For Immediate Release | December 16, 1999 |
3:40 P.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Over the past 48 hours, Israel and Syria have taken a critical step in the journey toward peace. That journey will be a difficult one, but with courage and perseverance on both sides, the result will be deeply rewarding to the people of Israel and the people of Syria.
In the course of their meetings with Secretary Albright and with me, Prime Minister Barak and Foreign Minister al-Shara agreed to make every effort to reach peace between Israel and Syria, as part of a just, lasting and comprehensive Middle East peace, based on United Nations resolutions 242 and 338, and the Madrid terms of reference. To that end, the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister agreed to return to Washington to continue their negotiations on an intensive basis beginning January 3rd, 2000 -- about two weeks from now.
They have requested the United States to participate in these negotiations, and we are honored to do so. They agreed to take steps to ensure that these negotiations will be conducted in a productive and positive atmosphere.
We are witnessing a new beginning in the effort to achieve a comprehensive peace in the Middle East. With Syrian-Israeli negotiations off to a good start, Israeli-Lebanese negotiations expected to begin soon, and the Palestinian track well underway, we can truly set our sights on a new and different Middle East.
As I emphasized from the outset, the journey will be tough. Nothing in the past 48 hours should lead us to believe otherwise. But the parties are embarked on this path. They have agreed there should be no looking back, for the sake of our generation and generations yet to come.
I thank the Prime Minister and his team. I thank Foreign Minister Shara and his team. I thank Secretary Albright and those on the American team. All of them have worked hard. And I want Israel and Syria to know they can count on the United States every step of the way.
Thank you very much.
END 3:45 P.M. EST
A Millennium Invitation from the President and the First Lady
Statement on OMB's Final Quarterly Report
Remarks at Human Rights Day/Eleanor Roosevelt Award Ceremony
Remarks by President Clinton, Prime Minister Barak and Foreign Minister Al-Shara
Press Conference on Middle East Peace Process
Statement Regarding Peace Between Israel & Syria
Remarks on Bridging the Digital Divide
Remarks at Signing Ceremony for Human Rights
Remarks at Memorial Service for Worcester Firefighters
Remarks to the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce
Remarks at D.C. Central Kitchen
Release of the Surgeon General's Report on Mental Health
Remarks at Signing of ILO Convention #182
Intiative To Protect Consumers Buying Prescription Drug Products Over The Internet
Statement By The President on FY2001 Budget
Statement By The Press Secretary on the Internet
The President's Christmas Message
Human Rights Day, Bill of Rights, & Human Rights Week 1999
The President's Kwanzaa Message
President and First Lady | Vice President and Mrs. Gore
Record of Progress | The Briefing Room
Gateway to Government | Contacting the White House | White House for Kids
White House History | White House Tours | Help
Privacy Statement