    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book I)]
    [January 12, 2008]
    [Pages 74-75]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    January 12, 2008

        Good morning. I'm speaking to you from the Middle East, where I have
    been meeting with friends and allies. We're discussing how we can work
    together to confront the extremists who threaten our future. And I have
    encouraged them to take advantage of the historic opportunity we have
    before us to advance peace, freedom, and security in this vital part of
    the world.
        My first stop was Israel and the Palestinian Territories. I had good
    meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Olmert and
    Palestinian President Abbas.
    Both these men are committed to peace in the Holy Land. Both these men
    have been elected by their people. And both share a vision of two
    democratic states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace
    and security.
        I came away encouraged by my meetings with Israeli and Palestinian
    leaders. Each side understands that the key to achieving its own goals
    is helping the other side achieve its goals. For the Israelis, their
    main goal is ensuring the safety of their people and the security of
    their nation. For the Palestinians, the goal is a state of their own,
    where they can enjoy the dignity that comes with sovereignty and self-
    government.
        In plain language, the result must be the establishment of a free
    and democratic homeland for the Palestinian people, just as Israel is a
    free and democratic homeland for the Jewish people. For this to happen,
    the Israelis must have secure, recognized, and defensible borders, and
    the Palestinians must have a state that is viable, contiguous,
    sovereign, and independent. Achieving this vision will require tough
    decisions and painful concessions from both sides.
        I believe that a peace agreement between Israelis and Palestinians
    that defines a Palestinian state is possible this year. Prime Minister
    Olmert made clear to me that he understands a
    democratic Palestinian state is in the long-term security interests of
    Israel. President Abbas is
    committed to achieving this Palestinian state through negotiation. The
    United States cannot impose an agreement on the Israelis and
    Palestinians; that is something they must work out themselves. But with
    hard work and good will on both sides, they can make it happen. And both
    men are getting down to the serious work of negotiation to make sure it
    does happen.
        The United States will do all we can to encourage these negotiations
    and promote reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians. But the
    international community has a responsibility to help as well. In
    particular, the Arab nations of the Gulf have a responsibility both to
    support President Abbas, Prime
    Minister Fayyad, and other Palestinian leaders
    as they work for peace and to work for a larger reconciliation between
    Israel and the Arab world. And in my meetings with Arab leaders over the
    next few days, I will urge them to do their part.
        A democratic Palestinian state is in the interests of the
    Palestinians. It is in the long-term security interests of Israel. And
    it is in the interests of a world at war with terrorists and extremists
    trying to impose their brutal vision on the Middle East. By helping the
    Israeli and Palestinian people lay the foundation for lasting peace, we
    will help build a more hopeful future for the Holy Land and a safer
    world for the American people.
        Thank you for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 5:05 p.m. on January 11 at the Bayan
    Palace Guest House in Kuwait City, Kuwait, for broadcast at 10:06 a.m.,
    e.d.t., on January 12. The transcript was made available by the Office
    of the Press Secretary on January 11, but was embargoed for release
    until the broadcast.

    [[Page 75]]

    Due to the 8-hour time difference, the address was broadcast after the
    President's remarks in Kuwait and Bahrain. In his address, the President
    referred to Prime Minister Salam Fayyad of the Palestinian Authority.
    The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language
    transcript of this address.