To see so many lives torn by conflict only underscores the imperative of bringing a swift end to the cycle of provocation and reaction. The people of Israel have a right to live within internationally recognized borders in security and peace with all their neighbors. It is my profound hope that we can bring the violence and suffering to an end so that Israelis, Palestinians and others throughout the region might one day live side by side in peace and prosperity. A question also to Secretary Powell. There are reports today in the papers based on a report of the German intelligence that Saddam Hussein is going to have a nuclear weapon within three years.
Peace needs to provide security.
Regarding your first question, it is absolutely clear that in order to ease the closure, there are certain steps that Chairman Arafat will need to take. Those steps were discussed today in my meeting with General Powell, the Secretary of State, and I'm assuming that they will be forwarded to the Palestinian Authority. I have not had a chance to see the actual report. But if I understand the press report, it says that Iraq has the potential of making such weapons within a few years. It seems to me it should reinforce to all the peoples of the region, especially my Arab friends in the region, that we have to enforce the U.N. Resolutions that Saddam Hussein agreed to at the end of the Gulf War.