[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