Combating threats to peace in the Middle East - joint statements from President Bill Clinton, Secretary of State Warren Christopher and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin - Transcript

US Department of State Dispatch, Oct 24, 1994

President Clinton

Statement released by the White House, Office of the Press Secretary, Washington, DC, October 19, 1994.

The terrorist bombing this morning in Tel Aviv is an outrage against the conscience of the world. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Government and people of Israel at this terrible moment, especially the families of those killed and wounded in this criminal act.

This attack comes at a moment when we are rejoicing in the progress which has been made toward a real and lasting peace in the Middle East. The terrorists who committed this act are enemies of that peace and enemies of all those who are working to create a better future for the people of the region. Their violence is aimed at destroying the hopes of the Palestinian people as surely as it is directed at the people of Israel. They must not be allowed to succeed. I call upon leaders in the Middle East and throughout the world to condemn this act and to ensure that there is no haven or support for those responsible. Together, we will ensure that the promise of peace for which we have worked so long is realized.

President Clinton

Statement released by the White House Office of the Press Secretary, Washington, DC, October 14, 1994.

I wish to express my profound shock and abhorrence at the death of Cpl. Nachshon Wachsman as the result of his kidnaping by Hamas terrorists.

On behalf of the American people, Hillary and I would like to convey our deepest sympathy to the Wachsman family and to the people of Israel at this dark moment. Nachshon Wachsman was a son of Israel, but he was also a son of America.

Terrorists must know that these acts will not defeat the process that is bringing peace to Israel and its Arab enemies. In the face of such cowardly and evil actions, I know that it is hard to go forward. But we owe it to all those who have paid such a heavy price to persist and finally prevail in our pursuit of peace.

Secretary Christopher

Remarks at a press conference, Alexandria, Egypt, October 14, 1994.

It is always a pleasure to be back here in the presence of President Mubarak, who has contributed so much to the peace process. I came here expecting to report to him on the peace process--the remarkable progress that has been made. Unfortunately, I have found that we are having to deal with two of the most notorious threats to the peace process--Saddam Hussein and Hamas. Those two subjects, I'm afraid, have intruded on our discussions on the peace process. I emphasized to the President that, in my view, the sole purpose of this week's wave of terror by Hamas is to kill the peace process. I stressed that we must not permit that to happen.

In the discussion that I had with President Mubarak, we were joined for a few minutes at the end by Chairman Arafat, who had just arrived here. I stressed to him in the strongest possible terms that he must take every conceivable step to provide the safe freedom of Corporal Wachsman, to punish whoever has kidnaped him, and to confront the reign of terror imposed by Hamas. I feel that there can be no compromise with Hamas as killers and as kidnapers.

President Mubarak and I reviewed the situation in the Gulf before we were joined by Chairman Arafat. I briefed him on my trip to Kuwait and found him steadfast in his opposition to the steps taken by Saddam Hussein and fully supportive of the stance taken by the coalition: the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Syria, and Egypt. He agreed that the Iraqis must not be permitted to threaten Kuwait again. I think we are steadfast in the notion that there must be no easing of the sanctions at this time under the threats from Saddam Hussein. To put it in a somewhat larger vein, both Hamas and Saddam Hussein are fighting the rearguard action against the great progress that has been made.

The transformation of the Middle East is a dominant factor here, and President Mubarak has been one of the leaders in this historic transformation. We will not permit any of the enemies of peace to interfere in the tremendous progress, the bright hope that there is. I have always enjoyed being in the presence of President Mubarak, because he has been a strong force in this transformation of the Middle East peace process. Thank you very much.

Secretary Christopher

Remarks at Andrews Air Force Base, Washington, DC, October 14, 1994.

Before going home tonight, I wanted to make a statement expressing my great sorrow and anger over the death this evening of Cpl. Nachshon Wachsman.

I cannot begin to express my outrage at the terrorists responsible for this tragedy. Nor can I adequately convey the sympathy I feel for the parents and family of Corporal Wachsman and for the Israeli people, who have all been victims in this national tragedy. The hearts of all Americans go out to Israel tonight as we stand together in the fight against terror.

As a parent, I cannot imagine anything more painful than the nightmare that Corporal Wachsman's parents have been forced to endure. Their son was just 19 years old, only months out of high school. He was also an American, whose life ended in the cruelest manner for no other reason than that he was also an Israeli and a Jew.