PRESS CONFERENCE BY CHAIRMAN OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF PALESTINE LIBERATION ORGANIZATION
Press Briefing
PRESS CONFERENCE BY CHAIRMAN OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF PALESTINE LIBERATION ORGANIZATION
19960502
FOR INFORMATION OF UNITED NATIONS SECRETARIAT USE ONLY
Yasser Arafat, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), answered questions from correspondents this afternoon at a press conference at United Nations Headquarters.
Citing what had been described as Mr. Arafat's "very successful meeting" with United States President Bill Clinton, a correspondent asked for comments on the fact that President Clinton had not supported him on the position that Jerusalem should be the capital of the Palestinian State, a well as on other issues.
Mr. Arafat said his meeting with President Clinton had been very successful, warm and fruitful. He stressed that this had been the first time he had visited Washington with the purpose of holding those "very important talks" with the President and his staff, including Secretary of State Warren Christopher. It was enough to remember that President Clinton had agreed that the joint Palestinian-American Committee should begin its work.
On Jerusalem, Mr. Arafat stressed that the position of the American Administration was still completely different from that of the Congress. Neither should it be forgotten that the question of Jerusalem was to be discussed along with other main items during the final stage of negotiations, to begin next Sunday in Egypt. The Palestinians had attended the Madrid Conference on the basis of United Nations resolutions and on the principle of land for peace. Holy Jerusalem was a part of the land. He also stressed that President Clinton had supported Palestinian efforts to address the difficult situation resulting from the border closures.
A correspondent asked Mr. Arafat whether he shared the belief of some Israelis that they and the Palestinians must live separately. "As neighbours", Mr. Arafat replied. As long ago as 1968, the idea of a democratic State in which Jews, Christians and Muslims could live together had been defused by the Israelis, he said. Now there would be a State for the Palestinians next to their neighbours, the Israelis. He went on to cite the occasion in 1988, when his address to the United Nations General Assembly had to be shifted to Geneva. At that time, he had announced the Palestinian position in support of a two-State solution.
Another correspondent said some Palestinians had expressed concern that with the bombardment of Lebanon, there had been a shift on the Palestinian
side to reliance on bilateral negotiations, ignoring the international community. "Why?" Mr. Arafat replied. "It seems you were not following what I mentioned just now." The Palestinians had long supported the two-State solution. He also pointed out that they had attended the Madrid Conference with representatives of Israel's Likud Party.
Asked which leadership in Israel he would prefer to deal with, Mr. Arafat said the Palestinians were dealing with the Israeli Government and not its internal affairs.
It appeared that when you needed support from your Arab friends you would engage them in consultations, but when you wanted peace with the Israelis, you would not consult with your Arab friends, a correspondent said. "Who told you so?" Mr. Arafat replied. That situation was "only in your mind". A peaceful solution was being sought on all the tracks. As efforts were advancing towards final negotiations on the Palestinian track, the other efforts were continuing, including on the Lebanese and Syrian tracks. The aim was a comprehensive, peaceful solution.
Responding to another question, Mr. Arafat said he had come to New York to extend his thanks to the Secretary-General for the position of the United Nations system in rendering assistance to the Palestinian people in the peace process.
What steps were the Palestinians taking to intervene in the transit through their territory of any supplies from States such as Iran, which might wish to engage in terrorist activities? Mr. Arafat said he had called for a peace which not only included the neighbouring State but the entire region. Peace was not an exclusively Palestinian need. It was a need for the Palestinians, the Arabs, the Middle East and the entire world. The Palestinians therefore firmly opposed any effort from any quarter which would undermine the peace process. He said "we deliver on our promises", and had been stressing to all Muslims that promises must be kept.
Asked to elaborate on the activities of the joint Palestinian-American Committee, Mr. Arafat said the Committee had political implications. It would be a full partner in the process, such a the joint American-Egyptian and American-Saudi Committees.
Mr. Arafat was asked to assess the role of the custodian of the two Mosques and his support for the peace process. He said the Palestinians' relationship with His Majesty King Fahd and the Government and people of Saudi Arabia were a source of pride. The Palestinians would never forget the support they had received from Saudi Arabia, especially regarding the cause of Holy Jerusalem.
Arafat Press Conference - 3 - 2 May 1996
Asked if he favoured bringing Iran into the direct discussions, Mr. Arafat said he had not spoken about Iran except in answer to a question. Asked whether he had any new ideas regarding Jerusalem and the upcoming talks, he said Jerusalem was a central issue, along with other issues. It would be the focus of discussion during the final stage of talks, to begin next Sunday in Egypt.
Which national and international entities, political or financial, most profited from the continuation of hostilities in the Middle East now? a correspondent asked. "The enemies of peace", Mr. Arafat said. He had called for "the peace of the brave". The enemies of that type of peace would like to see tensions continue.
What was the impact of the Turkish-Israeli military agreement on peace in the Middle East? a correspondent asked. Mr. Arafat said the most important thing was that there were good and strong relations between Turkey and the Palestinians. Turkey supported the demands of the Palestinian people, including the implementation of the relevant resolutions of the United Nations and a just, comprehensive peace in the Middle East.
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