Statement by the Press Secretary on the President's Telephone Call to Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin of Israel

The President called Prime Minister Rabin of Israel this afternoon to express his condolences over the killings of Israeli civilians in Hadera and to express his sense of urgency regarding concluding the agreement on implementation of the Israel-Palestinian Declaration of Principles. Prime Minister Rabin agreed with the President that it was important to accelerate the negotiations and reach prompt agreement. Both leaders underscored the need to ensure that the enemies of peace do not succeed. The President made it clear that the United States was ready to do its part to ensure that the negotiations reached a successful conclusion as rapidly as possible.