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13 May 2003

Powell Says Saudi Attack Will Not Deter U.S. Peace Efforts

(Remarks with Jordanian officials in Amman May 13) (3350)
Secretary of State Colin Powell condemned the terrorist attack in
Saudi Arabia May 13, saying it "once again reminds us that terrorism
is a global phenomenon that we all must fight."
"The United States will not be deterred from pursuing the interests of
peace around the world in the face of this kind of terrorism. And I
once again condemn them, cowardly individuals who sneak during the
night and kill innocent civilians," said Powell.
Powell spoke in Amman with Jordanian Foreign Minister Marwan Mouasher
and Jordanian Minister of Planning Basem Awadallah, where they signed
two bilateral economic agreements, and discussed the future of Iraq
and Middle East peace efforts.
The secretary repeated that the United States is committed to the
"road map" for Israeli-Palestinian peace.
The secretary again called upon Palestinians to "move quickly and
decisively" against groups that use violence against Israel, and for
the Israeli government to "immediately improve the daily lives of
Palestinians, to restore hope and to show respect for the dignity of
the Palestinian people."
"Israel knows that the Road Map lays out the steps that have to be
taken. They have some comments on the Road Map and we will listen to
their comments, but we do not plan to rewrite or renegotiate the Road
Map," he said.
Powell added that the United States and the rest of the world will
await the results of Israeli Prime Minister Sharon and Palestinian
Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas' coming meeting.
Jordanian Foreign Minister Mouasher called on Israel to accept the
Road Map, saying it is "the true test of seriousness in trying to find
a solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict."
"We see no reason why any party should now reject a document that has
been accepted by the U.S. President, the U.S. Administration, as well
as the international community," said Mouasher.
Mouasher also condemned the terrorist attack in Saudi Arabia, saying
it "will only strengthen our resolve to keep our efforts at finding a
solution to all the problems of this region."
While in Amman, Powell signed two bilateral agreements with Jordan.
One was for supplemental grant assistance, and the other was designed
to promote private U.S. investment in the country. The secretary said
that in many respects Jordan has "been a model" for economic reform in
the region.
Powell said the two agreements "underscore the strength and breadth of
the relationship between our two countries," and "are testament to
Jordan's real achievements in economic reform and to the confidence we
have in Jordan's future."
Jordanian Planning Minister Awadallah commented that Jordan is seeking
"close and active partnership" with the United States to achieve
economic development "that is underpinned by peace, security, and
stability, comprehensive, just, and lasting peace for all in this part
of the world."
Following is a transcript of Secretary Powell, Jordanian Foreign
Minister Marwan Mouasher and Jordanian Minister of Planning Basem
Awadallah:
(begin transcript)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
(Amman, Jordan)
May 13, 2003
Remarks by Secretary of State Colin L. Powell
Jordanian Foreign Minister Dr. Marwan Mouasher
And Jordanian Minister of Planning Mr. Basem Awadallah
At Signing Ceremony and Joint Press Availability
Amman, Jordan
May 13, 2003
DR. BASEM AWADALLAH, JORDANIAN MINISTER OF PLANNING: If you think your
mission to the Middle East was tough, getting Protocol to agree to me
to stand on this podium for two minutes this morning to say few words
was very, very tough indeed. Tough negotiations, which lasted for many
hours but I wanted to say few words on behalf of the government of the
Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, on behalf of my colleagues His Excellency
the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Trade and Industry.
If you measure gratitude for the partnership that we have with the
United States of America, a partnership that really tries to sustain a
model of reform, of development, and of progress. The two agreements
that we will sign this morning, the first one is for assistance -
grant assistance that will be given to Jordan to help mitigate the
impact of the adverse region reality in the value of 700 million
dollars. This is in addition to the regular assistance that we
received this year from the United States, the economic package of 250
million dollars, which will be used to finance education programs,
water programs, health programs, and to help accelerate the social and
economic class transformation of Jordan.
Second agreement is the Bilateral Investment Treaty. This is an
agreement that was signed in 1997 and designed to enhance private
investment in Jordan - US private investments in Jordan. It is a very
significant agreement because it was a first in a series of agreements
that we signed over the past two years, Open Skies Agreement, Trade
and Investment Framework Agreement, and later the Free Trade Area
Agreement (FTA) which was signed in 2000 and ratified by Congress in
2001. Both agreements point to the direction that we have chosen, a
partnership to really sustain a model of development and
liberalization, as I said.
In his commencement address to the University of South Carolina last
Friday, the President announced an initiative for the development of
the Middle East. Development that is underpinned by peace, security,
and stability, comprehensive, just, and lasting peace for all in this
part of the world. This is the kind of development that we seek in
close and active partnership with you, Mr. Secretary. It is a
partnership that we hope will be discussed at the upcoming World
Economic Forum meeting on June 21 and we are delighted that you and
Trade Representative Zoellick will be joining us in order to discuss
all these important matters in the Middle East as we usher in a new
crossroads in the history of this region.
Again, let me thank you one more time for taking the time to sign this
agreement with us today. Let me also thank your very able Ambassador,
Mr. Gnehm, and his able team. Anne Aarnes (USAID Jordan Mission
Director) and the very able team at USAID have done a very superb job
in trying to get this agreement as quickly as possible and really I
would like to express once again how proud we are of the special
relations we have with the United States of America. Thank you, Sir.
MARWAN MOUASHAR, JORDANIAN MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS: Mr. Secretary,
let me first begin by welcoming you once again to Amman and expressing
also our sympathies with the victims of the terrorist act in Saudi
Arabia and our condemnation of this act. This will only strengthen our
resolve to keep our efforts at finding a solution to all the problems
of this region.
We had extensive talks with the Secretary yesterday, both on Iraq and
on the Peace Process. And let me say that we believe, in Jordan, that
we need to have a smooth and quick transition to a credible Iraqi
government and we talked about ways and means of doing so in a way
that would ensure that an Iraqi government that is representative of
all political factions in Iraq is formed at the soonest possible time
so that once again Iraq will be part of the international community.
We talked at length about the Peace Process. We believe the time has
come for all parties to accept the Road Map. The Arab party has done
that, the Palestinians have done that. It is very important to move
both on the security aspect of the problem, and we have expressed our
readiness to work with the United States and with the Palestinians to
do that in order to create the proper conditions for forward movement
on the Peace Process. At the same time, we also believe that Israel
has to accept the Road Map if we are to work within a clear framework
and if we are to implement the President's vision of a two-state
solution in three years.
Let me say that Jordan's position, in particular, in support of the
Road Map emanates from the Road Map adopting the Arab Initiative as
one of the bases for a solution and thereby defining the outlines of
the end game, adopting a three-year framework. This is the first
international document that adopts a specific timeframe for the end of
the occupation and adopts a monitoring mechanism to ensure that all
the parties are meeting their commitments on time.
This is why Jordan has accepted the Road Map and this is why we
believe these elements should not be tampered with in the course of
the implementation of this Road Map. We stand ready to work with the
United States in order to make this a reality and I look forward to
very close cooperation with the United States, with the Palestinians,
and with all parties in order to once and for all find a permanent
solution to this conflict. Thank you.
Secretary of State Colin L. Powell: Thank you very much, Mr. Minister.
I join you in condemning the terrorist attacks that took place in
Saudi Arabia overnight. I will be going from here to Saudi Arabia
where I will have a chance to express my regrets and condolences
directly to the leadership of Saudi Arabia. Once again it reminds us
that terrorism is a global phenomenon that we must all fight. I would
like to extend my best wishes to those who were injured for a speedy
recovery and to the families of those who were causalities to give
them some comfort in this time of concern.
The United States will not be deterred from pursuing the interests of
peace around the world in the face of this kind of terrorism. And I
once again condemn them, cowardly individuals who sneak during the
night and kill innocent civilians. We have been concerned about the
situation for some time. The United States had issued advisory
warnings to citizens traveling the region and we have worked with
Saudi authorities in recent days to assist them in chasing down
terrorist organizations. As you know, the Saudis have been working
very hard on this matter and last week arrested some and found caches
of explosives which suggested that terrorist organizations were hard
at work trying to commit such a crime. I look to consulting with my
Saudi colleagues later this afternoon on how we can redouble our
efforts to go after terrorism in any form that it manifests itself in
the world.
At this time, however, I am very pleased to be here with my colleagues
to sign these two important agreements that underscore the strength
and breadth of the relationship between our two countries. The
Bilateral Investment Treaty and Supplemental Assistance package we
signed today are testament to Jordan's real achievements in economic
reform and to the confidence we have in Jordan's future.
This is a moment of great change and opportunity for the region. As
was noted a moment ago, President Bush has laid out in his speech at
the University of South Carolina last week an ambitious agenda to
create new partnerships with the peoples and governments of the Middle
East for a more prosperous, peaceful and democratic future. Economic
reform is a critical component of this agenda and an area where in
many respects Jordan has been a model. I look forward to returning to
Jordan in June to attend the meeting of the World Economic Forum. It
is fitting that Jordan, a true regional leader in economic reform,
will host the World Economic Forum. With Parliamentary elections
scheduled for next month as well, Jordan will demonstrate how
political and economic development can re-enforce one another.
I had the opportunity during my brief visit here to exchange ideas and
views with King Abdullah and Foreign Minister Mouasher on two
extremely important challenges. First, a prosperous democratic Iraq,
governed by Iraqis. An Iraq that we are working hard now to stabilize
and to rebuild the infrastructure in that country, infrastructure
destroyed after so many years of Saddam Hussein's regime. We are
working hard to help the Iraqis put in place a political system that
will result in democracy, and a country that will be living in peace
with its neighbors.
Second, the United States and Jordan will work to restore hope to
Palestinians and Israelis in a peaceful, secure future. In each of
these efforts, Jordan's role will be crucial. I emphasized President
Bush's strong commitment to his vision of two states, Israel and
Palestine, living side-by-side in peace and in security. I reinforced
to His Majesty and to my colleague Foreign Minister Mouasher our
commitment to the Road Map aimed at implementing that vision. And I
might, at this moment, congratulate my friend and thank my friend for
the hard work that he put in developing the Road Map over the past
year.
The message I brought is that to move forward, Palestinians will have
to move quickly and decisively against those who cling to the path of
violence and terror to achieve their ends. And at the same, the state
of Israel must do its part to immediately improve the daily lives of
Palestinians, to restore hope and to show respect for the dignity of
the Palestinian people. This is the only way we will create an
environment for peace. Both sides moving together to take those steps
that are clear and must be taken if we are to achieve the vision not
only of President Bush in his speech of 24 June last year, but also
the vision that was put forward by the Arab league at its Beirut
summit last year as well. Thank you very much.
QUESTION: Do you have any indication at this early stage of who might
have been behind this attack? And do you relate this to the
Arab-Israeli conflict or just blind hatred of Americans and
Westerners?
SECRETARY POWELL: I don't know yet. I think the suspects are clear,
though. It has the earmarks of Al-Qaeda. I think it is just part of Al
Qaeda and other terrorist organizations' willingness to kill innocent
people in order to push forward a criminal agenda, a terrorist agenda
that very often has no purpose, no meaning other than to strike out in
rage. I don't attribute it to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, I just
attribute it to terrorists. We should not try to cloak their terrorist
activity, their criminal activity, their murderous activity in any
trappings of political purpose. They are terrorists.
QUESTION:  (inaudible) 
SECRETARY POWELL: I am sorry, I don't understand the question. Could
it be translated?
Foreign Minister Muasher.  Let's have another question.
QUESTION: Mr. Powell how do you evaluate the Israeli move towards the
application of the Road Map? Are you satisfied with it? And, do you
see if it's fully acceptable that the Israeli troops can continue the
raids and assassinating of the members of the (inaudible) and so on,
the Palestinian civilians? Thank you.
SECRETARY POWELL: If I understand the question, you are asking my
opinion of the Israeli approach. I think that Israel understands that
the current situation is not sustainable, either for the Palestinian
side or the Israeli side. In my conversations with Prime Minister
Sharon and other members of the Israeli cabinet, I believe they
understand we have to move forward to the vision of two states living
side-by-side in peace that President Bush laid out, and that also
reflects the Arab initiative. We believe the best way to get there is
through the Road Map. Israel knows that the Road Map lays out the
steps that have to be taken. They have some comments on the Road Map
and we will listen to their comments, but we do not plan to rewrite or
renegotiate the Road Map. We hope that we will be able to get a better
understanding of their comments and concerns.
There is another opportunity for the two sides to talk to one another
before the week is out. Prime Minister Abu Mazen will be speaking to
Prime Minister Sharon. This will be a good opportunity for the two
sides to talk to one another about the issues of greatest concern to
them. Israeli willingness to move down this path and Palestinian
willingness and ability to deal with the security issues that are
uppermost in the minds of the Israelis. So we have a Road Map that the
United States is committed to, Jordan is committed to, other nations
are committed to. It lays out the path that is the only path one can
follow. We will wait to see what other comments Israel has on that
Road Map. We will wait to see the results of the conversation between
the two Prime Ministers, and then Prime Minister Sharon will be in
Washington next week for conversations with the President. We will see
where we go after that exchange of views.
QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, in recent weeks the United States has said
that Al-Qaeda had been weakened. In light of what has happened in
Saudi Arabia, what does this say about the U.S. war on terrorism and
Al Qaeda's ability to operate in a place as secure as Saudi Arabia?
And, to the Minister, if Prime Minister Sharon does not embrace the
Road Map when he comes to Washington, what does that tell the Arab
world.
SECRETARY POWELL: I believe that Al Qaeda has been weakened, but it
has not been destroyed. It continues to present a threat to the world.
If Al Qaeda ultimately is the one found responsible for what happened
in Saudi Arabia overnight, it illustrates that it can still strike.
All that means is that we have to keep on guard, we have to redouble
our efforts, we have to cooperate even more closely with friends and
allies around the world with respect to the exchange of information
and intelligence. We have to continue chasing Al Qaeda finances around
to drain them of their resources to conduct such acts. We have to do
more with respect to defending our facilities and defending access to
our countries so that we know who is coming into our countries and for
what purpose. All it says to me is that the war continues. We have
made some progress but it is not over. Al Qaeda still has the capacity
to act, but we will not shrink from the task that is before us. We
have no choice. We must prosecute this war with all the resources at
our disposal.
FOREIGN MINISTER MOUAHSER: Let me say, on the Road Map. It is, as you
know, a series of steps that both sides have to take, starting with
the security situation and ending with a two-state solution. The Road
Map has everything that Israel needs in terms of addressing the
security situation, so if the excuse is security, it is handled in the
Road Map. We see no reason why any party should now reject a document
that has been accepted by the U.S. President, the U.S. Administration,
as well as the international community. We believe that acceptance of
the Road Map and implementation of it is the true test of seriousness
in trying to find a solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict. The Road
Map does address the security situation, but it also addresses the
political process that would lead to a two-state solution in three
years. We hope and expect Israel, just as all other parties have, to
accept it.
QUESTION: Is His Majesty King Abdullah going to visit Washington next
month?
FOREIGN MINISTER MUASHER: The dates of the visit have not been
assigned yet. We are working on a visit. I do expect it to happen
sometime in the next few weeks, but we have not yet decided on a date.
Thank you very much.
SECRETARY POWELL:  Thank you.
(end transcript)
(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)