President
Bush Attends Annapolis Conference
Memorial Hall
United States Naval Academy
Annapolis, Maryland
Joint
Understanding Read by President Bush at Annapolis Conference
11:04 A.M. EST
PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank
you for coming. Prime Minister Olmert, President Abbas, Secretary
General Ban, former Prime Minister Blair, distinguished guests:
Welcome to one of the finest institutes we have in America, the United
States Naval Academy. We appreciate you joining us in what I believe
is an historic opportunity to encourage the expansion of freedom and
peace in the Holy Land.
We
meet to lay the foundation for the establishment of a new nation -- a
democratic Palestinian state that will live side by side with Israel
in peace and security. We meet to help bring an end to the violence
that has been the true enemy of the aspirations of both the Israelis
and Palestinians.
We're off to a strong
start. I'm about to read a statement that was agreed upon by our
distinguished guests:
The representatives
of the government of the state of Israel and the Palestinian
Liberation Organization, represented respective by Prime Minister Ehud
Olmert, and President Mahmoud Abbas in his capacity as Chairman of the
PLO Executive Committee and President of the Palestinian Authority,
have convened in Annapolis, Maryland, under the auspices of President
George W. Bush of the United States of America, and with the support
of the participants of this international conference, having concluded
the following joint understanding.
We express our
determination to bring an end to bloodshed, suffering and decades of
conflict between our peoples; to usher in a new era of peace, based on
freedom, security, justice, dignity, respect and mutual recognition;
to propagate a culture of peace and nonviolence; to confront terrorism
and incitement, whether committed by Palestinians or Israelis. In
furtherance of the goal of two states, Israel and Palestine living
side by side in peace and security, we agree to immediately launch
good-faith bilateral negotiations in order to conclude a peace treaty,
resolving all outstanding issues, including all core issues, without
exception, as specified in previous agreements.
We agree to engage in
vigorous, ongoing and continuous negotiations, and shall make every
effort to conclude an agreement before the end of 2008. For this
purpose, a steering committee, led jointly by the head of the
delegation of each party, will meet continuously, as agreed. The
steering committee will develop a joint work plan and establish and
oversee the work of negotiations teams to address all issues, to be
headed by one lead representative from each party. The first session
of the steering committee will be held on 12 December 2007.
President Abbas and
Prime Minister Olmert will continue to meet on a bi-weekly basis to
follow up the negotiations in order to offer all necessary assistance
for their advancement.
The parties also
commit to immediately implement their respective obligations under the
performance-based road map to a permanent two-state solution to the
Israel-Palestinian conflict, issued by the Quartet on 30 April 2003 --
this is called the road map -- and agree to form an American,
Palestinian and Israeli mechanism, led by the United States, to follow
up on the implementation of the road map.
The
parties further commit to continue the implementation of the ongoing
obligations of the road map until they reach a peace treaty. The
United States will monitor and judge the fulfillment of the commitment
of both sides of the road map. Unless otherwise agreed by the parties,
implementation of the future peace treaty will be subject to the
implementation of the road map, as judged by the United States.
Congratulations for
your strong leadership. (Applause.)
The Palestinian
people are blessed with many gifts and talents. They want the
opportunity to use those gifts to better their own lives and build a
better future for their children. They want the dignity that comes
with sovereignty and independence. They want justice and equality
under the rule of law. They want freedom from violence and fear.
The people of Israel
have just aspirations, as well. They want their children to be able to
ride a bus or to go to school without fear of suicide bombers. They
want an end to rocket attacks and constant threats of assault. They
want their nation to be recognized and welcomed in the region where
they live.
Today, Palestinians
and Israelis each understand that helping the other to realize their
aspirations is key to realizing their own aspirations -- and both
require an independent, democratic, viable Palestinian state. Such a
state will provide Palestinians with the chance to lead lives of
freedom and purpose and dignity. Such a state will help provide the
Israelis with something they have been seeking for generations: to
live in peace with their neighbors.
Achieving this goal
is not going to be easy -- if it were easy, it would have happened a
long time ago. To achieve freedom and peace, both Israelis and
Palestinians will have to make tough choices. Both sides are sober
about the work ahead, but having spent time with their leaders, they
are ready to take on the tough issues. As Prime Minister Olmert
recently put it, "We will avoid none of [the historic questions],
we will not run from discussing any of them." As President Abbas
has said: "I believe that there is an opportunity not only for us
but for the Israelis, too. We have a historic and important
opportunity that we must benefit from." It is with that spirit
that we concluded -- that they concluded this statement I just read.
Our
purpose here in Annapolis is not to conclude an agreement. Rather, it
is to launch negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians.
For the rest of us, our job is to encourage the parties in this effort
-- and to give them the support they need to succeed.
In light of recent
developments, some have suggested that now is not the right time to
pursue peace. I disagree. I believe now is precisely the right time to
begin these negotiations -- for a number of reasons:
First, the time is
right because Palestinians and Israelis have leaders who are
determined to achieve peace. President Abbas seeks to fulfill his
people's aspirations for statehood, dignity and security. President
Abbas understands that a Palestinian state will not be born of terror,
and that terrorism is the enemy standing in the way of a state. He and
Prime Minister Fayyad have both declared, without hesitation, that
they are opposed to terrorism and committed to peace. They're
committed to turning these declarations into actions on the ground to
combat terror.
The emergence of
responsible Palestinian leaders has given Israeli leaders the
confidence they need to reach out to the Palestinians in true
partnership. Prime Minister Olmert has expressed his understanding of
the suffering and indignities felt by the Palestinian people. He's
made clear that the security of Israel will be enhanced by the
establishment of a responsible, democratic Palestinian state. With
leaders of courage and conviction on both sides, now is the time to
come together and seek the peace that both sides desire.
Second, the time is
right because a battle is underway for the future of the Middle East
-- and we must not cede victory to the extremists. With their violent
actions and contempt for human life, the extremists are seeking to
impose a dark vision on the Palestinian people -- a vision that feeds
on hopelessness and despair to sow chaos in the Holy Land. If this
vision prevails, the future of the region will be endless terror,
endless war, and endless suffering.
Standing against this
dark vision are President Abbas and his government. They are offering
the Palestinian people an alternative vision for the future -- a
vision of peace, a homeland of their own, and a better life. If
responsible Palestinian leaders can deliver on this vision, they will
deal the forces of extremism a devastating blow. And when liberty
takes root in the rocky soil of the West Bank and Gaza, it will
inspire millions across the Middle East who want their societies built
on freedom and peace and hope.
By
contrast, if Palestinian reformers cannot deliver on this hopeful
vision, then the forces of extremism and terror will be strengthened,
a generation of Palestinians could be lost to the extremists, and the
Middle East will grow in despair. We cannot allow this to happen. Now
is the time to show Palestinians that their dream of a free and
independent state can be achieved at the table of peace -- and that
the terror and violence preached by Palestinian extremists is the
greatest obstacle to a Palestinian state.
Third, the time is
right because the world understands the urgency of supporting these
negotiations. We appreciate that representatives from so many
governments and international institutions have come to join us here
in Annapolis -- especially the Arab world. We're here because we
recognize what is at stake. We are here because we each have a vital
role to play in helping Palestinians forge the institutions of a free
society. We're here because we understand that the success of these
efforts to achieve peace between Israelis and Palestinians will have
an impact far beyond the Holy Land.
These are the reasons
we've gathered here in Annapolis. And now we begin the difficult work
of freedom and peace. The United States is proud to host this meeting
-- and we reaffirm the path to peace set out in the road map. Yet in
the end, the outcome of the negotiations they launch here depends on
the Israelis and Palestinians themselves. America will do everything
in our power to support their quest for peace, but we cannot achieve
it for them. The success of these efforts will require that all
parties show patience and flexibility -- and meet their
responsibilities.
For
these negotiations to succeed, the Palestinians must do their part.
They must show the world they understand that while the borders of a
Palestinian state are important, the nature of a Palestinian state is
just as important. They must demonstrate that a Palestinian state will
create opportunity for all its citizens, and govern justly, and
dismantle the infrastructure of terror. They must show that a
Palestinian state will accept its responsibility, and have the
capability to be a source of stability and peace -- for its own
citizens, for the people of Israel, and for the whole region.
The Israelis must do
their part. They must show the world that they are ready to begin --
to bring an end to the occupation that began in 1967 through a
negotiated settlement. This settlement will establish Palestine as a
Palestinian homeland, just as Israel is a homeland for the Jewish
people. Israel must demonstrate its support for the creation of a
prosperous and successful Palestinian state by removing unauthorized
outposts, ending settlement expansion, and finding other ways for the
Palestinian Authority to exercise its responsibilities without
compromising Israel's security.
Arab states also have
a vital role to play. Relaunching the Arab League initiative and the
Arab League's support for today's conference are positive steps. All
Arab states should show their strong support for the government of
President Abbas -- and provide needed assistance to the Palestinian
Authority. Arab states should also reach out to Israel, work toward
the normalization of relations, and demonstrate in both word and deed
that they believe that Israel and its people have a permanent home in
the Middle East. These are vital steps toward the comprehensive peace
that we all seek.
Finally, the
international community has important responsibilities. Prime Minister
Fayyad is finalizing a plan to increase openness and transparency and
accountability throughout Palestinian society -- and he needs the
resources and support from the international community. With strong
backing from those gathered here, the Palestinian government can build
the free institutions that will support a free Palestinian state.
The United States
will help Palestinian leaders build these free institutions -- and the
United States will keep its commitment to the security of Israel as a
Jewish state and homeland for the Jewish people.
The United States
strongly feels that these efforts will yield the peace that we want --
and that is why we will continue to support the Lebanese people. We
believe democracy brings peace. And democracy in Lebanon is vital, as
well, for the peace in the Middle East. Lebanese people are in the
process of electing a president. That decision is for the Lebanese
people to make -- and they must be able to do so free from outside
interference and intimidation. As they embark on this process, the
people of Lebanon can know that the American people stand with them --
and we look forward to the day when the people of Lebanon can enjoy
the blessings of liberty without fear of violence or coercion.
The task begun here
at Annapolis will be difficult. This is the beginning of the process,
not the end of it -- and no doubt a lot of work remains to be done.
Yet the parties can approach this work with confidence. The time is
right. The cause is just. And with hard effort, I know they can
succeed.
President Abbas and
Prime Minister Olmert, I pledge to devote my effort during my time as
President to do all I can to help you achieve this ambitious goal. I
give you my personal commitment to support your work with the
resources and resolve of the American government. I believe a day is
coming when freedom will yield the peace we desire. And the land that
is holy to so many will see the light of peace.
The day is coming
when Palestinians will enjoy the blessings that freedom brings -- and
all Israelis will enjoy the security they deserve. That day is coming.
The day is coming when the terrorists and extremists who threaten the
Israeli and Palestinian people will be marginalized and eventually
defeated. And when that day comes, future generations will look to the
work we began here at Annapolis. They will give thanks to the leaders
who gathered on the banks of the Chesapeake for their vision, their
wisdom and courage to choose a future of freedom and peace.
Thanks for coming.
May God bless their work. (Applause.)
END 11:22 A.M. EST
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