09 June 2003
Bush Optimistic About the "March to Peace" in the Middle East
(Says cooperation in fighting terror will hasten a Palestinian state) (1490)
President Bush said he is optimistic about "the march to peace" in the
Middle East. Bush spoke at the White House June 9, following a cabinet
meeting.
The president said he had briefed his cabinet on his trip to Poland
and Russia, the G-8 meetings in France, and the Middle East.
"I'm optimistic about our chances to bring a peaceful, free
Palestinian state in existence, to live side-by-side with a secure
Israel," Bush said.
Bush also said that cooperation on fighting terror would hasten the
establishment of a Palestinian state. "I appreciate the leadership of
Prime Minister [Mahmoud] Abbas, the new Prime Minister of the
Palestinian Authority, who spoke eloquently and clearly about the need
for the free world to fight off terror in order for a Palestinian
state to emerge," Bush said.
Bush also said he was pleased with the response of Israeli Prime
Minister Ariel Sharon, whom he described as "a courageous leader,
dedicated to the security of the Israeli people, as are we --- but
also recognizing that life can better for the Palestinians."
In response to reporters' questions, Bush said he is "prepared to
lead" efforts toward peace in the Middle East.
Responding to reporters' questions on weapons of mass destruction in
Iraq, Bush said he was "absolutely convinced with time we'll find out
that they [Iraq] did have a weapons program."
"Time will prove that the United States made the absolute right
decision in freeing the people of Iraq from the clutches of Saddam
Hussein," Bush said.
Following are excerpts from President Bush's remarks at the White
House on June 9:
(begin transcript)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
June 9, 2003
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT IN PHOTO OPPORTUNITY AFTER MEETING WITH
CABINET
The Cabinet Room
10:45 A.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: I just met with my Cabinet, had the opportunity to
brief them about my trip overseas. I talked about the visit to Poland
and to Russia, where we've got good friends in both those countries --
at least in terms of their leaders.
And then I went to the G8 in Evian, France. The message there was is
that America and Europe can do a lot together. We can make the world
more peaceful, we can make the world more free, we can work together
to help fight the pandemic of AIDS in Africa. There's a lot we can do
together. We need to put our differences in the past and combine our
efforts. We can do -- trade together so our people can find work. And
I left feeling very good about our relations in Europe.
Then I went to the Middle East and started the -- started the march to
peace. And I'm optimistic about our chances to bring a peaceful, free
Palestinian state in existence, to live by side-by-side with a secure
Israel. We've got a lot of work to do, but I was pleased with the
response of Prime Minister Sharon. He's a courageous leader, dedicated
to the security of the Israeli people, as are we -- but also
recognizing that life can be better for the Palestinians.
And I appreciate the leadership of Prime Minister Abbas, the new Prime
Minister of the Palestinian Authority, who spoke eloquently and
clearly about the need for the free world to fight off terror in order
for a Palestinian state to emerge.
And then I went over to Qatar. Had a very good visit with Ambassador
Bremer and General Tommy Franks, and we talked about the need for our
coalition to continue to make steadfast progress in Iraq so that the
people of Iraq will be able to eventually run themselves. And we are
making steadfast progress.
Finally, we talked about domestic matters. Secretary Snow briefed us
on the economy. And we're optimistic about our economy, but we won't
rest until we're certain that people who are looking for work and who
want to work can find a job. The jobs and growth package passed by the
Congress can be very beneficial to those who look for work.
We also talked about the possibilities of Congress getting a good
Medicare bill out. I will spend time this week discussing Medicare
with the American people. Secretary Thompson briefed us on the
progress being made by the Congress, and I want to thank the
congressional leadership for showing the determination that's going to
be necessary to get a good Medicare package out for America's seniors.
I'm proud of my Cabinet. I want to thank them for their good work and
really proud of the team we have put together here.
I'll answer a few questions. Tom, and then Patsy.
QUESTION: Mr. President, since you left the Middle East there's been a
new outbreak of violence, three main Palestinian militant groups have
claimed responsibility for it. Prime Minister Abbas says he will not
use force to control these groups and Prime Minister Sharon has been
criticized by right-wing members of his own party. Why are you so
optimistic?
THE PRESIDENT: I'm optimistic because I was able to listen to the
Prime Ministers of Israel and the Palestinian Authority talk about the
need for peace and for a state.
Listen, I recognize there's going to be extremes, particularly in the
Palestinian territories, that want to blow up peace. But I think
people are sick of it. The average Palestinian must understand that
their lives will improve with the vision of Prime Minister Abbas. And
the Arab neighborhood understands that violence will lead to nothing
except misery and the lack of hope. And so I'm optimistic that
responsible leaders have now got the message that we must combine to
work to fight off the terror attacks so that a peaceful Palestinian
state can emerge.
And, listen, I understand there's going to be a lot of work to do, but
I'm prepared to lead. And we're sending a team in place. Ambassador
Wolf will be on the ground soon, holding people to account and working
to strengthen Prime Minister Abbas so that he can deliver on his
promise -- a promise he made not only to me personally, but a promise
he made to the Israeli officials. And the promise was is that he will
work as hard as he can to fight off those elements within the
territories that want to use violence to destroy any hope for peace,
and, therefore, use violence to destroy the hopes of the Palestinian
people.
Q: Sir, is U.S. credibility on the line over weapons of mass
destruction in Iraq?
THE PRESIDENT: I'm not exactly sure what that means. I mean, Iraq had
a weapons program. Intelligence throughout the decade showed they had
a weapons program. I am absolutely convinced with time we'll find out
that they did have a weapons program. The credibility of this country
is based upon our strong desire to make the world more peaceful and
the world is now more peaceful after our decision; the strong desire
to make sure free nations are more secure -- our free nations are now
more secure; and the strong desire to spread freedom. And the Iraqi
people are now free and are learning the habits of freedom and the
responsibilities that come with freedom.
I read a report that somehow, you know, that there is no al Qaeda
presence in Baghdad. I guess the people who wrote that article forgot
about Al Zarqawi's network inside of Baghdad that ordered the killing
of a U.S. citizen named Foley. And history will show, history -- time
will prove that the United States made the absolute right decision in
freeing the people of Iraq from the clutches of Saddam Hussein.
Kyle, last question.
Q: Sir, do you have anything for us on the dollar? It continues to
slide.
THE PRESIDENT: Yes.
Q: The rhetoric continues to be that we favor a strong dollar policy,
but there doesn't seem to be much of anything helping to prop it up.
THE PRESIDENT: The policy of this government is a strong dollar
policy. I spent time talking about the -- our dollar policy at the G8.
And I reminded our G8 partners that there is a difference in interest
rates, particularly between Europe and the United States, and that
interest rate differential has caused people to sell dollars to buy
euros to get a higher return on investment. And that's why you're
seeing pressure on the dollar.
And, of course, the European Union is, like the United States, has got
an independent organization that sets monetary policy. But you'll see
a -- you'll see different behavior as interest rate spreads begin to
narrow between Europe and the United States.
But I'll repeat as clearly as I can, the policy of the United States
government is a strong dollar policy.
Thank you, all.
(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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