News Conference With Prime Minister Yitzhak
Rabin of Israel
(November 12, 1993)
The President. Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.
It's a great pleasure for me once again to have the opportunity to host
my friend Prime Minister Rabin. I first welcomed him to the White House
last March. At that time, he stated with great conviction that he felt
the time had come to make peace and that he was ready to make the necessary
steps and to take the necessary risks for peace. I told him that if
that were to be the case, it was the job of the United States to minimize
those risks. We both committed to make 1993 a year of breakthrough for
peace in the Middle East.
On September 13, that commitment was transformed into
history through the simple handshake on the South Lawn of the White
House. Israel's historic effort with the Palestinians was due, in large
measure, to the courageous statesmanship of Prime Minister Rabin.
Shortly thereafter, the United States convened a donors'
conference to help provide the funds necessary to speed and facilitate
the reconciliation. Yet there is still much work to be done to turn
the promise of September 13th into a comprehensive and lasting peace.
The Prime Minister and I have agreed it must be a peace that secures
Israel's existence and one that endures for generations. We agreed on
the need for prompt and effective implementation of the Palestinian-Israel
accord. We must not allow the opponents of that agreement to derail
the new progress that this year has brought. And leaders who seek peace
must speak out in a loud and clear voice against those who would destroy
those aspirations for peace.
The Prime Minister and I discussed the next step toward
our common objectives. We agreed that peace between Israel and Syria
is essential to achieving that objective of comprehensive peace. I told
the Prime Minister that I have been delighted by the progress Israel
has made with Jordan following the historic meeting between Crown Prince
Hassan and Foreign Minister Peres, which I hosted a few weeks ago. We
discussed how the United States and Israel, working together, can achieve
a peace agreement with Jordan and Israel in the near future. Morocco,
Tunisia, Indonesia, and other Arab and Muslim states have also taken
encouraging steps to respond to Israel's peace commitments.
I told the Prime Minister that I believe even more
needs to be done to reinforce the progress already matte by the PLO
and Jordan. In particular, I think the time has come to end the Arab
boycott of Israel, a relic of past animosity that simply has no place
in the architecture of peaceful relations we are all working to build
in the Middle East.
During our talks we discussed what the United States
can do to enhance Israel's security as it comes to grips with the very
real risks it is taking to achieve this peace.
I reaffirmed my commitment to work with the Congress,
to maintain our present levels of assistance, and to consult with Congress
to consider how we can rise loan guarantees and other forms of assistance
to Israel to help Israel defray the cost of peace.
We also discussed ways the United States can help Israel
defend itself from its adversaries and long-term threats to its security.
And I renewed America's unshakable pledge to maintain and enhance Israel's
qualitative security edge.
Mr. Prime Minister, as you go borne, I hope you will
tell your people that as they turn their energies and talents to the
hard and daring work of building that comprehensive peace, the American
people will stand by them.
Prime Minister Rabin. Mr. President, the Vice President,
Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, ladies and gentlemen. A few
weeks ago we took part in the historical moment of signing of the Declaration
of Principles between Israel and the PLO.
Mr. President, we appreciate and are thankful for the
role that you have played in bringing the Declaration of Principles
to its conclusion. We hoped and we continue to hope that this significant
step will bring an end to 100 years of terrorism and bloodshed.
Today we are in the midst of negotiations to implement
the Declaration of Principles signed here on the lawn of the White House
on September 13th. I told you, Mr. President, that these are complicated
negotiations, and in the process of reaching an agreement there will
be ups and downs. But I am quite sure that we and the Palestinians have
passed the point of no return in our efforts to implement the agreement.
This is why the PLO must condemn vigorously, openly,
and immediately any action that is in flagrant violation of the commitment
to renounce terrorism. The basis for oar advance and progress in the
implementation of the agreement is that each side must keep its commitments.
The signing of the DOP has created a new hope and opened
many opportunities in oar negotiations with other Arab parties to the
Washington negotiations for peace. We hope and expect that with your
assistance, Mr. President, that these talks will be continued as soon
as possible.
We have found that direct and quiet contacts between
Israel and its partners in the effort to achieve a comprehensive peace
is the best way to overcome prejudices of the past. The less the talks
are exposed to the limelight of the media, the better are the chances
to achieve agreements.
We believe that you, Mr. President, and the Secretary
of State can assist in facilitating this particular mode of negotiations.
We are therefore ready to continue with your assistance the negotiation
with Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon. We believe that the substantial common
agenda concluded with Jordan and further efforts made since can serve
as a basis towards a major development on the road to the treaty of
peace.
We also look forward to achieve results in the negotiation
with Syria and Lebanon, recognizing the importance of making progress
in these areas. The positive conclusion of negotiations with the Arab
neighbors will bring about a real comprehensive peace and will open
the road to stability and prosperity for all the peoples and states
in the region.
Mr. President, in a letter that I wrote to you at the
beginning of this year, I expressed Israel's readiness to take risks
for the sake of peace. I was more than thankful, Mr. President, for
your statement in which you declared your readiness to minimize the
risk that Israel is willing to take for peace. Indeed, Mr. President,
you have taken effective steps in this spirit.
In our talks today, we discussed the ways and the methods
by which we should proceed in the peace negotiations and also to find
additional means to strengthen Israel in view of the threats to the
security of the state and to provide safety to its population. Mr. President,
peace and stability in the Middle East are threatened daily by yet another
danger, the offensive mounted by the forces of radicalism and extremism.
The offensive is twofold, against any Arab moderate, pragmatic regimes
as such, and against the peace process. Our discussions today also dwelt
on this issue, and we agreed to initiate on ongoing dialog between us
as well as with the other concerned parties.
Mr. President, we all appreciate the firm position
that you have taken against the Arab boycott. The boycott can never
be accepted and certainly not when the peace process is being advanced.
For the people of Israel to support the government's peace policy, they
must feel that the attitudes and the atmosphere have actually changed
after September 13th. We feel that our goodwill is yet to be matched.
On the plane that brought me to the United States,
there came two parents, the Katz family, whose son, Yehuda, has been
missing in action since 1982. We are investing serious efforts to bring
back Yehuda and all the other MIA's and prisoners. Your government and
other friendly nations have helped in this humanitarian mission. We
trust that you will continue in this sacred task.
Today, you have gracefully told me and all the Israelis
of your decision to strengthen the security of Israel. More specifically,
your decision to continue the level of security assistance, to maintain
our qualitative edge through the supply of advanced aircraft, the lifting
of technological barriers, especially in the field of computers, and
your decision to beef up our capacity to defend ourselves against missiles
is most significant.
Mr. President, I return home stronger in many aspects,
more confident in our ability to reach peace, and reassured that thousands
of miles away from Israel, we have a trite friend in the White House
that we can rely on.
On this occasion I would like in very, simple words
to say to you and to you, to the Vice President, the Secretaries of
State and Defense, your administration, and the American people, thank
you, and God bless you .
Middle East Peace Princess
Q. Mr. President, you said the peace between Israel
and Syria is essential for reaching a comprehensive peace in the region.
What does the administration intend to do to advance peace talks between
Israel and Syria? And did you hear anything from the Prime Minister
that would encourage you to either send Secretary Christopher back to
the region or facilitate some sort of hack-channel, behind-the-scenes
talks to get those talks moving?
The President. You can see by the question, Mr. Prime
Minister, it's hard for the United States to facilitate talks out of
the press. [Laughter]
We discussed the whole question of the relationship
between Israel and Syria, what the United States could do. The Prime
Minister reaffirmed his belief that peace in the Middle East would require
progress on all the tracks, including the tracks with Syria and Lebanon.
And we discussed some specific things that we will be exploring, the
United States, over the next several weeks. Beyond that, I think I shouldn't
go. But I feel confident that we'll be able to continue to pursue this.
Yes, ma'am?
PLO Terrorism
Q. Mr. President, we heard Mr. Rabin condemn the PLO
for the recent attack on a Jewish settler 2 weeks ago. Do you share
the view that it's a violation of the PLO-Israeli agreement? And were
you just urging Chairman Arafat to renounce it?
The President. I agree with what the Prime Minister
said. I think that Chairman Arafat now, under the terms of the agreement,
is dutybound at a minimum to condemn it. I think we all recognize that
he may not have total control over everyone who acts in the name of
Fatah, but he is now bound by the terms, the clear terms of the agreement,
to condemn it.
Is anyone here from the Israeli press we could acknowledge?
Jonathan Pollard
Q. Mr. President, are you considering the release of
Jonathan Pollard? And Mr. Prime Minister, did you raise this issue with
the President?
The President. Perhaps I could answer both questions.
The Prime Minister did raise the issue with me. We discussed it, and
I explained that under our procedures here, I cannot make a decision
on the Pollard case until the Justice Department makes a recommendation
to me. Under the United States Constitution, I do not have to follow
the recommendation of the Justice Department, but under our procedures
I have to get one. And when I get one—it won't be too long in
the future—I will then review it and make a decision.
Rita [Rita Braver, CBS News].
Technological Support to Israel
Q. Mr. President, from Prime Minister Rabin's remarks
it sounded like you have decided to sell Israel or make available to
Israel, the F-15E fighter jet. Is that true? And can you tell us a little
bit more about the technological and weaponry support that you're going
to give the Israelis?
The President. Well, we are working on an agreement
to make available a number of planes to the Israelis. The Prime Minister
is going to meet with Secretary Aspin on Monday, and they are going
to try to work through the details. And I think I should wait until
they bare done that, and we'll be able to make an announcement I think
shortly after that. But there will be a number of planes being made
available to Israel as part of this ongoing effort between us.
Someone else from the Israeli press. Israel-Jordan
relations
Q. Mr. President, can we expect a new three-way handshake,
I mean, this time with maybe King Hussein within the duration of the
Prime Minister's visit in America?
The President. Not on this visit. But nothing would
please me more than to have another visit where that would occur. But
I think nat on this visit.
NAFTA and Health Care Reform
Q. Mr. President, on the subject of NAFTA, a number
of Congressmen from tobacco States, such as Congressman Steve Neal,
have suggested that if the tobacco tax that has been proposed for health
care were reduced from 75 cents to 40 cents, that they might bring along
6 or 10 votes. Is that something that you would consider if you were
short of votes, or is that something that you would completely, categorically
rule out?
The President. That issue has not been brought up to
me, but I can tell you this: There were a lot of people who urged that
we ought to have a $2-a-pack tobacco tax, if you remember. I asked for
the 75 cents because that's what our searching effort, our agonizing
effort to determine what, the cost of this program would be turned up
as what is needed. And therefore, I cannot foresee circumstances under
which I would be willing to change that position, because it would imperil
the whole heath care program. So there bas been no—I didn't want
to raise any money from anybody to do anything other than to pay for
the health care program, although I think that higher tobacco taxes
discourage use, and that's a good thing. But that wasn't what was behind
it. So—
Q. votes at the end of the game?
The President. I have no reason to believe that that
will ever come into play. If it changes, I'll be glad to tell you, but
I have no reason to believe that that will happen.
Someone from the Israeli press?
Middle East Peace Process
Q. Mr. President, I have two questions actually. Are
you going to send Secretary Christopher to the Middle East to activate
the Syrian-Israeli track and to mount active support for the Palestinian
agreement, or do you prefer to wait until Mr. Rabin gives you the green
light to express desire to deal with Syria?
The second one for Rabin. Mr. Rabin, are you ready
to go for the—are you going to fight as—are you going to
fight—
Prime Minister Rabin. We are talking about peace, not
the resumption of fighting.
Q. No, I mean, in a domestic battle. Are you going
to fight a domestic battle for an agreement with Syria right now, or
do you still think that the Israeli public is not ready for it yet?
The President. The answer to the first question is
that we have not made a specific decision about when the Secretary,
will return to the Middle East. But we bare ongoing contacts with Syria.
You may know that I received the Foreign Minister of Syria here in the
White House not very long ago. I have conversations from time to time
with President Asad, and we will continue our dialog with them in working
toward peace.
Prime Minister Rabin. Israel has a long tradition of
keeping its commitments. Whatever we take upon ourselves, every agreement
that we sign, we will carry out. We expect those sign with us agreements
to keep, to fully keep, their commitments as we do. There is no need
to fight. It's true, in Israel there is an opposition to the position
that the government has taken, to the agreement that bas been signed,
to the ways to carry it out. But we are a democratic country and once
the decision is taken, it is carried out.
Q. Mr. President, both you and the Prime Minister mentioned
the Arab boycott of Israel. You suggested in the past that should now
be lifted. But so far, a number of America's closest friends in the
Arab world have refused to take that step. Have you received any indications
from the Saudis perhaps or from other Arab states that have been close
to America that they're now prepared to take that step? And what can
you do to try to get them to do that?
The President. Let me answer you in this way: I have
received some indications that the enforcement of the boycott is not
as vigorous as it once was, but that some of the countries involved
are reluctant to explicitly lift it. I wanted to raise the issue again
today publicly because I believe that a big key toward achieving peace
is maintaining support within the State of Israel for the peace process
and for the risks that it entails.
Perhaps the most important benefit of the ceremony
here on September 13th, even though it thrilled billions of' people
around the world, is that it clearly enhanced the willingness of the
people of Israel to support the peace process.
So I intend to continue to work on that. And I have
some ideas about bow I should do it, but I would rather wait until we
have achieved more concrete results before talking about it. Someone
else from Israel?
Q. If Arafat doesn't condemn terror, should Israel
suspend the talks with the PLO?
The President. That will be a decision for Israel to
make.
Q. Could the Prime Minister—
Prime Minister Rabin. I believe that we have to stick
to our commitments. I expect another side to keep its commitment. I
will not answer on a hypothetical situation.
The President. Mr. Friedman [Thomas L. Friedman, New
York Times].
Q. Arafat has been rather slow in getting the PLO organized
to fulfill these negotiations. We've seen that on both the political
and security front. I wondered if you could elaborate on (a) are you
satisfied with the PLO's performance up to now in the negotiations,
and (b) what will you do if the PLO does not condemn these actions?
The President. On the second question, I don't think
I can give a better answer than the Prime Minister did. I used to give
that response. I should return to it more often, I think. But let me
go back to the first question, which I think is quite important.
I wish that the pace had been more rapid. But I think
it is important to recognize that the PLO itself, by its very nature,
by the nature of its organization and its activities over the last many,
many years has never had the responsibility of going through the mechanics
that have to be discussed in this agreement: How do the lights get turned
on in the morning; how is the food distributed; how are the houses built?
How are these things done? So I think, in fairness, I would be quite
concerned if I thought that the fact that we're a little bit slow in
the pace here was the result of some sort of deliberate desire to undermine
an accord they had just signed off on.
At the present moment, I really believe it is more
a function of the whole organization not being organized for or experienced
in the work in which they must now engage. And so the Prime Minister
and I talked about this quite a bit, and we still have high hopes that
if the timetable is not met, at least it can be nearly met for the conclusion
of these specific and concrete things. I think it is more a function
of this is sort of an alien role for them, and I think they're working
into it. But I'm hopeful now that there is a level of engagement which
will permit us to push it through to success. Press Secretary Myers.
Last question.
Q. I would like to ask you a question concerning the
agreement, the peace agreements. There was a discussion that what was
needed was economic development. There were a number of projects on
the Gaza concerning water, canals, energy resources, et cetera. I'd
like to ask, what is your estimate of the magnitude of funding needed
in order to get these projects into motion? And also, what are the consequences
if these projects are not realizer within a certain amount of time in
the Gaza? And perhaps the Prime Minister would like to answer that question,
too.
Prime Minister Rabin. As of today, Israel supplies
all the electricity needs of the Gaza and the West Bank. There is no
shortage of electricity there. The question, what will be the projects
that will be built there, bow much the consumption of energy and other
items including water—we continue also to add to the water supplies
of Gaza by a pipeline that supplies them water. We need to negotiate
all this before we negotiate to tall figures. It will not be a serious
statement.
The President. But let me respond, though, to that.
When we hart the donors' conference here, working both individually
and multilaterally, we have commitments over the next few years for
several billion dollars and a few hundred million dollars right off
the bat. We think that's enough to make a big difference.
I have asked our people to identify some specific high
return, quick investment infrastructure projects that could be instituted
and effected quickly that would have a significant economic benefit
to the people in the affected areas that we could proceed with just
as quickly as the agreements make that possible. So I think there's
money there to do what needs to be done in the near term once there
is a system which guarantees that the investments, whether they be in
infrastructure or new economic development, will have the result that
we want. Brit [Brit Hume, ABC News].
Q. Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to ask the Prime
Minister, if I could, something about what you said to Mr. Clinton today
about the Pollard case and why the matter continues to be such a priority
with you, sir.
Prime Minister Rabin. I don't believe it would he advisable
to me to add on this issue to what the President said.
The President. One last question from the Israeli press.
Q. I'd like to ask you, in the near future will you
send a new ambassador to Tel Aviv? When do you think the time will come
to move your Embassy to Jerusalem?
The President. I think from the question you ask you
know what my long-standing position on that issue has been. But I have
to resort to the position that I have taken on this ever since these
talks began, and that is that the United States should not at this time
make any statement which in any way injects the United States into a
peace process that must be carried out by the parties themselves. And
for me to say anything about that one way or the other at this moment
in my judgment would run the risk of throwing the process out of kilter.
There will be time to discuss that and to make statements about that
later on down the road at a more ripe occasion.
Thank you.
Sources: Public Papers of the President |