Statement on the Israeli-Palestinian Agreement on Hebron
(January 14, 1997)
The President. A few minutes ago, Prime Minister Netanyahu
and Chairman Arafat called me to tell me that they have reached agreement
on the Israeli redeployment in Hebron. This achievement brings to a
successful conclusion the talks that were launched in Washington last
September, and it brings us another step closer to a lasting, secure
Middle East peace.
Once again, the Israelis and the Palestinians have
shown they can resolve their differences and help to build a brighter
future for their children by finding ways to address each other's concerns.
And once again, the forces of peace have prevailed over a history of
division.
Israel will promptly redeploy its troops. The parties
will establish practical security arrangements to strengthen stability
and improve cooperation. There will also be an agreed roadmap for further
redeployment by Israel. The Palestinians have reaffirmed their commitments,
including their commitment to fight terrorism.
I thank Prime Minister Netanyahu and Chairman Arafat
for their leadership. King Hussein also deserves special recognition
and gratitude for his work for peace. I also want to express my appreciation
to President Mubarak for his support. Finally, let me thank Secretary
Christopher, who worked on this all weekend long, and our United States
team. And especially let me thank our Special Middle East Coordinator,
Dennis Ross, who has worked so hard and so long to help conclude this
agreement.
Today's agreement is not an end in itself. Bringing
its words to life will require active and continuous cooperation between
Israeli and Palestinian officials. It will demand every effort to stop
those who would choose confrontation over cooperation. In short, this
is not a time to relax. It is a time to reinforce our commitment to
peace.
That's why it is so important that the Israelis and
the Palestinians have agreed to continue to work on the remaining issues
contained in their agreements. As they do, the United States will do
all it can to help. We will do everything we can to build a just and
durable peace, a peace that will mean a better life for Israelis, for
Palestinians, for all the people of the Middle East.
And now I'd like to ask Mr. Berger to come up here
and give you the details from our perspective of what's happened over
the last couple weeks.
Q. Sir, if it took so long for this agreement to be
worked out, sir, on a relatively minor point of redeploying troops in
Hebron, what does—is it a bad omen for the other unresolved issues
that they now face?
The President. No. I think it's a good omen, because—keep
in mind this agreement was not just about the Hebron redeployment, it
was about a timetable for further redeployment, it was about other arrangements
that would shape their future working relationship. So this is—there's
much more in this agreement now. And Mr. Berger can answer more questions
about it.
Sources: Public Papers of the President |