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Mid-East deal in sight, says Bush Mid-East deal in sight, says Bush
(about 1 hour later)
It is "absolutely possible and necessary" for Israel and the Palestinians to agree a peace deal this year, President George W Bush says.It is "absolutely possible and necessary" for Israel and the Palestinians to agree a peace deal this year, President George W Bush says.
Mr Bush was speaking after groundbreaking talks with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank.Mr Bush was speaking after groundbreaking 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.
His meeting with Mr Abbas took place amid a massive security operation in Ramallah, where Mr Abbas's headquarters are located.His meeting with Mr Abbas took place amid a massive security operation in Ramallah, where Mr Abbas's headquarters are located.
'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: Bush visitPresident 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: Bush visit
But, he said, "in order for there to be lasting peace, President Abbas and Prime Minister [Ehud] Olmert have to come together and make tough choices, and I'm convinced they will. 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." "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.
Mr Bush said Israel should not harm the process by undermining the formation of the effectiveness of the Palestinian security forces.Mr Bush said Israel should not harm the process by undermining the formation of the effectiveness of the Palestinian security forces.
But he also said the process depended on Palestinians choosing the "vision" of peace and their own independent state. 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 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".
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 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 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, when Mr Bush is due to leave office. 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.
"Peace in the world starts from here, the sacred land," he said.
Mr Bush had been due to arrive in Ramallah by helicopter, but heavy fog forced the president to travel in a motorcade instead.Mr Bush had been due to arrive in Ramallah by helicopter, but heavy fog forced the president to travel in a motorcade instead.
He was greeted by Mr Abbas at his walled headquarters, the Muqata, and the two men briefly clutched hands as they walked up the red carpet. Tense trip
All vehicles were been banned from the roads in districts around the headquarters of Mr Abbas, the Palestinian Authority president.
Snipers and thousands of other Palestinian and US security agents have flooded the area in the huge operation to safeguard the president's security.Snipers and thousands of other Palestinian and US security agents have flooded the area in the 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.
Hamas excluded Palestinian security forces used tear gas and batons to break up a small demonstration against his visit in Ramallah on Thursday.
Correspondents say a central obstacle to a peace deal is the internal division among the Palestinians, with the Gaza Strip controlled by Mr Abbas's foes, the militant group Hamas. 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".
Rocket attacks on Israel from Gaza continue, with more rockets fired on Thursday morning according to the Israeli military. Later on Thursday, he will visit the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, before having dinner with Prime Minister Olmert.
Israeli and Palestinian views on US leader's visitIn pictures
A key issue is how President Abbas can hope to halt such attacks, say correspondents.
The US considers Hamas a terrorist organisation and Mr Bush has no plans to visit Gaza.
At a conference in Annapolis, Maryland, in late November, Mr Olmert and Mr Abbas agreed to pursue a peace agreement leading to a two-state solution in 2008.
Mr Abbas has said he would like to see an end to settlement-building by the Israelis, and the easing Israeli-imposed travel restrictions in the West Bank.
Mr Bush said he understands Palestinian frustrations about Israeli military checkpoints in the West Bank but argued that they were necessary for Israelis to feel secure.