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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
January 10, 2008
President Bush Discusses Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process
King David Hotel
Jerusalem
Middle East Trip
5:27 P.M. (LOCAL)
THE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon. I'd like to, first, thank Prime
Minister Olmert and President Abbas for their hospitality during my trip
here to the Holy Land. We had very good meetings, and now is the time
to make difficult choices.
I underscored to both Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas
that progress needs to be made on four parallel tracks. First, both
sides need to fulfill their commitments under the road map. Second, the
Palestinians need to build their economy and their political and
security institutions. And to do that, they need the help of Israel,
the region, and the international community. Third, I reiterate my
appreciation for the Arab League peace initiative, and I call upon the
Arab countries to reach out to Israel, a step that is long overdue.
In addition to these three tracks, both sides are getting down to
the business of negotiating. I called upon both leaders to make sure
their teams negotiate seriously, starting right now. I strongly
supported the decision of the two leaders to continue their regular
summit meetings, because they are the ones who can, and must, and -- I
am convinced -- will lead.
I share with these two leaders the vision of two democratic states,
Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security. Both
of these leaders believe that the outcome is in the interest of their
peoples and are determined to arrive at a negotiated solution to achieve
it.
The point of departure for permanent status negotiations to realize
this vision seems clear: There should be an end to the occupation that
began in 1967. The agreement must establish Palestine as a homeland for
the Palestinian people, just as Israel is a homeland for the Jewish
people. These negotiations must ensure that Israel has secure,
recognized, and defensible borders. And they must ensure that the state
of Palestine is viable, contiguous, sovereign, and independent.
It is vital that each side understands that satisfying the other's
fundamental objectives is key to a successful agreement. Security for
Israel and viability for the Palestinian state are in the mutual
interests of both parties.
Achieving an agreement will require painful political concessions
by both sides. While territory is an issue for both parties to decide,
I believe that any peace agreement between them will require mutually
agreed adjustments to the armistice lines of 1949 to reflect current
realities and to ensure that the Palestinian state is viable and
contiguous. I believe we need to look to the establishment of a
Palestinian state and new international mechanisms, including
compensation, to resolve the refugee issue.
I reaffirm to each leader that implementation of any agreement is
subject to implementation of the road map. Neither party should
undertake any activity that contravenes road map obligations or
prejudices the final status negotiations. On the Israeli side that
includes ending settlement expansion and removing unauthorized outposts.
On the Palestinian side that includes confronting terrorists and
dismantling terrorist infrastructure.
I know Jerusalem is a tough issue. Both sides have deeply felt
political and religious concerns. I fully understand that finding a
solution to this issue will be one of the most difficult challenges on
the road to peace, but that is the road we have chosen to walk.
Security is fundamental. No agreement and no Palestinian state
will be born of terror. I reaffirm America's steadfast commitment to
Israel's security.
The establishment of the state of Palestine is long overdue. The
Palestinian people deserve it. And it will enhance the stability of the
region, and it will contribute to the security of the people of Israel.
The peace agreement should happen, and can happen, by the end of this
year. I know each leader shares that important goal, and I am
committed to doing all I can to achieve it.
Thank you.
END 5:32 P.M. (Local)
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