Stakeout with Foreign Minister Shimon Peres following his meeting with
National Security Adviser Rice
and conversation with President Bush
White House driveway, Washington, D.C.
Tuesday, October 23, 2001
FM PERES: We just met Condoleezza Rice and the President, who
came in. We had a very good talk with the President and Ms. Rice
for half an hour. The President explained to us the American
policy and strategy and also what he considers can be the
positive contribution of Israel to it.
I have assured the President there is no contradiction between
his policy and our own, that our intention is not to develop an
agenda of our own, but really to be good soldiers in a camp that
must be united in a war that should be won. We don't have an
alternative.
The President had expressed his friendship for Israel. We have
expressed how very deeply moved we were to see the United States
in such an unlivable position: the union of the people, the
determination of the government, the show of an American soul,
not only of an American constitution, the togetherness, the human
feelings, and the determination.
We feel that we can answer the expectation of the President. What
we are trying to do is to impress upon the Palestinian people the
need to move from the world of rhetoric to the world of action,
and maybe the walk is not such a long distance.
While the crisis today looks very serious, maybe the solution is
very near as well. We want to lower the flames of tension and
fire in the Middle East. We want to do whatever we can so the
United States can build a coalition of her own needs and choice,
comprising Muslims and Arabs - they are not our enemies - and we
do intend to do it.
I feel reassured by the American president, who has shown great
courage and leadership. And we believe that this unprecedented
war is in good hands. There's a chance to win, and there is no
alternative but a full and complete victory.
Q: Mr. Foreign Minister, did President Bush urge Israeli forces
to withdraw from the Palestinian-controlled areas? And what did
you tell him? Will forces be withdrawn?
FM PERES: He mentioned it, and we say: that is our intention. The
minute the Palestinians will take over in their own hands the
introduction of law and tranquility, and put in jail the main
troublemakers, we shall be more than happy to redeploy our army
to the previous positions.
Q: Sir, did the president set a hard deadline for you to pull
out?
FM PERES: No, he was extremely friendly and forthcoming. We
didn't speak in terms of conditions, ultimatums; we spoke like
real friends, in a very free air and very friendly atmosphere.
Q: So, Mr. Foreign Minister, then the forces will not leave until
the Palestinians do certain things, including turning over those
responsible for the assassination?
FM PERES: You speak in terms of ultimatum. And I speak in terms
of policies.
Q: Mr. Foreign Minister, did the President suggest that the
continued violence in the Middle East is making it more difficult
for him to keep together the coalition for the war on terrorism?
FM PERES: He did. He would like very much the flames to go down,
and I told him that we shall do whatever we can to reduce them.
Q: And on what basis do you believe that a solution may be near?
What grounds do you have for saying that?
FM PERES: I believe that the Palestinian Authority is very
sensitive to the American and the European reaction. For them,
their Western legitimacy is of the highest consideration. And if
they will be convinced that this is a clear message of an
immediate nature comprising all the parties, I believe they will
respond. And the minute they will do it, we shall be able to move
ahead with the attempt to introduce a cease-fire, which is the
first station in the Mitchell report.
Q: So you're basing that on your analysis of their position. Are
you basing it at all on contacts between the Palestinian
Authority and --
FM PERES: We are in constant contact with the Palestinians. And
permit me to say, based on my own experience - I'm an old hand in
those negotiations - the Palestinians, as long as they can
distinguish between ceremony, speeches and deeds, they may do the
right thing.
Q: Mr. Foreign Minister, did the President talk to you about
targeted killings by Israelis?
FM PERES: No, it came up on other occasions. But I want to make
it clear: we don't target any political figure on the Palestinian
side. It's not our intention.
We have a problem as you do: how to handle a suicide bomber. If
you will not intercept him at his first step, everything may be
too late, because the minute he begins to move, he is not afraid
to be killed, he is not reluctant to kill himself in the face of
a police force or a military. The only option to prevent him from
committing murder is at the first station: to intercept him
before he's on his way.
Q: Did he express condolences for the assassinated minister?
FM PERES: Yes, he did. The president did so, very movingly.