    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [December 4, 2003]
    [Pages 1672-1674]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Prior to Discussions With King Abdullah II of Jordan and an Exchange With Reporters
    December 4, 2003

        President Bush. We're going to have some opening statements, and
    then I'll take a couple of questions--two questions. The Jordanian press
    may want to ask a question.
        First, Your Majesty, thanks for coming. It's great to have you back.
    I view His Majesty as one of our really close friends in the world. You
    know, I went to London recently and gave a speech about reform and
    reform in the Middle East and the possibilities of governments that
    adhere to rule of law and transparency and women's rights and economic
    freedom. And Your Majesty, you're doing just that. I'm proud of your
    leadership. It's--you're a modern leader with a big heart and a vision
    for what is best for your people.
        I also want to thank you for your very strong support in our mutual
    desire to bring peace to the Middle East. We made a tough decision when
    it came to Iraq, and Your Majesty, you stood with us. And we made the
    right decision when it came to Iraq, because Iraq will be free and will
    be peaceful. And that's in your interests, and it's in our interests,
    and it's in the world's interests that we succeed.
        I look forward to discussing with you a wide range of issues of
    our--of mutual concern. And I look forward to your wise counsel and
    advice.
        King Abdullah II. Thank you, sir. Well, Mr. President, again, it's
    always a pleasure to see you and to be back here in Washington. I'm very
    grateful for your support for the region, what you're trying to do to
    bring peace and stability for all of us in the Middle East--Iraq, the
    Israelis, the

    [[Page 1673]]

    Palestinians. And so I'm looking forward to our discussions today, and
    see how we can best bring hope to all of the people of our part of the
    world.
        And the President has always been very courageous in trying to do
    the right thing and to push for a dialog and hope for all of us in the
    Middle East. And I'm very appreciative.
        President Bush. Thanks for coming.
        We'll answer a couple of questions, starting with this fellow right
    there, Scott [Scott Lindlaw, Associated Press].

    Steel Tariffs

        Q. Thank you, Mr. President. Are you going to repeal all the steel
    tariffs today?
        President Bush. I am making a decision--let me--the decision I make
    will be based upon my strong belief that America's consumers, the
    American economy is better off with a world that trades freely and a
    world that trades fairly. And I listened to an International Trade
    Commission report about the effects that steel imports were having upon
    our important industry. I acted. I acted to give the steel industry time
    to adjust. I acted in time for us to say to the world that we will
    trade, but we want to trade in a fair way. And the decision will be
    announced here shortly.

    Discussion With Prime Minister Blair

        Q. Did you talk to Mr. Blair about it today?
        President Bush. No, it didn't come up today with Prime Minister
    Blair. I did talk with the Prime Minister today. Let's see, you're not
    the only guy asking questions throughout this thing, but----
        Q. No.
        President Bush. ----it's good that you recognize that. I did talk to
    the Prime Minister. We talked about our--we talked about Iraq. We talked
    about NATO, and we had a good discussion. I talk to him about once a
    week, maybe once every 2 weeks. His Majesty just was with the Prime
    Minister.
        King Abdullah II. Yes, the day before yesterday.
        President Bush. Steady friend of ours, a steady friend of Jordan's
    as well.
        Anybody here from the Jordanian press that you would like to call
    on?

    Middle East Peace Process

        Q. Your Majesty, given some of the recent events, such as the
    Palestinians' factions are meeting in Cairo, Geneva Accords, and the
    Palestinian--proposals, do you feel that there is hope to revive the
    negotiations? What is your next step to revive the roadmap?
        King Abdullah II. Well, the President has always been out front in
    trying to move the process forward. There is a lot of difficulties on
    the ground at the moment, as we know, but we've all been working very
    hard behind the scenes to encourage the Palestinian Prime Minister to be
    able to have the dialog with the Israelis. We believe that there will
    be, I hope, some small steps on the ground that move the process
    forward. We haven't given up on the peace process. The President has
    been very dedicated from day one. We appreciate his support. But it's
    going to be a tough road ahead for all of us.
        President Bush. Steven [Steve Holland, Reuters].
        Q. The Geneva Accord, do you think some of these proposals should be
    included in an overall peace agreement? And why is Secretary Powell
    meeting with these people?
        President Bush. Everybody knows where I stand. I gave a speech right
    here in Rose Garden in June of 2002. I laid out what I believe is
    necessary to achieve peace in the Middle East. It starts with having a
    Palestinian state that is at peace with Israel, a Palestinian state
    based upon democratic principles, a Palestinian state which recognizes
    the hopes and aspirations of the Palestinian people, and a Palestinian
    state with leadership which is committed to defeating and dismantling
    the terrorist organizations

    [[Page 1674]]

    who are trying to prevent a Palestinian state from emerging.
        I also talked about the need for the Israelis to keep in mind that
    if they support a Palestinian state, which they have told me they do,
    that the conditions on the ground must be such for a Palestinian state
    to be able to emerge. And that's why we're continuing to talk to them
    about the illegal settlements and outposts--illegal outposts and
    settlements as well as the fence.
        As well, nations in the neighborhood must take responsibility. The
    King and I have spent a lot of time talking about this subject. He
    understands fully what I'm talking about. I want to remind you that it
    was in Jordan where His Majesty hosted us. I stood up with His Majesty
    as well as Prime Minister Sharon and then Prime
    Minister Abu Mazen. and made a
    public declaration that we were prepared to work together for the
    creation of a Palestinian state. Abu Mazen has since been shoved aside,
    and the process stalled. What the Palestinians need is leadership
    willing to remain committed to the aspirations of their people and bold
    enough to stand up and fight off the terrorists' organizations. And His
    Majesty and I will be glad to work with such leaders as they emerge.
        Q. This is a productive process, the Geneva Accords and Secretary
    Powell's meeting?
        President Bush. Well, I think it's productive, so long as they
    adhere to the principles I have just outlined. And that is, we must
    fight off terror, that there must be security, and there must be the
    emergence of a Palestinian state that is democratic and free.
        And it's--the position of this Government is clear, and it's firm.
    We appreciate people discussing peace. We just want to make sure people
    understand that the principles to peace are clear.
        Thank you all for coming.

    Note: The President spoke at 10:07 a.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Prime Minister Tony Blair of the
    United Kingdom; Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel; and former Prime
    Minister Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) of the Palestinian Authority. King
    Abdullah II referred to Prime Minister Ahmed Korei of the Palestinian
    Authority. A tape was not available for verification of the content of
    these remarks.