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

We discussed the situation in all these areas of negotiations, and we look forward with great hope that we will move ahead. In certain areas, it will take longer; in certain areas, I hope less time will be needed to reach agreements. And no doubt, I would like to thank, in the name of the Government of Israel, the U.S. Secretary, for your efforts, for what has been done by you and what will be done with you.

Secretary Christopher. Thank you very much, Mr. Prime Minister. When I met with the Prime Minister this morning, I conveyed the sense of outrage and anguish I felt over the Hamas-sponsored terrorist incident. I particularly told him that I felt outraged about the kidnaping of Corporal Wachsman and that we were doing everything we could to assist in his safe return. I reported my telephone call to Chairman Arafat and the follow-up calls that my staff has been making to Chairman Arafat to try to ensure that every conceivable thing is being done for his safe return. We discussed the role of Hamas in this situation. I emphasized that, in my judgment, Hamas is recognizing the progress that is being made, recognizing the transformation of the landscape, and is taking these actions out of desperation, because they see that progress is being made. The Prime Minister asked me to report briefly on my trip to Kuwait, and I did so. I told him that one of the high points of the trip was the condemnation of terrorism by the Gulf Cooperation Council. That is something that wouldn't have happened before, and that is an indication that the area is changing, that things are improving, and, in a sense, Hamas is fighting a desperate rearguard action. Things are changing; things are improving, and Hamas will not be permitted to kill these hopes--to kill the prospects for peace.

I am going to stay in close touch with the Prime Minister as we move through this very difficult period, but I think both of us are resolved to try to keep this process on the tracks. As the Prime Minister said, we will be moving ahead on these tracks, making all possible progress--some more accelerated than others--but, nevertheless, trying to seek peace with security for Israel and peace with its neighbors. Thank you very much, Mr. Prime Minister, for the support and cooperation you are giving me.

Secretary Christopher

Statement following meeting with Syrian President Asad, Damascus, Syria, October 13, 1994.

President Asad, Foreign Minister Shara, Dennis Ross, and our ambassador and I met for about three and a half hours. We had a very substantive discussion. I was renewed in my feeling that both parties are very serious; both parties are seeking and pursuing a peace agreement with great determination. I find them in a problem-solving mode, more so than on any prior occasion. I feel that the parties are moving in the right direction, and that we are on a steady course. At the same time, there are gaps that remain, and much hard work is yet to be done. I want to compliment both President Asad and Prime Minister Rabin, who I met with this morning, for the seriousness with which they are going about this endeavor. I believe this is probably the most substantive and serious discussion I have had with both of them all through this process, but, as I said, there is a lot of work ahead.