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Palestinian state 'a priority'
25/04/2008 07:26 - (SA)
Washington - US President George W Bush assured Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday he was "confident" that Middle East peace talks will yield a deal, by year's end, on creating a Palestinian state.
"I assured the president that a Palestinian state's a high priority, for me and my administration, a viable state, a state that doesn't look like Swiss cheese, a state that provides hope," Bush said as they met at the White House.
Abbas thanked the US president for reviving stalled Middle East peace talks at a November peace conference in Annapolis, Maryland, but warned "we are in a race against time".
"We believe that you actually are truly seeking a true, genuine and lasting peace in the Middle East. And I am certain that you would like to see an agreement and settlement before the end of your term," said Abbas, as Bush nodded his head.
The two leaders agreed the project faces daunting obstacles, but expressed confidence that Israel and the Palestinians can, by year's end, at least agree on what such a state would look like.
"I cannot say that the road to peace is paved with flowers; it is paved with obstacles. But together, we will work very hard in order to eliminate those obstacles and achieve peace," said Abbas.
"I'm confident we can achieve the definition of a state. I'm also confident it's going to require hard work. To that end, I'm going back to the Middle East. I'm looking forward to meeting you, sir," said Bush.
The US president heads back to the region in May, a visit anchored on celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the modern state of Israel, and is expected to see Abbas at an economic summit in Egypt.
"Mr President, your efforts, the efforts of your administration, the various visits, your previous one and your upcoming visit to Sharm el-Sheikh and to the region, all of this is a strong indication that you are very keen to continue to work very hard and to achieve your vision," said Abbas.
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