Bush to Abbas: I'll push for Palestinian state

At end of his meeting with Palestinian leader, American president says that he intends to continue promoting peace in Mideast, calls Abbas 'man of peace.' PA president urges US to assist Palestinians

Yitzhak Benhorin
Published: 09.20.06, 19:15 / Israel News

WASHINGTON – American President George W. Bush said Wednesday that he intends to continue promoting a resolution for the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians that would lead to the establishment of two democratic countries living alongside each other in peace.

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Bush made the statements in a meeting with reporters at the end of his meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in New York.

At the press conference, the two leaders did not address the conflict surrounding the formation of a Hamas-Fatah unity government in the Palestinian Authority, but spoke of the challenge of pushing for the establishment of a Palestinian state that would peacefully coexist with Israel.

During the conference, Bush called Abbas "a man of peace," who can help advance Mideast talks that stalled after Hamas swept into power during the last elections.

Abbas and Bush statements' came shortly after Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh declared that Hamas would not recognize Israel, despite the Quartet's conditions.

Abbas said that this was his fifth meeting with the US president, and noted that Bush was the first American president to speak publicly about the establishment of a Palestinian state.

"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," he said.

Abbas also called on Bush to assist the Palestinians, and stated that, "We are in dire need of your help and support."

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