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Bush presses for Mid-East peace Bush 'hopeful' for Mid-East peace
(about 6 hours later)
US President George W Bush has said he is prepared to exert pressure so that Middle Eastern peace talks can succeed. US President George W Bush has said he is "very hopeful" that Israeli and Palestinian peace talks can succeed.
"If there needs to be a little pressure then you know I will provide it," he said after talks with Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert. After talks with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in Jerusalem, Mr Bush said he was prepared to exert pressure so that a deal could be reached this year.
He was speaking at the start of what he called a "historic" tour of the Middle East aimed at advancing peace talks. Mr Bush is using his first trip as president to Israel and the West Bank to boost peace talks begun last year.
However, within hours of his arrival, the Palestinians reported that Israeli forces had killed three people in Gaza. Mr Olmert said he was committed to dealing with the core issues of the conflict with the Palestinians.
US pressure
"It's a historic opportunity to work for peace," Mr Bush said.
"If there needs to be a little pressure then you know I will provide it."
Within hours of Mr Bush's arrival in Israel, the Palestinians reported that Israeli forces had killed three people in Gaza.
The Palestinians accused Israel of stepping up such attacks during the run-up to Mr Bush's visit.The Palestinians accused Israel of stepping up such attacks during the run-up to Mr Bush's visit.
The role of the United States is to help in (peace) negotiations. We'll help, and we want to help President Bush Middle East tour diaryIn pictures: Bush visitThe role of the United States is to help in (peace) negotiations. We'll help, and we want to help President Bush Middle East tour diaryIn pictures: Bush visit
The Israeli raids followed rockets launched from inside Gaza into Israel.The Israeli raids followed rockets launched from inside Gaza into Israel.
Mr Olmert - standing alongside Mr Bush - said Israel would not tolerate such rocket attacks.Mr Olmert - standing alongside Mr Bush - said Israel would not tolerate such rocket attacks.
"There will be no peace until terror is stopped," he said."There will be no peace until terror is stopped," he said.
But he also re-iterated his commitment to peace, saying both sides were "seriously trying to move forward in order to realise the vision of a two-state solution".But he also re-iterated his commitment to peace, saying both sides were "seriously trying to move forward in order to realise the vision of a two-state solution".
'Tough negotiations' Mr Olmert's spokesman told the BBC that negotiations on the core issues dividing Israel and the Palestinians would begin as early as next week.
Mr Bush said he was "under no illusions" and there would be "hard work" ahead. "The idea is to try to find solutions, to try to find common ground hopefully before the end of this year," the spokesman, Mark Regev, said.
"I fully understand that there's going to be some painful political compromises," he said. Settlements
We are expecting that President Bush will get Israel to freeze settlement activity Nabil Abu Rudeina,Abbas spokesman Massive disruption for visitLasting legacy?
"There's going to be some tough negotiations. And the role of the United States is to help in those negotiations."
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and Mr Olmert vowed at a US summit last year to try to achieve a two-state solution by the end of 2008.Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and Mr Olmert vowed at a US summit last year to try to achieve a two-state solution by the end of 2008.
Mr Bush said he was still hopeful a peace deal could be agreed by the time he steps down as president in January 2009. On Tuesday, the two leaders said negotiations could begin on the core issues separating them such as the borders of a future Palestinian state, Palestinian refugees, Israeli settlements and the status of Jerusalem.
We are expecting that President Bush will get Israel to freeze settlement activity Nabil Abu Rudeina,Abbas spokesman Massive disruption for visitLasting legacy?
The issue of settlements is expected to top the agenda when Mr Abbas meets Mr Bush in the West Bank on Thursday.The issue of settlements is expected to top the agenda when Mr Abbas meets Mr Bush in the West Bank on Thursday.
It also loomed large in Mr Olmert's and Mr Bush's news conference.It also loomed large in Mr Olmert's and Mr Bush's news conference.
Mr Bush said outposts - small unofficial settlements - ought to go. But he made no direct reference to the issue of settlements in general.Mr Bush said outposts - small unofficial settlements - ought to go. But he made no direct reference to the issue of settlements in general.
Mr Olmert said Israel would abide by its commitment not to build any new settlements in Palestinian territories.Mr Olmert said Israel would abide by its commitment not to build any new settlements in Palestinian territories.
But he also made it clear that Israel did not consider East Jerusalem as occupied, even though most other nations, and the Palestinians, do.But he also made it clear that Israel did not consider East Jerusalem as occupied, even though most other nations, and the Palestinians, do.
Naval encounterNaval encounter
Mr Bush also took the opportunity to warn Iran of "serious consequences" if it attacked US ships in the Gulf.Mr Bush also took the opportunity to warn Iran of "serious consequences" if it attacked US ships in the Gulf.
Israeli and Palestinian views on US leader's visitIn picturesIsraeli and Palestinian views on US leader's visitIn pictures
"My advice to them is, don't do it," he said.
He was speaking after the US reported that five Iranian speedboats had challenged and briefly threatened three US warships in the Strait of Hormuz at the weekend.He was speaking after the US reported that five Iranian speedboats had challenged and briefly threatened three US warships in the Strait of Hormuz at the weekend.
The US said its vessels were about to open fire when the Iranian boats withdrew.The US said its vessels were about to open fire when the Iranian boats withdrew.
Iran at first described the encounter as a routine occurrence and dismissed video of the incident published by the Americans as fake.Iran at first described the encounter as a routine occurrence and dismissed video of the incident published by the Americans as fake.
Mr Bush said he and Mr Olmert had also discussed the Iranian nuclear programme.
He said Iran was and would remain a threat to world peace if the international community did not stop it building a nuclear weapon.
Iran says its programme is for peaceful purposes only.