Interview with Israeli Television Channel 1 in Crawford, Texas
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1278 Aug. 11 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2005 noble, and I am incredibly proud of our mili- was struck by what a bold decision that was. tary, and I know most of the American peo- And the disengagement is, I think, a part of ple are as well. making Israel more secure and peaceful, and Listen, thank you all very much. I agree with the Prime Minister. It’s important because the United States NOTE: The President’s news conference began at is a strong ally of Israel and, therefore, if 12:01 p.m. at the Bush Ranch. In his remarks, you’re a strong ally, you want there to be he referred to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran; Zalmay Khalilzad, U.S. Ambassador to peace for your ally. Iraq; senior Al Qaida associate Abu Musab Al Mr. Deckel. You know, the main concern Zarqawi; Cindy Sheehan, whose son Spc. Casey of Israel is that the disengagement might lead Sheehan, USA, died in Iraq on April 4, 2004; and not to more security but, on the contrary, Gen. George W. Casey, Jr., USA, commanding to more violence. Do you understand the general, Multi-National Force—Iraq. A reporter concerns? referred to Karen Hughes, Under Secretary of The President. Oh, absolutely, I under- State for Public Diplomacy. stand. And I can understand why people think this decision is one that will create a Interview With Israeli Television vacuum into which terrorism will flow. I hap- Channel 1 in Crawford, Texas pen to disagree. I think this will create an opportunity for democracy to emerge, and August 11, 2005 democracies are peaceful. And therefore, it’s Yaron Deckel. Mr. President, thank you very important for the United States, as an very much for the first interview granted to active participant in this process, to encour- Israeli TV and for hosting us in your beautiful age the formation of security forces that will ranch in Texas. defeat terror, just like the roadmap calls The President. Well, welcome. Thanks for—these are Palestinian security forces— for coming. It’s an honor to have you here, and to encourage the Palestinians to develop and it’s an honor to speak on Israeli TV. a peaceful state. Prime Minister Sharon/Disengagement The Negev and Galilee Mr. Deckel. I understand why you like Mr. Deckel. You had announced that you this place better than the White House. will support the disengagement by some aid We are on the eve of the disengagement, the administration will provide Israel to de- and you have expressed your full support in velop the northern and southern—the Gal- disengagement, trying to help Prime Min- ilee and the Negev. ister Sharon in his struggle. And I would like The President. Right. to ask why is it so important to you, Mr. Mr. Deckel. Has any decision been made President? regarding this issue? The President. First of all, let me speak The President. Well, first of all, I did say about my relationship with Prime Minister when the Prime Minister was here that the Sharon, if you don’t mind. We’ve grown Negev and Galilee present great opportuni- close, and one of the reasons why is I appre- ties for economic development. And we un- ciate a person who when he says something, derstand that. So I’m going to send teams means it. And I hope he appreciates that over to assess the opportunities available for about me. In other words, I said early on, the United States to help Israel, and they’ll we’re going to join in fighting terror so that report back to me. But we have made no Israel could be secure and America secure focus yet on specific budget items. and other free nations secure. Secondly—and I have—and he knows I keep my word, and I know he keeps his word. Likud Party/Binyamin Netanyahu Secondly, what I appreciate is somebody who Mr. Deckel. Mr. President, are you trou- thinks boldly for peace. And Ariel Sharon bled by the fierce opposition Prime Minister came to the White House and said, ‘‘We’re Sharon, your partner, is facing in his own going to disengage from the Gaza.’’ And I camp, in the Likud Party? According to the VerDate Aug 04 2004 00:45 Aug 16, 2005 Jkt 205250 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P32AUT4.012 P32AUT4 Administration of George W. Bush, 2005 / Aug. 12 1279 polls, he might lose because of the disengage- to fight off the terrorists who would want to ment. stop the process for peace. The President. First of all, on democracy there’s going to be dissent. And secondly, the Hamas Prime Minister has made a very strong, bold Mr. Deckel. But would you accept a per- decision. And I can understand why people manent ceasefire with the Hamas movement, are debating the issue. But I’m confident he’s for instance? made the right decision. And I can also as- The President. Well, you know, Hamas sure the Israeli people the decision he made is on the terrorist group. has brought the United States and Israel Mr. Deckel. He made a ceasefire with even closer together. them. Mr. Deckel. Have you any opinion about The President. Well, he’s elected by the Mr. Netanyahu, who stands to succeed him Palestinians. I am not. On the other hand, and now is leading the opposition? I can express my opinions to him, which I The President. Well, I met Bibi have. And I don’t believe you can have a Netanyahu. Of course, he’s well known in the peaceful, democratic state with armed United States. He’s going to make the deci- groups willing to take the law in their own sion he thinks is necessary for Israel’s good, hands. and there’s just a disagreement between two Mr. Deckel. As a believer, Mr. President, friends. But I believe the decision that Prime what do you say to Jewish believers who think Minister Sharon has made and is going to that God sent them to settle in the biblical follow through on will be good for Israel. Israel, and they will not obey any decision Mr. Deckel. And why are you so sure it’s of elected government? going to lead to more security? The President. Well, you know, there are The President. Well, it’s an opportunity— admonitions in the Bible that does talk about first of all, the previous system wasn’t work- the role of government relative to man. And ing. I mean, there was an intifada; there was Israel is a democracy, and democracies are death; there was killing. And if you notice, able to express the will of the people. The there’s been a calm in attacks. One attack Prime Minister is expressing what he thinks is too many, but there’s been fewer attacks. is in the best interests of Israel, and the peo- And I think in the long run, two states living ple will decide, ultimately, whether or not side by side in peace is the ultimate solution that decision makes sense. for Israeli’s security. Mr. Deckel. You know, things in the Mid- In the meantime, we’ve got to work to dis- dle East constantly change. And nobody pre- mantle terrorist organizations, and that’s pre- dicted the U.S. will start dialog with the PLO cisely what the roadmap calls for. in the eighties, and then Prime Minister— late Prime Minister Rabin signing an accord President Abbas with Yasser Arafat. Do you see any similar Mr. Deckel. How urgent is it that Mr. development with the Hamas in the future? Abbas take more actions against terrorism? The President. Here’s what I see. I see How urgent is it? Because you said that it’s relations with a peaceful Palestinian state not enough, what they have done so far. that is run by—that is founded on democratic The President. Well, I think—and I’ve institutions. That’s what I believe can happen told that to the Prime Minister Abbas—or and should happen. I mean, in order to ulti- President Abbas. He’s a strong—he strongly mately defeat terror, whether it be in Pales- understands the need to dismantle terrorists. tinian territories or Iraq or Iran, there must He knows that a democracy can’t exist so long be open, transparent societies based upon as you’ve got armed groups willing to take rule of law. law in their own hands, and he’s committed to a democratic state. And we’ve got work Palestinian Control of Gaza to do with him, and that’s why we’ve got a Mr. Deckel. Your timeframe was a Pales- general on the ground there that’s helping tinian state in 2005. Would you like to update to try train and coordinate Palestinian forces the timeframe, Mr. President? VerDate Aug 04 2004 10:08 Aug 16, 2005 Jkt 205250 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P32AUT4.012 P32AUT4 1280 Aug. 12 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2005 The President. I think Israel—the people But we have a—let me finish the obliga- of Israel must understand that now is an op- tions. Israelis have obligations. The Palestin- portunity for the Palestinians to show leader- ians have obligations. The United States has ship and self-government in Gaza. And that’s an obligation. That’s why Mr. Wolfensohn why my focus is intensely upon Gaza. We and our general on the ground is there, to hope that the disengagement goes well.