U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Daily Press Briefing
Monday, June 26, 2000


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QUESTION: Questions on where two people are. Is Dennis back yet?

MR. REEKER: No, Dennis remains in the Middle East preparing for the Secretary's arrival there tomorrow evening. And?

QUESTION: Strobe.

MR. REEKER: Strobe Talbott, I believe, is on vacation.

QUESTION: On Dennis Ross, can you tell us whether he is reporting that the parties are closer to reaching a stage at
which a summit might be possible?

MR. REEKER: I don't think I'm going to be able to sort of categorize as much as I'm sure you would like. As I indicated, he is continuing his meetings with Israeli and Palestinian leaders and negotiators. He met with Chairman Arafat today. He will continue this intensive round of negotiations in preparation for the Secretary's arrival tomorrow, and he is going to remain in the region through the Secretary's visit.As we've discussed for some time now, one of the objectives of the Secretary's visit will be to determine if we have a basis, if we've reached the point where there is a basis to have a summit, or if more work is necessary. And so that's where we'll proceed tomorrow.

QUESTION: Did you say that he would stay in the region after the visit, or just until the visit?

MR. REEKER: I don't know his plans through the visit. The Secretary, as you know, will be there until Thursday and
we'll just have to see what his plans are after that.

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QUESTION: Thank you, Mr. Reeker. Mr. Arafat has spoken in terms of Palestine belonging to the Palestinians and to, any
time now, initiate a statehood declaration. And I take it that the US would very much like to see this not happen and that the negotiations would go on without this particular declaration. Is that correct?

MR. REEKER: I haven't seen any particular news there. I think I ran through where we stand right now. Dennis Ross is
in the Middle East. He is continuing his meetings with Palestinians and Israelis. The Secretary will arrive there tomorrow. She is going to make a determination whether we're at the point where a summit would be helpful or whether we need to continue working to get to that point.
Our goal, of course, is a comprehensive peace in the Middle East, as I've indicated already. The President has made it
very clear that he is prepared to host a summit when the appropriate basis exists, and I think we need to see what happens over the next couple of days and where we go from there.

QUESTION: I take it a declaration of statehood by Palestine would not be helpful?

MR. REEKER: We're going to continue in this process and see what the determination the Secretary is able to make after
her visit, and we'll continue that process trying to seek a comprehensive peace for everyone in the Middle East.

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