Statement on the Terrorist Attack in Jerusalem,
Israel
(July 30, 1997)
The President. Good morning. Today's bombing by terrorists
in Jerusalem was a barbarous act. There is no excuse and there must
be no tolerance for this kind of inhumanity. The slaughter was aimed
directly at innocent Israelis. And make no mistake, it was also aimed
at the majority of Israelis, Palestinians, and Arabs who want a lasting
and just peace.
The only answer can and must be concrete steps by the
Palestinian Authority to increase security operations and the strengthening
of security cooperation between Palestinians and Israelis and a deepened
determination by both Palestinians and Israelis to pursue peace. Only
when a lasting and secure peace is achieved will the enemies of peace
be defeated.
I have just spoken to Prime Minister Netanyahu. I told
him the hearts and prayers of Americans are with him, the people of
Israel, and the victims of the attack and their families.
I have nothing further to say about this except to
say, again, we must not let the enemies of peace prevail. There must
be increased security operations, increased security cooperation, and
a continuing commitment that is deep into the peace process.
Q. Mr. President, what kind of security could have
guarded against these two people who apparently were willing to kill
themselves in order to do this damage?
The President. Well, I can't answer that, but I do
know that there have been long periods when the security operations
have succeeded. And if these people were part of larger networks, there
may well be something else that can be done, but I don't obviously know
the facts of this specific case. We can't say whether any action by
the Palestinian Authority, for example, could have stopped this bombing,
but we can say, from our observations, that there could be increased
security activity and cooperation.
Q. Will you try to reach Chairman Arafat, and what
publicly do you expect him to do in the wake of this explosion?
The President. Well, he's already talked to Prime Minister
Netanyahu, and I would expect him to say in public what he said to him
in private. And I would expect there to be increased security activity
and increased security cooperation.
Q. Mr. President, how long will the Dennis Ross trip
be postponed, and what specific new steps will he bring from the United
States trying to revive the peace process?
The President. I think it's inappropriate to discuss
the second part of your question at this moment, but the trip will be
postponed for a period—an appropriate period of mourning.
Q. Mr. President, do you think that it's time for either
you or the Secretary of State to become personally involved? There has
been a lot of criticism that the United States hasn't been——
The President. First of all, I think the suggestion
that we've not been personally involved is just false. But certainly——
Q. In a public way, though.
The President. Well, I believe, and I think that the
record will bear this out—I believe—my personal involvement
has been continuing and intense in this. But I know of no example in
recent history where peace is made by third parties trying to be helpful
making public statements alone. I believe the way I'm doing this is
the most effective way. But you should not conclude for a moment that
the White House has not been intimately and intensely and continuously
involved in this peace process, particularly as it has gotten more difficult.
Thank you.
Sources: Public Papers of the President |