30 April 2003
Bush Announces Formal Release of Roadmap for Mideast Peace
(Urges Israelis and Palestinians to immediately end the violence) (490)
Israel and the Palestinians April 30 were formally presented the
"roadmap for peace" developed over the last few months by the United
States in close cooperation with Russia, the European Union and the
United Nations, President Bush announced in an April 30 statement.
"The roadmap represents a starting point toward achieving the vision
of two states, a secure State of Israel and a viable, peaceful,
democratic Palestine, that I set out on June 24, 2002. It is a
framework for progress towards lasting peace and security in the
Middle East. Implementing the roadmap will depend upon the good faith
efforts and contributions of both sides. The pace of progress will
depend strictly on the performance of the parties," Bush said.
He urged Israelis and Palestinians to work with the United States and
with other members of the international community, "and above all
directly with each other" to immediately end the violence and return
to a path of peace based on the principles and objectives outlined in
my statement of June 24, 2002.
Following is the text of the Bush statement:
(begin transcript)
The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
April 30, 2003
Statement by the President on the Middle East
On March 14, I noted the important steps taken by the Palestinian
Legislative Council (PLC) toward the creation of an empowered,
accountable office of Prime Minister. The PLC has now confirmed a new
Palestinian Prime Minister and Cabinet. Today, the roadmap for peace
developed by the United States over the last several months in close
cooperation with Russia, the European Union, and the United Nations
has been presented to Israel and the Palestinians.
The roadmap represents a starting point toward achieving the vision of
two states, a secure State of Israel and a viable, peaceful,
democratic Palestine, that I set out on June 24, 2002. It is a
framework for progress towards lasting peace and security in the
Middle East. Implementing the roadmap will depend upon the good faith
efforts and contributions of both sides. The pace of progress will
depend strictly on the performance of the parties.
I urge Israelis and Palestinians to work with us and with other
members of the international community, and above all directly with
each other to immediately end the violence and return to a path of
peace based on the principles and objectives outlined in my statement
of June 24, 2002. Both Israelis and Palestinians have suffered from
the terror and violence, and from the loss of hope in a better future
of peace and security. An opportunity now exists to move forward. The
United States will do all it can to seize this opportunity. To that
end, I have asked Secretary Powell to travel to the region to begin
working with the parties so that we can take advantage of this moment.
(end transcript)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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