[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book I)]
[June 4, 2003]
[Pages 590-594]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]
Remarks at the Red Sea Summit in Aqaba, Jordan
June 4, 2003
King Abdullah ``Abu Mazen''
of the Palestinian Authority. I would like to thank King Abdullah for
hosting our meeting here today. I would like also to thank President
Mubarak and King Abdullah, King Hamad, and Crown Prince Abdullah, who
met in Egypt yesterday. I thank them for their statements supporting our
efforts. I also would like to thank the Israeli Prime Minister Sharon
for joining us here in Jordan. And many thanks especially to President
Bush, who took the longest journey for peace of all of us.
As we all realize, this is an important moment. A new opportunity
for peace exists, an opportunity based upon President Bush's vision and
the Quartet's roadmap, which we have accepted without any reservations.
Our goal is two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in
peace and security. The process is the one of direct negotiations to end
the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and to resolve all the permanent status
issues and end the occupation that began in 1967, under which
Palestinians have suffered so much.
At the same time, we do not ignore the suffering of the Jews
throughout history. It is time to bring all this suffering to an end.
Just as Israel must meet its responsibilities, we, the Palestinians,
will fulfill our obligations for this endeavor to succeed. We are ready
to do our part.
Let me be very clear: There will be no military solution to this
conflict, so we repeat our denunciation and renunciation of terrorism
against the Israelis, wherever they might be. Such methods are
inconsistent with our religious and moral traditions and are dangerous
obstacles to the achievement of an independent sovereign state we seek.
These methods also conflict with the kinds of state we wish to build,
based on human rights and the rule of law.
We will exert all of our efforts, using all our resources, to end
the militarization of the intifada, and we will succeed. The armed
intifada must end, and we must use and resort to peaceful means in our
quest to end the occupation and the suffering of Palestinians and
Israelis. And to establish the Palestinian state, we emphasize our
determination to implement our pledges
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which we have made for our people and the international community. And
that is a rule of law, single political authority, weapons only in the
hands of those who are in charge of upholding the law and order, and
political diversity within the framework of democracy.
Our goal is clear, and we will implement it firmly and without
compromise: a complete end to violence and terrorism. And we will be
full partners in the international war against occupation and terrorism.
And we will call upon our partners in this war to prevent financial and
military assistance to those who oppose this position. We do this as a
part of our commitment to the interests of the Palestinian people and as
members of the large family of humanity.
We will also act vigorously against incitement and violence and
hatred, whatever their form or forum may be. We will take measures to
ensure that there is no incitement--[inaudible]--from Palestinian
institutions. We must also reactivate and invigorate the U.S.-
Palestinian-Israeli Anti-Incitement Committee. We will continue our work
to establish the rule of law and to consolidate government authority in
accountable Palestinian institutions. We seek to build the kind of a
democratic state that will be a qualitative addition to the
international community.
All the PA security forces will be part of these efforts and will
work together toward the achievement of these goals. Our national future
is at stake, and no one will be allowed to jeopardize it.
We are committed to these steps because they are in our national
interest. In order to succeed, there must be a clear improvement in the
lives of Palestinians. Palestinians must live in dignity. Palestinians
must be able to move, go to their jobs and schools, visit their
families, and conduct a normal life. Palestinians must not be afraid for
their lives, property, or livelihood.
We welcome and stress the need for the assistance of the
international community and, in particular, the Arab states to help us.
And we also welcome and stress the need for a U.S.-led monitoring
mechanism.
Together, we can achieve the goal of an independent Palestinian
state, sovereign, viable, in the framework of good neighbors with all
states in the region, including Israel.
Thank you very much.
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel.
Thank you. I would like to thank His Majesty King Abdullah for arranging
this meeting and express Israel's appreciation to President Bush for
coming here to be with Prime Minister Abbas and me. Thank you.
As the Prime Minister of Israel, the land which is the cradle of the
Jewish people, my paramount responsibility is the security of the people
of Israel and of the state of Israel. There can be no compromise with
terror. And Israel, together with all free nations, will continue
fighting terrorism until its final defeat.
Ultimately, permanent security requires peace, and permanent peace
can only be obtained through security. And there is now hope of a new
opportunity for peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
Israel, like others, has lent its strong support for President
Bush's vision expressed on June 24, 2002, of two states, Israel and a
Palestinian state, living side by side in peace and security. The
Government and people of Israel welcome the opportunity to renew direct
negotiations according to the steps of the roadmap, as adopted by the
Israeli Government, to achieve this vision.
It is in Israel's interest not to govern the Palestinians but for
the Palestinians to govern themselves in their own state. A democratic
Palestinian state fully at peace with Israel will promote the long-term
security and well-being of Israel as the Jewish state.
There can be no peace, however, without the abandonment and
elimination of terrorism, violence, and incitement. We will work
alongside the Palestinians and other
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states to fight terrorism, violence, and incitement of all kinds. As all
parties perform their obligations, we will seek to restore normal
Palestinian life, improve the humanitarian situation, rebuild trust, and
promote progress toward the President's vision. We will act in a manner
that respects the dignity as well as the human rights of all people.
We can also reassure our Palestinian partners that we understand the
importance of territorial contiguity in the West Bank for a viable
Palestinian state. Israeli policy in the territories that are subject to
direct negotiations with the Palestinians will reflect this fact. We
accept the principle that no unilateral actions by any party can
prejudge the outcome of our negotiations.
In regard to the unauthorized outposts, I want to reiterate that
Israel is a society governed by the rule of law. Thus, we will
immediately begin to remove unauthorized outposts.
Israel seeks peace with all its Arab neighbors. Israel is prepared
to negotiate in good faith wherever there are partners. As normal
relations are established, I am confident that they will find in Israel
a neighbor and a people committed to comprehensive peace and prosperity
for all the peoples of the region.
Thank you all.
President Bush. King Abdullah, The friendship between our countries began at the time
of Israel's creation. Today, America is strongly committed, and I am
strongly committed, to Israel's security as a vibrant Jewish state.
I'm also pleased to be with Prime Minister Abbas.
``Abu Mazen'' He represents the cause of freedom and
statehood for the Palestinian people. I strongly support that cause as
well.
Each of us is here because we understand that all people have the
right to live in peace. We believe that with hard work and good faith
and courage, it is possible to bring peace to the Middle East. And today
we mark important progress toward that goal.
Great and hopeful change is coming to the Middle East. In Iraq, a
dictator who funded terror and sowed conflict
has been removed, and a more just and democratic society is emerging.
Prime Minister Abbas now leads the Palestinian Cabinet. By his strong
leadership, by building the institutions of Palestinian democracy, and
by rejecting terror, he is serving the deepest hopes of his people.
All here today now share a goal: The Holy Land must be shared
between the state of Palestine and the state of Israel, living at peace
with each other and with every nation of the Middle East.
All sides will benefit from this achievement, and all sides have
responsibilities to meet. As the roadmap accepted by the party makes
clear, both must make tangible, immediate steps toward this two-state
vision.
I welcome Prime Minister Sharon's pledge to
improve the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian areas and to begin
removing unauthorized outposts immediately. I appreciate his gestures of
reconciliation on behalf of prisoners and their families and his frank
statements about the need for territorial contiguity. As I said
yesterday, the issue of settlements must be addressed for peace to be
achieved. In addition, Prime Minister Sharon has stated that no
unilateral actions by either side can or should prejudge the outcome of
future negotiations. The Prime Minister also recognizes that it is in
Israel's own interest for Palestinians to govern themselves in their own
state. These are meaningful signs of respect for the rights of the
Palestinians
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and their hopes for a viable, democratic, peaceful Palestinian state.
Prime Minister Abbas ``Abu Mazen''
recognizes that terrorist crimes are a dangerous obstacle to the
independent state his people seek. He agrees that the process for
achieving that state is through peaceful negotiations. He has pledged to
consolidate Palestinian institutions, including the security forces, and
to make them more accountable and more democratic. He has promised his
full efforts and resources to end the armed intifada. He has promised to
work without compromise for a complete end of violence and terror. In
all these efforts, the Prime Minister is demonstrating his leadership
and commitment to building a better future for the Palestinian people.
Both Prime Ministers ``Abu
Mazen'' here agree that progress toward peace also requires
an end to violence and the elimination of all forms of hatred and
prejudice and official incitement in schoolbooks, in broadcasts, and in
the words used by political leaders. Both leaders understand that a
future of peace cannot be founded on hatred and falsehood and
bitterness.
Yet, these two leaders ``Abu
Mazen'' cannot bring about peace if they must act alone. True
peace requires the support of other nations in the region. Yesterday, in
Sharm el-Sheikh, we made a strong beginning. Arab that bin Isa Al they share
our goal of two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in
peace and in security. And they have promised to cut off assistance and
the flow of money and weapons to terrorist groups and to help Prime
Minister Abbas rid Palestinian areas of terrorism.
All sides have made important commitments, and the United States
will strive to see these commitments fulfilled. My Government will
provide training and support for a new, restructured Palestinian
security service. And we'll place a mission on the ground, led by
Ambassador John Wolf. This mission will be
charged with helping the parties to move towards peace, monitoring their
progress, and stating clearly who was fulfilling their responsibilities.
And we expect both parties to keep their promises.
I've also asked Secretary of State Colin Powell and National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice to make this cause a matter of the highest
priority. Secretary Powell and Dr. Rice, as my personal representative,
will work closely with the parties, helping them move toward true peace
as quickly as possible.
The journey we're taking is difficult, but there is no other choice.
No leader of conscience can accept more months and years of humiliation,
killing, and mourning. And these
leaders bin Isa Al of made ``Abu Mazen'' their
declarations today in the cause of peace.
The United States is committed to that cause. If all sides fulfill
their obligation, I know that peace can finally come.
Thank you very much, and may God bless our work.
Note: King Abdullah spoke at 3:30 p.m. at Beit al Bahar. Prime Minister
Abbas spoke in Arabic, and his remarks were translated by an
interpreter. In his remarks, the President referred to Queen Rania of
Jordan; former President Saddam Hussein of Iraq; and Assistant Secretary
of State for Nonproliferation John S. Wolf. Prime Minister Abbas
referred to President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt; King Hamad bin Isa Al
Khalifa of Bahrain; and Crown Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. A portion
of these remarks could not be verified because the tape was incomplete.