Standing with Israel in the face of terror, President Clinton on Thursday pledged at least $100 million to combat terrorists and promised stronger security ties with the Jewish state. "Fear must be conquered, security must be restored and peace must be pursued," he said.
Wrapping up a two-day trip of summitry and solace, Clinton told Israeli citizens, "Only you can convince others to lay down their fears.But he warned that open societies are open to violence; the ballyhooed anti-terrorism summit - and even Middle East peace - can't wipe out terrorism.
"Can we create a risk-free world here in Israel? No," Clinton said in a joint news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres. "Can we reduce the risks and do much better? Yes."
Clinton and Peres met a day after they joined other world leaders in an unprecedented Red Sea summit against terrorism. "Yesterday the foundation was laid . . . to go ahead with peace and reject terror," Peres said.
Over and over, Clinton expressed sympathy with Israeli victims of violent extremists.
Wearing a black yarmulke, the president followed a Jewish tradition and gently placed a stone at the gravesite of former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, who was slain Nov. 4 by a Jewish militant opposed to peace.
In a gesture laced with symbolism, Clinton had brought the stone from the South Lawn, where Rabin shook hands with Yasser Arafat to seal a historic Middle East peace pact with the Palestinians. Rabin's widow, Leah, locked hands with Clinton as they stood facing the grave.
And he stopped by Beit Hinuch, a Jerusalem high school that lost three graduates in the four suicide bombings that rocked Israel since Feb. 25. Outside, he told reporters: "If you want to be free and safe, you have to stand against terror. It doesn't matter whether you're Israelis or Palestinians."
Offering more than sympathy, Clinton pledged $100 million over two years to pay for a host of anti-terrorism initiatives, including training, bomb-detection scanners, X-ray systems and robotics for handling suspect packages.
White House officials said half of the money will come out of funds approved by Congress for other Pentagon uses. The other $50 million would require a new spending bill. Clinton said he sent his request to Congress Wednesday night.
The president was returning home Thursday, but CIA Director John Deutch and Lt. Gen. Daniel Christman are staying in Jerusalem to work on a counterterrorism accord. It could result in increased cooperation between American and Israeli intelligence operations in going after terrorists, officials said privately.
In a second step, the administration is working with Israel on a defense agreement, hoping to conclude it before Peres visits Washington at the end of April. The deal would provide for closer military ties between the nations.
Peres pledged that the peace process would continue, though the terrorist attacks made it more complicated. "It's not black and white. It's like climbing a mountain. It is difficult, it takes time. You don't reach the peak in one jump."
Clinton became emotional when a reporter asked whether world leaders can stop suicide bombers. "No one can do that," he replied. "You couldn't do it before the meeting and we can't do it in six months time."
But Clinton said the risks can be minimized.