Arlen Specter: “Mr. President, that article was, in fact, written on April 23, 1990 and I believe that it forms a fair basis for a…”

“Mr. President, that article was, in fact, written on April 23, 1990 and I believe that it forms a fair basis for a question as to what Mr. Talbott's views are on the establishment of a Palestinian State. His answer follows: This administration does not support the establishment of an independent Palestinian State. In any event, the focus now is not on final status negotiations. It is on the implementation of the Declaration of Principles. When final status negotiations begin it will be up to the parties themselves to determine the shape of the final settlement. Note, if you will, that there is no response to the question: What are your views regarding the establishment of a Palestinian State? I think that is a fair question in light of what Ambassador Talbott has written.”