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Home , Ehud Olmert

June 18 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2007

the Pepperdine men’s tennis team held a And so to the champs: I’m glad you’re free clinic for children in Washington, DC, here. For those of you who follow Presi- just yesterday. dential politics, you know I’ll be around In other words, you can win on the ath- 1 more year. I’m looking forward to having letic field, and you can win in the class- you come back. In the meantime, I ask room, but you can also contribute to our for God’s blessings on you, your family, and country by helping somebody in need, by our country. Thanks for coming. using your championship status to help heal a broken heart or to help somebody live NOTE: The President spoke at 4:44 p.m. on a better life. the South Lawn at the White House.

Remarks Prior to Discussions With Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of and an Exchange With Reporters June 19, 2007

President Bush. Mr. Prime Minister, those extremists and to promote a alter- thanks for coming. It’s a—I’ve been looking native ideology based upon human liberty forward to this visit. Last time we were and the human condition and freedom. together, we had a long and serious discus- And it’s a great challenge. It’s exciting sion about what we can do together to keep to be in office during this period. It can the peace. be difficult for those of us who have been This visit comes obviously during a pe- given the great honor of serving our coun- riod of great concern for the world about tries, but it’s an exciting moment. And I’m what’s taking place in Gaza, and so it’s a looking forward to working with a strong timely visit. I’m looking forward to our dis- leader, a man committed to the security cussions about how we can promote a com- and prosperity of his country and, at the mon vision, a vision that speaks to the same time, committed to try to work the hopes and aspirations of the Palestinian conditions necessary for peace. people, and a vision that speaks to the se- And so I’m glad to welcome a friend curity of Israel. back at the Oval Office, and proud you’re I’m looking forward to sharing with the Prime Minister the results of a phone call back. I had yesterday with President Abbas. He Prime Minister Olmert. Thank you very is the President of all the Palestinians. He much, Mr. President. I am honored and has spoken out for moderation. He is a delighted, after half a year almost, to be voice that is a reasonable voice amongst again a guest of yours, Mr. President, in the extremists in your neighborhood. the White House, and to discuss with you You also come at an important moment, some of the kind of issues. because there is yet again another moment As you have said already, this is a very for the world to see the great challenges special time. Things happen lately very dra- we face in the 21st century. We face ex- matically. I’m sure that many people in the tremists and radicals who use violence and world were astounded by the brutality and murder as a tool to achieve objectives. And the cruelty and the viciousness of the it’s a chance, Mr. Prime Minister, for us murderers that killed so many Pal- to work on our bilateral relations, but also estinians in such a way. We who live in work on a common strategy to fight off the Middle East—[inaudible]—some of us

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surprised, but not less outraged by these Minister, to reenter peace talks with Mr. events. Abbas? And I gladly share with you, Mr. Presi- And to the Prime Minister: What do you dent, the vision that, even under such cir- think of the offer? And do you think it’s cumstances, what we ought to do is to try possible to have peace with just half the and find opportunities for the future that Palestinian people? align the situation. And I’m absolutely de- Prime Minister Olmert. I didn’t hear the termined that there is an opportunity. And first part of the question. like you, I want to strengthen the mod- President Bush. Will I try to persuade erates and cooperate with President Abu you to enter talks. Mazen, who is President of all Palestinians, Prime Minister Olmert. Yes. it is the only person who was widely elected President Bush. First of all, we share a in a democratic manner by all of the Pales- common vision of two states living side by tinian people. And I am going to make side in peace. And the reason why, at least, every possible effort to cooperate with him I think that’s important—one, I think it’s and to move forward to see how to—can important for the moderate people, the or- be—work jointly in order to provide the dinary Palestinians to have something to be Palestinians with a real, genuine chance for for. I also think it’s in Israel’s interest to a state of their own, fulfilling your vision, have a state. It’s a demographic pressure Mr. President, which I share, of a two- that ultimately is going to make it very dif- state solution and, at the same time, mak- ficult for Israel to maintain its Jewishness ing sure that there is security for the peo- as a state. ple of Israel. And the people of Israel de- So there’s a practical reason as well as serve security both in the south and in the a moral reason for there to be discussions north and in the east side of our country. about a way forward to achieve a two-state I’m sure that we will find some time, solution. And the Prime Minister has said also, to discuss other measures, such as the that he wants—you can ask him if he’s danger of and the threats that come going to talk to Abbas. I’m not going to from the President of Iran, who talks time put words in his mouth. and again about the liquidation of the State Q. I did. of Israel, something that is totally intoler- President Bush. But what I’m trying to able and unacceptable. And we have to say, Jennifer, is that we share a common continue the measures taken in order to way forward. And our hope is, is that others stop the Iranian efforts to establish non- in the region understand that this way for- conventional weapons. ward leads to peace. People other than And again, I thank you for your friend- President Abbas and the Palestinians, we ship and for the power that you manifest would hope that the Arab world supports and your dedication to the principles that such a concept. Inherent in that is Israel’s you believe in. And I am proud to follow . There needs to be solid rec- the same route to fight for the principles ognition of this state’s right to live in peace. and to carry on. Thank you. At the same time, we want to have a President Bush. We’ll answer a couple vision for the Palestinians to see that there’s of questions, starting with Jennifer [Jennifer a better tomorrow for them. These folks Loven, ]. have been denied for a long period of time the right to a normal life, starting with Israeli-Palestinian Relations/Situation in the leadership that failed them. And our hope Middle East is that President Abbas and that Prime Q. Thank you, sir. Will you try to per- Minister Fayyad, who is a good fellow, will suade, during the session with the Prime be strengthened to the point where they

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can lead the Palestinians in a different di- The President was having serious difficul- rection, with a different hope. ties, some of which we have witnessed late- The Prime Minister has spoken to me ly. And that’s perhaps the reason why he and I have spoken to him about our desire had to cancel some of the meetings. But to help suffering Palestinians. Nobody likes there’s no question that I want to talk to suffering on their border; nobody likes to the President of the Palestinian community, see suffering in the world. And so we’ll Mr. Abbas. I will be talking to him. The talk about that. We’ll also talk about the teams of both sides meet regularly every broader war against extremists and radicals. week and discuss on the matters. It’s interesting that extremists attack de- And the idea that I have is to talk with mocracies around the Middle East, whether him of the current issues that can help it be the Iraq democracy, the Lebanese upgrade the quality of life of the people democracy, or a potential Palestinian de- and provide them better security in the mocracy. And what that should say clearly and to share with him the ef- to people all around the world is that we forts to calm the terror, this is something are involved with an ideological conflict that he is absolutely committed to doing. that is a monumental conflict. And those We have to do it, and this is not something of us that believe in liberty and human that the Palestinians can escape. They will rights and human decency need to be help fight terror in a most effective way— bound together in common cause to fight something that they haven’t done, unfortu- off these extremists and to defeat them. nately, up until now. But this is something You can only defeat them so much mili- that I am sure he understands is a pre- tarily. We have to also defeat them with requisite for any major development in the a better idea. It’s a better idea that’s being future. practiced by our friend Israel. It’s called But of course, we also have to talk about democracy. And that’s the fundamental a groundwork that needs to be done in challenge facing this century: Will we have order to allow us rapidly to talk about the the courage and the resolve necessary to creation of a Palestinian state. This is the help democracy defeat this ideology? And main vision of my friend, President Bush. I will tell the Prime Minister, once again, This is the vision that we share. This is I’m deeply committed to this cause, wheth- the ultimate goal, to create the Palestinian er it be in Iraq or Lebanon or the Pales- state. We have to prepare the groundwork tinian Territory or anywhere else in the that will allow—soon, I hope—to be able Middle East and around the world. to start serious negotiations about the cre- President of the ation of a Palestinian state. Palestinian Authority In order to achieve peace, we have to fight terror; we have to increase security; Q. Will you enter into talks with Mr. we have to upgrade the quality of life for Abbas? the Palestinians. And, of course, the Pal- Prime Minister Olmert. Well, naturally, estinians have to establish a much more I think at this particular point, I’m sure credible and serious administration that will the President will not have hard work to be able to take care of their daily needs convince me, because I proposed to meet in an appropriate manner. with President Abbas—in fact, I was—initi- ated the idea that we will meet on a regular basis, biweekly, to discuss the matters. And I proposed that I even come to Jericho, something that no Prime Minister before Israel- Relations me did. Q. Thank you.

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[At this point, a reporter asked a question is absolutely atrocious and intolerable. And in Hebrew, and no translation was pro- I’m sure that many who had some hopes vided.] that maybe Hamas can be more reasonable Q. Mr. President, the Prime Minister and more restrained—I think—lost these of—— hopes because of what they have been President Bush. What did you just ask doing to their own people: killing innocent him? civilians, pulling out from hospital beds Q. I asked him what Israel—— people that were wounded and President Bush. ——that’s unfair. dropped them off the fifth floor to kill [Laughter] them in the street, and terrible other Q. I asked him what Israel will do with things. the refugees coming from Gaza. We will not be indifferent. We already The President. Yes. Okay. are taking care of many of the Palestinians Q. Will you deliver to the murderers’ in Gaza during the last few days, and we guns, or will they be taken to a refuge will continue to deal with it as it comes. in the West Bank? Of course, they are not interested in staying And I would like to ask you: The Prime in Israel. They want to be amongst Pal- Minister of Israel calls for negotiation with estinians, and they will be treated in this no precondition with Syria; so does Presi- manner. dent Asad of Syria, and he asks for U.S. mediation. Will you do it? Israel-Syria Relations President Bush. They can handle their own negotiations with Syria. If the Prime Q. So you will let them go? Minister wants to negotiate with Syria, he Prime Minister Olmert. So, as I said, we doesn’t need me to mediate. will check every single case, and we’ll see how we can help them. And I’m sure that Situation in the Middle East we will help them. Q. Do you think it’s a good idea? As for Syria, I’m afraid that you may President Bush. It’s up to the Prime Min- have not have understood correctly what ister. I haven’t had a chance to talk to the Syrian leader said. The Syrian leader him about that. I don’t know if you’re put- said that he is against any preconditions ting words in his mouth or not. But I’m from the Israeli side, but he’s certainly for looking forward to having a discussion preconditions from the Syrian side. One of about Iran and Syria and the neighborhood. the preconditions is that he wants President But this man is plenty capable of con- Bush to work more than he does already ducting his own negotiations without medi- in regional issues and to be the mediator. ation. And the President said correctly, this is not Prime Minister Olmert. Well, first of all, the—I think—the job for the President of answer your question, right? We have been the . He’s got many other very, very attentive to the needs of the— things to do. And I don’t think that if some- humanitarian needs of Gaza, and we will one wants to speak directly that he needs continue to provide everything that is nec- the involvement of America in order to essary in order to meet these humanitarian allow these negotiations to take place. needs. Israel will not be indifferent to the And I am not certain that the under- human suffering in Gaza. Israel will be dif- standing of the President of Syria can lay ferent from the Palestinians themselves be- the foundations for immediate discussions cause the reality is that all this suffering between Syria and Israel. is caused by Palestinians against their own President Bush. Matt [Matt Spetalnick, people. What the Hamas was doing in Gaza ].

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Situation in the Middle East/Iraq You know, the world is going to be con- Q. Mr. President, with Hamas’s takeover fronted with these choices: Are you willing of Gaza, aren’t you effectively accepting a to accept the fact that extremism is around split between the two main Palestinian Ter- and is willing to promote violence, or ritories? And what—how big of a blow is should we resist that? Should we not com- this to your vision of achieving agreement bine forces and efforts to promote alter- before the end of your term for a Pales- natives to this vision? That’s precisely what tinian state and Israel living side by side we’re doing in Iraq. We strongly believe in peace? it’s in the world’s interest to support this young democracy. The—Al Qaida, the peo- President Bush. First of all, we recognize ple that killed nearly 3,000 of our people the President of all the Palestinian people, here in the United States, are conducting and that’s President Abu Mazen. He was major car bombs and acts of unspeakable elected; he’s the President. Secondly, we violence in Iraq, trying to drive us out be- recognize that it was Hamas that attacked cause they want to impose their vision on the unity Government. They made a choice the Iraqi people. of violence. It was their decision that has And so, Mr. Prime Minister, I’m com- caused there to be this current situation mitted to helping the Iraqis succeed with in the Middle East, about which we’ll be a democracy. It’s in the interest of the Mid- spending some time discussing. dle East that this democracy succeed, as Matt, the—what you’re seeing now in an alternative, because if we were to fail, this part of the 21st century is going to then all of a sudden, these extremists would be played out over time. This is an ideolog- have safe haven. Extremists in the Middle ical struggle. You—we’re looking at the dif- East would be emboldened by the failure ference between a group of people that of those of us who live a nice, comfortable want to represent the Palestinians who be- existence not to help those who are strug- lieve in peace, that want a better way for gling for freedom. their people, that believe in democracy; And so it’s the great challenge of our they need help to build the institutions nec- time, Matt. And there will be forward essary for democracy to flourish, and they movement, and there will be setbacks. The need help to build security forces so that fundamental question facing those of us they can end up enforcing what most of who have offices is, do we have the deter- the people want, which is to live in peace. mination and the will and the vision to And that’s versus a group of radicals and present an alternative to these people? And extremists who are willing to use violence, I believe we do, and I believe that’s the unspeakable violence sometimes, to achieve calling of our time. a political objective. And so that’s why I’m excited to be talk- And the challenge is for those of us who ing about it with a man who shares the believe there’s a—democracy can help yield vision that there is a better way than to the peace, is to continue to move forward. accommodate and accept extremism and And that’s what we’ll be discussing about radicalism. today: how to do so. The Prime Minister said he’s willing to have discussions with Iran the forces of moderation in the Palestinian Q. Mr. President—question. Regarding Territory, laying the groundwork for serious the ongoing attempts by Iran to acquire discussions. I thought that’s—that is a state- nuclear capability of atom bomb: Would ment that shows that the Prime Minister you—are you willing to say at this time is willing to move with a—to promote an that a military action against Iran is no alternative vision. longer an option in light of the situation?

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President Bush. I will tell you this, that diplomatically, but we have done a pretty my position hasn’t changed, and that is, good job so far. Now, whether or not they all options are on the table. I would hope abandon their nuclear weapons program, that we could solve this diplomatically. we’ll see. But at least we’ve got unanimity It’s—and that’s why the United States— so far, speaking—at the U.N. Security first of all, we take the threat very seriously. Council—speaking pretty clearly that there And I fully understand the concerns of any will be consequences. And there are Israeli when they hear the voice of the being—consequences; there’s been some man in Iran saying, on the one hand, we economic consequences beginning to affect want to acquire the technologies and know- the economy. how to build a—enrich uranium, which Look, the Iranian people don’t need to could then be converted into a nuclear live under this kind of conditions. These weapon, and, on the other hand, we want are proud people with a great tradition. to destroy Israel. Look, if I were an Israeli Their Government can do better for them. citizen, I would view that as a serious threat And threatening the world has caused there to my security. And as a strong ally of to be isolation. And these good folks could Israel, I view that as a serious threat to have leadership that enables them to have the security—I—not only the security of a better economy and a better way of life, Israel but the security of the Middle East. an economy and a way of life that really That’s why we are constantly working to does—enriches their families, that gives remind our European friends, as well as them a better chance to succeed. But, no, Russia and other members of the U.N., this group of people have made a different we have an obligation to see if we can’t alternative, and now our job is to make work together to solve this issue diplomati- sure that we continue to keep the pressure cally. That means to provide consequences on. to the Iranian Government if they continue Listen, thank you all very much. to pursue a nuclear weapon, such as finan- cial sanctions or economic sanctions. We NOTE: The President spoke at 9:51 a.m. in want there to be a choice. We want people the Oval Office at the White House. In his to see there’s—you know, isolation— remarks, he referred to President Mahmoud there’s got a consequence to it, that there’s Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad of a price that’s paid for this kind of intran- the Palestinian Authority; and President sigence and these threatening tones. Mahmud Ahmadi-nejad of Iran. Prime Min- And it’s difficult work to keep the nations ister Olmert referred to President Bashar al- bound together to help deal with this issue Asad of Syria.

Statement on Assistance to Israel June 19, 2007

I am strongly committed to Israel’s secu- sistance it requires to meet the new threats rity and viability as a and to and challenges it faces. The work on this the maintenance of its qualitative military new agreement was launched during the edge. During our meeting today, I told Prime Minister’s previous visit. I will send Prime Minister Olmert that I am com- Under Secretary of State Nick Burns and mitted to reaching a new 10-year agree- an interagency team to Israel in July to ment that will give Israel the increased as-

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