Jerusalem, 2 January 2001
PM Barak to US President Clinton: Arafat's intentions in doubt
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)
Prime Minister Ehud Barak spoke last night (Monday), Jan 1, 2001,
with US President Bill Clinton. The Prime Minister made it clear
that he has deep doubts over the seriousness of Palestinian
Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat's intention to reach an
agreement that takes Israel's vital interests into account.
Prime Minister Barak believes that Chairman Arafat intends to
work for the internationalization of the conflict - beyond the
Clinton administration's term in office - by continuing to
encourage terrorism.
Prime Minister Barak made it clear to President Clinton that
Israel intends to continue concentrating on vigorous
counter-terrorist activity in the coming weeks and said that it
will be impossible to sign an agreement within the next few
weeks. However, if President Clinton would invite Israeli
representatives to Washington against the background of a halt to
the violence and the resumption of meaningful cooperation in the
war against terrorism, we would consider the idea.
In recent days, Prime Minister Barak has reiterated his directive
to the IDF and the security services to continue to use all means
to fight terrorism and strike at those who both attack us and
plan the attacks.
Prime Minister Barak has similarly directed the IDF and the
Coordinator of Activities in the Territories to prepare for the
possibility of a unilateral separation in the event that this
becomes necessary. Such a separation would be lengthy and
gradual, thus requiring extensive preparations.