    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book II)]
    [November 27, 2007]
    [Pages 1496-1500]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at the Annapolis Conference in Annapolis, Maryland
    November 27, 2007

        Thank you for coming. Prime Minister Olmert,
    President Abbas, Secretary-
    General Ban, former Prime Minister Blair, distinguished guests: Welcome to one of the finest
    institutes we have in America, the United States Naval Academy. We
    appreciate you joining us in what I believe is an historic opportunity
    to encourage the expansion of freedom and peace in the Holy Land.
        We meet to lay the foundation for the establishment of a new nation,
    a democratic Palestinian state that will live side by side with Israel
    in peace and security. We meet to help bring an end to the violence that
    has been the true enemy of the aspirations of both the Israelis and
    Palestinians.
        We're off to a strong start. I'm about to read a statement that was
    agreed upon by our distinguished guests.
        ``The representatives of the Government of the State of Israel and
    the Palestinian Liberation Organization, represented re-spective by
    Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and President Mahmoud
    Abbas in his capacity as
    Chairman of the PLO Executive Committee and President of the Palestinian
    Authority, have convened in Annapolis, Maryland, under the auspices of
    President George W. Bush of the United States of America, and with the
    support of the participants of this international conference, having
    concluded the following joint understanding.
        ``We express our determination to bring an end to bloodshed,
    suffering, and decades of conflict between our peoples; to usher in a
    new era of peace, based on freedom, security, justice, dignity, respect,
    and mutual recognition; to propagate a culture of peace and nonviolence;
    to confront terrorism and incitement, whether committed by Palestinians
    or Israelis. In furtherance of the goal of two states, Israel and
    Palestine living side by side in peace and security, we agree to
    immediately launch good-

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    faith bilateral negotiations in order to conclude a peace treaty,
    resolving all outstanding issues, including all core issues, without
    exception, as specified in previous agreements.
        ``We agree to engage in vigorous, ongoing, and continuous
    negotiations and shall make every effort to conclude an agreement before
    the end of 2008. For this purpose, a steering committee, led jointly by
    the head of the delegation of each party, will meet continuously, as
    agreed. The steering committee will develop a joint work plan and
    establish and oversee the work of negotiations teams to address all
    issues, to be headed by one lead representative from each party. The
    first session of the steering committee will be held on 12 December
    2007.
        ``President Abbas and Prime
    Minister Olmert will continue to meet on a
    biweekly basis to follow up the negotiations in order to offer all
    necessary assistance for their advancement.
        ``The parties also commit to immediately implement their respective
    obligations under the performance-based roadmap to a permanent two-state
    solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, issued by the Quartet on
    30 April 2003--this is called the roadmap--and agree to form an
    American, Palestinian, and Israeli mechanism, led by the United States,
    to follow up on the implementation of the roadmap.
        ``The parties further commit to continue the implementation of the
    ongoing obligations of the roadmap until they reach a peace treaty. The
    United States will monitor and judge the fulfillment of the commitment
    of both sides of the roadmap. Unless otherwise agreed by the parties,
    implementation of the future peace treaty will be subject to the
    implementation of the roadmap as judged by the United States.''
        Congratulations for your strong leadership.
        The Palestinian people are blessed with many gifts and talents. They
    want the opportunity to use those gifts to better their own lives and
    build a future for their children. They want the dignity that comes with
    sovereignty and independence. They want justice and equality under the
    rule of law. They want freedom from violence and fear.
        The people of Israel have just aspirations as well. They want their
    children to be able to ride a bus or to go to school without fear of
    suicide bombers. They want an end to rocket attacks and constant threats
    of assault. They want their nation to be recognized and welcomed in the
    region where they live.
        Today, Palestinians and Israelis each understand that helping the
    other to realize their aspirations is key to realizing their own
    aspirations, both require an independent, democratic, viable Palestinian
    state. Such a state will provide Palestinians with the chance to lead
    lives of freedom and purpose and dignity. Such a state will help provide
    the Israelis with something they have been seeking for generations: to
    live in peace with their neighbors.
        Achieving this goal is not going to be easy. If it were easy, it
    would have happened a long time ago. To achieve freedom and peace, both
    Israelis and Palestinians will have to make tough choices. Both sides
    are sober about the work ahead, but having spent time with their
    leaders, they are ready to take on the tough issues. As Prime Minister
    Olmert recently put it: ``We will avoid none of
    the historic questions; we will not run from discussing any of them.''
    As President Abbas has said: ``I believe that
    there is an opportunity not only for us but for the Israelis too. We
    have a historic and important opportunity that we must benefit from.''
    It is with that spirit that we concluded--that they concluded this
    statement I just read.
        Our purpose here in Annapolis is not to conclude an agreement.
    Rather, it is to launch negotiations between the Israelis and the
    Palestinians. For the rest of us, our job is to encourage the parties in
    this

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    effort and to give them the support they need to succeed.
        In light of recent developments, some have suggested that now is not
    the right time to pursue peace. I disagree. I believe now is precisely
    the right time to begin these negotiations for a number of reasons.
        First, the time is right because Palestinians and Israelis have
    leaders who are determined to achieve peace. President Abbas seeks to fulfill his people's aspirations for
    statehood, dignity, and security. President Abbas understands that a
    Palestinian state will not be born of terror and that terrorism is the
    enemy standing in the way of a state. He and Prime Minister
    Fayyad have both declared, without hesitation,
    that they are opposed to terrorism and committed to peace. They're
    committed to turning these declarations into actions on the ground to
    combat terror.
        The emergence of responsible Palestinian leaders has given Israeli
    leaders the confidence they need to reach out to the Palestinians in
    true partnership. Prime Minister Olmert has
    expressed his understanding of the suffering and indignities felt by the
    Palestinian people. He's made clear that the security of Israel will be
    enhanced by the establishment of a responsible, democratic Palestinian
    state. With leaders of courage and conviction on both sides, now is the
    time to come together and seek the peace that both sides desire.
        Second, the time is right because a battle is underway for the
    future of the Middle East, and we must not cede victory to the
    extremists. With their violent actions and contempt for human life, the
    extremists are seeking to impose a dark vision on the Palestinian
    people, a vision that feeds on hopelessness and despair to sow chaos in
    the Holy Land. If this vision prevails, the future of the region will be
    endless terror, endless war, and endless suffering.
        Standing against this dark vision are President Abbas and his Government. They are offering the Palestinian
    people an alternative vision for the future: a vision of peace, a
    homeland of their own, and a better life. If responsible Palestinian
    leaders can deliver on this vision, they will deal the forces of
    extremism a devastating blow. And when liberty takes root in the rocky
    soil of the West Bank and Gaza, it will inspire millions across the
    Middle East who want their societies built on freedom and peace and
    hope.
        By contrast, if Palestinian reformers cannot deliver on this hopeful
    vision, then the forces of extremism and terror will be strengthened, a
    generation of Palestinians could be lost to the extremists, and the
    Middle East will grow in despair. We cannot allow this to happen. Now is
    the time to show Palestinians that their dream of a free and independent
    state can be achieved at the table of peace and that the terror and
    violence preached by Palestinian extremists is the greatest obstacle to
    a Palestinian state.
        Third, the time is right because the world understands the urgency
    of supporting these negotiations. We appreciate that representatives
    from so many governments and international institutions have come to
    join us here in Annapolis, especially the Arab world. We're here because
    we recognize what is at stake. We are here because we each have a vital
    role to play in helping Palestinians forge the institutions of a free
    society. We're here because we understand that the success of these
    efforts to achieve peace between Israelis and Palestinians will have an
    impact far beyond the Holy Land.
        These are the reasons we've gathered here in Annapolis, and now we
    begin the difficult work of freedom and peace. The United States is
    proud to host this meeting, and we reaffirm the path to peace set out in
    the roadmap. Yet in the end, the outcome of the negotiations they launch
    here depends on the Israelis and Palestinians themselves. America will
    do everything in our power to support their quest for peace, but we
    cannot achieve it for them. The success of these efforts will require
    that

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    all parties show patience and flexibility and meet their
    responsibilities.
        For these negotiations to succeed, the Palestinians must do their
    part. They must show the world they understand that while the borders of
    a Palestinian state are important, the nature of a Palestinian state is
    just as important. They must demonstrate that a Palestinian state will
    create opportunity for all its citizens and govern justly and dismantle
    the infrastructure of terror. They must show that a Palestinian state
    will accept its responsibility and have the capability to be a source of
    stability and peace for its own citizens, for the people of Israel, and
    for the whole region.
        The Israelis must do their part. They must show the world that they
    are ready to begin--to bring an end to the occupation that began in 1967
    through a negotiated settlement. This settlement will establish
    Palestine as a Palestinian homeland, just as Israel is a homeland for
    the Jewish people. Israel must demonstrate its support for the creation
    of a prosperous and successful Palestinian state by removing
    unauthorized outposts, ending settlement expansion, and finding other
    ways for the Palestinian Authority to exercise its responsibilities
    without compromising Israel's security.
        Arab States also have a vital role to play. Relaunching the Arab
    League initiative and the Arab League's support for today's conference
    are positive steps. All Arab States should show their strong support for
    the Government of President Abbas and provide
    needed assistance to the Palestinian Authority. Arab States should also
    reach out to Israel, work toward the normalization of relations, and
    demonstrate in both word and deed that they believe that Israel and its
    people have a permanent home in the Middle East. These are vital steps
    toward the comprehensive peace that we all seek.
        Finally, the international community has important responsibilities.
    Prime Minister Fayyad is finalizing a plan to
    increase openness and transparency and accountability throughout
    Palestinian society, and he needs the resources and support from the
    international community. With strong backing from those gathered here,
    the Palestinian Government can build the free institutions that will
    support a free Palestinian state.
        The United States will help Palestinian leaders build these free
    institutions. And the United States will keep its commitment to the
    security of Israel as a Jewish state and homeland for the Jewish people.
        The United States strongly feels that these efforts will yield the
    peace that we want, and that is why we will continue to support the
    Lebanese people. We believe democracy brings peace. And democracy in
    Lebanon is vital as well for the peace in the Middle East. Lebanese
    people are in the process of electing a President. That decision is for
    the Lebanese people to make, and they must be able to do so free from
    outside interference and intimidation. As they embark on this process,
    the people of Lebanon can know that the American people stand with them,
    and we look forward to the day when the people of Lebanon can enjoy the
    blessings of liberty without fear of violence or coercion.
        The task begun here at Annapolis will be difficult. This is the
    beginning of the process, not the end of it, and no doubt a lot of work
    remains to be done. Yet the parties can approach this work with
    confidence. The time is right. The cause is just. And with hard effort,
    I know they can succeed.
        President Abbas and Prime Minister
    Olmert, I pledge to devote my effort during my
    time as President to do all I can to help you achieve this ambitious
    goal. I give you my personal commitment to support your work with the
    resources and resolve of the American Government. I believe a day is
    coming when freedom will yield the peace we desire. And the land that is
    holy to so many will see the light of peace.
        The day is coming when Palestinians will enjoy the blessings that
    freedom brings and

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    all Israelis will enjoy the security they deserve. That day is coming.
    The day is coming when the terrorists and extremists who threaten the
    Israeli and Palestinian people will be marginalized and eventually
    defeated. And when that day comes, future generations will look to the
    work we began here at Annapolis. They will give thanks to the leaders
    who gathered on the banks of the Chesapeake for their vision, their
    wisdom, and courage to choose a future of freedom and peace.
        Thanks for coming. May God bless their work.

    Note: The President spoke at 11:04 a.m. in Memorial Hall at the U.S.
    Naval Academy. In his remarks, he referred to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert
    of Israel; President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad of
    the Palestinian Authority; Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon of the United
    Nations; and former Prime Minister Tony Blair of the United Kingdom,
    Quartet Representative in the Middle East.