June 3 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2003 the expression of different views and broad- Thank you very much, Mr. President. er political participation will unleash the talents of each nation. All Middle East countries that travel this challenging path NOTE: President Mubarak spoke at 3:50 p.m. will have the support and the friendship at the Four Seasons Resort. In his remarks, of the United States. President Bush referred to Crown Prince In this meeting we’ve made progress on Abdullah of Saudi Arabia; King Hamad bin a broad agenda, and we’re determined to Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain; King Abdullah II keep moving forward. I thank all the lead- of Jordan; Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas ers here today, and may God bless our (Abu Mazen) of the Palestinian Authority; important work. and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel.

Remarks at the Red Sea Summit in Aqaba, Jordan June 4, 2003

King Abdullah II of Jordan. President end to the conflict. To the Palestinians, it Bush, Prime Minister Sharon, Prime Min- offers an end to the occupation, a viable ister Abbas, distinguished guests: We gather state, and the promise to live as a free today in Aqaba, this small city that symbol- and prosperous people. izes the immeasurable potential of bringing To be sure, the road to realizing this different peoples together. Not far from vision will not be straightforward or without here, Jordan and Israel signed a peace trea- obstacles. I’m aware that many in our re- ty in 1994. Nine years later, what brings gion and around the world view our gath- us here is the same dream, the dream of ering today through a lens marred with peace, prosperity, coexistence, and rec- skepticism and suspicion. The failures and onciliation. But dreams alone cannot fulfill frustrations of the past have left many dis- hopes. It is thanks to the efforts of Presi- believers in their wake. dent Bush and the commitments of Prime Today we have an opportunity and obli- Minister Sharon and Prime Minister Abbas gation to reinstate faith in the process and that we meet here today to transform these to reinvigorate hopes for a better tomorrow. dreams into real achievements on the We simply cannot afford the alternative. ground. The road to confrontation has shown its Mr. President, Prime Ministers, let us consequences: loss of innocent lives, de- have ambitions, ambitions to move beyond struction, and fear. Most costly, however, the violence and occupation to the day was the loss of hope. The most precious when two states, Palestine and Israel, can gift that you can present to your peoples live together side by side in peace and se- over the coming weeks is renewed hope curity. born out of tangible progress on the And in our hands today we hold the ground. And it’s not only your people who mechanism that can translate these ambi- will be watching and waiting. The eyes of tions into realities on the ground. It is a the entire world will be upon you. plan, the roadmap, that addresses the needs The nature of our new borderless world of both Palestinians and Israelis. To the means that we all have a stake in what Israelis, this plan offers collective security happens here today. Jordanians, Americans, guarantees by all Arabs, a peace treaty, and Europeans, and many around the world normal relations with Arab states, and an stand ready and willing to lend all their

590 Administration of George W. Bush, 2003 / June 4 support to ensure your success. But at the Egypt yesterday. I thank them for their end of the day, it is you, the Palestinians statements supporting our efforts. I also and the Israelis, who have to come together would like to thank the Israeli Prime Min- to resolve the many outstanding issues that ister Sharon for joining us here in Jordan. divide you. And many thanks especially to President Many will view the compromises that will Bush, who took the longest journey for be made during your negotiations as painful peace of all of us. concessions. But why not view them as As we all realize, this is an important peace offerings, ones that will provide in moment. A new opportunity for peace ex- return the priceless gifts of hope, security, ists, an opportunity based upon President and freedom for our children and our chil- Bush’s vision and the Quartet’s roadmap, dren’s children. It is only by putting your- which we have accepted without any res- selves in each other’s shoes that we can ervations. hope to achieve real progress. Our goal is two states, Israel and Pal- Thus, we reaffirm today our strong posi- estine, living side by side in peace and se- tion against violence in any form and from curity. The process is the one of direct whatever source. Blowing up buses will not negotiations to end the Israeli-Palestinian induce the Israelis to move forward, and conflict and to resolve all the permanent neither will the killing of Palestinians or status issues and end the occupation that the demolition of their homes and their began in 1967, under which Palestinians future. All this needs to stop. And we have suffered so much. pledge that Jordan will do its utmost to At the same time, we do not ignore the help achieve it. suffering of the Jews throughout history. Mr. President, you have stayed the It is time to bring all this suffering to an course. Your presence here today to witness end. the two leaders meeting together, agreeing Just as Israel must meet its responsibil- on common grounds to solve this conflict, ities, we, the Palestinians, will fulfill our provides a great impetus to move forward obligations for this endeavor to succeed. and a clear answer to all the skeptics. I We are ready to do our part. thank you, sir, for your leadership and your Let me be very clear: There will be no courage. military solution to this conflict, so we re- Prime Minister Sharon, Prime Minister peat our denunciation and renunciation of Abbas, I urge you today to end the designs terrorism against the Israelis, wherever they of those who seek destruction, annihilation, might be. Such methods are inconsistent and occupation. And I urge you to have with our religious and moral traditions and the will and the courage to begin to realize are dangerous obstacles to the achievement our dreams of peace, prosperity, and coex- of an independent sovereign state we seek. istence. And remember that in the pursuit These methods also conflict with the kinds of these noble goals, Jordan will always re- of state we wish to build, based on human main a true friend. rights and the rule of law. Thank you very much. And it is with We will exert all of our efforts, using great pleasure, if I may introduce Prime all our resources, to end the militarization Minister Abbas to say a few words. of the intifada, and we will succeed. The Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas of the armed intifada must end, and we must use Palestinian Authority. I would like to thank and resort to peaceful means in our quest King Abdullah for hosting our meeting here to end the occupation and the suffering today. I would like also to thank President of Palestinians and Israelis. And to establish Mubarak and King Abdullah, King Hamad, the Palestinian state, we emphasize our de- and Crown Prince Abdullah, who met in termination to implement our pledges

591 June 4 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2003

which we have made for our people and us. And we also welcome and stress the the international community. And that is need for a U.S.-led monitoring mechanism. a rule of law, single political authority, Together, we can achieve the goal of an weapons only in the hands of those who independent Palestinian state, sovereign, are in charge of upholding the law and viable, in the framework of good neighbors order, and political diversity within the with all states in the region, including framework of democracy. Israel. Our goal is clear, and we will implement Thank you very much. it firmly and without compromise: a com- Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel. plete end to violence and terrorism. And Thank you. I would like to thank His Maj- we will be full partners in the international esty King Abdullah for arranging this meet- war against occupation and terrorism. And ing and express Israel’s appreciation to we will call upon our partners in this war President Bush for coming here to be with to prevent financial and military assistance Prime Minister Abbas and me. Thank you. to those who oppose this position. We do As the Prime Minister of Israel, the land this as a part of our commitment to the which is the cradle of the Jewish people, interests of the Palestinian people and as my paramount responsibility is the security members of the large family of humanity. of the people of Israel and of the state We will also act vigorously against incite- of Israel. There can be no compromise with ment and violence and hatred, whatever their form or forum may be. We will take terror. And Israel, together with all free measures to ensure that there is no incite- nations, will continue fighting terrorism ment—[inaudible]—from Palestinian insti- until its final defeat. tutions. We must also reactivate and invig- Ultimately, permanent security requires orate the U.S.-Palestinian-Israeli Anti-In- peace, and permanent peace can only be citement Committee. We will continue our obtained through security. And there is now work to establish the rule of law and to hope of a new opportunity for peace be- consolidate government authority in ac- tween Israelis and Palestinians. countable Palestinian institutions. We seek Israel, like others, has lent its strong sup- to build the kind of a democratic state that port for President Bush’s vision expressed will be a qualitative addition to the inter- on June 24, 2002, of two states, Israel and national community. a Palestinian state, living side by side in All the PA security forces will be part peace and security. The Government and of these efforts and will work together to- people of Israel welcome the opportunity ward the achievement of these goals. Our to renew direct negotiations according to national future is at stake, and no one will the steps of the roadmap, as adopted by be allowed to jeopardize it. the Israeli Government, to achieve this vi- We are committed to these steps because sion. they are in our national interest. In order It is in Israel’s interest not to govern to succeed, there must be a clear improve- the Palestinians but for the Palestinians to ment in the lives of Palestinians. Palestin- govern themselves in their own state. A ians must live in dignity. Palestinians must democratic Palestinian state fully at peace be able to move, go to their jobs and with Israel will promote the long-term se- schools, visit their families, and conduct a curity and well-being of Israel as the Jewish normal life. Palestinians must not be afraid state. for their lives, property, or livelihood. There can be no peace, however, without We welcome and stress the need for the the abandonment and elimination of ter- assistance of the international community rorism, violence, and incitement. We will and, in particular, the Arab states to help work alongside the Palestinians and other

592 Administration of George W. Bush, 2003 / June 4 states to fight terrorism, violence, and in- people. I strongly support that cause as citement of all kinds. As all parties perform well. their obligations, we will seek to restore Each of us is here because we under- normal Palestinian life, improve the human- stand that all people have the right to live itarian situation, rebuild trust, and promote in peace. We believe that with hard work progress toward the President’s vision. We and good faith and courage, it is possible will act in a manner that respects the dig- to bring peace to the Middle East. And nity as well as the human rights of all peo- today we mark important progress toward ple. that goal. We can also reassure our Palestinian Great and hopeful change is coming to partners that we understand the importance the Middle East. In Iraq, a dictator who of territorial contiguity in the West Bank funded terror and sowed conflict has been for a viable Palestinian state. Israeli policy removed, and a more just and democratic in the territories that are subject to direct society is emerging. Prime Minister Abbas negotiations with the Palestinians will re- now leads the Palestinian Cabinet. By his flect this fact. We accept the principle that strong leadership, by building the institu- no unilateral actions by any party can pre- tions of Palestinian democracy, and by re- judge the outcome of our negotiations. jecting terror, he is serving the deepest In regard to the unauthorized outposts, hopes of his people. I want to reiterate that Israel is a society All here today now share a goal: The governed by the rule of law. Thus, we will Holy Land must be shared between the immediately begin to remove unauthorized state of Palestine and the state of Israel, outposts. living at peace with each other and with Israel seeks peace with all its Arab neigh- every nation of the Middle East. bors. Israel is prepared to negotiate in good All sides will benefit from this achieve- faith wherever there are partners. As nor- ment, and all sides have responsibilities to mal relations are established, I am con- meet. As the roadmap accepted by the fident that they will find in Israel a neigh- party makes clear, both must make tan- bor and a people committed to comprehen- gible, immediate steps toward this two-state sive peace and prosperity for all the peoples vision. of the region. I welcome Prime Minister Sharon’s Thank you all. pledge to improve the humanitarian situa- President Bush. King Abdullah, thank tion in the Palestinian areas and to begin you for hosting this event. Her Majesty, removing unauthorized outposts imme- thank you for your hospitality. It is fitting diately. I appreciate his gestures of rec- that we gather today in Jordan. King onciliation on behalf of prisoners and their Abdullah is a leader on behalf of peace families and his frank statements about the and is carrying forward the tradition of his need for territorial contiguity. As I said yes- father, King Hussein. terday, the issue of settlements must be I’m pleased to be here with Prime Min- addressed for peace to be achieved. In ad- ister Sharon. The friendship between our dition, Prime Minister Sharon has stated countries began at the time of Israel’s cre- that no unilateral actions by either side can ation. Today, America is strongly com- or should prejudge the outcome of future mitted, and I am strongly committed, to negotiations. The Prime Minister also rec- Israel’s security as a vibrant Jewish state. ognizes that it is in Israel’s own interest I’m also pleased to be with Prime Min- for Palestinians to govern themselves in ister Abbas. He represents the cause of their own state. These are meaningful signs freedom and statehood for the Palestinian of respect for the rights of the Palestinians

593 June 4 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2003 and their hopes for a viable, democratic, port for a new, restructured Palestinian se- peaceful Palestinian state. curity service. And we’ll place a mission Prime Minister Abbas recognizes that on the ground, led by Ambassador John terrorist crimes are a dangerous obstacle Wolf. This mission will be charged with to the independent state his people seek. helping the parties to move towards peace, He agrees that the process for achieving monitoring their progress, and stating clear- that state is through peaceful negotiations. ly who was fulfilling their responsibilities. He has pledged to consolidate Palestinian And we expect both parties to keep their institutions, including the security forces, promises. and to make them more accountable and I’ve also asked Secretary of State Colin more democratic. He has promised his full Powell and National Security Adviser efforts and resources to end the armed Condoleezza Rice to make this cause a intifada. He has promised to work without matter of the highest priority. Secretary compromise for a complete end of violence Powell and Dr. Rice, as my personal rep- and terror. In all these efforts, the Prime resentative, will work closely with the par- Minister is demonstrating his leadership ties, helping them move toward true peace and commitment to building a better future as quickly as possible. for the Palestinian people. The journey we’re taking is difficult, but Both Prime Ministers here agree that there is no other choice. No leader of con- progress toward peace also requires an end science can accept more months and years to violence and the elimination of all forms of humiliation, killing, and mourning. And of hatred and prejudice and official incite- these leaders of conscience have made their ment in schoolbooks, in broadcasts, and in declarations today in the cause of peace. the words used by political leaders. Both The United States is committed to that leaders understand that a future of peace cause. If all sides fulfill their obligation, cannot be founded on hatred and falsehood I know that peace can finally come. and bitterness. Thank you very much, and may God Yet, these two leaders cannot bring about bless our work. peace if they must act alone. True peace requires the support of other nations in NOTE: King Abdullah spoke at 3:30 p.m. at the region. Yesterday, in Sharm el-Sheikh, Beit al Bahar. Prime Minister Abbas spoke we made a strong beginning. Arab leaders in Arabic, and his remarks were translated stated that they share our goal of two by an interpreter. In his remarks, the Presi- states, Israel and Palestine, living side by dent referred to Queen Rania of Jordan; side in peace and in security. And they former President Saddam Hussein of Iraq; have promised to cut off assistance and the and Assistant Secretary of State for Non- flow of money and weapons to terrorist proliferation John S. Wolf. Prime Minister groups and to help Prime Minister Abbas Abbas referred to President Hosni Mubarak rid Palestinian areas of terrorism. of Egypt; King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of All sides have made important commit- Bahrain; and Crown Prince Abdullah of ments, and the United States will strive Saudi Arabia. A portion of these remarks to see these commitments fulfilled. My could not be verified because the tape was Government will provide training and sup- incomplete.

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