    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book I)]
    [June 3, 2003]
    [Pages 588-590]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 588]]

    Remarks With President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt
    in Sharm el-Sheikh
    June 3, 2003

        President Mubarak. Today we have met with the President of the
    United States, President George Bush, to affirm our common commitment to
    seize this historic moment to advance the peace cause forward.
        President Bush gave impetus to the peace process by his vision of
    two states, Israel and Palestine, living in peace and security. This
    vision means that, alongside the existing state of Israel, a new state
    for the Palestinians will emerge.
        We welcome the roadmap rising from this vision and adopted by the
    Quartet, especially since it has been accepted by both the Israeli and
    Palestinian Governments. We particularly express our appreciation for
    President Bush's strong personal commitment for its full implementation.
        The roadmap provides for ending the occupation that began in 1967
    and resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by 2005, through
    fulfillment of all sides to their own obligations. Peace obligations are
    built on the foundations of the Madrid Conference, the principles of
    land for peace, and U.N. Security Council Resolutions 242, 338, and
    1397, and the initiative of Saudi Crown Prince Saud Abdullah bin Abd al-
    Aziz, which was unanimously endorsed by the Arab League Summit in
    Beirut.
        We support the determination of the Palestinian Authority to fulfill
    its responsibility to end violence and to maintain law and order, as
    announced by Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas. We will continue to support
    the Palestinian Authority's efforts to uphold these commitments in order
    to allow it to consolidate its authority in democratic and accountable
    institutions. We will ensure that our assistance to the Palestinians
    goes solely to the Palestinian Authority, and we will continue to
    support efforts to improve the quality of life of the Palestinian
    people.
        We call on Israel to simultaneously fulfill its own responsibilities
    to rebuild trust and restore normal Palestinian life and to carry out
    its other obligations under the roadmap, thus promoting progress toward
    the President's vision.
        We affirm our position again against terror and violence. We will
    continue to fight the scourge of terrorism against humanity and reject
    the culture of extremism and violence in any form or shape, from
    whatever source or place, regardless of justifications or motives, being
    fully aware of their danger as a plague that threatens the peace and
    stability of the whole world. We will use all the power of the law to
    prevent support reaching illegal organizations, including terrorist
    groups.
        We reiterate our support for the Iraqi people as they rebuild their
    country. We affirm our commitment once more, the independence and the
    territorial integrity of Iraq under a Government that represents the
    Iraqi people and emanating from its free will, where Iraqi people living
    in peace and harmony with its neighbors. And in this regard, we consider
    U.N. Security Council Resolution 1483 as a useful means to achieve these
    goals.
        As the countries of this region continue their important endeavors
    to promote political, economic, and social reforms, we welcome the
    initiative by the United States to open new economic opportunities for
    all the people in the Middle East. We shall continue to work for a
    Middle East that is free of strife and violence, living in harmony,
    without the threat of terrorism or dangers of weapons of mass
    destruction.
        Thank you.
        President Bush. Thank you, Hosni. Very good job.
        Mr. President, thank you for your hospitality and for the invitation
    to this spectacular location.

    [[Page 589]]

        We meet in Sinai at a moment of promise for the cause of peace in
    the Middle East. We see the potential for unity against terror. We see
    the potential for the birth of a new and Palestinian state. We see the
    potential for broader peace among the peoples of this region.
        Achieving these goals will require courage and moral vision on every
    side, from every leader. America is committed and I am committed to
    helping all the parties to reach the hard and heroic decisions that will
    lead to peace.
        I want to thank Crown Prince Abdullah,  bin Isa Al
    King Abdullah, ``Abu Mazen'' for joining us today. I particularly
    want to thank President Mubarak. The United States values its strong
    ties with Egypt. By hosting this gathering, President Mubarak is acting
    in Egypt's best traditions. His predecessor, Anwar Sadat, was a leader
    for peace who had the vision to see opportunities and the bold heart to
    seize them. And this spirit, we need today.
        Last year on June 24th, I put forth a proposal for two states,
    Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace. I called on Israel
    to respect the rights of Palestinians, including the right to live in
    dignity in a free and peaceful Palestine. I urged the Palestinian people
    to embrace new leaders who stand for reform, democracy, and for fighting
    terror.
        I also said that progress toward peace would require the active
    commitment and support of neighboring states. And today I'm pleased to
    stand with leaders of the Arab world  bin Isa Al are ``Abu Mazen'' to these
    principles.
        All progress towards peace requires the rejection of terror.
    The  bin Isa
    Al here
    ``Abu Mazen'' have declared their firm rejection of terror,
    regardless of its justifications or motives. They've also committed to
    practical actions to use all means to cut off assistance, including arms
    and financing, to any terror group and to aid the Palestinian Authority
    in their own fight against terror.
        Terror threatens my Nation. Terror threatens Arab states. Terror
    threatens the state of Israel. Terror threatens the emergence of a
    Palestinian state. Terror must be opposed, and it must be defeated.
        Tomorrow I will go to Aqaba for a meeting with Prime Minister
    Sharon, Prime Minister Abbas
    ``Abu Mazen'' to discuss the responsibilities of the Israelis
    and the Palestinians. And if all sides fulfill their obligations, we can
    make steady progress on the road towards Palestinian statehood, a secure
    Israel, and a just and comprehensive peace.
        We seek true peace, not just a pause between more wars and intifadas
    but a permanent reconciliation among the peoples of the Middle East.
        In our meeting today we also discussed the future of Iraq. I
    reaffirmed America's commitment to helping the Iraqi people achieve
    freedom and democracy in a unified country, its borders intact, a
    country free of weapons of mass destruction and at peace with its
    neighbors and the world.
        America is fully committed to restoring security to Iraqi cities and
    helping the Iraqi people rebuild their nation after decades of cruel and
    corrupt dictatorship. I welcome the support of all the nations
    represented here for these important goals and hope they will contribute
    to helping the good people of Iraq.
        There's a hopeful direction to recent events in the Middle East. In
    Iraq, a tyrant in support of terror has been
    removed. Reform is taking hold in many societies that are eager to join
    in the progress and prosperity of our times. I urge nations throughout
    the region to open their markets, to seek broader trade in the world,
    and to join us in creating a U.S.-Middle East free trade area within a
    decade.
        The  bin Isa
    Al here ``Abu Mazen'' today