News Conference With Israeli PM Yitzhak
Shamir
(April 6, 1989)
The President. Well, the Prime Minister Shamir and
I have had a very productive meeting. My message to him and, through
him, to the Government and the people of Israel was clear: We are friends,
strategic partners, and allies. And the mutual interests that bind together
the people of the United States and Israel are broad and deep. The Prime
Minister and I dedicated ourselves to maintaining and, where possible,
improving the relationship between our two countries. Both of us are
committed to this goal.
Throughout the world, old enemies are finding ways
to talk to one another and to end conflicts in a manner that preserves
the basic interests of all concerned. This can and must happen in the
Middle East. The Arab-Israeli conflict can be resolved. Peace, security,
and political rights can be attained through direct negotiations. The
status quo serves the interests of no one. In this spirit, I reiterated
to Prime Minister Shamir the resolve of the United States to assist
the parties of the Middle East in their pursuit of a comprehensive settlement
of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Our responsibility as friends and as partners
in the search for peace is to help develop approaches that enhance peace
prospects. Problems do not resolve themselves; leaders acting with courage
and vision solve problems. Menachem Begin and Anwar Sadat demonstrated
this truth a decade ago at Camp David. Today's leaders can afford to
do no less.
I reassured the Prime Minister that the fundamental
basis of our approach to a Middle East settlement has not changed. The
United States is committed to a comprehensive peace achieved through
direct negotiations based on U.N. Security Council Resolutions 242 and
338. This remains the building block for a viable negotiation for a
durable settlement. This is our goal. With regard to final status issues,
I reaffirmed to the Prime Minister that we do not support an independent
Palestinian state nor Israeli sovereignty or permanent occupation of
the West Bank and Gaza.
To move the peace process forward, I discussed with
the Prime Minister, as I had earlier this week with President Mubarak,
an ambitious but realistic approach. Progress will require meaningful
steps to reduce tensions, political dialog between Israel and Palestinians,
and clear indications that all concerned are prepared to think creatively
about key substantive issues. Israel has an obligation to contribute
to this process, but it cannot be expected to assume the entire burden.
The Palestinians, the Arab States, and other interested parties must
demonstrate that they, too, are willing to make peace a reality.
I stressed that no peace process can succeed in a political
vacuum. I believe it is in Israel's interest to engage in a serious
dialog with Palestinians that address their legitimate political rights.
The United States believes that elections in the territories can be
designed to contribute to a political process of dialog and negotiation.
We urge Israel and the Palestinians to arrive at a mutually acceptable
formula for elections, and we plan in the days and weeks ahead to work
toward that end.
In negotiations, Israel understands that Palestinians
will be free to bring their own positions and preferences to the bargaining
table. The Prime Minister assured me that Israel is committed to negotiating
an agreement on final status that is satisfactory to all sides. And
he made it clear that interim arrangements on Palestinian self-rule
are not the end of the road but are directly linked to a broader political
process that includes negotiating and concluding an agreement on final
status.
I'm encouraged by the Prime Minister's assurance that
all options are open for negotiation. The Prime Minister and I agreed
that our governments would remain in close touch to ensure that everything
possible is being done to promote the prospects for peace in the Middle
East. And speaking for myself and for the American people, I want to
assure everyone that the United States is committed to promoting this
goal.
Mr. Prime Minister, we're delighted you're here. The
floor is yours, sir.
The Prime Minister. Thank you, Mr. President. I am
honored to be here today. Let me first, on behalf of the people of Israel
and on behalf of my wife and myself, express our warm wishes on your
assuming the mantle of leadership of the United States and the free
world. We have cherished your personal friendship and warm humanitarian
concern for many years. We shall never forget the help you have extended
our brothers and sisters in distress, just as we shall always remember
the role the United States has played in our history.
Our alliance is based on common values and shared interests.
Our agreements on strategic cooperation and free trade area benefit
both countries. They help us continue as a vanguard of democracy in
the Middle East. I am confident that under your administration our bonds
of friendship and cooperation will grow even stronger.
Our two nations share the values and ideas of the free
world and the ideals of democracy and freedom. What we do not share
is a neighborhood. For us the carnage in Beirut, the use of poison gas
against civilians, and acts of terrorism and fanaticism are not news
from afar, for as they are events happening around the corner, they
are our daily reality. If there is one mistake Israel cannot afford
to make, it is the mistake of forgetting where we live.
I would like to reiterate here what I said to you in
private: We shall make the greatest possible efforts to achieve peace,
short of endangering the security of our state. We consider the establishment
of a Palestinian state west of the Jordan River, which is an objective
of the PLO [Palestine Liberation Organization], a mortal threat to our
security. I have assured you that we would sit with anyone, anytime,
anywhere, without preconditions if we thought it would advance the cause
of peace. But we cannot lend ourselves to any steps that will result
in a Palestinian state, which is a prescription not for peace but for
war. I can assure you we will be forthcoming. We believe the Camp David
accords based on Resolutions 242 and 338 are the cornerstone of peace
in our region. We faithfully abide by your agreements, and we expect
others to do so as well.
Mr. President, to advance the cause of peace, we have
put forward a four-point peace initiative. First, we propose an effort
to make the existing peace between Israel and Egypt based on the Camp
David accords a cornerstone for expanding peace in the region. We call
upon the three signatories of the Camp David accords at this 10th anniversary
of the treaty of peace to reaffirm indeed their dedication to the accords.
Second, we call upon the United States and Egypt to
make it clear to the Arab Governments that they must abandon their hostility
and belligerency toward Israel. They must replace political warfare
and economic boycott with negotiations and cooperation.
Third, we call for a multinational effort under the
leadership of the U.S. and with substantial Israeli participation to
finally solve the Arab refugee problem perpetuated by Arab Governments,
while Israel absorbs hundreds of thousands of Jewish refugees from Arab
countries. All these refugees should have decent housing and live in
dignity. This process does not have to await a political solution or
to substitute for it.
Fourth, in order to launch a political negotiating
process, the proposed free democratic elections, free from an atmosphere
of PLO violence, terror, and intimidation among the Palestinian Arabs
of Judea, Samaria, and Gaza -- their purpose is to produce a delegation
to negotiate an interim period of self-governing administration. To
shape modalities and participation in the elections will have to be
discussed. The interim phase will provide a vital test of coexistence
and cooperation. It will be followed by negotiations for a permanent
agreement.
All proposed options will be examined during these
negotiations. This is an outline of our comprehensive plan for peace.
It is based on democratic principles. It addresses the real issues.
Together, I believe we can achieve these goals.
May God lead us to the right decision. Thank you, Mr.
President.
Sources: Public Papers of the President |