Statement on Diplomatic Talks With the Palestine Liberation
Organization
(December 14, 1988)
The Palestine Liberation Organization today issued
a statement in which it accepted United Nations Security Council Resolutions
242 and 338, recognized Israel's right to exist, and renounced terrorism.
These have long been our conditions for a substantive dialog. They have
been met. Therefore, I have authorized the State Department to enter
into a substantive dialog with PLO representatives. The Palestinian
Liberation Organization must live up to its statements. In particular,
it must demonstrate that its renunciation of terrorism is pervasive
and permanent.
The initiation of a dialog between the United States
and PLO representatives is an important step in the peace process, the
more so because it represents the serious evolution of Palestinian thinking
towards realistic and pragmatic positions on the key issues. But the
objective of the United States remains, as always, a comprehensive peace
in the Middle East. In that light, we view this development as one more
step toward the beginning of direct negotiations between the parties,
which alone can lead to such a peace.
The United States special commitment to Israel's security
and well-being remains unshakable. Indeed, a major reason for our entry
into this dialog is to help Israel achieve the recognition and security
it deserves.
Sources: Public Papers of the President |