Text of Bush and Sharon Comments

And I believe that Prime Minister Abbas wants peace. I know that the - A text of remarks by President Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Tuesday in the White House Rose Garden, as transcribed by eMediaMillWorks Inc.:

BUSH: Good day. I'm pleased to welcome Prime Minister Ariel Sharon back to the White House. I think you said this is our eighth meeting.

BUSH: Eighth meeting in Washington. And should indicate to everybody that our nations have a deep and abiding friendship.

America is firmly committed to the security of Israel as a Jewish state, and we are firmly committed to the safety of the Israeli people.

We have now a tremendous opportunity to add to Israeli security and safety and add to the hopes of the average Palestinian citizen by making tangible progress towards two states living by side in peace.

Last month's Red Sea summits in Egypt and Jordan gave momentum to that progress. I'm encouraged by the positive steps that Israel has taken since then to further the cause of peace, including prisoner releases.

Prime Minister Sharon is now meeting regularly with Prime Minister Abbas, and that's positive. Israeli and Palestinian cabinet and security officials are meeting as well. Israel has recently taken steps to make it easier for Palestinians to work in Israel and to travel to their jobs and schools and families.

Much hard work remains to be done by Israelis and Palestinians and by their neighbors. If we are ever to reach our common goal of two states living side by side in peace and security, leaders must assume responsibility. The prime ministers are assuming responsibility.

All parties agree that a fundamental obstacle to peace is terrorism, which can never be justified by any cause. Last month in Aqaba, Prime Minister Abbas committed to a complete end to violence and terrorism. The Palestinian Authority must undertake sustained, targeted and effective operations to confront those engaged in terror and to dismantle terrorist capabilities and infrastructure. We're determined to help Prime Minister Abbas as he works to end terror and establish the rule of law that will protect Israelis and Palestinians alike.

Today, I urge Arab states to follow through on the pledges made in Sharm el-Sheik to actively contribute to these efforts and to reject the culture of extremism and violence from whatever source or place.

The rise of a peaceful Palestinian state and the long-term security of the Israeli people both depend on defeating the threat of terrorist groups and ending incitement and hatred.

In our discussions, I encouraged the prime minister to take further steps to improve the daily conditions faced by Palestinians. Israelis and Palestinians deserve the same chance to live normal lives free from fear, free from hatred and violence and free from harassment.

I also urged the prime minister to carefully consider all the consequences of Israel's actions as we move forward on the road to peace.

The United States of America will continue to act in the interest of peace. We will continue to be a firm warrior against terrorism wherever it is found. We will encourage all parties to keep their promises and monitor the progress that is made. We will also help the parties find solutions to legitimate concerns.

As we head down the road to peace, my commitment to the security of Israel is unshakable, as is the enduring friendship of our countries.

And I want to thank Ariel for all he's done to contribute to that friendship, for his leadership and his willing to make tough decisions in the cause of peace.

SHARON: Mr. President, it is a great privilege for me to be here at the White House for the eighth time.

I am always pleased to visit and feel that I am among friends - true friends of the state and the people of Israel.

Mr. President, I congratulate you on the impressive victory in the Iraqi campaign and for removing Saddam Hussein from power, one of the most ruthless and tyrannical leaders in history.

For 30 years, the free world has witnessed the recklessness and brutality of this dictator. Only you, Mr. President, have shown the courage, determination and leadership needed to spearhead the successful campaign to oust this ruthless, merciless despot, his dynasty and evil regime.

For the first time since World War II, the freedom- and peace-seeking democratic world had the wisdom to go after murderers and evil rulers and bring them to justice.

I have no doubt, Mr. President, that thanks to you any villain in any corner of the world knows that the long arm of justice will reach them.

I'm confident, Mr. President, that the lessons learned by the nations of the world and the region from the courageous action of the United States in Iraq will serve to advance the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians and the entire Arab world.

Your latest statement regarding the threats emanating from Syria and Iran prove once again the seriousness of your intentions to continue leading the fight against terror. It must be made clear to these countries that their evil deeds cannot continue. There can be no compromise with terror and evil.

The people of Israel, Mr. President, are greatly thankful and appreciative of your activity, unrelenting commitment to Israel's security and the safety of its citizens, and your determination to advance the peace process between us and the Palestinians.

SHARON: We are currently at an important juncture in our relations with our Palestinian neighbors. While relative quiet currently prevails in Israel, terror has not yet completely ceased. This relative calm was achieved first and foremost through the uncompromising activity of the Israeli security forces and as a result of your personal effort and the actions taken by the United States among Arab and European countries.

We are thankful for every hour of increased quiet and less terrorism, and for every drop of blood that is spared. At the same time, we are concerned that this welcome quiet will be shattered any minute as a result of the continued existence of terror organizations which the Palestinian Authority is doing nothing to eliminate or dismantle.

Mr. President, I am confident that you, as the leader of the free world in its war against terror, will act to ensure that the Palestinians put a complete stop to the threat of Palestinian terrorism, so that it will never rear its head again.

I wish to move forward with the political process with our Palestinian neighbors, and the right way to do that is only after a complete cessation of terror, violence and incitement, full dismantlement of terror organizations and completion of the reform process in the Palestinian Authority.

We had a useful talk today, where we examined ways to advance the peace process between us and our Palestinian neighbors. In this context, a number of issues came up: the security fence which we are forced to construct in order to defend our citizens against terror activities, the removal of unauthorized outposts and the freezing of settlements in Judea and Samaria.

I listened to your statement on this subject and assured you, Mr. President, that I would address them, the security ...

The security fence will continue to be built with every effort to minimize their infringement on the daily life of the Palestinian population. Unauthorized outposts will be removed as required in a law-abiding country. We'll continue to discuss all these issues, both directly and to our bureaus, which maintain close contact.

And, Mr. President, we also discussed a series of issues which could serve to promote the peace process. In the statement published on my behalf last Friday, we listed a long series of steps to accommodate the Palestinians. If calm prevails and we witness the dismantlement of terror organizations, Israel will be able to take additional steps.

I wish to thank you again, George, for your friendship and understanding toward the state and people of Israel and for your contribution and personal involvement in the effort to turn the Middle East into a place where the peoples of the region can live in peace and security and guarantee a better life for our children and generations to come.

QUESTION: Mr. President, will the decision to not declassify the entire 9-11 report affect relations with Saudi Arabia, do you think? Might it have an impact on what they are doing to counter terrorism? Do you have any qualms?

No, I absolutely have no qualms at all, because there's an ongoing investigation into the 9-11 attacks and we don't want to compromise that investigation. If people are being investigated it doesn't make sense for us to let them know who they are.

Secondly, we have an ongoing war against al-Qaida and terrorists, and the declassification of that part of a 900-page document would reveal sources and methods that will make it harder for us to win the war on terror.

Now, perhaps at some point in time down the road, after the investigations are fully complete and if it doesn't jeopardize our national security, perhaps we can declassify the 27 of the hundreds of pages in the document.

But it makes no sense to declassify when we've got an ongoing investigation that could jeopardize that investigation, and it made no sense to declassify if - during the war on terror, because it would help the enemy if they knew our sources and methods.

QUESTION: Mr. President, what do you expect Israel to do in practical terms regarding the separation fence that you called a wall due to the fact that this is one of the most effective measures against terrorism? Can you clarify what do you oppose, the concept of the separation fence or only its route?

First, the most effective way to fight terror is to dismantle terrorist organizations. I fully recognize that. And we will continue to work with all parties in the region to do just that.

I mean, I fully understand that the most effective campaign to enhance the security of Israel, as well as the security of peace-loving people in the Palestinian territories, is to get after organizations such as Hamas, the terrorist organizations that create the conditions where peace won't exist. And therefore I would hope in the long term a fence would be irrelevant.

But, look, the fence is a sensitive issue, I understand, and the prime minister made it very clear to me that it was a sensitive issue. And my promise to him is we'll continue to discuss and to dialogue on how best to make sure that the fence sends the right signal, that not only is security important, but the ability for the Palestinians to live a normal life is important as well.

QUESTION: All right. How are both of you going to get the Palestinian militants to extend the cease-fire?

QUESTION: How are both of you going to get the Palestinian militants to extend the cease-fire?

BUSH: Look, the important message that should have come out of the meeting with Prime Minister Abbas and, of course, with Prime Minister Sharon, is that those who want to destroy the peace process through terrorist activities must be dealt with.

There will be no peace if terrorism flourishes. There's no peace. It's a contradiction in terms. Terrorists are against peace. Terrorists kill innocent life to prevent peace from happening.

The way to make sure peace happens is for all us to work to dismantle those who would like to kill. Those are called terrorists.

And the positive news is that Prime Minister Abbas made a public declaration that we would work together to dismantle terrorist organizations.

And that's exactly what's going to happen. For those who want peace - I mean, all around the world, you've got to understand very clearly, if you're interested in peace in the Middle East then all of us must work together to dismantle terrorist organizations, to cut off money to terrorist organizations, to prevent the few from damaging the aspirations of the many.

QUESTION (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): Mr. President, why do you expect to any government to set free Palestinian prisoners while you don't order to set free the Israeli civilian Jonathan Pollard?

BUSH: Well, I said very clearly at the press conference with Prime Minister Abbas, I don't expect anybody to release somebody from prison who'll go kill somebody. That doesn't make any sense. I mean, if we're trying to fight off terror and we're interested in a peaceful settlement, it doesn't make any sense to release somebody who's going to get out of prison and start killing.

I do hope that the prime minister continues to work with the Palestinian Authority to release those prisoners that won't create the conditions of terror.

his cabinet is interested in developing the institutions necessary for a Palestinian state to emerge in a peaceful way.

I've been impressed by the finance minister of the Palestinian Authority who's willing to put the Palestinian budget up on the Web page. In other words, he believes in transparency.

And the reason I bring that up is that I also know that those same Palestinians who are working for the institutions necessary for a peaceful state to evolve know that terrorists would like to derail those plans and therefore are willing to work to root out terrorist organizations. And look, we don't want to put people back into society that make that task more complicated.

QUESTION: ... 95 percent of the redaction has nothing to do with sources and methods, sir. Is he wrong?

I've been impressed by the finance minister of the Palestinian Authority who's willing to put the Palestinian budget up on the Web page. In other words, he believes in transparency

This is got to be the funniest thing (and sad...) Bush has said twice already when he made comments when Mazen was there and now Sharon.

"I'm encouraged by the positive steps that Israel has taken since then to further the cause of peace, including prisoner releases."

Imagine if you read"

Sharon: "Mr President, I am encouraged by the actions you have taken for peace, releasing all the prisoners in Guatanamo and that you are no longer looking for Saddam"

"making tangible progress towards two states living by side in peace.......Israel has recently taken steps to make it easier for Palestinians to work in Israel"

We want two States living side by side in peace. We also want the Israelis to produce jobs for the Citizens of Palestine and for the Palestinians to produce what they are expert in producing, murderers to kill the citizens of Israelis.

"I've been impressed by the finance minister of the Palestinian Authority who's willing to put the Palestinian budget up on the Web page. In other words, he believes in transparency"

I'm impressed by XXX sites which believe in transparency and put nude woman on the web page.

I am always pleased to visit and feel that I am among friends - true friends of the state and the people of Israel.
Mr. President, I congratulate you on the impressive victory in the Iraqi campaign and for removing Saddam Hussein from power, one of the most ruthless and tyrannical leaders in history.
For 30 years, the free world has witnessed the recklessness and brutality of this dictator. Only you, Mr. President, have shown the courage, determination and leadership needed to spearhead the successful campaign to oust this ruthless, merciless despot, his dynasty and evil regime.
For the first time since World War II, the freedom- and peace-seeking democratic world had the wisdom to go after murderers and evil rulers and bring them to justice.
I have no doubt, Mr. President, that thanks to you any villain in any corner of the world knows that the long arm of justice will reach them.
So many will owe their lives to you and the great nation of America.
I'm confident, Mr. President, that the lessons learned by the nations of the world and the region from the courageous action of the United States in Iraq will serve to advance the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians and the entire Arab world.

What a marvelous endorsement of the courage, steadfastness, and purpose of the real leadership of George W. Bush in the Middle East, and in the entire world.

And the positive news is that Prime Minister Abbas made a public declaration that we would work together to dismantle terrorist organizations.

And that's exactly what's going to happen.

I wouldn't call that a whole lot of nothing... At least it's something when a Texan like President Bush makes a promise like that. I wish we didn't have to go through the whole sharade of trying it his way, and I even wonder if he'll be able to carry through on his promise to do this one way or another. But at least he's still saying he's committed. If the fence is finished, it'll go a long way toward satisfying my expectations.

Sharon:

So many will owe their lives to you and the great nation of America.

WOW!

OhioWfan-thank you so much for this ping! If this were to be the only information I could gleen from FR today-your post would have been the one most appreciated, most important and most uplifting, IMHO.

I missed this brief press encounter this AM-totally forgot about it and so wanted to hear Sharon's comments.

Perhaps the major networks will, for once, replay Sharon's marvelous words about our President and our Nation tonight. It would be a miracle, I know, but it would be so very wonderful for our nation to hear this gratitude.

Think Tommy, or Petey or Danny are up to a momentary positive bit of truth telling?

A whole lot of nothing? I wonder....

Is it only me or did you notice that this whole press conference was about (basically) DISMANTLING THE TERRORIST GROUPS? Arabfat & his buddies [read terrorists] MUST have been watching this also. THEY WERE GIVEN NOTHING, lol!!! Bush and Sharon went on and on about DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THE TERROR GROUPS. Notice the delicious reminder to Syria and Iran too. Go back and read the text. There is NOTHING here for Araflat to rejoice over.

By the way, I notice that at the end of the talk Bush used Ariel's first name, and Arik used George's first name. Is this always done in these press conferences? I can't remember.

The truth is the PLO/PA/hamas terrorists will never abandon terrorism; it is what defines them.

So...it comes down to what President Bush will do when they don't (we're already past that item in the roadmap timetable).

Assuming I even believed in the arab/muslim saudi terror state originated roadmap, the time for talk is over. The PLO/PA/hamas terrorists have failed to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure (themselves).

The time for action is now, not when 1 more or 30 more Jewish Children die at the hands of the filthy pigs.

Think Tommy, or Petey or Danny are up to a momentary positive bit of truth telling?

Nah...............that would take an objectivity that recognizes the truth, and they lost theirs a long time ago.........

I'd settle for having every Freeper who questions President Bush's devotion to Israel to let those words from Sharon of ardent and honest respect and friendship for our President sink in, though......

(That'll never happen either, however, because extreme hardened ideology, either left or right, makes it difficult for truth to penetrate).

Everything you said is true, and YES! the time for action is NOW! I guess I was just reading into this speech that Bush is giving the PA notice that they are out of time. At some point SOON Israel will HAVE to go back in and take out the terror threats against them, and the record will show that Israel had no choice in the matter.

At some point the world will have to recognize that Benny Elon's plan is the ONLY plan that will really work.

Sent Tommy a rather sharp note yesterday, even published it on FR on some thread or other, can't remember now which thread it was, as I was outraged at his interview with Engel over the showing of the dead sons of ~~Satan~~, er, Saddam..perhaps I will challange him today, via another email, to recoup some of his honor by balancing his reporting of Sharon's visit tonight by including these marvelous words of gratitude to our President and Nation.

Thing is....does tommy get his mail or do the operatives on his staff censor requests for balance?

Gonna try my request now, anyway.

We'll see-but will have to request my hubby watch his program for verification, either way, this evening-I can no longer stand to hear his innuendo and sarcasm on all things relating to my beloved President.

QUESTION: Mr. President ...
QUESTION: ... 95 percent of the redaction has nothing to do with sources and methods, sir. Is he wrong?
BUSH: Sorry (inaudible).

The reporter was quoting Republican Senator Shelby who says he's gone over the hidden pages in detail. Would have been nice to have heard something besides "sorry" from our Saudi-coddling RINO president.

I guess you didn't read what I read above. I thought our President's response was TERRIFIC!!!

Loved his citing the 9/11 investigation into Saudi involvement was ongoing and he was not about to jeopardize this investigation or put ANYONE involved in harm's way.

GOTTA LOVE OUR

PRESIDENT! The Saudi's are upset that he isn't broadcasting these redacted pages and President Bush simply says, in essense, tough tacos.

We have a genuine American leader in our Oval Office, a statesman who puts his country's interests FIRST!!! PRAISE GOD! And I DO!!

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