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Middle East Peace Summit at Aqaba
June 4, 2003
revive the peace process and work toward the implementation of the road map. The summit started Wednesday morning as President Bush met separately with PM Abbas, Jordan's King Abdullah II and PM Sharon. PM Sharon also held separate talks with King Abdullah. At the end of the three-way talks between the US, Israeli and Palestinian leaders, the three - along with King Abdullah - issued their respective statements.
U.S. President George Bush, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas ended the peace summit in Aqaba, Jordan with historic pledges to end violence,
©2003 Reuters/Ali JarekjiClick here to read PM Sharon's full statement
Click here to read all final statements issued after the Aqaba Summit
Talking Points
Road Map:
- Israel strongly supports President Bush's vision of two states living in peace and security.
- Israel welcomes the opportunity to work directly with the Palestinians to achieve President Bush's vision.
- Click here for President Bush's June 2002 speech.
Security:
- PM Sharon's "paramount responsibility is the security of the people of Israel and of the state of Israel."
- Permanent peace can only be achieved through security.
Ending the Violence:
- Israel is ready to work with the Palestinians and other parties to fight against terror, violence, and incitement. Israel would like to see a restoration of normal life for both Israelis and Palestinians.
- Israel welcomes PM Abbas' call for the end of the armed intifada, and his pledge to act vigorously against incitement, violence, and hatred.
Territories:
- Israel recognizes the importance of territorial contiguity in the West Bank for a viable Palestinian state.
- Israel will immediately begin to remove unauthorized outposts.
Working Towards a Better Future for the Palestinians:
- Israel does not want to govern the Palestinians.
- Israel supports "a democratic Palestinian state, fully at peace with Israel."
- Israel seeks to improve the Palestinian humanitarian situation, rebuild trust, and promote progress.
Seeking Peace:
- "Israel seeks peace with all its Arab neighbors. Israel is prepared to negotiate in good faith wherever there are partners. As normal relations are established, I am confident that they will find in Israel a neighbor and a people committed to comprehensive peace and prosperity for all the peoples of the region." - PM Sharon
Additional Resources:Time to answer call of peace, by FM Silvan Shalom - The Sydney Morning Herald, June 4, 2003
Toward the Aqaba Summit - Israel's Commitment to Peace and Security (June 2003)
Israel Accepts the Road Map (May 25, 2003)
Background Information on the Israel-Palestinian Negotiations
