The interview focused on the role of the United States in the peace process, as both an ally of Israel and an honest broker. The Prime Minister did not rule out a Palestinian state, but its creation would have to be the result of negotiations with Israel. He reiterated Israel's stand that a united sovereign Jerusalem is Israel's capital and would remain so forever. Text:
Mr. Tim Russert: Late last night I spoke with newly elected Israeli Prime Minister Barak, and he offered these words to the Kennedy and Bessette families.
Prime Minister Barak: I would say that after so many tragedies that the Kennedy family suffered, we in Israel and I myself would like to convey to them our thoughts and our prayers in these difficult hours and, at the same time, to the Bessette family that lost two of its daughters.
Mr. Russert: Let me turn to the peace process. Do you believe that the United States should function as an ally or an honest broker in the peace negotiations?
Prime Minister Barak: The US has been and will be in the future an ally of Israel, maybe the best ally we have. At the same time, without being an honest broker sensitive to the needs of the Arabs, it cannot facilitate the kind of services for the peace process. I think that both of the roles are in place.
Mr. Russert: The president recently said, and I'll read it to you, "I would like it if the Palestinian people felt free and were free to live wherever they like, wherever they want to live." Is that possible?
Prime Minister Barak: I don't think that this quotation was interpreted the right way. Anyway, our position is clear. I don't think that refugees will be able, under any circumstances, to come back into Israel, but better if a solution for them should be found in the context where they are living now.
Mr. Russert: Do you believe there will one day be a true Palestinian state?
Prime Minister Barak: I'm not a prophet. I'm the leader of Israel. I'm focused on the security of our state, and I'm confident that the time is right to leave no stone unturned in the road to strengthen Israel through peace with all its neighbors. When the time comes, the Palestinians will have to negotiate with us what kind of entity is shaped for them in a context, a wider context of all the other issues that are on the table.
Mr. Russert: Do you believe that one day the Palestinian flag will fly over Jerusalem?
Prime Minister Barak: I don't think so. A united sovereign Jerusalem is our capital, and will remain so forever.
Mr. Russert: Could you extend the boundaries of Jerusalem out and allow the Palestinians to have a piece of that Jerusalem?
Prime Minister Barak: Tim, I don't think that it would be appropriate for us to run the very delicate negotiations that we have to run with the Palestinians here on camera on NBC. It's more appropriate to be done with the Palestinians in a closed room, bona fide, in order to reach an agreement.
Mr. Russert: As you know, the First Lady is running for the Senate in New York state. She encountered some difficulties when last year she said, "I think the territory the Palestinians currently inhabit and whatever additional territory they will obtain through the peace negotiations should be considered and evolve into a functioning modern state." Is that helpful to the peace process?
Prime Minister Barak: I do not expect any expression from the First Lady, whom I highly appreciate, to be part of the peace process in the Middle East. We, the Middle Easterners, myself, Chairman Arafat, President Mubarak, King Abdullah, we are the people to decide what will happen in the Middle East, and we have to negotiate with each other in order to find a solution with the Americans, may I say, kind of political umbrella and certain security and financial safety net.
Mr. Russert: Syria. Would Israel be willing to give back land in the Golan Heights to Syria in order to secure a peace?
Prime Minister Barak: We will abide by 242 and 338, the two relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions. We fully realize that on the way to peace, we will have to make compromises, but it is too early to define what kind of compromises. We will define it once we realize what President Assad is ready to give in regard to Lebanon... the water question, the opening of embassies and borders, the security arrangements, the early warning arrangements, and even a certain level of economic cooperation.
Mr. Russert: Prime Minister Rabin said that if there was peace with Syria, he would welcome the presence of United States troops in the Golan Heights. Would you welcome US troops there?
Prime Minister Barak: I don't think that US troops will be needed in the Golan Heights. Maybe there will be a need for a few dozens of foreign observers or controllers or members of inspections teams. All like this would be provided by either American or other UN leading members.
Mr. Russert: Are you still interested in having the CIA help monitor any agreement with the Palestinians vis-a-vis the West Bank?
Prime Minister Barak: I don't think that the CIA volunteered to do it. It was dragged into the picture by the slowing down of the whole process, and I think that once we resume trust with our neighbors, I don't think that there will be a real need for CIA agents to look after the last Palestinian policemen.
Mr. Russert: If there is peace with the PLO, with Syria, will the United States have to increase economic aid to the region?
Prime Minister Barak: We have seen the arena of President Carter and Prime Minister Begin, President Sadat, what they decided the peace accord with Egypt 21 years ago. When you look at the amount of financial resources that have been invested in this peace, you realize that peace has its price, but it is much less expensive than going into war, paying with life of human beings, and paying then the price of recuperation after a major war. I prefer this way, and I believe that we'll find partners for it.
Mr. Russert: Are there positive economic consequences for Israel if you have a permanent peace?
Prime Minister Barak: Of course. There will be a major flow of foreign investment into the area, a major wave of tourism if it happens during the year 2000, and I would like to exploit this opportunity to ask all of the viewers to come to visit Israel in the year 2000 to revisit the place where you begin to count 2000 years ago.
Mr. Russert: You have said we are at a moment of truth. How long before you will know whether or not you can truly achieve a permanent peace?
Prime Minister Barak: I believe that within 15 months from now, we will know whether we have a major breakthrough on the Palestinian, Syrian, and Lebanese tracks or not. Let me tell you, Tim, I was not afraid to fight wars. I am not afraid to make peace. I am confident that this is exactly the mandate that I've been given from the Israeli people in the landslide victory in the elections two or three months ago. This is a moment of truth. We should live up to the challenge and put an end to the conflict of 100 years while strengthening rather than weakening the state of Israel.