At the conclusion of a meeting with the visiting German Minister for
International Cooperation Sprenger, Mr. Peres answered questions by
reporters. They dealt with the state of negotiations, the PA efforts to
stem terror in areas under its control and the feelings in Israel
regarding the continuation of the peace process. President Weizman, has on
a number of occasions following a terrorist attack, proposed the
suspension of talks with the Palestinians. Text:
Foreign Minister Peres: I would like to start by saying that it is a very
difficult day for us, a very sad occasion. I don't want to deny or
belittle the sadness and the agony that we are going through. Yet, even
when it is such a sad occasion and such a difficult hour, we must remain
strong and clear in our decisions and destinies.
Israel has to do two things simultaneously: One is to fight terror,
without any hesitation, without any interruption, without any limitation,
to do whatever is necessary to stop, to preempt, to bring to justice the
people who are responsible for this terrible act of murder. We shall do
it.
Then, we have to continue and build a different situation in the Middle
East, to bring peace to our people. I know it is very difficult. I know
that there are people and organizations who are trying to stop and kill
it. We shall not submit to them either. We shall not submit to the
terror that kills or to the terror that is trying to stop the peace
process. We shall continue.
Even at this very difficult hour, we are clearly determined to do these
two things independently, because, in a way, they complete each other: to
fight terrorism and to build peace, at the same time - by different means
and without one effort affecting the other.
Question: [On the position of the Palestinian Authority]
Foreign Minister Peres: The PA took a very clear position against terror
and terrorism. They know that terror is aimed against them, not only
against us; that if there is something that can stop the Palestinian hopes
and destiny, it is Palestinian terror. Palestinian terror and Palestinian
negation cost the Palestinian people dearly during the times of the mufti
and the early times of terror. Were it not for the refusal of the
Palestinians to negotiate in the past, were it not for the attempt of the
Palestinians to kill the peace process for so long, the Palestinians would
be today in an entirely different situation. They themselves are the
victims of the mistakes that were made in the past. Today I feel that
among the Palestinians there is a leadership, including Mr. Arafat, who
has changed its policy - because he feels it serves peace and it serves
also the Palestinian needs for the future. I do hope that the two real
camps in the Middle East will be the camp of dialogue against a camp of
violence.
Question: Is there any way to stop the killings?
Foreign Minister Peres: If there is a way, we shall not hesitate to
take it. Unfortunately, it happens in many countries. Today terror is
being spread all over the world. It is becoming a world issue, here
perhaps more than in many other places, but we shall win this war, too. We
were used to take casualties and cost in time of war. Terror is a war, too
and while we are fighting this war, we are also fighting for peace.
Because we would like to end this war not just by a military victory, but
also by a political victory.
Question: Are you in effect in a race against time to sign Oslo II before
these terror attacks turn Israeli public opinion against the agreement
altogether?
Foreign Minister Peres: No, we are not in a race. I think basically the
majority of the Israelis support what we are doing and I don't know
anybody in Israel that seriously has an alternative. I know that there are
people who protest, but I don't know people who have an alternative. What
is the alternative? Suppose we would remain in Gaza for another 10 or 15
years. What would it serve us? Today, in Gaza, the Palestinian Authority
is beginning to fight terror very seriously and trying to introduce the
only alternative to terror, which is negotiations.
Question: [On the ongoing talks with the Palestinians]
Foreign Minister Peres: Tomorrow there won't be any talks, because
tomorrow will be a very sad day for all of our nation. Tomorrow there will
unfortunately be funerals of innocent people and our hearts are with the
families that have lost their dearest and with each of the wounded people
in the hospitals.
Question: President Weizman was at the site this morning. Neither you nor
the Prime Minister visited there. Are you afraid to face the public?
Foreign Minister Peres We are not afraid. We understand that there is a
great deal of chagrin and sorrow among the people. We can understand the
anger and we don't want to provoke any more. I think that we have to
handle things with great care and great consideration. It has nothing to
do with fear.
Question: You have been called 'traitor' by many people. How do you feel
about this?
Foreign Minister Peres: If you want to change a situation, you shouldn't
be surprised that many people are against it. Most people prefer to
remember rather than to think. What I am doing is not in order to please
anybody or to please myself. I am doing my duty, out of deep conviction. I
don't think that our country or the Arab countries have a better
alternative. We can't go on shooting and killing and hating. I know that
you need a certain courage for peace, as you need a certain kind for war.
You cannot run away. I know that many people do not believe that we can
attain it. I know that many people are angry with what we are doing. I can
understand their anger, I can understand their mistrust. But I really do
not know a better alternative to offer our people. So what I am doing is
out of deep conviction and a clear conscience.
Question: Has the time not come for Israel to impose higher security
measures?
Foreign Minister Peres: Israel is imposing all the tight measures which
are necessary to fight terror. I don't know of any measure that was
offered to the government by the professional people that we have
rejected.
Question: But the closure of Gaza was just lifted yesterday and now we
have this terrorist attack in Jerusalem today.
Foreign Minister Peres: Yes, it was closed for one reason, today it's for
a different reason. We didn't initiate it, but we cannot ignore it.