UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Friday, March 15, 1996
7A
Clinton pays respects to Israel
The Associated Press
JERUSALEM — Grieving with the Israeli people, President Clinton pledged $100 million yesterday to the fight against terrorism. But he acknowledged that no one — not presidents or princes or prime ministers — could guarantee "a risk-free payment."
In an emotional trip that coupled meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres with a visit to the grave of Peres's slain predecessor, Yitzhak Rabin, Clinton imagined aloud
Bill Clinton
how Americans would react to the terrorism that confronts Israel.
"Our people would be off the wall. They would be angry. They would be furious. They would want action," he said.
To that end, Clinton pledged the $100 million during two years to pay for anti-terrorism initiatives, including training, bomb-detection scanners, X-ray systems and robotics for handling suspect packages.
Israeli officials said they envisioned using much of the U.S. aid to help establish a separation zone with the West Bank to try to prevent terrorist infiltration. The idea of the zone, which would include electronic fences, guard towers and bomb-sniffing dogs, first was proposed by Rabin and was approved by the Israeli Cabinet on March 3.
Clinton intends to use $50 million
already approved by Congress, and is asking for another $50 million for the fiscal year beginning in October.
"Fear must be conquered, security must be restored, and peace must be pursued," Clinton said.
Shlomo Dror, spokesman for the Israeli army liaison with the Palestinians, said the U.S. government was being asked to provide special training for bomb-sniffing dog units and for electronic equipment to be used along the separation line.
Israel also needs helicopters and all-terrain vehicles to help patrol the zone, he said.
The proposal has been denounced by Palestinian leaders.
Clinton left Israel yesterday evening, leaving behind a team of U.S. officials, including CIA Director John Deutch and Secretary of State Warren Christopher to work on an antiterrorism accord.
At a joint news conference with Clinton, Peres promised that the peace process would continue, although he said the terrorist attacks on Israel made it more complicated.
The aim is to complete an agreement before Peres visits Washington late next month.
"It's not black and white. It's like climbing a mountain. It is difficult, it takes time. You don't reach the peak in one jump." Peres said.
Clinton's visit came a day after the Red Sea summit, for which Israelis, Arabs and other world leaders gathered in an unprecedented joint stand against terrorism.
"The foundation was laid down ... to go ahead with peace and reject terror," Peres said.
Said Clinton, "Can we create a risk-free world here in Israel? No. Can we
reduce the risks and do much better? Yes."
He brought with him a stone from the White House lawn, where Rabin had sealed with a handshake a landmark peace agreement with Yasser Arafat.
Arafat now leads the Palestinian Authority, the newly created Palestinian government.
Wearing a yarmulke, Clinton placed the stone on the slain prime minister's tombstone at Mt. Herzl Cemetery, in accordance with Jewish tradition. Rabin's widow, Leah, looked on and afterward joined hands with Clinton. Rabin was killed Nov. 4 by a Jewish militant opposed to relinquishing Gaza and most of the West Bank to the Palestinians.
Clinton also stopped at Beit Hinuch, a Jerusalem high school that lost three graduates in the four suicide bombings that have rocked Israel since Feb. 25.
"If you want to be free and safe, you have to stand against terror. It doesn't matter whether you're Israelis or Palestinians," Clinton said outside the school.
By all appearances, Clinton's message was well-received by a country whose confidence in U.S.-backed land-for-peace deals with the Arabs was shaken by the bombings. All open societies are vulnerable to violence, he said.
He said that in Tel Aviv terrorism had its roots in the grip of an ancient fear that life can only be lived by looking down on someone else.
"We know your pain is unimaginable, and in some extent unsharable, but America grieves with you," he said.
2540 Iowa St. • Suite M • Lawrence, KS 66046 • 913-865-5071
In Honor of National Women's History Month
and commission on the Status of Women
Present:
Women's History Month Cultural Celebration
Thursday, March 21, 1996 ECM, 12th and Oread 7:00 p.m.
The program will include poetry, music, art, film, prose storytelling, photography, dance, crafts, and other forms of creative expression. Various cultural foods will be served. All women and men are welcome.