[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 18 (Monday, May 5, 2003)]
[Pages 506-507]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

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

April 30, 2003

    On March 14, I noted the important steps taken by the Palestinian 
Legislative Council (PLC) toward the creation of an empowered, 
accountable office of Prime Minister. The PLC has now confirmed a new 
Palestinian Prime Minister and Cabinet. Today, the roadmap for peace 
developed by the United States over the last several months in close 
cooperation with Russia, the European Union, and the United Nations has 
been presented to Israel and the Palestinians.
    The roadmap represents a starting point toward achieving the vision 
of two states, a secure state of Israel and a viable, peaceful, 
democratic Palestine, that I set out on June

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24, 2002. It is a framework for progress towards lasting peace and 
security in the Middle East. Implementing the roadmap will depend upon 
the good faith efforts and contributions of both sides. The pace of 
progress will depend strictly on the performance of the parties.
    I urge Israelis and Palestinians to work with us and with other 
members of the international community and above all directly with each 
other to immediately end the violence and return to a path of peace 
based on the principles and objectives outlined in my statement of June 
24, 2002. Both Israelis and Palestinians have suffered from the terror 
and violence and from the loss of hope in a better future of peace and 
security. An opportunity now exists to move forward. The United States 
will do all it can to seize this opportunity. To that end, I have asked 
Secretary Powell to travel to the region to begin working with the 
parties so that we can take advantage of this moment.