    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 16 (Monday, April 19, 2004)]
    [Pages 598-600]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Letter to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel on the Israeli
    Disengagement Plan

    April 14, 2004

    Dear Mr. Prime Minister:

        Thank you for your letter setting out your disengagement plan.
        The United States remains hopeful and determined to find a way
    forward toward a resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian dispute. I remain
    committed to my June 24, 2002 vision of two states living side by side
    in peace and security as the key to peace, and to the roadmap as the
    route to get there.
        We welcome the disengagement plan you have prepared, under which
    Israel would withdraw certain military installations and all settlements
    from Gaza, and withdraw certain military installations and settlements
    in the West Bank. These steps described in the plan will mark real
    progress toward realizing my June 24, 2002 vision, and make a real
    contribution towards peace. We also understand that, in this context,
    Israel believes it is important to bring new opportunities to the Negev
    and the Galilee. We are hopeful that steps pursuant to this plan,
    consistent with my vision, will remind all states and parties of their
    own obligations under the roadmap.

    [[Page 599]]

        The United States appreciates the risks such an undertaking
    represents. I therefore want to reassure you on several points.
        First, the United States remains committed to my vision and to its
    implementation as described in the roadmap. The United States will do
    its utmost to prevent any attempt by anyone to impose any other plan.
    Under the roadmap, Palestinians must undertake an immediate cessation of
    armed activity and all acts of violence against Israelis anywhere, and
    all official Palestinian institutions must end incitement against
    Israel. The Palestinian leadership must act decisively against terror,
    including sustained, targeted, and effective operations to stop
    terrorism and dismantle terrorist capabilities and infrastructure.
    Palestinians must undertake a comprehensive and fundamental political
    reform that includes a strong parliamentary democracy and an empowered
    prime minister.
        Second, there will be no security for Israelis or Palestinians until
    they and all states, in the region and beyond, join together to fight
    terrorism and dismantle terrorist organizations. The United States
    reiterates its steadfast commitment to Israel's security, including
    secure, defensible borders, and to preserve and strengthen Israel's
    capability to deter and defend itself, by itself, against any threat or
    possible combination of threats.
        Third, Israel will retain its right to defend itself against
    terrorism, including to take actions against terrorist organizations.
    The United States will lead efforts, working together with Jordan,
    Egypt, and others in the international community, to build the capacity
    and will of Palestinian institutions to fight terrorism, dismantle
    terrorist organizations, and prevent the areas from which Israel has
    withdrawn from posing a threat that would have to be addressed by any
    other means. The United States understands that after Israel withdraws
    from Gaza and/or parts of the West Bank, and pending agreements on other
    arrangements, existing arrangements regarding control of airspace,
    territorial waters, and land passages of the West Bank and Gaza will
    continue.
        The United States is strongly committed to Israel's security and
    well-being as a Jewish state. It seems clear that an agreed, just, fair,
    and realistic framework for a solution to the Palestinian refugee issue
    as part of any final status agreement will need to be found through the
    establishment of a Palestinian state, and the settling of Palestinian
    refugees there, rather than in Israel.
        As part of a final peace settlement, Israel must have secure and
    recognized borders, which should emerge from negotiations between the
    parties in accordance with UNSC Resolutions 242 and 338. In light of new
    realities on the ground, including already existing major Israeli
    populations centers, it is unrealistic to expect that the outcome of
    final status negotiations will be a full and complete return to the
    armistice lines of 1949, and all previous efforts to negotiate a two-
    state solution have reached the same conclusion. It is realistic to
    expect that any final status agreement will only be achieved on the
    basis of mutually agreed changes that reflect these realities.
        I know that, as you state in your letter, you are aware that certain
    responsibilities face the State of Israel. Among these, your government
    has stated that the barrier being erected by Israel should be a security
    rather than political barrier, should be temporary rather than
    permanent, and therefore not prejudice any final status issues including
    final borders, and its route should take into account, consistent with
    security needs, its impact on Palestinians not engaged in terrorist
    activities.
        As you know, the United States supports the establishment of a
    Palestinian state that is viable, contiguous, sovereign, and
    independent, so that the Palestinian people can build their own future
    in accordance with my vision set forth in June 2002 and with the path
    set forth in the roadmap. The United States will join with others in the
    international community to foster the development of democratic
    political institutions and new leadership committed to those
    institutions, the reconstruction of civic institutions, the growth of a
    free and prosperous economy, and the building of capable security
    institutions dedicated to maintaining law and order and dismantling
    terrorist organizations.
        A peace settlement negotiated between Israelis and Palestinians
    would be a great boon not only to those peoples but to the

    [[Page 600]]

    peoples of the entire region. Accordingly, the United States believes
    that all states in the region have special responsibilities: to support
    the building of the institutions of a Palestinian state; to fight
    terrorism, and cut off all forms of assistance to individuals and groups
    engaged in terrorism; and to begin now to move toward more normal
    relations with the State of Israel. These actions would be true
    contributions to building peace in the region.
        Mr. Prime Minister, you have described a bold and historic
    initiative that can make an important contribution to peace. I commend
    your efforts and your courageous decision which I support. As a close
    friend and ally, the United States intends to work closely with you to
    help make it a success.
         Sincerely,
                                                    George W. Bush

    Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of
    this letter. The letter was made available by the Office of the Press
    Secretary on April 14 but was not issued as a White House press release.
    The Office of the Press Secretary also made available the text of Prime
    Minister Sharon's letter to the President.