For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
January 25, 2002

President Discusses Middle East
Remarks by the President While Touring United States Coast Guard Cutter Tahoma
Portland, Maine

12:25 P.M. EST

Q    Mr. President, are you consider cutting off ties to Yasser Arafat, sir?

THE PRESIDENT:  I am disappointed in Yasser Arafat.  He must make a full effort to rout out terror in the Middle East.  In order for there to be peace, we've got to rout out terror.  And ordering up weapons that were intercepted on a boat headed toward -- headed for that part of the world, is not part of fighting terror, that's enhancing terror.  And, obviously, we're very disappointed --

Q    We're told that you thought his explanation was insulting, sir.

THE PRESIDENT:  I never said that.  Thank you, all.

END  12:27 P.M. EST