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Bush urges Israeli occupation end Bush urges Israeli occupation end
(10 minutes later)
US President George W Bush has said Israel must end occupation of Arab land to enable the creation of a viable Palestinian state.US President George W Bush has said Israel must end occupation of Arab land to enable the creation of a viable Palestinian state.
He also urged a solution to the issue of Palestinian refugees that would involve paying them compensation.He also urged a solution to the issue of Palestinian refugees that would involve paying them compensation.
It is thought to be Mr Bush's strongest public statement pressing Israel to give up land it seized in the 1967 war. It is thought to be Mr Bush's strongest public statement pressing Israel to give up land it seized in the 1967 war. He was speaking in Jerusalem following two days of separate talks with Israeliand Palestinian leaders.
He was speaking in Jerusalem following two days of separate talks with Israeli
and Palestinian leaders.
He has been trying to encourage the two sides into peace talks.He has been trying to encourage the two sides into peace talks.
Now is the time to make difficult choices US President George W Bush In pictures: Bush in W BankMiddle East tour diaryPress split on peace hopesNow is the time to make difficult choices US President George W Bush In pictures: Bush in W BankMiddle East tour diaryPress split on peace hopes
Mr Bush said in a statement: "These negotiations must ensure that Israel has secure recognised and defensible borders and they must ensure the state of Palestine is viable, contiguous, sovereign and independent.Mr Bush said in a statement: "These negotiations must ensure that Israel has secure recognised and defensible borders and they must ensure 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."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 a Palestinian state are in the mutual interests of both parties.""Security for Israel and viability for a Palestinian state are in the mutual interests of both parties."
Two homelandsTwo homelands
And he added: "Agreement must establish Palestine as a homeland for the Palestinian people just as Israel is a homeland for the Jewish people."And he added: "Agreement must establish Palestine as a homeland for the Palestinian people just as Israel is a homeland for the Jewish people."
Mr Bush did not give details of precisely what a final agreement might contain - but his statement set out parameters within which he expected negotiators to work.Mr Bush did not give details of precisely what a final agreement might contain - but his statement set out parameters within which he expected negotiators to work.
OBSTACLES TO PEACE History of negotiationsJerusalemWaterRefugeesBorders and settlements "Now is the time to make difficult choices," he said. But he gave clues to some issues.OBSTACLES TO PEACE History of negotiationsJerusalemWaterRefugeesBorders and settlements "Now is the time to make difficult choices," he said. But he gave clues to some issues.
On Palestinian refugees - a key issue for Arabs since the creation of the state of Israel in 1948 - he said an international mechanism would need to be set up involving compensation.On Palestinian refugees - a key issue for Arabs since the creation of the state of Israel in 1948 - he said an international mechanism would need to be set up involving compensation.
His diplomatic language indicates that the hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in refugee camps around the Middle East should give up hopes of returning to their former homes in what is now Israel.His diplomatic language indicates that the hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in refugee camps around the Middle East should give up hopes of returning to their former homes in what is now Israel.
Instead, they could expect some kind of cash payment.Instead, they could expect some kind of cash payment.
He also said a peace agreement would require mutually agreed adjustments to the pre-1967 boundaries "to reflect current realities" - a reference to Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.He also said a peace agreement would require mutually agreed adjustments to the pre-1967 boundaries "to reflect current realities" - a reference to Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
And he called on Arab states to reach out to Israel - a step he said was "long overdue".And he called on Arab states to reach out to Israel - a step he said was "long overdue".
Mr Bush goes on to Gulf states on Friday, some of which have been less hostile to Israel than other Arab states.Mr Bush goes on to Gulf states on Friday, some of which have been less hostile to Israel than other Arab states.
Earlier, Mr Bush said he believed the two sides would be able to sign a peace deal before he leaves office in January 2009.Earlier, Mr Bush said he believed the two sides would be able to sign a peace deal before he leaves office in January 2009.