Bush confident of ME deal

2008-05-17 17:03

Sharm El-Sheikh - US President George W Bush said on Saturday he remained confident a deal on Palestinian statehood could be achieved before he leaves office, as he sought to ease Arab doubts about his commitment to even-handed peacemaking.

In the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh for the final stop of his Middle East tour, Bush faces growing scepticism over his chances of securing an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal before he leaves office in January.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, in a private meeting with Bush, sought reassurances that the US president was firmly committed to the peace process and would work hard toward the goal of a Palestinian state.

"In my speech tomorrow (Sunday) I'll make it clear that I believe that we can get a state defined by the end of my presidency, and we'll work hard to achieve that objective," said Bush, who is due to address the World Economic Forum on Sunday.

Standing next to Afghan President Hamid Karzai, with their backs to the Red Sea, Bush sought to ease Arab concerns that Palestinians were slighted during his three-day visit to Jerusalem where he lavished praise on Israel.

Every meeting helps

Bush said he had spoken with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and other Israeli officials in Jerusalem about his Middle East peace goals, and will hold discussions with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas later on Saturday.

"Every one of these meetings helps advance the process," Bush said.

"Every one of these meetings helps us inch toward the goal of getting a state defined with borders and the refugee issue, as well as security concerns defined by the end of my presidency," he said. "And I believe we can do that, and I know it's going to be important for the peace in the Middle East."

On the way from the airport, Bush's motorcade passed a "peacemakers" mural on the side of the road, a reminder of past efforts on Middle East diplomacy by his predecessors.

Palestinians were dismayed that Bush, in his speech to Israel's parliament on Thursday, made only one reference to their aspirations for a state of their own and did not use the occasion to press Israelis to make compromises.

- Reuters