Bill Clinton: “Palestinian Authority and an Exchange With Reporters March 3, 1997 President Clinton. Good morning. I'm glad to welcome…”

“Palestinian Authority and an Exchange With Reporters March 3, 1997 President Clinton. Good morning. I'm glad to welcome Chairman Arafat here. This is our sixth meeting, and I'm hopeful that it will be as productive as our previous ones have. You will remember the last time he was here, last fall, we were facing a very difficult situation with regard to Hebron, and because of the efforts that he made in working with the Israelis, an agreement was reached, a timetable was established, and we're moving forward. And I'm hopeful that we can keep doing that. This is also a difficult moment, but I think we can work through it and go forward, and I appreciate his coming to see me. Middle East Peace Process Q. Mr. Chairman, are the new settlements designed by the Israelis to make the annexation a fait accompli of East Jerusalem? Chairman Arafat. Not only for Jerusalem but also for Bethlehem, because their target is to squeeze and to isolate Jerusalem but, at the same time, to build the settlements at the entrance of Bethlehem, to replace Har Homa, our capital--in the city of Bethlehem during the 2,000 years of our celebration for our Jesus Christ. Q. What are you going to do about it? Chairman Arafat. I am sure that His Excellency will push for--to prevent it. Q. Mr. President, what do you think about the settlement? President Clinton. Well, what I think about the settlement is what I think about all these issues.…”