http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2001/index.cfm?docid=5386 PRESS BRIEFING @ WHITE HOUSE DAILY PRESS BRIEFING Philip T. Reeker, Deputy Spokesman Washington, DC October 15, 2001 QUESTION: The HAMAS man who was killed yesterday, do you have any comment on that? MR. REEKER: Let me just make sure we are talking about the same thing. QUESTION: There is only one HAMAS who was killed yesterday, possibly by a helicopter -- MR. REEKER: I don't know if that is the same report that I read, then. I guess we can talk generally about the Middle East. QUESTION: -- caf? bombing -- Tel Aviv caf? -- QUESTION: Disco. QUESTION: Disco. MR. REEKER: Jonathan is talking about a helicopter or something -- QUESTION: Talking about his background -- MR. REEKER: I just want to make sure we're not talking about different ones. I mean, in terms of our policy and position on targeted killings, I think you are aware of that. QUESTION: Yes, targeted killings. MR. REEKER: Our position on targeted killings is well known. But in terms of the Middle East broadly, in the recent days, we have welcomed some of the positive steps taken by the Palestinians and by the Israeli Government. Continuing efforts by the Palestinian Authority to confront violence and terror are extremely important, must continue. The steps by the Government of Israel now being implemented on the ground to withdraw Israeli forces from Hebron and to address the questions of closures and checkpoints, which have so negatively affected the Palestinian people and the Palestinian economy, those steps must continue. These measures, which are addressing both violence and terror and the situation on the ground for Palestinians, are essential to reestablishing trust and confidence between the parties. And so we would reiterate that it is vital that both sides sustain and strengthen their steps in this regard. There have been positive steps in recent days. This will make possible moving forward, as you know, toward the goal of implementation of the Mitchell report and progress on the direct political dialogue, which we have long called for. QUESTION: Can I follow that up? At the outset, so we can -- so we are -- we are able to connect the dots but it's easier if you say the words. You were asked about the assassination of the suspected plotter of the disco bombing that killed, I don't know, what, 22 Israelis? And you referred us to your policy on targeting, targeted killings which, of course, is to oppose them. But could you connect that policy to the instant case? In other words, you are disapproving of what Israel is reported to have done, because it's targeting? MR. REEKER: I have seen reports of a targeted killing. That's why I was asking Jonathan, to make sure we were talking about the same reports that I've seen. QUESTION: I think we're talking about the same one. MR. REEKER: And our position on targeted killings is well known. That is, that it has not changed. QUESTION: Could you say what it is? Because I would have to assume -- MR. REEKER: It is the same position that we have said over and over again. And that is that we oppose a policy of targeted killings. QUESTION: Just to follow on that and to broaden it? MR. REEKER: Yes. QUESTION: To follow on that and broaden it, can you expand on your opposition to the policy -- to the Israeli policy of targeted killings vis-?-vis US policy to target Usama bin Laden, Mullah Omar? MR. REEKER: I can't really draw a parallel between the two. Our position on the Israeli policy of targeted killings is well known, has not changed since the (inaudible). QUESTION: Why is there no parallel? Would it be provocative to attack Usama bin Laden and kill him? Would you object to that? MR. REEKER: I don't have anything to add to what the President and the Secretary of State and everyone else have said about our campaign against terrorism. That includes Usama bin Laden. That includes now the Taliban, who has given him safe harbor all this time, in contradiction to UN Security Council resolutions, even those that predate the tragic events of September 11th. QUESTION: So you're saying any targeting by the US in that regard -- well, let me follow up, please -- would be justified because of the reasons you just stated? MR. REEKER: No, Barry, I'm not -- QUESTION: Even if it's in violation of UN this-and-that? MR. REEKER: No, Barry, I didn't say that. QUESTION: With respect to this particular person that supposedly was targeted in this killing, apparently he had been arrested countless times by Israelis, as well as being held in PA jails, and released by the PA. Now, if they are going to -- you want lessening of violence and also arrests, and the PA arrest these folks and then release them, what is the alternative? MR. REEKER: We have encouraged the PA to take steps in terms of arrests. And what I wanted to say, as I did say already today, is that we think the continuing efforts by the Palestinian Authority to confront violence and terror are extremely important and must continue. The last few days we have seen some positive steps taken on both sides. And so that is what we would like to see continue. QUESTION: Can we go back to these steps that the -- the confidence-building measures? MR. REEKER: Are we talking about Mitchell? QUESTION: Mitchell and that stuff, yes. The withdrawals from Hebron and that kind of thing. And are you satisfied with the pace with which the Israelis have carried out these initial steps? MR. REEKER: I don't think I want to try to characterize a particular pace. What we have long called for is an end to the violence, a 100 percent effort on both sides. And what I want to note today is that we are welcoming the positive steps that have been taken in recent days, by both sides -- both the Israeli Government and by the Palestinians -- and we would like to say that they need to continue those efforts. And on the Israeli side, as I indicated, withdrawing their forces from Hebron and addressing some of the questions, like closures, checkpoints, that had a very negative effect on the Palestinian people and the economy. We would like to see those continue. Those must continue, because those, as well as the Palestinian steps to decrease violence and terror, are what will give the parties both a measure of trust so that they can move forward and get into those very steps that you mentioned. QUESTION: Can I just follow up? I'm sure that you are aware that things seem to be moving fairly fast in the Middle East. Blair and Arafat both speaking today, and about Palestinian states and so on. The President has spoken about it. Are you making any progress on drafting your next big move on this? MR. REEKER: Nothing to add to what Ambassador Boucher talked about last week, no. QUESTION: Well, it's kind of -- do you have anything (inaudible) about the meeting, and kind of steps -- not steps -- MR. REEKER: Whose meeting? QUESTION: The Blair-Arafat meeting. And, in particular, that Yasser Arafat tried to draw a distinction between the terrorism that was going on in the Middle East versus what Usama bin Laden and -- MR. REEKER: I don't know. I haven't even studied that meeting and the statements from that.