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Morning News

Berger: Israel 'More Willing to be Creative and Flexible' at Camp David Summit

Aired July 26, 2000 - 10:40 a.m. ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Now, to more news from the Middle East. The end of the Camp David summit yesterday leaves Israelis and Palestinians right where they were before that conference started: without a peace treaty.

National security adviser Samuel Berger attended the two-week session. He is now live from the White House and joins us with more on this.

Sir, good morning to you.

SAMUEL BERGER, NATL. SECURITY ADVISER: Good morning, Bill.

HEMMER: It was quite clear from President Clinton, yesterday's briefing in the room where you are standing, reinforced later by Madeleine Albright in an interview, that Yasser Arafat was not willing to deal completely, in full. Why not?

BERGER: Well, first, I would say, both sides did make concessions. I would say the Israelis were more willing to be creative and flexible. The Palestinians, with respect particularly to the issue of Jerusalem, were not as prepared to compromise, and to give -- let go of the -- some of their traditional positions, in order for the larger good of creating a Palestinian state and a different future for the Palestinian people.

HEMMER: You were there for two weeks. It ended on day 15, yesterday. When you consider the Old City, and the fact that the Palestinians want that Muslim quarter within the Old City of Jerusalem, and the Israelis are not willing to budge on that. If that is set in stone, will we always be at this impasse?

BERGER: No, I think an agreement is achievable. I think that there is an honorable compromise on Jerusalem.

HEMMER: How so?

BERGER: Well, I am not going to spell out specific positions or ideas, but I think there are many ways to meet the needs of both. If they're both prepared to see the larger picture here, which is to protect their vital interests, but also to make some compromises in the interest of peace. Because the alternative is confrontation and that is not going to serve anybody's interest. HEMMER: You know the Palestinians have said they want to declare a Palestinian state by the 13th of September. What concerns you more without a peace deal? is it that deadline looming in September? or is it potential violence between now and then that may disrupt the entire process?

BERGER: Well, there may be some violence between now and then, but I think that, as we get towards September, the parties do face a fundamental crossroads. Down one road is confrontation and conflict. Down the other road is an agreement and peace. That involves compromise.

And I think, as they stand at those crossroads, I hope that they will assess their positions, I hope their will be debates within the Palestinian leadership, just as there now are debates in Israel. And I hope that both parties will be prepared to come back. A great deal was accomplished in the last two weeks. Issues that have not been talked about, discussed and negotiated were opened, and a lot of progress was made.

HEMMER: Samuel Berger, live from the White House. Best of luck to you and your team.

BERGER: Thank you, Bill.

HEMMER: Thank you for your time today.

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