Remarks With Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei
Robert Zoellick, Deputy Secretary of State
Dead Sea, Jordan
May 20, 2005
PRIME MINISTER QUREI: We had a very constructive discussion about the situation, about the peace process and about the
withdrawal and disengagement from Gaza, about the security, and about the reform of the Palestinian authority. And more
than that, we talked about the economy and how to give hope to the people on both sides in the region, and about
democracy also. All of these were discussed in a very comprehensive way. We talked about the visit of the President to
the United States also, and we have seen a good understanding of all this.
QUESTION: Did you complain about the Israeli aggression in Palestine refugee [camps]?
PRIME MINISTER QUREI: All the time we are complaining, and we want it more than...
QUESTION: Any obstacles, conditions by the Americans regarding the security affairs before the visit of the President
to the US?
PRIME MINISTER QUREI: It is well known that the United States is concerned about security in the region, and between
the Palestinians and Israelis. And we are concerned, therefore we have the same understanding in this regard.
DEPUTY SECRETARY ZOELLICK: Well, first I want to thank the Prime Minister, Minister Dahlan, and their colleagues for
taking the time to meet with me. President Bush is very much looking forward to the visit of President Abbas, and so, as
the Prime Minister said, we covered a lot of topics. I talked about the success of the Palestinian democracy and how
that's important not only for the Palestinian people but for many others, for many at this conference. We talked about
some of the economic issues, and obviously the relation of that to the disengagement side, both the security and the
economic side. And I appreciated the opportunity to listen and to learn more from the Prime Minister and his colleagues
about some of the situations that they see among the Palestinian people and some of the ways that we can work together
to help. I talked about some of the additional funds that we recently got from our Congress, 200 million dollars, on top
of 75 million dollars this year, and we are seeking another 150 million dollars for next year. And I emphasize this
because the success of President Abbas and his government is very important to us and we think this is a particular
moment.
QUESTION: Are you satisfied with the security reforms now under way in the Palestinian territories and do you have any
ideas or conditions before the visit of Abbas to the United States?
DEPUTY SECRETARY ZOELLICK: Well as I said, on the visit of President Abbas, we are very interested in having him come.
I know the President is looking forward to the meeting. In terms of the economic conditions, there is a lot of work
ahead, but the government is taking important steps. I know that the Finance Minister has a lot of respect around the
world for his efforts, and the things that the government is starting to do are the things it needs to because the goal
is in common: the goal is to try and create jobs for the Palestinian people, to create opportunity. I mentioned some of
my contacts in the past with Palestinian business people and said that I've seen a great entrepreneurial spirit, talked
about some of the projects that we can try to create together. So the goal here is to try to work together and increase
opportunities for people in Palestinian lands.
QUESTION: How do you describe the Israeli targeting of Palestinians in Gaza over the past few days?
DEPUTY SECRETARY ZOELLICK: Well I'm not going to get into details. The goal on that is obviously to try and calm the
waters, to try and move the process ahead, and we both emphasize the importance of making the disengagement a success
for the Palestinians as well as for the Israelis.
Released on May 20, 2005
ENDS