19 May 2003
Bush: New Terror Attacks Will Not Derail Mideast Peace Process
(White House Report, May 19: Iran/al Qaeda) (770)
Despite the May 18 and May 19 terrorist bombings that killed about 16
people and wounded many more in Jerusalem, northern Israel, Gaza and
the West Bank, President Bush says he "has confidence" that the Middle
East peace process can still move forward, but "as long as terrorists
kill," the process is not going to be smooth.
"[K]illers who can't stand the thought of peace" wanted to disrupt the
planned May 20 visit to the White House of Israel's Prime Minister
Ariel Sharon, Bush told reporters May 19 in a joint press availability
with Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who is on a state
visit to the White House.
Israel's prime minister has now postponed his visit to a later date
not yet determined.
The Middle East violence, Bush said, is "sad, and it's pathetic. And,
therefore, we must all work together -- and I say we, those of us who
care for peace, people in the Palestinian Authority who care for peace
must work with us to fight off terror. People in Israel who care for
peace will work with us to fight terror.
"The countries in the region that long for a peace process must
understand that what's more important than process is results, and
that we've got to work together to cut off the funding and the support
and activity of the terrorist killers who can't stand peace. Europe
must work with us to do everything we can to discourage the terrorist
activities that derail a process toward peace."
The Middle East "roadmap" for peace still stands, Bush said. "The
vision of two states existing side by side in peace is a real vision,
and one that I will work toward. But we've got a lot of work to do to
convince all of us who care about peace to step up and fight off
terror -- to cut off the money and to find these people and bring them
to justice.
"No, we're still on the road to peace. It's just going to be a bumpy
road. And I'm not going to get off the road until we achieve the
vision."
White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer told reporters at his midday
briefing May 19 that "it's important to recognize that Israel has been
repeatedly hit now by suicide homicide bombings," and understanding
this is the first step in understanding the reason for the
postponement of Prime Minister Sharon's visit. "The president respects
this decision, understands it. He looks forward to greeting Prime
Minister Sharon at the first opportunity," Fleischer said.
"[W]hat's important now is that all the parties still have to focus on
the fact that the roadmap is the vision that can establish peace in
the region," Fleischer said. "And the message, as the president
unequivocally carried it today, is that the peace process begins best
with the actions by Palestinian authorities to crack down on those who
would derail the peace. The president is determined not to let the
peace get derailed. He will continue his quest to implement the
roadmap, and sometimes it takes a little bit of time. Sometimes it
also takes the resolve of the Palestinian Authority to crack down on
terror."
At his early morning meeting with reporters, Fleischer said Bush
remains confident that the new Palestinian prime minister, Mahmoud
Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen, is a reformer who can help guide the
Palestinians toward peace with Israel and the creation of a
Palestinian state.
"There is a recognition that there are those who oppose the peace
process, there are terrorists who want to derail peace, and they are
Abu Mazen's enemies," Fleischer said. "The president continues to
believe that Abu Mazen is a reformer."
WHITE HOUSE CONCERNED AL QAEDA LEADERS HIDING IN IRAN
Asked about reports that there may be some al Qaeda leaders hiding in
Iran, Fleischer said "we have had longstanding concerns about the
presence of al Qaeda in Iran. This is a topic that has been discussed
and has been communicated to the Iranian government. It is a serious
matter and one the president takes seriously."
"[W]e will continue to make sure that the Iranians receive the message
about how seriously the president takes this," Fleischer said.
Asked if the persons thought to be responsible for the recent bombings
in Saudi Arabia are in Iran, Fleischer said, "We are still looking
into all the facts and circumstances as the investigation continues in
Saudi Arabia. And I don't rule anything out."
(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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