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Mid-East deal in sight, says Bush Mid-East deal in sight, says Bush
(about 1 hour later)
US President George Bush has said it is "absolutely possible and necessary" for Israel and the Palestinians to agree a peace deal during his term in office.US President George Bush has said it is "absolutely possible and necessary" for Israel and the Palestinians to agree a peace deal during his term in office.
Mr Bush was speaking after holding talks with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank.Mr Bush was speaking after holding talks with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank.
Mr Bush also said Israel must "help and not hinder" efforts to create credible Palestinian security forces.Mr Bush also said Israel must "help and not hinder" efforts to create credible Palestinian security forces.
Mr Bush is meeting Israeli and Palestinian leaders as part of efforts to push a US-sponsored peace process.Mr Bush is meeting Israeli and Palestinian leaders as part of efforts to push a US-sponsored peace process.
It is his first trip to Israel and the West Bank since taking office in 2001.It is his first trip to Israel and the West Bank since taking office in 2001.
He is trying to use the visit to push forward stalling Israeli-Palestinian peace talks which were relaunched last November.He is trying to use the visit to push forward stalling Israeli-Palestinian peace talks which were relaunched last November.
A huge and complex security operation is underway to protect Mr Bush, who has now flown to Bethlehem, where he will visit the Church of the Nativity. A huge and complex security operation is under way to protect Mr Bush, who, following the talks, flew to Bethlehem, where he visited the Church of the Nativity.
'Tough choices''Tough choices'
Speaking after about 90 minutes of talks with the Palestinian president, which followed a meeting with the Israeli prime minister on Wednesday, Mr Bush said he was sure both men "understand the importance of two states living side by side in peace".Speaking after about 90 minutes of talks with the Palestinian president, which followed a meeting with the Israeli prime minister on Wednesday, Mr Bush said he was sure both men "understand the importance of two states living side by side in peace".
President Abbas and Prime Minister [Ehud] Olmert have to come together and make tough choices, and I'm convinced they will President Bush Middle East tour diaryIn pictures: West Bank visitPress split on peace hopesPresident Abbas and Prime Minister [Ehud] Olmert have to come together and make tough choices, and I'm convinced they will President Bush Middle East tour diaryIn pictures: West Bank visitPress split on peace hopes
But, he said, "President Abbas and Prime Minister [Ehud] Olmert have to come together and make tough choices...But, he said, "President Abbas and Prime Minister [Ehud] Olmert have to come together and make tough choices...
"And I believe it possible - not only possible, I believe it's going to happen - that there will be a signed peace treaty by the time I leave office" in a year's time."And I believe it possible - not only possible, I believe it's going to happen - that there will be a signed peace treaty by the time I leave office" in a year's time.
To do so, he added, both sides would have to honour their commitments under the so-called "road map" to peace.To do so, he added, both sides would have to honour their commitments under the so-called "road map" to peace.
The process would be monitored by Lt Gen William Fraser, an assistant to the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, US officials said.
Mr Bush said Israel should not harm the process by undermining the effectiveness of the Palestinian security forces.Mr Bush said Israel should not harm the process by undermining the effectiveness of the Palestinian security forces.
But, asked why he would not hold Israel to the many United Nations resolutions critical of its presence in occupied territory, Mr Bush said the choice was whether to remain stuck in the past, or to move on.But, asked why he would not hold Israel to the many United Nations resolutions critical of its presence in occupied territory, Mr Bush said the choice was whether to remain stuck in the past, or to move on.
Israeli and Palestinian views on US leader's visitIn picturesIsraeli and Palestinian views on US leader's visitIn pictures
He said Palestinians had to decide whether they wanted "a state, or the status quo" - one vision represented by Mr Abbas's Fatah movement, the other by rival Palestinian group Hamas, who he said had "created chaos".He said Palestinians had to decide whether they wanted "a state, or the status quo" - one vision represented by Mr Abbas's Fatah movement, the other by rival Palestinian group Hamas, who he said had "created chaos".
Pressed on the problems posed for Palestinians by ubiquitous Israeli checkpoints, he said he understood their frustrations but said they gave Israelis a "sense of security".Pressed on the problems posed for Palestinians by ubiquitous Israeli checkpoints, he said he understood their frustrations but said they gave Israelis a "sense of security".
Abbas optimisticAbbas optimistic
For his part, Mr Abbas welcomed Mr Bush's "commitment to the peace process", which he said the Palestinian people would not forget.For his part, Mr Abbas welcomed Mr Bush's "commitment to the peace process", which he said the Palestinian people would not forget.
He said he wanted "a different future" for the Palestinians instead of the present reality of "hospitals full of innocent victims", checkpoints, and "humiliation under siege".He said he wanted "a different future" for the Palestinians instead of the present reality of "hospitals full of innocent victims", checkpoints, and "humiliation under siege".
Massive disruption for visitLasting legacy?Massive disruption for visitLasting legacy?
He said the two sides had begun discussions on the core issues that divide them, and said he wanted a resolution before the end of the year.He said the two sides had begun discussions on the core issues that divide them, and said he wanted a resolution before the end of the year.
"Peace in the world starts from here, the sacred land," he said."Peace in the world starts from here, the sacred land," he said.
Snipers and thousands of other Palestinian and US security agents have flooded the West Bank in a huge operation to safeguard the president's security - an operation that continued as Mr Bush visited Bethlehem. Snipers and thousands of other Palestinian and US security agents have flooded the West Bank in a huge operation to safeguard the president's security.
Mr Bush is an unpopular figure among Palestinians who view him as being overwhelmingly pro-Israeli.Mr Bush is an unpopular figure among Palestinians who view him as being overwhelmingly pro-Israeli.
Earlier, Palestinian security forces used tear gas and batons to break up a small demonstration against his visit in Ramallah.Earlier, Palestinian security forces used tear gas and batons to break up a small demonstration against his visit in Ramallah.
Mr Bush arrived in Israel on Wednesday to a lavish welcome ceremony, at which he described Israel as the US's "strongest and most trusted ally".Mr Bush arrived in Israel on Wednesday to a lavish welcome ceremony, at which he described Israel as the US's "strongest and most trusted ally".