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.