    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 43, Number 39 (Monday, October 1, 2007)]
    [Pages 1243-1244]
    [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 24, 2007

        President Bush. Mr. President, 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

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    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 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.