*EPF303 05/28/2003
Transcript: Bush Hopes to Gain Arab Support for Roadmap at Sharm al-Sheikh
(Powell says president's trip shows U.S. commitment to peace process) (570)

Secretary of State Colin Powell said President Bush hopes Arab leaders will express support for the roadmap for Middle East peace and will condemn organizations that support terrorism at a meeting in Sharm al-Sheikh, Egypt June 3.

Powell, speaking May 28 with Marshall Islands President Kessai H. Note at the State Department in Washington, said Bush also expects the "commitment of the Arab leaders to help the Palestinian Authority as they restore their security capacity, their security organizations."

On June 4, President Bush will travel to Aqaba, Jordan for talks with Jordan's King Abdullah, Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Powell said the meeting would demonstrate the U.S. commitment to the Middle East peace process.

"I think it would give some hope and inspiration to the people of the region that we are now moving forward on the roadmap toward the vision that the President had," said Powell.

Bush plans to travel to Egypt, Jordan and Qatar June 2-5 following the G-8 Summit in France.

Following is a transcript of Secretary Powell speaking after his meeting with President Kessai H. Note of the Republic of the Marshall Islands:

(begin transcript)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
May 28, 2003

Remarks by Secretary of State Colin L. Powell
After His Meeting with President Kessai H. Note
of the Republic of the Marshall Islands

May 28, 2003
C Street Entrance
Washington, D.C.

(10:15 a.m. EDT)

QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, could we ask you what you would like to see come out of the meeting of Arab leaders with the President? What would help the process?

SECRETARY POWELL: Well, the President is very much looking forward to meeting the Arab leaders at Sharm al-Sheikh. We want to review the situation with respect to the roadmap and how to move forward. I think the President is expecting a solemn expression of support not only for the roadmap, but commitment of the Arab leaders to help the Palestinian Authority as they restore their security capacity, their security organizations, and statements from them that continue to condemn terrorism and to increasingly isolate those organizations that support terrorist activity. I hope that we'll be able to get good statements coming out of that meeting that will demonstrate all of that.

QUESTION: What does he hope for out of the three-way, if there is ultimately one with other meetings with Prime Minister Abbas and Prime Minister Sharon?

SECRETARY POWELL: I think such a meeting would certainly demonstrate the U.S. commitment to moving forward with the peace process; and I think it would give both leaders, Prime Minister Sharon and Prime Minister Abbas, an opportunity to express their views directly to the President. I think it would give some hope and inspiration to the people of the region that we are now moving forward on the roadmap toward the vision that the President had -- I've got to go -- you can't hear me.

(Jet flying overhead.)

QUESTION: The Saudis made some arrests last night --

SECRETARY POWELL: Yes.

QUESTION: Did you get any information from them?

SECRETARY POWELL: No. I don't have anything to tell about the -- I know they made the arrests this morning.

QUESTION: Thank you.

(end transcript)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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