[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 23 (Monday, June 9, 2003)]
[Pages 713-717]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks at the Red Sea Summit in Aqaba, Jordan

June 4, 2003

    King Abdullah. President Bush, Prime Minister Sharon, Prime Minister 
Abbas, distinguished guests: We gather today in Aqaba, this small city 
that symbolizes the immeasurable potential of bringing different peoples 
together. Not far from here, Jordan and Israel signed a peace treaty in 
1994. Nine years later, what brings us here is the same dream, the dream 
of peace, prosperity, coexistence, and reconciliation. But dreams alone 
cannot fulfill hopes. It is thanks to the efforts of President Bush and 
the commitments of Prime Minister Sharon and Prime Minister Abbas that 
we meet here today to transform these dreams into real achievements on 
the ground.
    Mr. President, Prime Ministers, let us have ambitions, ambitions to 
move beyond the violence and occupation, to the day when two states, 
Palestine and Israel, can live together, side by side in peace and 
security.
    And in our hands today, we hold the mechanism that can translate 
these ambitions into realities on the ground. It is a plan, the roadmap, 
that addresses the needs of both Palestinians and Israelis. To the 
Israelis, this plan offers collective security guarantees by

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all Arabs, a peace treaty, and normal relations with Arab states, and an 
end to the conflict. To the Palestinians, it offers an end to the 
occupation, a viable state, and the promise to live as a free and 
prosperous people.
    To be sure, the road to realizing this vision will not be 
straightforward or without obstacles. I'm aware that many in our region 
and around the world view our gathering today through a lens marred with 
skepticism and suspicion. The failures and frustrations of the past have 
left many disbelievers in their wake.
    Today we have an opportunity and obligation to reinstate faith in 
the process and to reinvigorate hopes for a better tomorrow. We simply 
cannot afford the alternative. The road to confrontation has shown its 
consequences: loss of innocent lives, destruction, and fear. Most 
costly, however, was the loss of hope. The most precious gift that you 
can present to your peoples over the coming weeks is renewed hope born 
out of tangible progress on the ground. And it's not only your people 
who will be watching and waiting. The eyes of the entire world will be 
upon you.
    The nature of our new borderless world means that we all have a 
stake in what happens here today. Jordanians, Americans, Europeans, and 
many around the world stand ready and willing to lend all their support 
to ensure your success. But at the end of the day, it is you, the 
Palestinians and the Israelis, who have to come together to resolve the 
many outstanding issues that divide you.
    Many will view the compromises that will be made during your 
negotiations as painful concessions. But why not view them as peace 
offerings, ones that will provide in return the priceless gifts of hope, 
security, and freedom for our children and our children's children. It 
is only by putting yourselves in each other's shoes that we can hope to 
achieve real progress.
    Thus, we reaffirm today our strong position against violence in any 
form and from whatever source. Blowing up buses will not induce the 
Israelis to move forward, and neither will the killing of Palestinians 
or the demolition of their homes and their future. All this needs to 
stop. And we pledge that Jordan will do its utmost to help achieve it.
    Mr. President, you have stayed the course. Your presence here today 
to witness the two leaders meeting together, agreeing on common grounds 
to solve this conflict, provides a great impetus to move forward and a 
clear answer to all the skeptics. I thank you, sir, for your leadership 
and your courage.
    Prime Minister Sharon, Prime Minister Abbas, I urge you today to end 
the designs of those who seek destruction, annihilation, and occupation. 
And I urge you to have the will and the courage to begin to realize our 
dreams of peace, prosperity, and coexistence. And remember that in the 
pursuit of these noble goals, Jordan will always remain a true friend.
    Thank you very much. And it is with great pleasure, if I may 
introduce Prime Minister Abbas to say a few words.
    Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas. I would like to thank King Abdullah 
for hosting our meeting here today. I would like also to thank President 
Mubarak and King Abdullah, King Hamad, and Crown Prince Abdullah, who 
met in Egypt yesterday. I thank them for their statements supporting our 
efforts. I also would like to thank the Israeli Prime Minister Sharon 
for joining us here in Jordan. And many thanks especially to President 
Bush, who took the longest journey for peace of all of us.
    As we all realize, this is an important moment. A new opportunity 
for peace exists, an opportunity based upon President Bush's vision and 
the Quartet's roadmap, which we have accepted without any reservations.
    Our goal is two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in 
peace and security. The process is the one of direct negotiations to end 
the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and to resolve all the permanent status 
issues and end the occupation that began in 1967, under which 
Palestinians have suffered so much.
    At the same time, we do not ignore the suffering of the Jews 
throughout history. It is time to bring all this suffering to an end.
    Just as Israel must meet its responsibilities, we, the Palestinians, 
will fulfill our obligations for this endeavor to succeed. We are ready 
to do our part.

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    Let me be very clear: There will be no military solution to this 
conflict, so we repeat our denunciation and renunciation of terrorism 
against the Israelis, wherever they might be. Such methods are 
inconsistent with our religious and moral traditions and are dangerous 
obstacles to the achievement of an independent sovereign state we seek. 
These methods also conflict with the kinds of state we wish to build, 
based on human rights and the rule of law.
    We will exert all of our efforts, using all our resources, to end 
the militarization of the intifada, and we will succeed. The armed 
intifada must end, and we must use and resort to peaceful means in our 
quest to end the occupation and the suffering of Palestinians and 
Israelis. And to establish the Palestinian state, we emphasize our 
determination to implement our pledges which we have made for our people 
and the international community. And that is a rule of law, single 
political authority, weapons only in the hands of those who are in 
charge of upholding the law and order, and political diversity within 
the framework of democracy.
    Our goal is clear, and we will implement it firmly and without 
compromise: a complete end to violence and terrorism. And we will be 
full partners in the international war against occupation and terrorism. 
And we will call upon our partners in this war to prevent financial and 
military assistance to those who oppose this position. We do this as a 
part of our commitment to the interests of the Palestinian people and as 
members of the large family of humanity.
    We will also act vigorously against incitement and violence and 
hatred, whatever their form or forum may be. We will take measures to 
ensure that there is no incitement--[inaudible]--from Palestinian 
institutions. We must also reactivate and invigorate the U.S.-
Palestinian-Israeli Anti-Incitement Committee. We will continue our work 
to establish the rule of law and to consolidate government authority in 
accountable Palestinian institutions. We seek to build the kind of a 
democratic state that will be a qualitative addition to the 
international community.
    All the PA security forces will be part of these efforts and will 
work together toward the achievement of these goals. Our national future 
is at stake, and no one will be allowed to jeopardize it.
    We are committed to these steps because they are in our national 
interest. In order to succeed, there must be a clear improvement in the 
lives of Palestinians. Palestinians must live in dignity. Palestinians 
must be able to move, go to their jobs and schools, visit their 
families, and conduct a normal life. Palestinians must not be afraid for 
their lives, property, or livelihood.
    We welcome and stress the need for the assistance of the 
international community and, in particular, the Arab states to help us. 
And we also welcome and stress the need for a U.S.-led monitoring 
mechanism.
    Together, we can achieve the goal of an independent Palestinian 
state, sovereign, viable, in the framework of good neighbors with all 
states in the region, including Israel.
    Thank you very much.
    Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Thank you. I would like to thank His 
Majesty King Abdullah for arranging this meeting and express Israel's 
appreciation to President Bush for coming here to be with Prime Minister 
Abbas and me. Thank you.
    As the Prime Minister of Israel, the land which is the cradle of the 
Jewish people, my paramount responsibility is the security of the people 
of Israel and of the state of Israel. There can be no compromise with 
terror. And Israel, together with all free nations, will continue 
fighting terrorism until its final defeat.
    Ultimately, permanent security requires peace, and permanent peace 
can only be obtained through security. And there is now hope of a new 
opportunity for peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
    Israel, like others, has lent its strong support for President 
Bush's vision expressed on June 24, 2002, of two states, Israel and a 
Palestinian state, living side by side in peace and security. The 
Government and people of Israel welcome the opportunity to renew direct 
negotiations according to the steps of the roadmap, as adopted by the 
Israeli Government, to achieve this vision.
    It is in Israel's interest not to govern the Palestinians but for 
the Palestinians to govern themselves in their own state. A democratic 
Palestinian state fully at peace with Israel will

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promote the long-term security and well-being of Israel as the Jewish 
state.
    There can be no peace, however, without the abandonment and 
elimination of terrorism, violence, and incitement. We will work 
alongside the Palestinians and other states to fight terrorism, 
violence, and incitement of all kinds. As all parties perform their 
obligations, we will seek to restore normal Palestinian life, improve 
the humanitarian situation, rebuild trust, and promote progress toward 
the President's vision. We will act in a manner that respects the 
dignity as well as the human rights of all people.
    We can also reassure our Palestinian partners that we understand the 
importance of territorial contiguity in the West Bank for a viable 
Palestinian state. Israeli policy in the territories that are subject to 
direct negotiations with the Palestinians will reflect this fact. We 
accept the principle that no unilateral actions by any party can 
prejudge the outcome of our negotiations.
    In regard to the unauthorized outposts, I want to reiterate that 
Israel is a society governed by the rule of law. Thus, we will 
immediately begin to remove unauthorized outposts.
    Israel seeks peace with all its Arab neighbors. Israel is prepared 
to negotiate in good faith wherever there are partners. As normal 
relations are established, I am confident that they will find in Israel 
a neighbor and a people committed to comprehensive peace and prosperity 
for all the peoples of the region.
    Thank you all.
    President Bush. King Abdullah, thank you for hosting this event. Her 
Majesty, thank you for your hospitality. It is fitting that we gather 
today in Jordan. King Abdullah is a leader on behalf of peace and is 
carrying forward the tradition of his father, King Hussein.
    I'm pleased to be here with Prime Minister Sharon. The friendship 
between our countries began at the time of Israel's creation. Today, 
America is strongly committed, and I am strongly committed, to Israel's 
security as a vibrant Jewish state.
    I'm also pleased to be with Prime Minister Abbas. He represents the 
cause of freedom and statehood for the Palestinian people. I strongly 
support that cause as well.
    Each of us is here because we understand that all people have the 
right to live in peace. We believe that with hard work and good faith 
and courage, it is possible to bring peace to the Middle East. And today 
we mark important progress toward that goal.
    Great and hopeful change is coming to the Middle East. In Iraq, a 
dictator who funded terror and sowed conflict has been removed, and a 
more just and democratic society is emerging. Prime Minister Abbas now 
leads the Palestinian Cabinet. By his strong leadership, by building the 
institutions of Palestinian democracy, and by rejecting terror, he is 
serving the deepest hopes of his people.
    All here today now share a goal: The Holy Land must be shared 
between the state of Palestine and the state of Israel, living at peace 
with each other and with every nation of the Middle East.
    All sides will benefit from this achievement, and all sides have 
responsibilities to meet. As the roadmap accepted by the party makes 
clear, both must make tangible, immediate steps toward this two-state 
vision.
    I welcome Prime Minister Sharon's pledge to improve the humanitarian 
situation in the Palestinian areas and to begin removing unauthorized 
outposts immediately. I appreciate his gestures of reconciliation on 
behalf of prisoners and their families and his frank statements about 
the need for territorial contiguity. As I said yesterday, the issue of 
settlements must be addressed for peace to be achieved. In addition, 
Prime Minister Sharon has stated that no unilateral actions by either 
side can or should prejudge the outcome of future negotiations. The 
Prime Minister also recognizes that it is in Israel's own interest for 
Palestinians to govern themselves in their own state. These are 
meaningful signs of respect for the rights of the Palestinians and their 
hopes for a viable, democratic, peaceful Palestinian state.
    Prime Minister Abbas recognizes that terrorist crimes are a 
dangerous obstacle to the independent state his people seek. He agrees 
that the process for achieving that state is through peaceful 
negotiations. He has pledged to consolidate Palestinian institutions, 
including the security forces, and to make them more accountable and 
more democratic. He has promised his full efforts

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and resources to end the armed intifada. He has promised to work without 
compromise for a complete end of violence and terror. In all these 
efforts, the Prime Minister is demonstrating his leadership and 
commitment to building a better future for the Palestinian people.
    Both Prime Ministers here agree that progress toward peace also 
requires an end to violence and the elimination of all forms of hatred 
and prejudice and official incitement in schoolbooks, in broadcasts, and 
in the words used by political leaders. Both leaders understand that a 
future of peace cannot be founded on hatred and falsehood and 
bitterness.
    Yet, these two leaders cannot bring about peace if they must act 
alone. True peace requires the support of other nations in the region. 
Yesterday, in Sharm el-Sheikh, we made a strong beginning. Arab leaders 
stated that they share our goal of two states, Israel and Palestine, 
living side by side in peace and in security. And they have promised to 
cut off assistance and the flow of money and weapons to terrorist groups 
and to help Prime Minister Abbas rid Palestinian areas of terrorism.
    All sides have made important commitments, and the United States 
will strive to see these commitments fulfilled. My Government will 
provide training and support for a new, restructured Palestinian 
security service. And we'll place a mission on the ground, led by 
Ambassador John Wolf. This mission will be charged with helping the 
parties to move towards peace, monitoring their progress, and stating 
clearly who was fulfilling their responsibilities. And we expect both 
parties to keep their promises.
    I've also asked Secretary of State Colin Powell and National 
Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice to make this cause a matter of the 
highest priority. Secretary Powell and Dr. Rice, as my personal 
representative, will work closely with the parties, helping them move 
toward true peace as quickly as possible.
    The journey we're taking is difficult, but there is no other choice. 
No leader of conscience can accept more months and years of humiliation, 
killing, and mourning. And these leaders of conscience have made their 
declarations today in the cause of peace.
    The United States is committed to that cause. If all sides fulfill 
their obligation, I know that peace can finally come.
    Thank you very much, and may God bless our work.

Note: King Abdullah spoke at 3:30 p.m. at Beit al Bahar. Prime Minister 
Abbas spoke in Arabic, and his remarks were translated by an 
interpreter. In his remarks, the President referred to Queen Rania of 
Jordan; former President Saddam Hussein of Iraq; and Assistant Secretary 
of State for Nonproliferation John S. Wolf. Prime Minister Abbas 
referred to President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt; King Hamad bin Isa Al 
Khalifa of Bahrain; and Crown Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. A portion 
of these remarks could not be verified because the tape was incomplete.