[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 11 (Monday, March 17, 2003)]
[Pages 321-322]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks on the Roadmap for Peace in the Middle East

March 14, 2003

    Good morning. We have reached a hopeful moment for progress toward 
the vision of Middle Eastern peace that I outlined last June. I spoke of 
a day when two states, Israel and Palestine, will live side by side in 
peace and security. I called upon all parties in the Middle East to 
abandon old hatreds and to meet their responsibilities for peace.
    The Palestinian state must be a reformed and peaceful and democratic 
state that abandons forever the use of terror. The Government of Israel, 
as the terror threat is removed and security improves, must take 
concrete steps to support the emergence of a viable and credible 
Palestinian state and to work as quickly as possible toward a final 
status agreement. As progress is made toward peace, settlement activity 
in the occupied territories must end. And the Arab states must oppose 
terrorism, support the emergence of a peaceful and democratic Palestine, 
and state clearly that they will live in peace with Israel.
    This moment offers a new opportunity to meet these objectives. After 
its recent elections, the nation of Israel has a new Government. And the 
Palestinian Authority has created the new position of Prime Minister. 
Israeli and Palestinian leaders and other governments in the region now 
have a chance to move forward with determination and with good faith.
    To be a credible and responsible partner, the new Palestinian Prime 
Minister must hold a position of real authority. We expect that such a 
Palestinian Prime Minister will be confirmed soon. Immediately upon 
confirmation, the roadmap for peace will be given to the Palestinians 
and the Israelis. This roadmap will set forth a sequence of steps toward 
the goals I set out on June 24th, 2002, goals shared by all the parties.
    The United States has developed this plan over the last several 
months in close cooperation with Russia, the European Union, and the 
United Nations. Once this roadmap is delivered, we will expect and 
welcome contributions from Israel and the Palestinians to this document 
that will advance true peace. We will urge them to discuss the roadmap 
with one another. The time has come to move beyond entrenched positions 
and to take concrete actions to achieve peace.
    America is committed, and I am personally committed, to implementing 
our roadmap toward peace. Our efforts are guided by clear principles: We 
believe that all people in the Middle East, Arab and Israeli alike, 
deserve

[[Page 322]]

to live in dignity under free and honest governments. We believe that 
people who live in freedom are more likely to reject bitterness, blind 
hatred, and terror, and are far more likely to turn their energy toward 
reconciliation, reform, and development.
    There can be no peace for either side in the Middle East unless 
there is freedom for both. Reaching that destination will not be easy, 
but we can see the way forward. Now the parties must take that way, step 
by step, and America will be the active partner of every party that 
seeks true peace.
    Thank you very much.

Note: The President spoke at 10 a.m. in the Rose Garden at the White 
House.