    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 16 (Monday, April 19, 2004)]
    [Pages 596-598]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Statement on the Israeli Disengagement Plan and the Middle East Peace
    Process

    April 14, 2004

        I remain hopeful and determined to find a way forward toward a
    resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian dispute.

    The Israeli Plan:

        I welcome the disengagement plan prepared by the Government of
    Israel, 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

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    steps will mark real progress toward realizing the vision I set forth in
    June 2002 of two states living side by side in peace and security, and
    make a real contribution toward peace.
        I am hopeful that steps pursuant to this plan, consistent with this
    vision, will remind all states and parties of their own obligations
    under the roadmap.

    The Path to Peace:

        I believe certain principles, which are very widely accepted in the
    international community, show us the path forward:
     <bullet>    The right of self defense and the need to fight terrorism
                are equally matters of international agreement.
     <bullet>    The two-state vision and the roadmap for peace designed to
                implement it, command nearly universal support as the best
                means of achieving a permanent peace and an end to the
                Israeli occupation that began in 1967.
     <bullet>    United Nations Security Council resolutions have repeatedly
                spoken of the desirability of establishing two independent
                states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side within
                secure and recognized borders.
        Having these principles in mind, the United States is able to make
    the following comments.

    Peace Plans:

        The United States remains committed to the vision of two states
    living side by side in peace and security, and 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.

    Security:

        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. The United States will join with others
    in the international community to strengthen the capacity and will of
    Palestinian security forces to fight terrorism and dismantle terrorist
    capabilities and infrastructure.

    Terrorism:

        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 Two-State Solution:

        The United States remains committed to the two-state solution for
    peace in the Middle East as set forth in June 2002, and to the roadmap
    as the best path to realize that vision.
        The goal of two independent states has repeatedly been recognized in
    international resolutions and agreements, and it remains a key to
    resolving this conflict. 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

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    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.

    Palestinian Statehood:

        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 the
    vision I 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.

    Palestinian Obligations:

        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.

    Israeli Obligations:

        The Government of Israel is committed to take additional steps on
    the West Bank, including progress toward a freeze on settlement
    activity, removing unauthorized outposts, and improving the humanitarian
    situation by easing restrictions on the movement of Palestinians not
    engaged in terrorist activities.
        As the Government of Israel has stated, 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.

    Regional Cooperation:

        A peace settlement negotiated between Israelis and Palestinians
    would be a great boon not only to those peoples but to the peoples of
    the entire region. Accordingly, 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.