    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book I)]
    [March 5, 2002]
    [Pages 343-347]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's News Conference With President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt
    March 5, 2002

        President Bush It's my honor to welcome President Mubarak to the
    White House again. The United States has got a close and meaningful
    relationship with Egypt. The relationship is a cornerstone for our
    policy in the Middle East. I value my friendship with President Mubarak.
    I always appreciate our candid conversations.

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    Our nations are united by ties of friendship and a shared commitment to
    regional stability, economic prosperity, and peace.
        Today, the strategic partnership between our countries is more
    important than ever, as we confront the threat of global terror. And I
    want to thank the President for his steadfast support in our war against
    terror. Egypt has been a good friend, and I'm grateful.
        We also meet at a moment when the people of both our countries are
    gravely concerned about escalating violence in the Middle East. Each day
    brings fresh reports of more lives lost and more Palestinian and Israeli
    families shattered by those losses. Both our countries view this
    situation with great alarm. We both feel deep sympathy for the people in
    the region who are trying to live their lives in peace, and we're both
    determined to redouble our efforts to work for peace.
        We talked extensively today about our efforts. President Mubarak has
    a long history of advancing peace and stability in the Middle East. My
    country has set forth a goal, which I stated last November at the United
    Nations: We're committed to two states, Israel and Palestine, living
    peacefully together within secure and recognized borders, as called for
    by the Security Council resolutions of the United Nations.
        The United States also believes that this goal is only possible if
    there is a maximum effort to end violence throughout the region,
    starting with the Palestinian efforts to stop attacks against Israelis.
        We want to work with the parties to implement the Tenet security
    plan and then the Mitchell recommendations. We stand ready to return
    General Zinni to the region when appropriate.
    The Israeli-Palestinian situation will be an important topic of Vice
    President Cheney's upcoming visit to the region.
    And we're willing to work with all our friends in the region to see how
    we can build on the vision for peace recently advanced by Crown Prince
    Abdullah.
        President Mubarak and I also spoke about the full range of interests
    that our nations share. We welcomed the decision yesterday by Secretary
    Powell and the Foreign Minister of
    Egypt to initiate a U.S.-Egyptian strategic
    dialog to provide regular coordination on political, economic, and
    military issues.
        We also discussed how important it is to expand economic
    opportunities in the Middle East and help more young people acquire the
    education and technical expertise they need to embrace opportunities as
    they arise. I've asked Secretary Powellto
    launch a new initiative aimed at increasing both economic and
    educational opportunities throughout the region.
        Egypt was the first Arab state to stretch out its hand for peace in
    the Middle East, and it has worked hard to preserve its peace with
    Israel, even during difficult times. I know that Egypt will continue to
    be a vital partner as we seek to help the parties move forward in the
    months to come toward a broader Middle Eastern peace.
        I want to thank President Mubarak for coming back to Washington, and
    now it's my honor to welcome him to the podium.
        Mr. President.
        President Mubarak. Thank you. Thank you, sir.
        Good evening. Before commenting on my discussions with President
    Bush, I want to reiterate my personal condolences and those of the
    Egyptian people to you, Mr. President, and to the American people and
    all those who suffered in the tragic events of September 11th. Let me
    seize this occasion to reaffirm that Egypt has always been on the
    forefront of fighting terrorists and will continue to play an
    instrumental role in this regard.
        Once again, I met with my friend President Bush and exchanged views
    with him on several issues of common concern. As usual, our discussions
    were very friendly. As President Bush just said, we have built

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    a solid partnership that is serving our bilateral interests and the
    cause of peace and stability in the Middle East. The partnership has
    matured over the years and endured the test of time. A general sense of
    continued cooperation and friendship has evolved.
        As you know, Egypt took many pioneering steps toward peace in the
    Middle East. Today, we remain committed to that goal. Our partnership
    has an indispensable role to play in helping the parties directly
    involved in the conflict find a just and comprehensive solution.
        In this vein, the U.S. has contributed greatly to this cause for the
    past 25 years. I welcome that the administration will spare no effort in
    order to help achieve a comprehensive peace. In this context, we look
    forward to welcoming Vice President Cheney to the area soon and
    appreciate that the peace process will be one of the issues to be given
    the merit it deserves.
        We must bring about an end to the cycle of violence and other
    hostile actions and ensure the early resumption of peace negotiations.
    Nothing can be achieved through violence or resolved through force.
        As the Palestinians are being asked to exert more effort to bring
    down the level of violence, the Israeli Government should understand
    that the use of military power and unilateral measures against the
    Palestinian population, the closure of roads, the siege of towns and
    villages, the demolition of houses, the collective punishment that make
    progress more difficult, should stop.
        The only way out is to put a decisive end to all this suffering, to
    resume full-fledged peace negotiations immediately, including the
    implementation of the Tenet plan and the Mitchell recommendations. Peace
    will only be achieved through ending the Israeli occupation of all
    territories occupied since June 1967, implementing the relevant U.N.
    resolutions, establishing of a viable Palestinian state, and
    guaranteeing the security of all parts in peaceful coexistence.
        For decades, Egypt has been at the forefront of peacemaking and
    development in our region. Our partnership with the U.S. has played a
    crucial role in this process. Our comprehensive reform program is now
    entering a new phase, one that seeks to complete Egypt's integration
    into the world economy.
        At the core of this vision is our quest to deepen our trade ties
    with all partners, especially the United States. In this context, we
    have discussed our bilateral relations with a view to intensifying our
    cooperation in various fields. We agreed to take concrete steps in that
    direction.
        Thank you.
        Q. Mr. President, what----
        President Bush. Hold up a second. Please, please, please. I'm going
    to call on two U.S. reporters; the President will call on two Egyptian
    reporters. We'll be glad to answer four questions.
        I will start by asking AP writer Barry Schweid.

    Middle East Peace Initiatives

        Q. Thank you. Mr. President, you spoke today, as Secretary Powell
    has, favorably of the Saudi initiative. Israelis are virtually lining
    up--Israeli officials--wanting to go to Saudi Arabia to talk about this
    proposal. But the Saudis apparently are discouraging that. Do you think
    there should be some preliminary discussions, preliminary searching out
    of what the proposal means? And does it carry any solid hope, as far as
    you're concerned, of ending this morass?
        President Bush. First of all, I think the Crown Prince's suggestion was a very positive development,
    and I appreciate those in Israel who are trying to find out exactly what
    it means.
        There has got to be a vision for peace in order for us to head
    toward peace. And the President of Egypt has talked--made an offer for
    dialog that will help lead to a peace, hopefully. Crown Prince
    Abdullah has as well. And our
    Government supports

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    efforts to create--lay out a vision for a more peaceful tomorrow.
        And so I appreciate the efforts of both leaders, and I applaud those
    efforts of those willing to explore opportunity. But I want to remind
    everybody that it's going to be difficult to achieve any kind of peace
    so long as there is a cycle of violence. And one of the things that we
    talked about is how best we can come together to break the cycle of
    violence.
        There are people in the Middle East that do not want peace. There
    are people who want to use death to prevent there to be peace
    discussions. They want to murder innocent lives. I cannot tell you how
    it breaks my heart to see the weeping moms and those who have lost life,
    because somebody is preventing peace from--somebody wants to prevent a
    peace process from beginning.
        And so, as the President mentioned, the step is to reduce the cycle
    of violence and to get into the Tenet security plan as quickly as
    possible. But I applaud the efforts of these leaders for trying to move
    the process forward.
        Q. I would like the question of both President Mubarak and President
    Bush. President Bush----
        President Bush. It's the old two-question trick. [Laughter]
        Q. President Bush, now President Mubarak has offered a window of
    hope, the offer of President Mubarak to host both Prime Minister Sharon
    and Palestinian President Yasser Arafat in Sharm el-Sheikh or in Egypt.
    So what is your response to that offer? Particularly, what can the U.S.
    do in order to translate that offer, that is likely to break the cycle
    of violence, into a reality?
        And President Mubarak, whether you were satisfied from what you
    heard from President Bush in your discussions regarding your offer?
    Thank you.
        President Bush. Well, thank you for that question. Let me say, as I
    mentioned, that I appreciate any efforts, any ideas that will lay out a
    vision for a peaceful resolution. And the President's offer was a
    meaningful offer, and we applaud his efforts. As I mentioned in my
    opening remarks, Egypt has had a--has led the way toward leading the
    region toward peace, and his offer was indicative of that type of
    leadership. Crown Prince Abdullah has
    laid out an interesting idea. I, myself, at the U.N., talked about a
    solution.
        The key, however, for us to get to the solution is to bust this
    cycle of violence. And that is where my administration--and, I know, the
    President as well--is spending a lot of time and efforts to convince the
    parties that violence will only lead to heartbreak and will enhance the
    chances for those who hate the idea of peace to prevail. And those of us
    who love peace must continue to, as I said, redouble our efforts, which
    we will.
        Mr. President.
        President Mubarak. I'm satisfied with my discussion with President
    Bush about the peace process. And we hope we could continue, and the
    other partners should comply with what we are mentioning.
        Something concerning the Crown Prince Abdullah initiative, I would
    like to say this is the first time in the history of the Saudis that
    they could say, ``We are ready to normalize relations with Israel in
    case of peace prevails''--the first time in history. We should underline
    this. Thank you.

    Action on Steel Imports

        Q. Mr. President, many U.S. allies are threatening retaliation over
    your steel decision. Are you prepared for a trade war? And why shouldn't
    this be seen as a tax increase?
        President Bush. Steve [Steve Holland, Reuters], we're a free trading
    nation, and in order to remain a free trading nation, we must enforce
    law. And that's exactly what I did. I decided that imports were severely
    affecting our industry, an important industry--had a negative impact--
    and therefore, provide temporary relief so that the industry could
    restructure itself. That's

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    exactly what the World Trade Organization allows for. The International
    Trade Commission made this recommendation.
        As you know, I honored our NAFTA agreements by exempting Canada and
    Mexico. I also--we will honor our agreements with developing nations.
    This is a remedy allowed under the WTO. It also is a part of our law,
    and I intend to enforce our laws.

    International Terrorism

        Q. My question is addressed for Mr. President Bush and Mr. President
    Mubarak. As we know, this is your first meeting after 11 September
    attacks, and Egypt's experience in combating terrorism is worldwide
    recognized. Did you find a common stand in your talks today to combat
    this international phenomenon?
        President Bush. We did. The President reminded me of the fact that
    he has been fighting terror long before I became the President. He's an
    old hand at fighting terror. And I assured him that we were strong
    allies in this effort.
        There are some in the world who don't like President Mubarak because
    of what he stands for, a more open society. He's been a great leader of
    Egypt, and there are extremists who don't like him. And to the extent
    that we can help round up those extremists that would do harm to the
    President or his government or the people of Egypt, we will do so.
        It doesn't matter to me where a terrorist tries to hide. We will
    work with our friends and allies to hunt them down, and I assured the
    President that my determination is as strong today as it was on
    September the 11th. This is an important moment in history, where
    nations must not flinch in the face of murder and terror and people who
    are willing to take innocent lives, people who hate free societies.
        And I am proud of our alliance, and I appreciate his friendship, and
    I appreciate his steadfast resolve, as well, to rout out terror wherever
    it exists.
        Mr. President.
        President Mubarak. Thank you.

    Note: The President's news conference began at 5:35 p.m. in the Cross
    Hall at the White House. In his remarks, he referred to U.S. Special
    Envoy to the Middle East Gen. Anthony Zinni, USMC (Ret.); Crown Prince
    Abdullah of Saudi Arabia; Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher of Egypt; Prime
    Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel; and Chairman Yasser Arafat of the
    Palestinian Authority. The President also referred to the Tenet plan,
    the Israeli-Palestinian cease-fire and security plan of June 13, 2001,
    negotiated by Director of Central Intelligence George J. Tenet; and the
    Mitchell report, the Report of the Sharm el-Sheikh Fact-Finding
    Committee, issued April 30, 2001. The proclamation and memorandum of
    March 5 regarding imports of certain steel products are listed in
    Appendix D at the end of this volume.