    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [July 29, 2003]
    [Pages 946-950]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's News Conference With Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel
    July 29, 2003

        President Bush. Good day. I'm pleased to welcome Prime Minister
    Ariel Sharon back to the White House. I think you said this is our
    eighth meeting----
        Prime Minister Sharon. Eighth meeting here.
        President Bush. Eighth meeting in Washington. That should indicate
    to everybody that our nations have a deep and abiding friendship.
    America is firmly committed to the security of Israel as a Jewish state,
    and we are firmly committed to the safety of the Israeli people. We have
    now a tremendous opportunity to add to Israeli security and safety and
    add to the hopes of the average Palestinian citizen by making tangible
    progress towards two states living side by side in peace.
        Last month's Red Sea Summits in Egypt and Jordan gave momentum to
    that

    [[Page 947]]

    progress. I'm encouraged by the positive steps that Israel has taken
    since then to further the cause of peace, including prisoner releases.
    Prime Minister Sharon is now meeting regularly with Prime Minister
    Abbas, and that's positive.
    Israeli and Palestinian cabinet and security officials are meeting as
    well. Israel has recently taken steps to make it easier for Palestinians
    to work in Israel and to travel to their jobs and schools and families,
    and I thank the Prime Minister for these important actions.
        Much hard work remains to be done by Israelis and Palestinians and
    by their neighbors. If we are ever to reach our common goal of two
    states living side by side in peace and security, leaders must assume
    responsibility. The Prime Minister is assuming responsibility.
        All parties agree that a fundamental obstacle to peace is terrorism,
    which can never be justified by any cause. Last month in Aqaba, Prime
    Minister Abbas committed to a
    complete end to violence and terrorism. The Palestinian Authority must
    undertake sustained, targeted, and effective operations to confront
    those engaged in terror and to dismantle terrorist capabilities and
    infrastructure. We're determined to help Prime Minister Abbas as he
    works to end terror and establish the rule of law that will protect
    Israelis and Palestinians alike.
        Today I urge Arab states to follow through on the pledges made in
    Sharm el-Sheikh to actively contribute to these efforts and to reject
    the culture of extremism and violence from whatever source or place. The
    rise of a peaceful Palestinian state and the long-term security of the
    Israeli people both depend on defeating the threat of terrorist groups
    and ending incitement and hatred.
        In our discussions, I encouraged the Prime Minister to take further
    steps to improve the daily conditions faced by Palestinians. Israelis
    and Palestinians deserve the same chance to live normal lives, free from
    fear, free from hatred and violence, and free from harassment. I also
    urged the Prime Minister to carefully consider all the consequences of
    Israel's actions as we move forward on the road to peace.
        The United States of America will continue to act in the interests
    of peace. We will continue to be a firm warrior against terrorism
    wherever it is found. We will encourage all parties to keep their
    promises and monitor the progress that is made. We will also help the
    parties find solutions to legitimate concerns. As we head down the road
    to peace, my commitment to the security of Israel is unshakable, as is
    the enduring friendship of our countries. I want to thank Ariel for all
    he's done to contribute to that friendship, for his leadership, and his
    willing to make tough decisions in the cause of peace.
        Mr. Prime Minister.
        Prime Minister Sharon. Mr. President, it is a great privilege for me
    to be here at the White House for the eighth time. I am always pleased
    to visit and feel that I am among friends, true friends of the state and
    the people of Israel.
        Mr. President, I congratulate you on the impressive victory in the
    Iraqi campaign and for removing Saddam Hussein from power, one of the
    most ruthless and tyrannical leaders in history. For 30 years, the free
    world has witnessed the recklessness and brutality of this dictator.
    Only you, Mr. President, have shown the courage, determination, and
    leadership needed to spearhead the successful campaign to oust this
    ruthless, merciless despot, his dynasty, and evil regime.
        For the first time since World War II, the freedom- and peace-
    seeking democratic world had the wisdom to go after murderers and evil
    rulers and bring them to justice. I have no doubt, Mr. President, that
    thanks to you, any villain in any corner of the world knows that the
    long arm of justice will reach them. So many will owe their lives to you
    and the great nation of America. I'm confident, Mr. President, that the
    lessons learned by the nations of the

    [[Page 948]]

    world and the region on the courageous action of the United States in
    Iraq will serve to advance the peace process between Israel and the
    Palestinians and the entire Arab world.
        Your latest statement regarding the threats emanating from Syria and
    Iran prove once again the seriousness of your intentions to continue
    leading the fight against terror. It must be made clear to these
    countries that their evil deeds cannot continue. There can be no
    compromise with terror and evil.
        The people of Israel, Mr. President, are greatly thankful and
    appreciative of your activity, unrelenting commitment to Israel's
    security and the safety of its citizens, and your determination to
    advance the peace process between us and the Palestinians.
        We are currently at an important juncture in our relations with our
    Palestinian neighbors. While relative quiet currently prevails in
    Israel, terror has not yet completely ceased. This relative calm was
    achieved, first and foremost, through the uncompromising activity of the
    Israeli security forces and as a result of your personal effort and the
    actions taken by the United States among Arab and European countries. We
    are thankful for every hour of increased quiet and less terrorism and
    for every drop of blood that is spared. At the same time, we are
    concerned that this welcome quiet will be shattered any minute as a
    result of the continued existence of terror organizations which the
    Palestinian Authority is doing nothing to eliminate or dismantle.
        Mr. President, I am confident that you, as the leader of the free
    world in this war against terror, will act to ensure that the
    Palestinians put a complete stop to the threat of Palestinian terrorism
    so that it will never rear its head again. I wish to move forward with a
    political process with our Palestinian neighbors. And the right way to
    do that is only after a complete cessation of terror, violence, and
    incitement, full dismantlement of terror organizations, and completion
    of the reform process in the Palestinian Authority.
        We had a useful talk today, where we examined ways to advance the
    peace process between us and our Palestinian neighbors. In this context,
    a number of issues came up: the security fence which we are forced to
    construct in order to defend our citizens against terror activities; the
    removal of unauthorized outposts; and the freezing of settlements in
    Judea and Samaria.
        I listened to your statement on this subject and assured you, Mr.
    President, that I would address them. The security----
        President Bush. It's stuck.
        Prime Minister Sharon. As you can see, we need your help. [Laughter]
        The security fence will continue to be built with every effort to
    minimize the infringement on the daily life of the Palestinian
    population. Unauthorized outposts will be removed, as required in a law-
    abiding country. We'll continue to discuss all these issues both
    directly and through our bureaus, which maintain close contact.
        Mr. President, we also discussed a series of issues which could
    serve to promote the peace process. In a statement published on my
    behalf last Friday, we listed a long series of steps to accommodate the
    Palestinians. If calm prevails and we witness the dismantlement of
    terror organizations, Israel will be able to take additional steps.
        I wish to thank you again, George, for your friendship and
    understanding toward the state and people of Israel and for your
    contribution and personal involvement in the effort to turn the Middle
    East into a place where the peoples of the region can live in peace and
    security and guarantee a better life for our children and generations to
    come.
        Thank you, George.
        Q. Mr. President----
        President Bush. Hold on a second, please. I'll call upon two members
    of our press corps. We'll alternate. First, Barry [Barry Schweid,
    Associated Press].

    [[Page 949]]

    Report of the Joint Inquiry Into the September 11, 2001, Terrorist
    Attacks

        Q. Mr. President, will the decision to not declassify the entire 9/
    11 report affect relations with Saudi Arabia, do you think? Might it
    have an impact on what they are doing to counter terrorism? Do you have
    any qualms?
        President Bush. About not declassifying? No, absolutely have no
    qualms at all, because there's an ongoing investigation into the 9/11
    attacks, and we don't want to compromise that investigation. If people
    are being investigated, it doesn't make sense for us to let them know
    who they are.
        Secondly, we have an ongoing war against Al Qaida and terrorists,
    and the declassification of that part of a 900-page document would
    reveal sources and methods that will make it harder for us to win the
    war on terror. Now, perhaps at some point in time down the road, after
    the investigations are fully complete and if it doesn't jeopardize our
    national security, perhaps we can declassify the 27 of the hundreds of
    pages in the document. But it makes no sense to declassify when we've
    got an ongoing investigation; that could jeopardize that investigation.
    And it made no sense to declassify during the war on terror because it
    would help the enemy if they knew our sources and methods.

    Israeli Security Fence

        Q. Mr. President, what do you accept Israel to do in practical terms
    in regarding the separation fence that you call the wall? Due to the
    fact that this is one of the most effective measure against terrorism,
    can you clarify what do you oppose, the concept of the separation fence
    or only its roots?
        And with your permission----

    [At this point, the reporter asked a second question in Hebrew, and no
    translation was provided.]

        President Bush. ----an international problem. [Laughter]

    [The reporter continued in Hebrew.]

        President Bush. Me? Okay. First, the most effective way to fight
    terror is to dismantle terrorist organizations. I fully recognize that.
    And we will continue to work with all parties to do just that. I mean, I
    fully understand that the most effective campaign to enhance the
    security of Israel, as well as the security of peace-loving people in
    the Palestinian territories, is to get after organizations such as
    Hamas, the terrorist organizations that create the conditions where
    peace won't exist. And therefore, I would hope in the long term a fence
    would be irrelevant.
        But look, the fence is a sensitive issue, I understand. And the
    Prime Minister made it very clear to me that it was a sensitive issue.
    And my promise to him is, we'll continue to discuss and to dialog how
    best to make sure that the fence sends the right signal that not only is
    security important, but the ability for the Palestinians to live a
    normal life is important as well.
        Q. Why do you criticize, Mr. President----
        President Bush. No, no, no. Hold on. Not you. Steve [Steve Holland,
    Reuters]. Maybe some other time, but not now.
        Q. All right. Thank you.

    Ending Terrorism in the Middle East

        Q. Thanks, sir. How are both of you going to get the Palestinian
    militants to extend the cease-fire?
        President Bush. Do what now?
        Q. How are both of you going to get the Palestinian militants to
    extend the cease-fire?
        President Bush. Let me--look, the important message that should have
    come out of the meeting with Prime Minister Abbas and, of course, with Prime Minister Sharon, is that
    the--those who want to destroy the peace process through terrorist
    activities must be dealt with. There will be no peace if terrorism
    flourishes. There's no peace. It's a contradiction in terms. Terrorists
    are

    [[Page 950]]

    against peace. Terrorists kill innocent life to prevent peace from
    happening. The way to make sure peace happens is for all of us to work
    to dismantle those who would like to kill. Those are called terrorists.
        And the positive news is that Prime Minister Abbas made a public declaration that we would work
    together to dismantle terrorist organizations. And that's exactly what's
    going to happen. For those who want peace--I mean, all around the
    world--have got to understand very clearly, if you're interested in
    peace in the Middle East, then all of us must work together to dismantle
    terrorist organizations, to cut off money to terrorist organizations, to
    prevent the few from damaging the aspirations of the many.
        Q. Mr. President----
        President Bush. Answer his question first, though. We don't want to
    hurt your feelings.

    [Prime Minister Sharon answered the question in Hebrew, and no
    translation was provided.]

        President Bush. Okay.

    Palestinian Prisoners

        Q. Mr. President, why do you expect Israeli Government to set free
    Palestinian prisoners, while you don't order to set free the Israeli
    civilian Jonathan Pollard?
        President Bush. Yes, well, I said very clearly at the press
    conference with Prime Minister Abbas, I don't expect anybody to release somebody from
    prison who will go kill somebody. That doesn't make any sense. I mean,
    if we're trying to fight off terror and we're interested in a peaceful
    settlement, it doesn't make any sense to release somebody who is going
    to get out of prison and start killing.
        I do hope that the Prime Minister continues to work with the
    Palestinian Authority to release those prisoners that won't create the
    conditions of terror.
        And I believe that Prime Minister Abbas wants peace. I know that the--his cabinet is
    interested in developing the institutions necessary for a Palestinian
    state to emerge in a peaceful way. I've been impressed by the Finance
    Minister of the Palestinian Authority, who's
    willing to put the Palestinian budget up on the web page. In other
    words, he believes in transparency. And the reason I bring that up is
    that I also know that those same Palestinians who are working for the
    institutions necessary for a peaceful state to evolve know that
    terrorists would like to derail those plans and, therefore, are willing
    to work to rout out terrorist organizations. And look, we don't want to
    put people back into society that will make that task more complicated.
        Listen, thank you all very much.
        Q. Mr. President, Senator Shelby says 95 percent of the redaction
    has nothing to do with sources and methods, sir. Is he wrong?
        President Bush. Sorry.

    [A reporter asked a final question in Hebrew, and Prime Minister Sharon
    answered in Hebrew, and no translation was provided.]

        President Bush. Let's go have lunch.

    Note: The President's news conference began at noon in the Rose Garden
    at the White House. In his remarks, he referred to Prime Minister
    Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) and Minister of Finance Salam Fayyad of the
    Palestinian Authority. Prime Minister Sharon referred to former
    President Saddam Hussein of Iraq. A reporter referred to former civilian
    U.S. Navy intelligence analyst Jonathan Pollard, convicted of treason
    and espionage in 1987.