[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 1 (Monday, January 14, 2008)]
[Pages 54-55]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks on the Middle East Peace Process in Jerusalem

January 10, 2008

    Good afternoon. I'd like to, first, thank Prime Minister Olmert and 
President Abbas for their hospitality during my trip here to

[[Page 55]]

the Holy Land. We've had very good meetings, and now is the time to make 
difficult choices.
    I underscored to both Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas that 
progress needs to be made on four parallel tracks. First, both sides 
need to fulfill their commitments under the roadmap. Second, the 
Palestinians need to build their economy and their political and 
security institutions. And to do that, they need the help of Israel, the 
region, and the international community. Third, I reiterate my 
appreciation for the Arab League peace initiative, and I call upon the 
Arab countries to reach out to Israel, a step that is long overdue.
    In addition to these three tracks, both sides are getting down to 
the business of negotiating. I called upon both leaders to make sure 
their teams negotiate seriously, starting right now. I strongly 
supported the decision of the two leaders to continue their regular 
summit meetings, because they are the ones who can and must and, I am 
convinced, will lead.
    I share with these two leaders the vision of two democratic states, 
Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security. Both of 
these leaders believe that the outcome is in the interest of their 
peoples and are determined to arrive at a negotiated solution to achieve 
it.
    The point of departure for permanent status negotiations to realize 
this vision seems clear. There should be an end to the occupation that 
began in 1967. The agreement must establish Palestine as a homeland for 
the Palestinian people, just as Israel is a homeland for the Jewish 
people. These negotiations must ensure that Israel has secure, 
recognized, and defensible borders. And they must ensure that the state 
of Palestine is viable, contiguous, sovereign, and independent.
    It is vital that each side understands that satisfying the other's 
fundamental objectives is key to a successful agreement. Security for 
Israel and viability for the Palestinian state are in the mutual 
interests of both parties.
    Achieving an agreement will require painful political concessions by 
both sides. While territory is an issue for both parties to decide, I 
believe that any peace agreement between them will require mutually 
agreed adjustments to the armistice lines of 1949 to reflect current 
realities and to ensure that the Palestinian state is viable and 
contiguous. I believe we need to look to the establishment of a 
Palestinian state and new international mechanisms, including 
compensation, to resolve the refugee issue.
    I reaffirm to each leader that implementation of any agreement is 
subject to implementation of the roadmap. Neither party should undertake 
any activity that contravenes roadmap obligations or prejudices the 
final status negotiations. On the Israeli side, that includes ending 
settlement expansion and removing unauthorized outposts. On the 
Palestinian side, that includes confronting terrorists and dismantling 
terrorist infrastructure.
    I know Jerusalem is a tough issue. Both sides have deeply felt 
political and religious concerns. I fully understand that finding a 
solution to this issue will be one of the most difficult challenges on 
the road to peace, but that is the road we have chosen to walk.
    Security is fundamental. No agreement and no Palestinian state will 
be born of terror. I reaffirm America's steadfast commitment to Israel's 
security.
    The establishment of the state of Palestine is long overdue. The 
Palestinian people deserve it, and it will enhance the stability of the 
region, and it will contribute to the security of the people of Israel. 
The peace agreement should happen and can happen by the end of this 
year. I know each leader shares that important goal, and I am committed 
to doing all I can to achieve it.
    Thank you.

Note: The President spoke at 5:27 p.m. at the King David Hotel. In his 
remarks, he referred to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of Israel; and 
President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) of the Palestinian Authority.