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TRANSCRIPT: RUBIN REPORTS "SNAG" IN MIDEAST PEACE TALKS
Parties are trying to work through it, says Spokesman
Chesapeake College, Maryland -- Following is the State Department transcript of Spokesman James P. Rubin's telpheone readout to the press at 9:35 a.m. on October 23:
(Begin transcript)
Office of the Spokesman
~October 23, 1998
Readout by Telephone to the Press
By James P. Rubin, Spokesman
Chesapeake College (9:35 a.m.)
MR. RUBIN: Hi everyone. Listen, I have very little to tell you . I just wanted to make sure you got it equally with the others, and that is that we have clearly hit a snag and are trying to work our way through it; but I can't comment any further than that.
Q: Hit a snag over what?
MR. RUBIN: That's all I can say.
Q: We know what the snag is, but we'd like you to say the words and the quote.
MR. RUBIN: Right, but I can't.
Q: Can you identify which Israeli media reports Lockhart is denying?
MR. RUBIN: I can't be more specific. I think you will just have to draw your own conclusions.
Q: Jamie, is the Prime Minister still at the Wye plantation? Where is the Prime Minister?
MR. RUBIN: As far as I know, yes.
QUESTION: Can you please clarify for us if this is a snag between the US and Israel?
MR. RUBIN: I've been given a very limited sentence to work with, and that's all I have.
Q: Have there been discussions between Netanyahu and Clinton through the night?
MR. RUBIN: There have been all morning, yes. They went all through the night.
Q: After the snag, has the US been in touch?
MR. RUBIN: Yes, there were discussions with both sides during the course of the morning about the snag.
Q: How serious is the snag?
MR. RUBIN: We'll have to see. Sorry, guys. I know you all have legitimate questions. I just am severely constrained.
Q: What time did you all hit the snag, roughly?
MR. RUBIN: I don't know. The sun was up.
Q: Is Albright still here?
MR. RUBIN: Yes.
Q: Will there be a ceremony at 12:00 at the White House?
MR. RUBIN: If we can work our way through this snag.
Q: Jamie, did anybody actually go to bed?
MR. RUBIN: Nobody did.
Q: Jamie, thanks for the help.
Q: Jamie, is it --
MR. RUBIN: I really don't have any more to give you. I just wanted to give you this.
Q: Thanks.
(End transcript)