    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book II)]
    [December 19, 2008]
    [Pages 1502-1504]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Prior to a Meeting With President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority
    December 19, 2008

        President Bush. I'm thinking about the first time I met you--I think
    it was in Jordan--and I can't help but reflect on how far the process
    has come to bring peace to the Holy Land.

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        You have done a lot of important and hard work in helping the region
    understand the importance of two states living side by side in peace. No
    question, this is a hard challenge, but nevertheless, people must
    recognize that we have made a good deal of progress. And a lot of it has
    to do with your leadership, and I thank you.
        I was pleased to note that the U.N. Security Council passed a
    resolution which confirms that bilateral negotiation--the bilateral
    negotiation process is irreversible, is--and it's a path to a
    Palestinian state and a path to peace in the Middle East.
        And I've been looking forward to this visit. I'm looking forward to
    getting a briefing on not only the negotiations, the discussions you've
    had with Israel, but also the fine progress that's being made on the
    West Bank, which is a credit to your leadership and the leadership of
    the Prime Minister.
        So welcome, sir, and thank you for coming.
        President Abbas. Thank you very much, Mr. President. And thank you
    for finding the time to meet with us during these days. There is no
    doubt that we will always remember the efforts that you have undertook
    to promote the peace process. You were the first sitting President who
    accepted as a policy the establishment of two states--a state of Israel
    and a state of Palestine--living next to each other in peace and
    security. And this policy has became a reality in every corner around
    the world.
        And we also remember very fondly, Mr. President, the great efforts
    that you have undertook to convene the Annapolis conference after so
    many years of absent peace process accords. This conference was attended
    by representatives from more than 50 countries from around the world and
    made it a reality that the roadmap would be the way to go.
        Also the Annapolis conference talked about and promoted the
    bilateral direct negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians
    over the fundamental and basic issues. These basic issues, as we all
    know, they include Jerusalem, settlements, borders, refugees, water,
    security, as well as prisoners. And of course, you pushed very hard for
    the two sides to carry out their commitments based on phase one of the
    roadmap and to carry out their responsibilities. And you were clear
    about both Palestinian commitments as well as Israeli commitments.
        On the basis of your efforts and the convening of the Annapolis
    conference, two other conferences took place--the Paris and the Berlin
    conferences. And during the Paris conference, there was an agreement in
    order to support financially, in a very generous way, the Palestinian
    Authority. After that, we have seen on the grounds that the West Bank
    was much calmer, and there was performance on security throughout that
    part of Palestine. And we also appreciate the efforts that were given to
    us in the area of security, which helped our own security apparatus to
    carry out their responsibilities.
        Also developments took place on issues in the West Bank, such as
    progress on security, as well as the economic situation, as well as the
    social conditions.
        There is no doubt that we exerted efforts also to promote the peace
    process under your leadership during the last year, and together, we put
    the fundamental, basic things needed for the peace process. There is no
    doubt that we will continue these efforts and the peace negotiations.
    But everything will be based on the foundation, and that foundation was
    laid by you during your time in office. Because we are committed to the
    peace process, and this is not a slogan or a rhetorical commitment: We
    are practically committed to the peace process. And we are confident all
    these efforts will be transferred to the new administration that will
    continue to do its part regarding the peace process.
        Some might say that all these efforts perhaps went in vain. I happen
    to disagree. I believe that they have cemented the real

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    principles that carried out the peace process and the negotiations
    forward. And here I have also to mention the Arab League peace
    initiative to promote peace, which is actually published today in a
    number of newspapers, including American newspapers today. And the
    purpose of this also coincides to cement your vision of two states as
    well as the principle of land for peace.
        We are here today, Mr. President, in order to express our
    appreciation for your efforts. And we know very well that we would not
    have been able to go that far in our work without your support and the
    promotion of the peace process.
        I also would like to take the opportunity to thank members of your
    own administration: Secretary Rice, as well as Mr. Hadley, those people
    who worked with us tirelessly.
        Thank you very much.
        President Bush. Thank you, sir. Shukran jazeelan.

    Note: The President spoke at 1:28 p.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of
    Israel. President Abbas spoke in Arabic, and his remarks were translated
    by an interpreter.