[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book I)]
[May 17, 2008]
[Pages 693-694]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks Following a Meeting With President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority in Sharm el-Sheikh
May 17, 2008

    President Bush. Mr. President, thank you for your time, and thank 
you for your courage.
    We talked about two issues primarily. First, I do want to discuss 
Lebanon. The President is deeply concerned about Lebanon, the fate of 
the Siniora Government, as am I. We're 
concerned about radical elements undermining the democracy. It is clear 
that Hizballah, which has been funded by Iran, can no longer justify its 
position as a defender against Israel when it turns on its own people. 
This is a defining moment. It's a moment that requires us to stand 
strongly with the Siniora Government and to support the Siniora 
Government. And the President was quite articulate about his concerns. 
And I appreciate you sharing your strategy with me.
    And then we talked, of course, about the Palestinian state. I told 
the President that I am absolutely committed to working with he and his 
negotiators, as well as the Israelis, to get a state defined. And I do 
so for a couple of reasons. One, it breaks my heart to see the vast 
potential of the Palestinian people really wasted. These are good, 
smart, capable people that, when given a chance, will build a thriving 
homeland. It'll be an opportunity to end the suffering that takes place 
in the Palestinian Territory.
    And the second reason I am for it is because it's the only way for 
lasting peace. The President and his team are committed to peace. They 
stand squarely against those who use violence to stop the peace process. 
And for that I admire you and your team, Mr. President. And I commit to 
you once again that my Government will help achieve a dream, a dream 
that you have, and the truth of the matter is, a dream that the Israelis 
have, which is two states living side by side in peace.
    So thank you for coming.
    President Abbas. Thank you.
    President Bush. Appreciate you.
    President Abbas. Mr. President, thank you very much for receiving us 
today. Of course, we have talked about the peace process and the 
negotiations that are taking place these days between us and the Israeli 
side. We know very well that you personally, as well as your 
administration, are committed to reach peace before the end of 2008. 
Therefore, we are working very seriously and very aggressively with the

[[Page 694]]

hope that we will be able to achieve this objective before the end of 
the year.
    We have talked with the President about the details of the 
negotiations that are taking place between our side and the Israeli 
side. And of course, we also talked about a wide range of issues that 
affect the entire region, but also affect the Palestinian people, 
because it is very important for us that the entire Arab region will be 
living in stability in order to be able to achieve peace in our 
Palestinian Territory.
    So we are very delighted that the President is following all the 
details of everything and every discussion that is taking place in the 
Palestinian negotiations as well as issues in the region.
    Therefore, we're delighted to continue our engagement with you, Mr. 
President, in order to be able to achieve all the objectives which are 
ours and yours at the same time.
    Thank you.

Note: The President spoke at 6:39 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Sharm El 
Sheikh. In his remarks, he referred to Prime Minister Fuad Siniora of 
Lebanon. President Abbas spoke in Arabic, and his remarks were 
translated by an interpreter.