1412 July 19 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1999

Oh, wait, wait, I’ll answer the Coast Guard one, a tragedy that I believe touched hearts question. Go ahead. This is important—fur- of billions all around the world. ther—what’s going on for America today, so Thank you. I’ll answer this. Go ahead. President Clinton. Thank you very much.

Search for Wreckage of John F. Kennedy, NOTE: The President’s 178th news conference Jr., Aircraft/Conversations With Kennedy began at 4 p.m. in Presidential Hall (formerly Family Room 450) in the Old Executive Office Building. In his remarks, the President referred to Chair- Q. Mr. President, I’m told that you were man of the Palestinian Authority; briefed earlier today by the U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. Richard M. Larrabee, USCG, 1st about their search for the wreckage of the Coast Guard District, head of the search and re- Kennedy plane. Can you tell us what the re- covery efforts off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard, sults of that are to date? And also, sir, since MA, to locate the missing aircraft that carried the search became a—quote, unquote—‘‘re- John F. Kennedy, Jr., his wife, Carolyn Bessette covery operation’’ last night, have you had Kennedy, and her sister Lauren Bessette. The a chance to speak with any members of the President also referred to Mr. Kennedy’s sister, Kennedy family, and if so, can you relate Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg. Prime Minister Barak referred to his wife, Nava; and Vice Presi- some or all of those conversations? dent Abd al-Halim Khaddam of Syria. President Clinton. Well, let me say, first of all, I did speak with Admiral Larrabee this morning, and again I want to say I think the Joint Statement by President Clinton Coast Guard, the National Transportation and Prime Minister Ehud Barak Safety Board, the FAA, all the State and local July 19, 1999 entities who have worked for them have done quite a fine job here; and I’m grateful to During several days of close consultations, them. the President and the Prime Minister con- He was actually, Admiral Larrabee, some- ducted a comprehensive review of the U.S.- what optimistic that they would eventually bilateral relations, the peace process, be successful in this area they have identi- Israeli as well as regional security, economic fied, in finding further—at least further parts and scientific development and cooperation. of the plane. And I believe it’s appropriate These fruitful discussions have produced im- that this search continue. So I think they’ve portant agreements and understandings in all done a good job. of these areas. I have had, over the last 3 days, several Prime Minister Barak expressed his deep conversations with Senator Kennedy, and I appreciation of President Clinton’s special have talked with Caroline, and I have—but efforts to enhance the U.S.-Israeli relation- I think it would not be appropriate for me ship and advance the cause of peace in the to talk about the merits of it. Middle East. Let me say that John Kennedy and his sis- President Clinton and Prime Minister ter and later his wife, were uncommonly kind Barak have reached a broad new understand- to my daughter and to my wife, and this has ing that significantly enhances the already been a very difficult thing for us, personally, unique bilateral relations between the as well as because of my position. They are United States and Israel, and raises their very strong people, and I think they are car- friendship and cooperation to an even higher rying on as well as any human beings could. level of strategic partnership. This new part- But they need the support and prayers of nership is designed to underpin their joint our country. effort to put an end to the Arab-Israeli con- Thank you. flict and achieve a comprehensive peace in Prime Minister Barak. Allow my please the Middle East. to add to it—to extend on behalf of myself The President and the Prime Minister and the Israeli people our prayers and have agreed on the need to assign a top prior- thoughts to the Kennedy family that faced ity to the pursuit of peace in the Middle East. so many tragedies and now is facing another They have also reached a meeting of Administration of William J. Clinton, 1999 / July 19 1413 minds on the desirability of making an inten- Advisory Group (DPAG) to meet the new sive effort to move ahead simultaneously on challenges of WMD, counter proliferation all tracks of the peace process, bilateral and (CP) and theater missile defense (TMD). multilateral, as well as on the important role The Group will coordinate and plan the co- that would be played by the United States operation between the U.S. Department of in support of the process. Defense and the Israeli Ministry of Defense. President Clinton assured Prime Minister In addition, the two leaders agreed on the Barak that the United States would be ready components of the $1.2 billion military aid to assist and contribute in any way it can to package for Israel that the Administration has achieving an historical reconciliation that will already requested from Congress. The Presi- usher in a new era of peace, security, pros- dent assured the Prime Minister of his inten- perity and cooperation in the Middle East. tion to work closely with the Congress to seek In this context, he reiterated the U.S. com- expedited action for funding, starting in FY mitment to help Israel minimize the risks and 1999, for this package to support Israel as costs it incurs as it pursues peace and af- it implements the . firmed the broad U.S. backing that would be The package will have three components: accorded to Israel, to facilitate the pursuit Assistance to the Israeli Defense Forces of peace. as they carry out further redeployments, Recognizing that the U.S.-Israel relation- including projects which will be man- ship serves as a cornerstone for pursuing aged by the U.S. Army Corps of Engi- peace, they vowed to strengthen and deepen neers. this unique relationship, which is based on Assistance in meeting Israel’s broader stra- shared democratic values, bonds of friend- tegic requirements, including Theater ship, common interests and joint cooperation Missile Defense (TMD), helicopters, in so many areas of human endeavor. Presi- and communications equipment and dent Clinton reiterated the steadfast commit- munitions. ment of the United States to Israel’s security, to maintain its qualitative edge, and to Assistance in meeting the increased cost strengthen Israel’s ability to deter and defend of Israeli counter-terrorism efforts. itself, by itself, against any threat or a possible The two leaders also agreed on the impor- combination of threats. tance of spreading the benefits of peace to The United States and Israel will sign a all those who participate in the process. In Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that context, they expressed support for the which will express their joint intention to re- $400 million in assistance to the Palestinian structure U.S. bilateral assistance to Israel. people and $300 million for Jordan that is The MOU will state the United States’ inten- part of the Administration’s request to Con- tion to sustain its annual military assistance gress to support implementation of the Wye to Israel, and incrementally increase its level River Memorandum. by one-third over the next decade to a level President Clinton and Prime Minister of $2.4 billion subject to Congressional con- Barak agreed that Israel faces new challenges sultations and approval. At the same time, in the strategic arena, particularly the pro- the MOU will provide for a gradual phase- liferation of weapons of mass destruction and out of U.S. economic aid to Israel, over a ballistic missiles that threaten to undermine comparable period, as the Israeli economy Israel’s security. In this context, the two lead- grows more robust, less dependent on for- ers agreed to step up the overall bilateral co- eign aid, and more integrated in world mar- operation and coordination, as well as to im- kets plement a number of measures designed to The two leaders also reviewed the status help Israel meet these emerging threats: of the U.S.-Israeli defense relationship and The United States will provide funding for agreed that existing defense channels of co- Israel’s acquisition of a Third Arrow bat- ordination and cooperation work effectively. tery that will enhance the protection of These would have to be further consolidated Israel’s citizens from ballistic missile at- and strengthened under a Defense Policy tacks.