    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book II)]
    [September 24, 2007]
    [Pages 1229-1230]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following Discussions With President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority in New
    York City
    September 24, 2007

        President Bush. Mr. President, Mr. Prime Minister, members of your delegation, thank you for coming. I
    strongly support the creation of a Palestinian state. I believe it's in
    the interests of the Palestinian people. I believe it's in the interests
    of Israel to have a democracy living side by--democracies living side by
    side in peace.
        And the fundamental question that I ask is, is there leadership that
    share the vision and are willing to work hard to achieve the vision? And
    if the answer to that question is yes, the United States of America will
    be a strong partner in implementing the vision.
        I have known the President for quite a while. I am convinced that he
    is dedicated to the formation of a Palestinian democracy that will live
    with peace with their neighbor Israel. And I believe the Prime Minister
    of Israel is dedicated to the same vision. And
    therefore, as I told the President, the United States of America will
    work as hard as we possibly can to help you achieve the vision, Mr.
    President.
        Condi Rice has been very engaged--
    Secretary Rice has been very engaged in the region. And when she speaks,
    she's speaking for me and my Government. And I appreciate you taking
    time to explain to me the hurdles you see, the role you'd like to see
    the United States play, and your dedication to a cause that is just and
    important. I appreciate the fact that you're fighting the extremists who
    don't share the same kind of view. And I believe that the vision of two
    states, side by side in peace, is achievable. And we want to help you
    realize that goal.
        So thank you for coming.
        President Abbas. Mr. President, thank you very much for receiving us
    here and for hosting us. We appreciate that very much. I would like to
    take this opportunity to confirm to you that we truly believe very
    strongly in the peace process, and we believe very strongly in your
    vision of establishing a Palestinian, independent, viable state that
    lives side by side with the State of Israel.
        Mr. President, these days we feel hopeful, and we feel and we sense
    the hope, especially after the call to convene an international meeting
    during the month of November. We believe that this meeting

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    should deal with the substance and issues of substance that would lead
    to full negotiations on permanent status that would lead to a permanent
    peace and a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians.
        And based on our belief of the seriousness of this call, both us and
    the Israelis have formed the teams that will work immediately in order
    to negotiate for the issues to be ready and ripe to take it one step
    further and be prepared and ready prior to the mid-November date for the
    convening of the meeting.
        I also take this opportunity to reaffirm again that we strongly
    believe in the roadmap, which includes your vision, Mr. President, as
    well as the Arab initiative. Collectively, together, I believe they
    represent a strong framework that would allow us and help us to
    negotiate the permanent status issues and reach an agreement on it.
        Therefore, Mr. President, we will continue to count on your work, on
    your support, and your serious efforts. We have faith and trust in all
    of this and believe that with the help of this, we'll be able to reach
    the just and durable peace in the Middle East.
        President Bush. Thank you, sir.

    Note: The President spoke at 4:46 p.m. at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. In
    his remarks, he referred to Prime Minister Salam Fayyad of the
    Palestinian Authority; and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of Israel.
    President Abbas spoke in Arabic, and his remarks were translated by an
    interpreter.