[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2001, Book II)]
[August 9, 2001]
[Page 953]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



[[Page 953]]


Statement on the Terrorist Bombing in Jerusalem
August 9, 2001

    I deplore and strongly condemn the terrorist bombing in downtown 
Jerusalem today. My heartfelt sympathies and those of the American 
people are with the victims of this terrible tragedy and their families.
    Nothing is gained through cowardly acts such as this. The deliberate 
murder of innocent civilians is abhorrent to all, a threat to peace, and 
inconsistent with the parties' signed agreements to put aside violence. 
Palestinian Authority Chairman Arafat must 
condemn this horrific terrorist attack, act now to arrest and bring to 
justice those responsible, and take immediate, sustained action to 
prevent future terrorist attacks.
    I urge the parties to return immediately to the cease-fire 
commitments they have previously made and to renew effective security 
cooperation so this kind of terrorism will not happen again. The United 
States stands ready to assist the parties in this effort, as it has in 
the past, but the effort must begin with the parties acting to fulfill 
their obligations under the Tenet work plan.
    The United States remains committed to implementation in all its 
elements of the Mitchell Committee Report, which provides a path to 
return to peace negotiations based on United Nations Security Council 
Resolutions 242, 338, and the Madrid Conference. To get to Mitchell, the 
parties need to resume effective security cooperation and work together 
to stop terrorism and violence.
    I call upon the leaders of the Palestinian Authority and Israel to demonstrate 
foresight and responsibility by choosing the path toward a better future 
for their people.