Jerusalem, October 4, 2001

Today, a Russian plane, en route from Tel Aviv to Novosibirsk,carrying 66 passengers and 12 crewmen, went down. This is a terribletragedy for both Israel and Russia. I spoke today with the RussianPresident, Vladimir Putin, and we agreed on full cooperation betweenIsrael and Russia in investigating this tragic incident.

I have also instructed Israel's Minister of Transportation, Dr.Ephraim Sneh, to coordinate activities in this regard.

Today, Israel suffered another heinous Palestinian terrorist attack,which took a heavy toll - three dead and seven wounded. All effortsto reach a cease-fire have been torpedoed by the Palestinians. Thefire did not cease, not even for one day.

The Cabinet has therefore instructed our security forces to take allnecessary measures to bring full security to the citizens of Israel.We can rely only on ourselves.

We are currently in the midst of a complex and difficult diplomaticcampaign, I call on the Western democracies, and primarily the leaderof the Free World - the United States:

Do not repeat the dreadful mistake of 1938, when enlightened Europeandemocracies decided to sacrifice Czechoslovakia for a 'convienient temporarysolution'.

Do not try to appease the Arabs at our expense - this is unacceptableto us.

Israel will not be Czechoslovakia.

Israel will fight terrorism.

There is no 'good terrorism' and 'bad terrorism', just as there is no'good murder' and 'bad murder'. Terrorism, as we witnessed this weekin Alei Sinai, is worse than murder.

We have been fighting terrorism for over 100 years. Unfortunately,there are no swift and immediate solutions. But if, united weconfront this terrorism, we will be able to overcome it and bringpeace.

And we shall overcome.