[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 43, Number 48 (Monday, December 3, 2007)]
[Pages 1534-1537]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks at the Annapolis Conference in Annapolis, Maryland

November 27, 2007

    Thank you for coming. Prime Minister Olmert, President Abbas, 
Secretary-General Ban, former Prime Minister Blair, distinguished 
guests: Welcome to one of the finest institutes we have in America, the 
United States Naval Academy. We appreciate you joining us in what I 
believe is an historic opportunity to encourage the expansion of freedom 
and peace in the Holy Land.
    We meet to lay the foundation for the establishment of a new nation, 
a democratic Palestinian state that will live side by side with Israel 
in peace and security. We meet to help bring an end to the violence that 
has been the true enemy of the aspirations of both the Israelis and 
Palestinians.
    We're off to a strong start. I'm about to read a statement that was 
agreed upon by our distinguished guests.
    ``The representatives of the Government of the State of Israel and 
the Palestinian Liberation Organization, represented respective by Prime 
Minister Ehud Olmert and President Mahmoud Abbas in his capacity as 
Chairman of the PLO Executive Committee and President of the Palestinian 
Authority, have convened in Annapolis, Maryland, under the auspices of 
President George W. Bush of the United States of America, and with the 
support of the participants of this international conference, having 
concluded the following joint understanding.
    ``We express our determination to bring an end to bloodshed, 
suffering, and decades of conflict between our peoples; to usher in a 
new era of peace, based on freedom, security, justice, dignity, respect, 
and mutual recognition; to propagate a culture of peace and nonviolence; 
to confront terrorism and incitement, whether committed by Palestinians 
or Israelis. In furtherance of the goal of two states, Israel and 
Palestine living side by side in peace and security, we agree to 
immediately launch good-faith bilateral negotiations in order to 
conclude a peace treaty, resolving all outstanding issues, including all 
core issues, without exception, as specified in previous agreements.
    ``We agree to engage in vigorous, ongoing, and continuous 
negotiations and shall make every effort to conclude an agreement before 
the end of 2008. For this purpose, a steering committee, led jointly by 
the head of the delegation of each party, will meet continuously, as 
agreed. The steering committee will develop a joint work plan and 
establish and oversee the work of negotiations teams to address all 
issues, to be headed by one lead representative from each party. The 
first session of the steering committee will be held on 12 December 
2007.
    ``President Abbas and Prime Minister Olmert will continue to meet on 
a biweekly basis to follow up the negotiations in order to offer all 
necessary assistance for their advancement.
    ``The parties also commit to immediately implement their respective 
obligations under the performance-based roadmap to a permanent two-state 
solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, issued by the Quartet on 
30 April 2003--this is called the roadmap--and agree to form an 
American, Palestinian, and Israeli mechanism, led by the United States, 
to follow up on the implementation of the roadmap.
    ``The parties further commit to continue the implementation of the 
ongoing obligations of the roadmap until they reach a peace treaty. The 
United States will monitor and judge the fulfillment of the commitment 
of both sides of the roadmap. Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, 
implementation of the future peace treaty will be subject to the 
implementation of the roadmap as judged by the United States.''
    Congratulations for your strong leadership.
    The Palestinian people are blessed with many gifts and talents. They 
want the opportunity to use those gifts to better their own lives and 
build a future for their children. They want the dignity that comes with 
sovereignty and independence. They want justice and equality under the 
rule of law. They want freedom from violence and fear.

[[Page 1535]]

    The people of Israel have just aspirations as well. They want their 
children to be able to ride a bus or to go to school without fear of 
suicide bombers. They want an end to rocket attacks and constant threats 
of assault. They want their nation to be recognized and welcomed in the 
region where they live.
    Today, Palestinians and Israelis each understand that helping the 
other to realize their aspirations is key to realizing their own 
aspirations--both require an independent, democratic, viable Palestinian 
state. Such a state will provide Palestinians with the chance to lead 
lives of freedom and purpose and dignity. Such a state will help provide 
the Israelis with something they have been seeking for generations: to 
live in peace with their neighbors.
    Achieving this goal is not going to be easy; if it were easy, it 
would have happened a long time ago. To achieve freedom and peace, both 
Israelis and Palestinians will have to make tough choices. Both sides 
are sober about the work ahead, but having spent time with their 
leaders, they are ready to take on the tough issues. As Prime Minister 
Olmert recently put it, ``We will avoid none of the historic questions; 
we will not run from discussing any of them.'' As President Abbas has 
said, ``I believe that there is an opportunity not only for us but for 
the Israelis too. We have a historic and important opportunity that we 
must benefit from.'' It is with that spirit that we concluded--that they 
concluded this statement I just read.
    Our purpose here in Annapolis is not to conclude an agreement. 
Rather, it is to launch negotiations between the Israelis and the 
Palestinians. For the rest of us, our job is to encourage the parties in 
this effort and to give them the support they need to succeed.
    In light of recent developments, some have suggested that now is not 
the right time to pursue peace. I disagree. I believe now is precisely 
the right time to begin these negotiations for a number of reasons.
    First, the time is right because Palestinians and Israelis have 
leaders who are determined to achieve peace. President Abbas seeks to 
fulfill his people's aspirations for statehood, dignity, and security. 
President Abbas understands that a Palestinian state will not be born of 
terror and that terrorism is the enemy standing in the way of a state. 
He and Prime Minister Fayyad have both declared, without hesitation, 
that they are opposed to terrorism and committed to peace. They're 
committed to turning these declarations into actions on the ground to 
combat terror.
    The emergence of responsible Palestinian leaders has given Israeli 
leaders the confidence they need to reach out to the Palestinians in 
true partnership. Prime Minister Olmert has expressed his understanding 
of the suffering and indignities felt by the Palestinian people. He's 
made clear that the security of Israel will be enhanced by the 
establishment of a responsible, democratic Palestinian state. With 
leaders of courage and conviction on both sides, now is the time to come 
together and seek the peace that both sides desire.
    Second, the time is right because a battle is underway for the 
future of the Middle East, and we must not cede victory to the 
extremists. With their violent actions and contempt for human life, the 
extremists are seeking to impose a dark vision on the Palestinian 
people, a vision that feeds on hopelessness and despair to sow chaos in 
the Holy Land. If this vision prevails, the future of the region will be 
endless terror, endless war, and endless suffering.
    Standing against this dark vision are President Abbas and his 
Government. They are offering the Palestinian people an alternative 
vision for the future--a vision of peace, a homeland of their own, and a 
better life. If responsible Palestinian leaders can deliver on this 
vision, they will deal the forces of extremism a devastating blow. And 
when liberty takes root in the rocky soil of the West Bank and Gaza, it 
will inspire millions across the Middle East who want their societies 
built on freedom and peace and hope.
    By contrast, if Palestinian reformers cannot deliver on this hopeful 
vision, then the forces of extremism and terror will be strengthened, a 
generation of Palestinians could be lost to the extremists, and the 
Middle East will grow in despair. We cannot allow this to happen. Now is 
the time to show Palestinians that their dream of a free and independent 
state can be achieved at the

[[Page 1536]]

table of peace and that the terror and violence preached by Palestinian 
extremists is the greatest obstacle to a Palestinian state.
    Third, the time is right because the world understands the urgency 
of supporting these negotiations. We appreciate that representatives 
from so many governments and international institutions have come to 
join us here in Annapolis, especially the Arab world. We're here because 
we recognize what is at stake. We are here because we each have a vital 
role to play in helping Palestinians forge the institutions of a free 
society. We're here because we understand that the success of these 
efforts to achieve peace between Israelis and Palestinians will have an 
impact far beyond the Holy Land.
    These are the reasons we've gathered here in Annapolis, and now we 
begin the difficult work of freedom and peace. The United States is 
proud to host this meeting, and we reaffirm the path to peace set out in 
the roadmap. Yet in the end, the outcome of the negotiations they launch 
here depends on the Israelis and Palestinians themselves. America will 
do everything in our power to support their quest for peace, but we 
cannot achieve it for them. The success of these efforts will require 
that all parties show patience and flexibility and meet their 
responsibilities.
    For these negotiations to succeed, the Palestinians must do their 
part. They must show the world they understand that while the borders of 
a Palestinian state are important, the nature of a Palestinian state is 
just as important. They must demonstrate that a Palestinian state will 
create opportunity for all its citizens and govern justly and dismantle 
the infrastructure of terror. They must show that a Palestinian state 
will accept its responsibility and have the capability to be a source of 
stability and peace for its own citizens, for the people of Israel, and 
for the whole region.
    The Israelis must do their part. They must show the world that they 
are ready to begin--to bring an end to the occupation that began in 1967 
through a negotiated settlement. This settlement will establish 
Palestine as a Palestinian homeland, just as Israel is a homeland for 
the Jewish people. Israel must demonstrate its support for the creation 
of a prosperous and successful Palestinian state by removing 
unauthorized outposts, ending settlement expansion, and finding other 
ways for the Palestinian Authority to exercise its responsibilities 
without compromising Israel's security.
    Arab States also have a vital role to play. Relaunching the Arab 
League initiative and the Arab League's support for today's conference 
are positive steps. All Arab States should show their strong support for 
the Government of President Abbas and provide needed assistance to the 
Palestinian Authority. Arab States should also reach out to Israel, work 
toward the normalization of relations, and demonstrate in both word and 
deed that they believe that Israel and its people have a permanent home 
in the Middle East. These are vital steps toward the comprehensive peace 
that we all seek.
    Finally, the international community has important responsibilities. 
Prime Minister Fayyad is finalizing a plan to increase openness and 
transparency and accountability throughout Palestinian society, and he 
needs the resources and support from the international community. With 
strong backing from those gathered here, the Palestinian Government can 
build the free institutions that will support a free Palestinian state.
    The United States will help Palestinian leaders build these free 
institutions, and the United States will keep its commitment to the 
security of Israel as a Jewish state and homeland for the Jewish people.
    The United States strongly feels that these efforts will yield the 
peace that we want, and that is why we will continue to support the 
Lebanese people. We believe democracy brings peace. And democracy in 
Lebanon is vital, as well, for the peace in the Middle East. Lebanese 
people are in the process of electing a President. That decision is for 
the Lebanese people to make, and they must be able to do so free from 
outside interference and intimidation. As they embark on this process, 
the people of Lebanon can know that the American people stand with them, 
and we look forward to the day when the people of Lebanon can enjoy the 
blessings of liberty without fear of violence or coercion.
    The task begun here at Annapolis will be difficult. This is the 
beginning of the process,

[[Page 1537]]

not the end of it, and no doubt a lot of work remains to be done. Yet 
the parties can approach this work with confidence. The time is right. 
The cause is just. And with hard effort, I know they can succeed.
    President Abbas and Prime Minister Olmert, I pledge to devote my 
effort during my time as President to do all I can to help you achieve 
this ambitious goal. I give you my personal commitment to support your 
work with the resources and resolve of the American Government. I 
believe a day is coming when freedom will yield the peace we desire. And 
the land that is holy to so many will see the light of peace.
    The day is coming when Palestinians will enjoy the blessings that 
freedom brings and all Israelis will enjoy the security they deserve. 
That day is coming. The day is coming when the terrorists and extremists 
who threaten the Israeli and Palestinian people will be marginalized and 
eventually defeated. And when that day comes, future generations will 
look to the work we began here at Annapolis. They will give thanks to 
the leaders who gathered on the banks of the Chesapeake for their 
vision, their wisdom, and courage to choose a future of freedom and 
peace.
    Thanks for coming. May God bless their work.

Note: The President spoke at 11:04 a.m. in Memorial Hall at the U.S. 
Naval Academy. In his remarks, he referred to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert 
of Israel; President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) and Prime Minister Salam 
Fayyad of the Palestinian Authority; Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon of 
the United Nations; and Quartet Representative in the Middle East Tony 
Blair.