SECRETARY COLIN L. POWELL

REMARKS AT DAVID CITADEL HOTEL

JERUSALEM APRIL 17, 2002

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SECRETARY POWELL: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Let me begin by extending my congratulations to the state of Israel on the 54th anniversary of its independence. The United States has stood by Israel since its creation and will continue to do so with an unshakeable commitment to Israel's security and wellbeing.

On April 4th President Bush offered a powerful statement of America's determination to fight terrorism, end the violence in the Middle East and move toward peace. The President's vision as first outlined in his speech to the United Nations last November points toward two states: Israel and Palestine -- living side by side in peace and security. The President also posed challenges to the parties themselves: for the Palestinians to reject violence and terrorism as a means of settling this conflict; for the Israelis to bring the current military operation to an end, for both sides to resume security cooperation and to find a way back to negotiations. For our Arab and international partners to work with us against terrorism, and help the parties find a path toward a more hopeful future.

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