Bill Clinton

“ Chairman Arafat understands that the nature of the process is such that the final decisions will have to be made by the two leaders. And so they're willing to give it their best shot. And they understand, too, that as we have already seen, delay tends to make these things worse, not better.
One of the most important judgments any political leader has to make when dealing with a thorny problem is whether delay will make it better or worse. Occasionally, you actually get problems where the best thing to do right now is nothing, that delay will actually cause them to become less severe. ”

“ In coming here and accepting this challenge, Prime Minister Barak and Chairman Arafat have shown they are ready to take risks to pursue peace. The rest of the world, and especially the rest of the region, cannot afford to be bystanders. For all those who are truly committed to the cause of peace and to the well-being of the Israeli and Palestinian people, now is the time to lend their support to the peacemakers. ”

“ While Israeli and Palestinian negotiators have made real progress, crystallizing issues and defining gaps, the truth is they can take the talks no further at their level. Significant differences remain, and they involve the most complex and most sensitive of questions. The negotiators have reached an impasse. Movement now depends on historic decisions that only the two leaders can make. ”

“ But to delay this gathering, to remain stalled, is simply no longer an option, for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as all of us has seen, knows no status quo. It can move forward toward real peace, or it can slide back into turmoil. ”

“ Negotiations, therefore, must create an outcome that is realistic, balanced, and fair, and that meets the fundamental objectives of both sides, an outcome that strengthens the two parties rather than weakens one of them, an outcome that accommodates both sides' vital needs and dreams, an outcome that reconciles their competing grievances. ”

“ They will have to return to face the same history, the same geography, the same demographic trends, the same passions, and the same hatreds, and, I am sure, the exact same choices that confront them here and now.
Of course, action does have its perils but so, too, does inaction. The decisions will not come easier with time. ”

“ The leaders have to make the decisions that are still there to be made, and the longer we wait, the more difficult the decisions are likely to become. The Israeli and the Palestinian people have leaders now who are visionary enough, courageous enough, capable of building a fair, just, and lasting peace. ”

“ Although we are not there yet with the Syrians, everybody knows pretty much what the deal is there and that there are practical questions there that are not nearly so charged with emotion and identity and almost national consciousness as these are. ”

“ But it's also a great place for us to be, because it gives us a reasonable chance to work in quiet and without interruption and to observe the necessary discretion that, without which, we won't be able to move forward. ”

“ We know what the issues are. We know at least within a range what the options are. I think if we work hard, we can get it done in several days, but I will give it whatever time is required, as long as we're still moving forward. ”