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Department Seal Richard Boucher, State Department Spokesman
Excerpt from the Daily Press Briefing
Department of State Press Briefing Room
Washington, DC, June 20, 2000

--Prospects for a Camp David Style Working Summit
--U.S. Discussions with the Palestinian Authority
--Reported U.S. Proposal to Chairman Arafat To Delay Israeli Hand Over
--Ambassador Dennis Ross' Travel
--Effect of Israeli Political Crisis

Question: On the Middle East, the Israeli Government thinks it's time to have a working summit, sort of a Camp David sort of gathering, I gather. Does the State Department see any advantage in that now?

Mr. Boucher: I'd say that on the summit issue, where we have been for the last few days, the Secretary, as you know, will go out to the region next week to determine if there is a sufficient--if the necessary basis exists for a summit, or whether we need to continue the work.

The President, I believe, two or three days ago said that at this juncture we would say that a basis does not exist, but the point is to see next week when the Secretary goes out if there is such a basis or if we need to continue.

We have made quite clear--the President has made quite clear--that we're prepared to go forward with a summit at the appropriate time when we think the necessary basis exists.

Question: Have you talked to the Palestinians about this? Are they also in favor of such a--another level of discussion?

Mr. Boucher: The issue has been certainly discussed with both sides as we've been discussing with both sides how to reach agreement on the permanent status issues--the real tough issues, the fundamental issues--that are under discussion at this point.

Question: When you make a determination of whether they're ready, is that based mainly on whether they say they're ready, or would you make an independent judgment independently of whether they say they're ready?

Mr. Boucher: I think it's a combination of all our discussions on these things.

Question: Would you expand on proposals that the U.S.--that the President apparently made last week to Mr. Arafat about delaying Israeli handover? That comes from the Palestinian side, Saeb Erakat.

Mr. Boucher: No, I think what I would say is that further redeployment--this is the issue there I think you're asking about--this is an issue that the two sides are continuing to discuss. I would also say that we have a window of opportunity right now to concentrate also on the permanent status issues and to try to resolve some of those fundamental issues.

Question: But it was a US initiative to delay the--

Mr. Boucher: I didn't mention that.

Question: You didn't?

Mr. Boucher: I didn't say that, no.

Question: Do you deny it?

Mr. Boucher: All I'm saying is this is an issue the two parties are continuing to discuss.

Question: Richard, my colleagues in the Middle East say that the Israelis are reporting the summit as if almost it's a done deal, and they're even giving a specific date now. We had heard that Barak had suggested to the President after July 4th, but now apparently Israeli newspapers are reporting a July 6th summit.

Do you have any comment on the fact that they're already reporting it as if it's almost a done deal? And is that a deliberate effort to try and pressure you guys into going ahead with that proposal?

Mr. Boucher: I don't have any comment.

Question: Is that time frame a feasible time frame? I mean, it seems like the Secretary is going to be around, the President is going to be around, it's after the holiday weekend. Would there be, if there was to be a summit proposal, is that a reasonable--

Mr. Boucher: If there is a necessary basis for a summit, then any time is a suitable time. I think the Secretary and the President have made clear they are prepared to do what it takes to reach an agreement. If they thought the basis existed to reach an agreement, they would be prepared to do what it takes. So I don't want to speculate on any particular date but just tell you that their commitment as they, both the Secretary and the President have stated it personally and recently, is strong to doing whatever they can to make this work, if we think a deal can be reached.

Question: Can we go to Haiti?

Question: When does Ambassador Ross go?

Mr. Boucher: Midweek, this week.

Question: This Wednesday?

Mr. Boucher: Midweek.

Question: Wednesday is midweek. Is it Wednesday?

Question: Has it not been decided or--I mean, this is really ridiculous. I mean, it's not that big a deal to say when he's going. Has it not--

Question: The Israelis said he's going to be there today.

Mr. Boucher: Well, he's not.

Question: Is there a date planned for when he leaves?

Mr. Boucher: All I can tell you at this point is he is planning on being in the region middle of this week.

Question: Any comment on the EU decision to accept Greece into the European monetary system?

Mr. Boucher: I'm sorry, we've got one more on the Middle East.

Question: What effect, if any, does the political crisis inside the Israeli Government have on this? I know it's something you don't like to address very much but it seems rather--in the (inaudible)--it's rather vital that. It would be hard to arrange a summit with--

Mr. Boucher: Well, you're right. The specifics of what's going on between the parties is internal politics in Israel, and I don't want to try to get into those questions. I think it's clear to us that the Israeli Government and the Israeli people have committed themselves to striving for peace through negotiations. We're confident that this will remain Israel's policy and we will do everything we can to support the peace process.

[end of excerpt]

Full transcript of Daily Press Briefing on 6/20/00

Peace Process | Near Eastern Affairs | Department of State | Secretary of State