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                              THE WHITE HOUSE



                      Office of the Vice President

________________________________________________________________________

For Immediate Release                                       July 5, 2000





                    STATEMENT BY THE VICE PRESIDENT



     The President's announcement today of a summit meeting between the

Israelis and the Palestinians next week at Camp David is an important

and necessary step on the long and difficult path to a true and lasting

peace in the Middle East.



     At the summit, Prime Minister Barak, Chairman Arafat, and their

negotiating teams will be dealing with the most complex and sensitive

issues that lay at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.  The

challenges ahead for both of these political leaders remain substantial,

but it is critical for all of us to seize this historic opportunity.



     I am proud of America's contribution to the Middle East peace

process and to making this summit possible.  In the last eight years,

the United States has played a critical role in facilitating

negotiations between the parties without dictating terms or imposing

deadlines.  As both the Israelis and Palestinians have agreed, true

security can only be achieved through a just and lasting peace based on

mutual consent.



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