[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 23 (Monday, June 9, 2003)]
[Pages 711-713]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Prior to Discussions With President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt in 
Sharm el-Sheikh

June 3, 2003

    President Mubarak. Today we have met with the President of the 
United States, President George Bush, to affirm our common commitment to 
seize this historic moment to advance the peace cause forward.
    President Bush gave impetus to the peace process by his vision of 
two states, Israel and Palestine, living in peace and security. This 
vision means that, alongside the existing state of Israel, a new state 
for the Palestinians will emerge.
    We welcome the roadmap rising from this vision and adopted by the 
Quartet, especially since it has been accepted by both the Israeli and 
Palestinian Governments. We particularly express our appreciation for 
President Bush's strong personal commitment for its full implementation.
    The roadmap provides for ending the occupation that began in 1967 
and resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by 2005, through 
fulfillment of all sides to their own obligations. Peace obligations are 
built on the foundations of the Madrid Conference, the

[[Page 712]]

principles of land for peace, and U.N. Security Council Resolutions 242, 
338, and 1397, and the initiative of Saudi Crown Prince Saud Abdullah 
Aziz, which was unanimously endorsed by the Arab League Summit in 
Beirut.
    We support the determination of the Palestinian Authority to fulfill 
its responsibility to end violence and to maintain law and order, as 
announced by Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas. We will continue to support 
the Palestinian Authority's efforts to uphold these commitments in order 
to allow it to consolidate its authority in democratic and accountable 
institutions. We will ensure that our assistance to the Palestinians 
goes solely to the Palestinian Authority, and we will continue to 
support efforts to improve the quality of life of the Palestinian 
people.
    We call on Israel to simultaneously fulfill its own responsibilities 
to rebuild trust and restore normal Palestinian life and to carry out 
its other obligations under the roadmap, thus promoting progress toward 
the President's vision.
    We affirm our position again against terror and violence. We will 
continue to fight the scourge of terrorism against humanity and reject 
the culture of extremism and violence in any form or shape, from 
whatever source or place, regardless of justifications or motives, being 
fully aware of their danger as a plague that threatens the peace and 
stability of the whole world. We will use all the power of the law to 
prevent support reaching illegal organizations, including terrorist 
groups.
    We reiterate our support for the Iraqi people as they rebuild their 
country. We affirm our commitment once more, the independence and the 
territorial integrity of Iraq under a Government that represents the 
Iraqi people and emanating from its free will, where Iraqi people living 
in peace and harmony with its neighbors. And in this regard, we consider 
U.N. Security Council Resolution 1483 as a useful means to achieve these 
goals.
    As the countries of this region continue their important endeavors 
to promote political, economic, and social reforms, we welcome the 
initiative by the United States to open new economic opportunities for 
all the people in the Middle East. We shall continue to work for a 
Middle East that is free of strife and violence, living in harmony, 
without the threat of terrorism or dangers of weapons of mass 
destruction.
    Thank you.
    President Bush. Thank you, Hosni. Very good job.
    Mr. President, thank you for your hospitality and for the invitation 
to this spectacular location.
    We meet in Sinai at a moment of promise for the cause of peace in 
the Middle East. We see the potential for unity against terror. We see 
the potential for the birth of a new and Palestinian state. We see the 
potential for broader peace among the peoples of this region.
    Achieving these goals will require courage and moral vision on every 
side, from every leader. America is committed and I am committed to 
helping all the parties to reach the hard and heroic decisions that will 
lead to peace.
    I want to thank Crown Prince Abdullah, King Hamad, King Abdullah, 
Prime Minister Abbas for joining us today. I particularly want to thank 
President Mubarak. The United States values its strong ties with Egypt. 
By hosting this gathering, President Mubarak is acting in Egypt's best 
traditions. His predecessor, Anwar Sadat, was a leader for peace who had 
the vision to see opportunities and the bold heart to seize them. In 
this spirit, we meet today.
    Last year on June 24th, I put forth a proposal for two states, 
Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace. I called on Israel 
to respect the rights of Palestinians, including the right to live in 
dignity in a free and peaceful Palestine. I urged the Palestinian people 
to embrace new leaders who stand for reform, democracy, and for fighting 
terror.
    I also said that progress toward peace would require the active 
commitment and support of neighboring states. And today I'm pleased to 
stand with leaders of the Arab world who are committed to these 
principles.
    All progress towards peace requires the rejection of terror. The 
leaders here today have declared their firm rejection of terror, 
regardless of its justifications or motives. They've also committed to 
practical actions

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to use all means to cut off assistance, including arms and financing, to 
any terror group and to aid the Palestinian Authority in their own fight 
against terror.
    Terror threatens my Nation. Terror threatens Arab states. Terror 
threatens the state of Israel. Terror threatens the emergence of a 
Palestinian state. Terror must be opposed, and it must be defeated.
    Tomorrow, I will go to Aqaba for a meeting with Prime Minister 
Sharon, Prime Minister Abbas to discuss the responsibilities of the 
Israelis and the Palestinians. And if all sides fulfill their 
obligations, we can make steady progress on the road toward Palestinian 
statehood, a secure Israel, and a just and comprehensive peace.
    We seek true peace, not just a pause between more wars and intifadas 
but a permanent reconciliation among the peoples of the Middle East.
    In our meeting today we also discussed the future of Iraq. I 
reaffirmed America's commitment to helping the Iraqi people achieve 
freedom and democracy in a unified country, its borders intact, a 
country free of weapons of mass destruction and at peace with its 
neighbors and the world.
    America is fully committed to restoring security to Iraqi cities and 
helping the Iraqi people rebuild their nation after decades of cruel and 
corrupt dictatorship. I welcome the support of all the nations 
represented here for these important goals and hope they will contribute 
to helping the good people of Iraq.
    There's a hopeful direction to recent events in the Middle East. In 
Iraq, a tyrant in support of terror has been removed. Reform is taking 
hold in many societies that are eager to join in the progress and 
prosperity of our times. I urge nations throughout the region open their 
markets, to seek broader trade in the world, and to join us in creating 
a U.S.-Middle East free trade area within a decade.
    The leaders here today recognize the importance of representative, 
democratic institutions to fulfilling the hopes of the Iraqi and 
Palestinian people. And free institutions are critical to the hopes of 
people everywhere. Allowing peaceful avenues for the expression of 
different views and broader political participation will unleash the 
talents of each nation. All Middle East countries that travel this 
challenging path will have the support and the friendship of the United 
States.
    In this meeting we've made progress on a broad agenda, and we're 
determined to keep moving forward. I thank all the leaders here today, 
and may God bless our important work.
    Thank you very much, Mr. President.

Note: President Mubarak spoke at 3:50 p.m. at the Four Seasons Resort. 
In his remarks, President Bush referred to Crown Prince Abdullah of 
Saudi Arabia; King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain; King Abdullah II 
of Jordan; Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) of the Palestinian 
Authority; and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel.