News Conferences & Interviews on the Middle East/Israel
(1987)
APRIL 10, 1987
Middle East
Q. Mr. President, King Hussein has been getting a favorable
response in Western Europe to his proposal for an international peace
conference on the Middle East. Such a conference would include the Soviet
Union and the Palestinians. Does the U.S. now support such a conference,
and will the King be coming to Washington?
The President. We have been working, ourselves—this
idea—we can't ignore the fact that so far Israel, and with some
justice, opposes the idea of the participation of the two countries
you named, because both of them still deny the right of Israel to exist
as a nation. They say it has no right to even exist. Until they are
willing to abide by, well, U.N. rules 242 and 338, as Egypt did, and
agree that Israel has a right to exist as a nation, then I think that
we would join also. We are not opposed to the idea of an international
meeting to try and bring together those warring nations—the Arab
bloc and Israel—and remove that threat once and for all from the
Middle East.
MAY 12, 1987
Arab-Israeli Conflict
Q. A lot of talk is being heard about adopting the
idea of holding an international conference attended by all of the parties
concerned to solve the Arab-Israeli conflict. Nevertheless, the American
attitude is not clear. Would the U.S. agree to participate in such a
conference ff it is going to lead to the formation of two independent
states, Israel and Palestine, and what would Arafat's role be?
The President. We remain committed to a negotiated
peace between Israel and all of its Arab neighbors. To this end, we
have stated our willingness to explore all possibilities, including
an international conference, that might lead to direct negotiations
and a peaceful settlement. Such a conference must lead promptly to direct
negotiations and must not interfere with those negotiations. In recent
weeks, this process of exploration has produced what we believe to be
significant progress toward negotiations which would offer serious prospects
of reaching agreements between the parties on peace. Much remains to
be done before one can safely express optimism on further developments,
but we are encouraged and will continue our efforts.
As I stated in my September 1, 1982, peace proposal,
we firmly believe that self-government by the Palestinians of the West
Bank and Gaza in association with Jordan offers the best chance for
a durable, just, and lasting peace. We have always recognized that Palestinians
should participate at every stage of the peace process. The form that
Palestinian representation takes is a question that must be resolved
by the parties to the conflict. The actions of the recent Palestine
National Congress in Algiers indicate a negative, unrealistic attitude
toward the peace process.
Palestinian Affairs
Q. Every people in the world has its own state—the
British have Britain and Americans have America. Where is the state
of the Palestinian people?
The President. We believe that any negotiations designed
to lead to a Middle East peace must address the legitimate rights of
the Palestinian people, together with the security of all states in
the region. We have always recognized that Palestinians should participate
at every stage of the peace process. Any agreement on the final status
of the West Bank and Gaza should receive the prior consent of the inhabitants
of those territories.
We will not support the establishment of an independent
Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza, nor will we support annexation
or permanent control by Israel. As I stated in my September 1, 1982,
peace proposal, it is the firm view of the United States that self-government
by the Palestinians of the West Bank and Gaza in association with Jordan
offers the best chance for a durable, just, and lasting peace.
OCTOBER 22, 1987
Middle East Peace Settlement
Q. And what are the prospects for a peace conference
under joint U.S-Soviet sponsorship?
The President. Oh, well, we had thought, in going along
for a long time with the others that believed that the Arab nations
were still technically in a state of war with Israel, that they and
Israel could get together and should get together. Some of them have,
such as the great efforts that King Hussein of Jordan has—how
far he has gone to try and bring this about. But it just hasn't worked.
And more and more, the word has been uttered that we should form an
international group to help them come together and bring peace. And
we finally have gone over to explore that. That's what the Secretary-General
has been doing in the Middle East. And so far, Israel prefers not to
go that route.
DECEMBER 22, 1987
Israeli-Occupied Territories
Reporter. Mr. President, do you find any justification
at all for the actions the Israelis have taken in Gaza and the West
Bank?
The President. Well, we think it is regrettable, and
our State Department has been talking to both sides in this, trying
to get both sides—there has been provocation on both sides—to
get them to cease.
Q. Israel's leaders say they're not concerned, Mr.
President, about how the world views the situation. So, how do you pressure
them, sir?
The President. Well, they may not be concerned, but
maybe the world is concerned.
Sources: Public Papers of the President |