[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