    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book I)]
    [March 14, 2003]
    [Pages 264-265]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on the Roadmap for Peace in the Middle East
    March 14, 2003

        Good morning. We have reached a hopeful moment for progress toward
    the vision of Middle Eastern peace that I outlined last June. I spoke of
    a day when two states, Israel and Palestine, will live side by side in
    peace and security. I called upon all parties in the Middle East to
    abandon old hatreds and to meet their responsibilities for peace.
        The Palestinian state must be a reformed and peaceful and democratic
    state that abandons forever the use of terror. The Government of Israel,
    as the terror threat is removed and security improves, must take
    concrete steps to support the emergence of a viable and credible
    Palestinian state and to work as quickly as possible toward a final
    status agreement. As progress is made toward peace, settlement activity
    in the occupied territories must end. And the Arab states must oppose
    terrorism, support the emergence of a peaceful and democratic Palestine,
    and state clearly that they will live in peace with Israel.
        This moment offers a new opportunity to meet these objectives. After
    its recent elections, the nation of Israel has a new Government. And the
    Palestinian Authority has created the new position of Prime Minister.
    Israeli and Palestinian leaders and other governments in the region now
    have a chance to move forward with determination and with good faith.
        To be a credible and responsible partner, the new Palestinian Prime
    Minister must hold a position of real authority. We expect that such a
    Palestinian Prime Minister will be confirmed soon. Immediately upon
    confirmation, the roadmap for peace will be given to the Palestinians
    and the Israelis. This roadmap will set forth a sequence of steps toward
    the goals I set out on June 24th, 2002, goals shared by all the parties.
        The United States has developed this plan over the last several
    months in close cooperation with Russia, the European Union, and the
    United Nations. Once this roadmap is delivered, we will expect and
    welcome contributions from Israel and the Palestinians to this document
    that will advance true peace. We will urge them to discuss the roadmap
    with one another. The time has come to move beyond entrenched

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    positions and to take concrete actions to achieve peace.
        America is committed, and I am personally committed, to implementing
    our roadmap toward peace. Our efforts are guided by clear principles: We
    believe that all people in the Middle East, Arab and Israeli alike,
    deserve to live in dignity under free and honest governments. We believe
    that people who live in freedom are more likely to reject bitterness,
    blind hatred, and terror, and are far more likely to turn their energy
    toward reconciliation, reform, and development.
        There can be no peace for either side in the Middle East unless
    there is freedom for both. Reaching that destination will not be easy,
    but we can see the way forward. Now the parties must take that way, step
    by step, and America will be the active partner of every party that
    seeks true peace.
        Thank you very much.

    Note: The President spoke at 10 a.m. in the Rose Garden at the White
    House.