03 June 2003
Bush Sees a Moment of Promise for Middle East Peace
(Emphasizes U.S. commitment to permanent reconciliation in region) (1800)
Speaking at the conclusion of their meeting June 3 in Egypt, President
Bush and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak reaffirmed their commitment
to the roadmap for peace in the Middle East and to the vision of two
states, Israel and Palestine.
Bush said their meeting in Sinai came "at a moment of promise for the
cause of peace in the Middle East" and pledged his commitment to
"helping all parties reach the hard and heroic decisions that will
lead to peace."
"We seek true peace; not just a pause between more wars and intifadas,
but a permanent reconciliation among the peoples of the Middle East,"
Bush said.
Bush noted that in June 2002 he put forth a proposal for two states,
Israel and Palestine, living side-by-side in peace. But, he stressed,
"All progress towards peace requires the rejection of terror."
"Terror threatens my nation. Terror threatens Arab states. Terror
threatens the state of Israel. Terror threatens the emergence of a
Palestinian state. Terror must be opposed and it must be defeated,"
Bush said.
Israelis and Palestinians must fulfill their responsibilities, Bush
said. "And if all sides fulfill their obligations, we can make steady
progress on the road toward Palestinian statehood, a secure Israel,
and a just and comprehensive peace."
Egyptian President Mubarak, in his remarks, welcomed the roadmap and
expressed his appreciation for President Bush's "strong personal
commitment for its full implementation."
"President Bush gave impetus to the peace process by his vision of two
states, Israel and Palestine, living in peace and security. This
vision means that, alongside the existing state of Israel, a new state
for the Palestinians will emerge," Mubarak said.
In their statements, both leaders supported the Palestinian
Authority's determination to end violence, called on Israel to rebuild
trust and restore normal Palestinian life, pledged to continue to
fight the scourge of terror, and reiterated support for the Iraqi
people as they continue to rebuild their country.
They also welcomed the U.S. initiative to open new economic
opportunities for all the people in the Middle East.
"We shall continue to work for a Middle East that is free of strife
and violence, living in harmony, without the threat of terrorism or
dangers of weapons of mass destruction," Mubarak said.
Bush met Mubarak before the two leaders joined Saudi Crown Prince
Abdallah bin Abdulaziz, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa,
Jordan's King Abdullah II and Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas
for further discussions related to the roadmap. On Wednesday, June 4,
Bush will travel to Jordan for meetings with Abbas and Israeli Prime
Minister Sharon.
Following is the transcript of President Bush and Egyptian President
Mubarak at their joint press opportunity June 3, at Sharm el-Sheikh,
Egypt.
(begin transcript)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt)
June 3, 2003
STATEMENTS BY PRESIDENT BUSH AND PRESIDENT MUBARAK OF EGYPT
Four Seasons Resort
Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt
3:50 P.M. EDT
PRESIDENT MUBARAK: Today we have met with the President of the United
States, President George Bush, to affirm our common commitment to
seize this historic moment to advance the peace cause forward.
President Bush gave impetus to the peace process by his vision of two
states, Israel and Palestine, living in peace and security. This
vision means that, alongside the existing state of Israel, a new state
for the Palestinians will emerge.
We welcome the road map rising from this vision, and adopted by the
Quartet, especially since it has been accepted by both the Israeli and
Palestinian governments. We particularly express our appreciation for
President Bush's strong personal commitment for its full
implementation.
The road map provides for ending the occupation that began in 1967,
and resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by 2005, through
fulfillment of all sides to their own obligations. Peace obligations
are built on the foundations of the Madrid Conference, the principles
of land for peace, and U.N. Security Council resolutions 242, 338, and
1397, and the initiative of Saudi Crown Prince Saud Abdallah Aziz,
which was unanimously endorsed by the Arab League Summit in Beirut.
We support the determination of the Palestinian Authority to fulfill
its responsibility to end violence and to maintain law and order, as
announced by Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas. We will continue to support
the Palestinian Authority's efforts to uphold these commitments in
order to allow it to consolidate its authority in democratic and
accountable institutions. We will ensure that our assistance to the
Palestinians goes solely to the Palestinian Authority, and we will
continue to support efforts to improve the quality of life of the
Palestinian people.
We call on Israel to simultaneously fulfill its own responsibilities
to rebuild trust and restore normal Palestinian life, and to carry out
its other obligations under the road map, thus promoting progress
toward the President's vision.
We affirm our position again against terror and violence. We will
continue to fight the scourge of terrorism against humanity, and
reject the culture of extremism and violence in any form or shape,
from whatever source or place, regardless of justifications or
motives, being fully aware of their danger as a plague that threatens
the peace and stability of the whole world. We will use all the power
of the law to prevent support reaching illegal organizations,
including terrorist groups.
We reiterate our support for the Iraqi people as they rebuild their
country. We affirm our commitment once more, the independence and the
territorial integrity of Iraq under a government that represents the
Iraqi people and emanating from its free will; where Iraqi people
living in peace and harmony with its neighbors. And in this regard, we
consider U.N. Security Council Resolution 1483 as a useful means to
achieve these goals.
As the countries of this region continue their important endeavors to
promote political, economic and social reforms, we welcome the
initiative by the United States to open new economic opportunities for
all the people in the Middle East. We shall continue to work for a
Middle East that is free of strife and violence, living in harmony,
without the threat of terrorism or dangers of weapons of mass
destruction.
Thank you. (Applause.)
PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you, Hosni. Very good job.
Mr. President, thank you for your hospitality and for the invitation
to this spectacular location.
We meet in Sinai at a moment of promise for the cause of peace in the
Middle East. We see the potential for unity against terror. We see the
potential for the birth of a new and Palestinian state. We see the
potential for broader peace among the peoples of this region.
Achieving these goals will require courage and moral vision on every
side, from every leader. America is committed, and I am committed, to
helping all the parties to reach the hard and heroic decisions that
will lead to peace.
I want to thank Crown Prince Abdallah bin Abdulaziz, King Hamad, King
Abdullah, Prime Minister Abbas for joining us today. I particularly
want to thank President Mubarak. The United States values its strong
ties with Egypt. By hosting this gathering, President Mubarak is
acting in Egypt's best traditions. His predecessor, Anwar Sadat, was a
leader for peace who had the vision to see opportunities and the bold
heart to seize them. In this spirit, we meet today.
Last year on June 24th, I put forth a proposal for two states, Israel
and Palestine, living side-by-side in peace. I called on Israel to
respect the rights of Palestinians, including the right to live in
dignity in a free and peaceful Palestine. I urged the Palestinian
people to embrace new leaders who stand for reform, democracy and for
fighting terror.
I also said that progress toward peace would require the active
commitment and support of neighboring states. And today I'm pleased to
stand with leaders of the Arab world, who are committed to these
principles.
All progress towards peace requires the rejection of terror. The
leaders here today have declared their firm rejection of terror,
regardless of its justifications or motives. They've also committed to
practical actions to use all means to cut off assistance, including
arms and financing to any terror group, and to aid the Palestinian
Authority in their own fight against terror.
Terror threatens my nation. Terror threatens Arab states. Terror
threatens the state of Israel. Terror threatens the emergence of a
Palestinian state. Terror must be opposed and it must be defeated.
Tomorrow, I will go to Aqaba for a meeting with Prime Minister Sharon,
Prime Minister Abbas, to discuss the responsibilities of the Israelis
and the Palestinians. And if all sides fulfill their obligations, we
can make steady progress on the road toward Palestinian statehood, a
secure Israel, and a just and comprehensive peace.
We seek true peace; not just a pause between more wars and intifadas,
but a permanent reconciliation among the peoples of the Middle East.
In our meeting today we also discussed the future of Iraq. I
reaffirmed America's commitment to helping the Iraqi people achieve
freedom and democracy in a unified country, its borders intact; a
country free of weapons of mass destruction, and at peace with its
neighbors and the world.
America is fully committed to restoring security to Iraqi cities and
helping the Iraqi people rebuild their nation, after decades of cruel
and corrupt dictatorship. I welcome the support of all the nations
represented here for these important goals, and hope they will
contribute to helping the good people of Iraq.
There's a hopeful direction to recent events in the Middle East. In
Iraq, a tyrant in support of terror has been removed. Reform is taking
hold in many societies that are eager to join in the progress and
prosperity of our times. I urge nations throughout the region open
their markets, to seek broader trade in the world, and to join us in
creating a U.S.-Middle East free trade area within a decade.
The leaders here today recognize the importance of representative,
democratic institutions to fulfilling the hopes of the Iraqi and
Palestinian people. And free institutions are critical to the hopes of
people everywhere. Allowing peaceful avenues for the expression of
different views and broader political participation will unleash the
talents of each nation. All Middle East countries that travel this
challenging path will have the support and the friendship of the
United States.
In this meeting we've made progress on a broad agenda, and we're
determined to keep moving forward. I thank all the leaders here today,
and may God bless our important work.
Thank you very much, Mr. President. (Applause.)
(end transcript)
(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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