Given the importance of the issues at hand, the president and Prime Minister Netanyahu and Chairman Arafat believe it is appropriate to stay and work on these important issues.

This is an ongoing process. The issues are difficult and complex and the president feels it's important to bring the leaders together.

There's some fundamental issues of fairness about how the president and his legal team can prepare for the next phase of this process. We also understand the arithmetic of the Senate, which is there's 55 Republicans and 45 Democrats, so ultimately the Republicans can do what they feel is best, even if it's not fair to the president,

Privacy issues are of great importance to the president.

I told the prime minister that I would be ready to meet with Chairman Arafat in the period ahead at a site in the region to be determined,

It's up to the prime minister first of all to get in contact with the president to get the ball rolling.