Aqaba Summit Pledges to Revive Peace Process

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, June 05, 2003

Aqaba Summit Pledges to Revive Peace Process

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The three-way summit concluded in Aqaba, Jordan Wednesday with US President George W. Bush, Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon all pledging to start the implementation of the roadmap peace plan.

The three leaders vowed to end violence, revive peace process and work within the framework of the roadmap after a 90-minute meeting.

The peace plan, sponsored by the United States, the United Nations, the European Union and Russia, entails reciprocal steps tobe taken by Israel and the Palestinians toward creation of an independent Palestinian state by 2005.

The three leaders, together with the host Jordanian King Abdullah II, had worked hard to reach agreement on their final statements at the end of the summit.

Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen, called for an end to the "armed intifada,(uprising)" and attacks on Israelis "wherever they may be."

"We will exert full efforts to end the militarization of the intifada. The armed intifada must end and we must resort to peaceful means to achieve our goals," he said.

The Palestinian prime minister also expressed sympathy with the Jews who had suffered persecutions in history.

The Palestinians "do not ignore the suffering of the Jews throughout history," he said.

"It is time to bring this suffering to an end," Abbas stressed.

Sharon, speaking after Abbas, said it was not in Israel's interest to rule over the Palestinians.

"We can also reassure our Palestinian partners that we understand the importance of territorial continuity in the West Bank for a viable Palestinian state," He said.

Sharon stated that a "democratic Palestinian state fully at peace with Israel will promote the long-term security and well-being of Israel as a Jewish state."

"There can be no peace, whoever, without the abandonment and elimination of terrorism, violence and incitement," he said.

In an apparent reference to the acts of militants on both sides,Sharon declared that "we accept the principle that no unilateral actions by any parties can prejudge the outcome of our negotiations."

Bush, speaking to conclude the summit statements, declared that he and the United States as a whole were committed to Israel's security as a "vibrant Jewish state."

Turning to Abbas, he stressed his "strong support" for the causeof freedom and statehood for the Palestinians.

"Both (sides) must make tangible immediate steps toward this two-state vision," Bush said.

He said the Holy Land is shared by two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side.

Bush also named US Assistant Secretary of State John Wolf to serve as the head of a team to monitor progress in ending 32 monthsof violence and, ultimately, in making his two-state solution a success.

The Jordanian king, opening the round of separate statements, urged all sides to "have the will and the courage to realize our dreams of peace, prosperity and co-existence."

The king said the roadmap offers Israel the promise of a peace treaty, "normal relations with Arab states, and an end to the conflict."

Bush met with Sharon and Abbas respectively on Wednesday morningbefore the three-way summit, which was hosted by the Jordanian kingin the monarch's Aqaba palace.

It was the first joint meeting of the US, Israeli and Palestinian leaders during Bush's presidency.

Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs Nabil Shaath said after the summit, "What we heard today is really a beginning of the road to peace, the road to hope, the road to a future for Palestinians and Israelis."

Sharon's senior advisor also said, "100 percent implementation of what said here today is crucial, and we can not miss this opportunity to peace."

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