[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.