    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 38 (Monday, September 25, 2006)]
    [Pages 1639-1640]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Remarks Following Discussions With President Mahmoud Abbas of the
    Palestinian Authority in New York City

    September 20, 2006

        President Bush. Mr. President, thank you for coming. Yesterday, in
    my speech to the United Nations, I said that you're a man of peace who
    believes in a two-state solution. And after our conversation today, once
    again you confirmed that.
        I, too, believe that the best way to bring peace to the Holy Land is
    for two democratic states living side by side in peace. I said in my
    speech yesterday that the Palestinian state must have territorial
    integrity. I firmly believe that. I also said in my speech that the--one
    of the great objectives of my administration is to achieve this vision.
    I fully understand that in order to achieve this vision, there must be
    leaders willing to speak out and act on behalf of people who yearn for
    peace, and you are such a leader, Mr. President.
        I can't thank you enough for the courage you have shown. I assure
    you that our Government wants to work with you in order--so that you're
    able--capable of delivering the vision that so many Palestinians long
    for, and that is a society in which they can raise their children in
    peace and hope. And I know that society is possible. And I appreciate
    your vision along those lines.
        So, welcome to Washington, DC [the United States] *; I think this is
    our fifth visit. Every time, I've left our visits inspired by your
    vision.
        * White House correction.
        President Abbas. Mr. President, thank you very much. I'm honored to
    meet with you, as you said, for the fifth time during these past years.

    [[Page 1640]]

        First of all, I would like to thank you greatly for the wonderful
    speech that you have delivered yesterday before the United Nations, and
    talk about the Palestinian issues and your vision of two states, and you
    adopt this vision. Mr. President, you are the first American President
    to adopt the vision of two states living side by side.
        Of course, I've talked with the President about the situation in the
    Palestinian Territories and the difficulties that the Palestinian people
    are facing as well as the possible solution that can get us out of these
    difficulties. And I mentioned to the President that more than 70 percent
    of the Palestinian population, they believe in the two-state solution, a
    state of Palestine and a state of Israel living in peace and security
    next to each other. That means that the Palestinian people desire peace,
    and there is no power on Earth that can prevent the Palestinian people
    from moving toward the peaceful solution and living and coexisting in
    peace.
        Of course, we look forward to activate the various plans and various
    resolutions and the roadmap in order to be in a position to reach, with
    our neighbors, the desired objectives.
        We always, Mr. President--we look forward to your support and your
    help and your aid, because we are in dire need for your help and
    support. Mr. President, we will always be faithful and truthful to
    peace, and we will not disappoint you.
        President Bush. Thank you, sir. Thank you very much.

    Note: The President spoke at 10:33 a.m. at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.
    President Abbas spoke in Arabic, and his remarks were translated by an
    interpreter. A tape was not available for verification of the content of
    these remarks.