Back to Ambassadorial Speeches - Ambassador Zalman Shoval

Embassy Press Conference with Ambassador Shoval and U.S. Senator Alphonse D'Amato Washington, D.C. - January 19, 1991

AMBASSADOR SHOVAL: Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. I have the honor to have had the -- to have had a visit this morning from Senator D'Amato, the Republican senator from New York, a good friend of Israel and a good personal friend. I'm happy to say we have discussed several items, several points of mutual interest to both countries at the present time. Senator D'Amato is going to speak for himself, but let me say on behalf of the state of Israel and on behalf of myself how deeply we appreciate the sympathy and support which Senator D'Amato has expressed towards us in this not very easy hour for Israel.

Let me add, also, that the government of Israel is at the present time still considering the situation which has developed in the wake of the unprovoked terrorist attacks by Scud missiles on the peaceful population in Tel Aviv. As you know, we have had another attack last night. Fortunately, again, there were very few casualties, probably less than ten likely injured people. There was mostly material damage. And we don't know yet whether Tel Aviv or other civilian centers in Israel won't be attacked again.

Anyway, we have to be aware of the danger, of the possible danger. And in respect to that, the Israeli government is weighing all the options, namely if to react, how to react, when to react. And of course all options are open. It must be very clear to everyone that the first duty of any government, of any sovereign state, is to defend the safety and well-being and the right to live in peace of its citizens. How to do that, what way to do it, to embark on, is the prerogative of the sovereign government of that state, in that case, the state of Israel. Whatever the decision will be, I'm sure it will be the right decision.

And one final comment. We follow the magnificent activities of the United States armed forces and the armed forces of America's coalition partners, putting a stop to the aggression of Saddam Hussein. We share all the feelings of the American public in that regard. We are just as concerned about possible American casualties as we would be concerned about Israeli casualties. And we certainly hope that this war will be over with all the objectives attained and with a minimum of losses to the Americans and their coalition partners. We, Israel, are not part of the coalition. We are not part of this conflict, although Saddam Hussein wants to make us part of that conflict. And that's why he's attacking us. But I think there can be no doubt that in our hearts and in our minds we are with the Americans in this matter and in other matters, as well.

Thank you very much. Senator D'Amato.

SENATOR D'AMATO: Well, Mr. Ambassador, first let me say publicly that I know that my colleagues in the Congress are absolutely united as it relates to our gratitude to the state of Israel for its strength and its determination in dealing with the situation that has been thrust upon it, that it has every right to protect and must indeed protect its people, that we are appreciative of the restraint that Israel has shown. The cornerstone of Israel's defense has been a quick and certain response to attacks, particularly terrorist attacks at civilian targets, preemptive strikes when the situation calls for it. And Israel has forebeared, has not undertaken those preemptive strikes when it had every right and every opportunity to do so, because it knew and determined that those fixed Scud positioned missiles are aimed and poised for an attack, an attack that did take place.

And so let me say that while the Cabinet of Israel is considering what appropriate steps to take, there should be no whimpering, no wringing of hands by those who say, "Will this fracture the coalition?" It will not fracture the coalition, if Israel takes the appropriate steps to defend itself and its people.

Secondly, it seems to me that the United States has an obligation to see to it that Israel has the opportunity to defend itself successfully from the kinds of wanton attacks undertaken by Saddam, the terrorist. Therefore, I am particularly pleased that the Patriot missile systems will be employed and deployed rapidly to Israel, and at this very time that we talk are on their way to Israel with American crews to help ward off these mindless attacks attempted to provoke and draw Israel into this conflict.

Thirdly, I believe that the campaign that is being waged against Saddam Hussein has achieved unprecedented levels of success, and that there is an objective that we should have stated initially. And it is being undertaken militarily. A Saddam Hussein who could keep his weapons of destruction, who could continue to build and expand on the nuclear capabilities, who could continue to expand on the missile systems that could carry the lethal chemical weapons would be a Saddam Hussein who would pose the continued instability to that region. And so the dismantling of those offensive weapon capabilities is an absolute necessity not only to a victory now, but a victory that will insure the best hope and the best opportunity for stability and peace in that region -- a peace that Israel will and should and must be a part of, with security for the people of the state of Israel.

I'm pleased that we've had an opportunity to discuss a number of these aspects, some that we may not be able to make public, but particularly the fact that the Patriots will be there and will give to Israel a greater ability to defend themselves from these attacks. And obviously, we hope that the campaign that is being waged as we speak now, the air assaults to seek and to destroy the mobile Scuds, as well as the fixed- base Scuds, continues. And we hope that it continues successfully. I have every reason to believe that sooner rather than later most of these senseless weapons of destruction will be eliminated.

Q: Mr. Ambassador, are you satisfied with what you're hearing about --

AMB. SHOVAL: (Off mike.)

Q: Mr. Ambassador, could you qualify, though -- could you make clear your own statement?

AMB. SHOVAL: No questions. I'm not giving a press conference.

Q: Okay. But may I ask you, sir, I understood you to say that your government has not yet decided whether to respond.

AMB. SHOVAL: I'm not yet aware of the decision of my government.

SEN. D'AMATO: Yes, sir?

Q: Senator, could you -- SEN. D'AMATO: (Off mike.)

Q: -- what the Israelis could do to respond -- (off mike).

SEN. D'AMATO: Well, I could think of a number of things, but let me give you one. For example, we are not seeking Saddam Hussein out. That is an option that we have foregone, because we are looking to dismantle his offensive weapon capabilities. And that is something that may very well lay within the capabilities of -- of the Israelis, to attempt to target Saddam Hussein. I think it would be very appropriate. He's a war criminal. And I believe that, indeed, if the Israelis had the ability to do that, this is a person who is a terrorist, who's an international war criminal, and if not wiped from the face of the earth during a military confrontation, certainly should be brought to trial as the war criminal and face the death penalty that would be appropriate.

Q: Senator, you said that the United States has an obligation to see that Israel had the opportunity to defend itself. Do you anticipate that the Congress either this week or in the coming weeks will do anything to shore up that obligation?

SEN. D'AMATO: There are longer-range opportunities to provide Israel with the opportunity to have a much enhanced defensive capability as it relates to the development and then the deployment of air defense systems, very, very technologically advanced systems, even better with - - than the Patriot system. And I would be hoping and I have been, as a member of the Defense Committee, Defense Appropriations Committee, my staff and I have been advocating this approach now for a period of time, for a good period of time prior to this conflict, as a matter of fact.