I think with the
    cooperation with the United States and their support, I think this will
    be reached.
        President Clinton. I think the time is short for resolving this. And
    I think all the parties understand that without the involvement and
    leadership and support of Egypt, they won't be able to do it. President
    Mubarak has been critical to this process for nearly 20 years now,
    certainly in all the time that I've been here. So we're going to work
    together and see if we can find a way to help the parties get over this
    next big hump.

     Note:  The exchange began at 7:10 a.m. at the Presidential Terminal at
    Cairo International Airport. A tape was not available for verification
    of the content of this exchange.