The Prime Minister confirmed that Israel accepted the idea of a 13% FRD including a 3% nature preserve. He admitted that "ceding more than 10% creates a grave problem for us." He also said Israel accepted the American idea of a three-month testing period, during which time Israel would withdraw and parallel to that the Palestinians would implement their commitments under prior agreements. He revealed that he discussed with President Clinton the release of Jonathan Pollard, the possibility of a unilateral Palestinian declaration of independence and the situation in Iraq and Iran. Text:
Question: Is there a better understanding of the Israeli position in the administration?
Prime Minister Netanyahu: Yes, I think there has been a clear improvement in Israeli-American relations. The U.S. has come to understand that we are willing to proceed with the Oslo Accords despite the many flaws in their conception. Washington also recognizes our insistence that terrorism be fought and not facilitated. There is a powerful bond between Israel and the U.S. that ensures that the episodic differences that we had remain just that.
Question: Has your relationship with Clinton improved?
Prime Minister Netanyahu: Yes. We had an excellent meeting. I think he has a good grasp of our peace - a peace grounded on security.
Question: What happened in your meeting with Arafat?
Prime Minister Netanyahu: We discussed at length the need for the Palestinians to fight terrorism and to have their constitutional body annul the Palestinian Charter, which still calls for the destruction of Israel. I said that if the Palestinians fulfill their obligations, I would be prepared to redeploy from additional territory.
Question: From another 13 percent?
Prime Minister Netanyahu: We've been stymied on this point for some time because ceding more than ten percent creates a grave problem for us. The change came when the U.S. proposed that the remaining three percent would be a nature reserve in which there would be no construction and security would remain Israel's responsibility. We're close to an agreement on this point.
Question: What did Arafat say to your demands?
Prime Minister Netanyahu: He said he would be prepared to carry out his part, but this must be tested in the field.
Question: Can Arafat make a deal?
Prime Minister Netanyahu: I believe he can. His problem is not his capacity, but his political will.
Question: What do you think of the U.S. plan that specifies the steps the Palestinians must take?
Prime Minister Netanyahu: We have accepted an American idea that during a three-month period, we shall see interchangeably Palestinian activity and Israeli ceding of some territory. The Palestinians must collect illegal weapons, carry out a detailed plan against the terrorist organizations and their infrastructure. They must reduce the size of their police force, which is now the size of a small army. They must stop the incitement in Palestinian media and schools, exhorting 4- and 5-year-old children to become suicide "martyrs". They must arrest and hand over known killers.
Question: If you make a deal in Washington, how will it affect your coalition?
Prime Minister Netanyahu: I want the coalition to hold. I believe, if we achieve an agreement based on security and reciprocity, that the majority of the coalition members will support it.
Question: When you and President Clinton talked privately, did you decide on a mechanism to free Jonathan Pollard?
Prime Minister Netanyahu: I did raise the hope that Jonathan Pollard would be freed. He has served more than 12 years in America for actions that should not have been done in the U.S. He recognizes that, and we recognize that. I acknowledged that he was working for Israel. He's come clean; we've come clean. It's merely a humanitarian request.
Question: Do you think Arafat has been promised that the U.S. will recognize a Palestinian state?
Prime Minister Netanyahu: The U.S. has not taken a position on the outcome of the final settlement negotiations. Unilateral Palestinian declaration of statehood in May 1999 would prompt unilateral Israeli actions in response. I would strongly urge Arafat not to go down that route. A unilateral declaration of a state would imply that the Palestinians have appropriated unlimited powers, the ability to make military pacts with Saddam or Iran.
Question: Did you discuss Iran with President Clinton?
Prime Minister Netanyahu: Yes, I did discuss Iran and Iraq and the unstable world we're entering. What we're witnessing is the delayed effects of the collapse of the Soviet Union. Russia, today, does not prevent the leakage of ballistic missile and nuclear-weapon technology to rogue regimes such as Iran, Iraq and North Korea. We have to create regional security arrangements and technological solutions to prevent or reduce the danger of missiles launched by these unscrupulous regimes.
Question: Did you discuss with President Clinton the possibility of the U.S. and Israel getting together to build an effective missile defense?
Prime Minister Netanyahu: Yes. Israel and the U.S. are leading the democratic world in developing defenses against ballistic missiles. Recently, Israel had a successful test of its Arrow anti-missile, which intercepts incoming missiles. There are other possibilities including intercepting missiles in the boost phase. We cannot leave the world as it is. Part of human nature has a darker side that's reflected in those unreformed dictatorial regimes that cling to the idea of aggression.