Statement on the Terrorist Attack in Jerusalem
(September 4, 1997)
The President. Today's bombing in Jerusalem is an outrageous
and inhuman act. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their
families and all the people of Israel.
It is clear that the perpetrators of this attack intended
to kill both innocent people and the peace process itself. They must
not be allowed to succeed. Everything possible must be done to stop
them.
The peace process can only move forward in a secure
environment. And the Palestinian Authority, through concrete actions
on its own and continuing work with the Israeli authorities, must do
all it can to create an environment that leaves no doubt that terror
will not be tolerated.
This is the message that Secretary Albright will emphasize
when she travels to the region next week. I know the overwhelming majority
of Israelis and Palestinians yearn for an end to violence and for the
start of lasting peace. If they are to see their hopes realized, we
must see the strongest possible security cooperation. Only on that basis
can the process proceed.
1996 Campaign Financing
Q. Mr. President, the Justice Department says it's
investigating—reviewing, rather, whether campaign solicitations
by Vice President Al Gore should warrant a preliminary investigation
which could trigger the independent counsel law. Do you think that the
Vice President's conduct should be investigated.
The President. I have nothing to add to what I've said
before. I believe what he did was legal, and the Justice Department
has to make its own determination, which I'm confident they will do,
based on the law.
Middle East Peace Process
Q. Back on the bombing, sir——
The President. Yes?
Q.——what does this do to the peace process,
do you believe?
The President. I would hope it would give it added
urgency. It is obvious that when things are hanging in limbo, all sides
become more vulnerable to the enemies of peace, and particularly the
people of Israel become more vulnerable to the terrorists who desperately
do not want to see this peace process proceed. They do not want a peaceful
resolution of the differences between the Israelis and the Palestinians.
They do not want us to be able to go forward to see an ultimate resolution
with the Syrians and the Lebanese. Hamas does not want that. Hamas and
the other terrorists, they thrive on anger and anxiety and uncertainty
and being able to inject their murderers into this situation.
So what I hope will happen is that we will see—we
believe we've made some progress. Mr. Ross went out there—on the
security cooperation, and I hope we'll see some more, and I hope we'll
see that this peace process can get going again.
I think it's all the more important for Secretary Albright
to go, and I've made it clear. And I tried to call Prime Minister Netanyahu.
He was in the hospital with the victims and so he was unable to take
my call, but I look forward to a discussion with him. I think it's important
that she go on and go right out there, and we keep pushing this thing.
Thank you.
Sources: Public Papers of the President |