Press Conference with Prime Minister Netanyahu

The Prime Minister described the summit held in the White House and spoke of getting to know Arafat better. He also discussed the resumption of the Hebron talks and praised the role of the American president in moving the talks along. Text:

Prime Minister Netanyahu: I want to first thank President Clinton for his timely and dedicated effort in the cause of peace. I cannot say and no one can say what would have happened in these two days had Mr. Arafat and myself not come here to Washington. And I think that we can say that very, very bad things didnt happen while we were here seeking to create a new start. And I think weve had a good start, because we established a greater degree of mutual trust.

I think this was the first step to break down certain barriers that were there of a lack of confidence in one another. I cannot say that we now know each other fully well and so on. But we did spend several hours together discussing all the issues openly and in a very cordial environment. And I think this will facilitate trust. I think we accomplished a significant improvement in that area. I say that when you have trust, all sorts of things that are problematic can be solved. And when you dont have trust, everything becomes a problem.

We have accomplished quite a few things. And I think the most important one is to cement the principle that the path to peace is through negotiations and not through violence: that is, that the principle that we must cease any forms of violence and that if anyone has a grievance, he brings it to the negotiating table and nowhere else. I think that is a central principle by which we can guide peace.

I want to assure you about our commitment to peace. This is our compass; its our map. Its our hope for our children and for the children of the Palestinians, as well. We know that such a peace is inextricably bound with security and that peace can progress as long as security holds. Last week we had a breakdown in security, and the peace collapsed. And what we need, and have committed to do, is to rebuild the foundations of security; the old ones that were there that need refurbishing, but also new ones because we recognize that a new situation now exists. Something has happened. And we need additional security arrangements to address the new situation that exists. And I think everyone recognizes that, and President Clinton alluded to that. Were also in the pursuit of peace, weve made it very clear that we are committed to the redeployment in Hebron. We said it continuously, and we said it again. Were not reluctant to do it. Were prepared to do it, but in such a way as to avoid a breakdown that would collapse the peace process not only in Hebron, but altogether. And this, too, will require intensive negotiations.

This is perhaps the most important practical thing that we have decided; to begin, as early as possible on Sunday, simultaneous negotiations on Hebron and on security, and to continue those negotiations until completion. Im absolutely committed to it. And Ive decided with Chairman Arafat that we will have our senior people engaged in it. If there is a problem, they should be able to address it, and if they cant, then we will sit down together and finish it. I think that these two days will give us that beginning, that new beginning that I hope will achieve progress. I dont have any illusions whatsoever about the difficulties ahead. Its a very tense period fraught with dangers right now until we restore peace to its peaceful track, and until we convince each other that these new sentiments of confidence are backed by both sides in deed and action. But in my heart, I know that the children of Israel are safer tonight because of these consultations that we had here. And I want to thank again President Clinton for his very good offices.

Question: Mr. Prime Minister, Id like to begin by asking you called this a new beginning has your personal attitude toward Yasser Arafat changed as a result of the several hours that you met, the three hours you spent with him? Do you respect him? Is he your partner in peace now? How has your attitude toward Mr. Arafat changed because of this summit?

Prime Minister Netanyahu: I think we have had a greater opportunity to get to know one another. This is my second meeting with him. The first meeting was held in Erez. It was very formal, lasted about an hour, two delegations sitting opposite one another. And it has a ritualistic element to it which doesnt allow much personal contact. Here we had that, but we had also something quite different, and that is the opportunity afforded by President Clinton for the two of us to meet for close to four hours, talking in a very comfortable and private setting, to discuss everything that was on the table, to discuss also other matters and personal matters, but I think to have a free-ranging discussion that addressed all the issues. And of course one can appreciate the person opposite you in a different way when you have that opportunity. And I would like to believe that that is a mutual appreciation.

Question: Prime Minister, I wonder if you can discuss with us, please, the subject of certain date regarding the negotiations over Hebron. Number one, was there any pressure brought to bear by the American administration or by Mr. Arafat to set a date? Was there in fact a date set or a range set? And finally, Im curious. At one point in the Presidents press conference earlier today, you turned to Mr. Arafat and whispered something in his ear. Share with us what that was.

Prime Minister Netanyahu: The certain date is a certain way to obstruct the negotiations, especially on redeployment. Now, I could refer you to two instances in the recent American past, very recent. One is the pullout from Bosnia, and the other is from Somalia, and in both cases the American government discovered very quickly that setting a date for pullout means that every pressure is put on you on that very day.

And I think someone said the process implodes on that day, and that is very true. If we had set a certain date on Hebron, one thing is certain: we wouldnt negotiate until that date. Secondly, everyone who had an interest in obstructing that process would target that date. And I really mean "target that date" in the full sense of the word. So I think its much wiser to establish a mode of negotiation as we decided non-stop talks in order to achieve results. And Ive said that Im going to personally be engaged or following it, at least. Our ministerial level will be involved with it. If things are not going to be solved, then our ministers will try to solve them. If they dont solve it, then Arafat and I will sit down until we solve it. And we agreed to do that.

Prime Minister Netanyahu: It was, of course, raised by the Palestinians, and it was discussed, including with the United States. But I cannot tell you that we had come here under a climate of American pressure. It wasnt like that. I think President Clinton was very gracious, very open, very truthful about all the issues. But he left the issue of the decisions to the parties themselves, trying to facilitate agreement where agreement was possible, but leaving always the decision on what to agree and what not to agree to both parties. And I think thats a very wise move.

Question: Mr. Prime Minister ... you have said a number of times that the peace process takes place through negotiations. Observers and critics of yourself have accused you of dismissing the peace process and being obstinate as we move forward in the Middle East or try to move forward. As you look back on today and whats happened over the last two days, what is the most significant thing you feel has progressed the peace progress, and you will take with you back to Israel?

Prime Minister Netanyahu: Well, what I said in the beginning, and that is the establishment of a greater degree of trust, greater degree of communication. I think that is important. And the decision on a specific mechanism of immediate non-stop negotiations to resolve the twin outstanding issues of advancing the peace process and cementing security. The two security and peace are inextricably bound. I think I think if that was a slogan until a week ago, now everybody understands. For some people, this was in the realm of sloganeering. Now they understand how essential and true that is, that you must have mechanisms of security, otherwise, you dont have any peace. And so I think the establishment of trust and the establishment of the mechanism of negotiating Hebron, negotiating security, advancing both issues, I think, are the important things. As far as the portrayals of me in the world media, Im afraid I cannot offer you any news as a result of these two days. That will change more slowly. Yes?

Question: You talked a lot about the specific problems with dealing with Hebron. But there were a lot of other issues on the table. Were there areas in which there was progress? For example, did you obtain assurances that you were seeking from Mr. Arafat for an end to ruling out violence, guarantees about no violence during a negotiating procedure? And were the issues of the closure easing the closure of the territories and other issues prisoners, for example, or the airport, were those things raised? Was there progress made?

Prime Minister Netanyahu: He repeatedly said that he had given orders to his police force to stop all violence and to observe also the rules of conduct that he laid down, and he promised me that this would be a continuous aspect of our relationship. Yes, he did raise other issues. He raised the issue of the closure. I said that, from our point of view, closure was not a policy, or was not a negotiating instrument, it was simply a question of security. And in fact, Im going to look into this issue and see the very moment that we can lift or ease the closure, especially the internal closure, and then, too, the external one, we will do so.

Our only interest is to prevent potential attacks, especially terrorist attacks, from these areas. But were going to look into it. And as soon as I get back to Israel, thats the first thing Ill do. As far as the other issues, they were raised as well. We have a mechanism to discuss Dahaniya Airport, and were going to do that in the context of the negotiations. I think the issue of prisoners was raised once or twice. This is something well have to consider in the course of the negotiations as they progress.

Question: Mr. Prime Minister, President Clintons already coming under criticism in the United States for using the office of the presidency for risking the prestige of the presidency for a high-level summit that produced no concrete, direct concessions or results. How would you respond to the criticism of President Clinton in that?

Prime Minister Netanyahu: I would reverse the charges, so to speak. And I would ask: "What did you want him to do? Did you want him to do nothing?" He is the head of the country that is the leader of the world, a country that was intimately involved with promoting the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians. We had a major rupture. He was in contact with both me and with Arafat. And he offered his good offices. And we both agreed that he could perform an important service by giving us a venue, a locale, and also facilitating the talks between us, and he did exactly that.

Did we achieve results? Yes. Are these results concessions eked out from one party or another party? No. Let me tell you why that concept is dangerous for peace, because when you are facing pressure, you do not make concessions. At least, responsible leaders dont do that because then theres never an end to concessions, and theres never an end to pressure. But when, in fact, you facilitate the kind of agreements that weve had here, and the kind of environment that we had here, then you can approach the negotiations in a much better atmosphere, with a much better attitude, a more positive attitude. I think this is what was achieved here under the good offices I mean that the good offices of President Clinton.

Question: Would you say you have a different relationship with Arafat today after the summit?

Prime Minister Netanyahu: Its a different relationship. I cannot tell you how it will progress. I can just tell you that it is there is a greater degree, I believe, of mutual understanding than there was two days ago. I suppose that over time, this will increase, and this is my hope.

Question: Mr. Prime Minister, your predecessors were critical of the Jewish community at times in the States for not being supportive enough of the peace process. In light of the statements that come out from some segments of the Jewish community here over the past couple of weeks, are you satisfied with what they are doing to support you? And if I could also ask a second question. Senator Dole has accused President Clinton of engaging in photo-op diplomacy. Youll be meeting with him soon. Is he correct that this summit was a photo-op, or is President Clinton correct that there were direct results from it? Thank you.

Prime Minister Netanyahu: Well, on the second question, you heard my view. I think that Ive expressed it fairly well. And youre not going to draw me into a domestic dispute. You know that. On the first question, my view is that any member of the Jewish community can express any view that they have. Its their business. I always thought that; I still think it now. When I was ambassador in the U.N., I was asked that repeatedly, and I always said, "Express your views. Its up to you." And I say that now. But consider only the context. Thats my only proviso. Consider the context. Now, consider the context here.

Here was an utter fabrication launched against us, not along the lines that were familiar from our history not that we are the enemies of mankind, but that we are the enemies of Islam. Its a very loaded charge. Why? Because we knocked down a wall 20 centimeters thick. Thats all we did.

We opened a gate to an existing archaeological dig that had been completed years ago, which tens of thousands of tourists Muslims, Christians and Jews had visited, that runs parallel to the Temple Mount. It is 250 meters from the nearest mosque, and doesnt touch on any holy site, Christian or Muslim or Jewish, except the western wall from which it emerges. Days were spent on this calumny. And we are then charged with causing an affront to Islam, and passions are whipped up, and so on. And see, what happens is, when you engage in that kind of rhetoric frenzy directed on a subject like this, then inevitably violence follows. Its a sure-fire formula. Weve seen it in our history many, many times. What do I expect from Jews? To recognize what Ive just said. Everything else follows from that.

Prime Minister Netanyahu: Well, I plan to come here for a special visit in November, for the General Assembly of the Jewish Federations, and I intend to meet with many Jewish organizations during that time. I thought and Im going to say this in the federations as well that we should rethink, towards the 50th year of Israel, our relationship with the Diaspora. And Im going to have some ideas that I want to put forward at that time, and Ill be happy to discuss them with you at a later date.

Question: Mr. Prime Minister, when do you think tanks will start rolling back from the West Bank?

Prime Minister Netanyahu: I have been in touch with both the head of our General Security Services and with the defense minister and they keep me up to date on the security situation, that we did have an incident today near Hebron. There is but there is a greater state of calm today than there was, certainly, three or four days ago. And of course, as passions calm and as normal life returns, we will rescind the special measures that we have put into place. My discussion about bad information, incorrect facts, was aimed not only at the Jewish people, who should take up their defense against that, but at the world media. And you are representatives of the world media, so youre not going to get out of here free of a small request.

You have a tremendous responsibility in your hands. You have a camera in your hand. And you say "such and such sources claim that the tunnel undermines the mosque." What do you mean, "they claim"? Walk in the tunnel and check. Ask the archaeologists who are there. When youre dealing with regular stories, I know you do your best to verify it in the time available for broadcast or for deadlines. But when youre dealing with something as incendiary as charges of religious wars or charges that could spark religious wars, I appeal to you and thats all I can do. I can only appeal to you to exercise much greater responsibility and rigor in covering what youre asked to cover. And Im saying that in the hope that the next time we have an opportunity to put the facts before you and to have you present the facts. And this was done often in the last few days but often was not done. And I normally do not do this. I know Im standing in the pulpit here, and I dont want to be preachy. But it is really an appeal of conscience, because we have no other defenses except what you choose to put on your papers or put on your cameras. And I very much appeal to you to be prudent and rigorous with the facts.

Source: Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs