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Bush optimistic for serious peace dialogue

November 26, 2007
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U.S. President George Bush expressed optimism that Israeli and Palestinian Authority leaders could continue a "serious dialogue" for peace in the Middle East.

Bush met Monday separately with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, the day before diplomats from more than 40 countries were to gather in Annapolis, Md., for the latest effort to reach a Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement.

"I'm looking forward to continuing our serious dialogue with you and the president of the Palestinian Authority to see whether or not peace is possible. I'm optimistic," Bush said after his meeting with Olmert.

Olmert said he was "delighted" to be back in Washington, "because we are going to have lots of participants in what I hope will launch a serious process of negotiations between us and the Palestinians."

While the process was a bilateral one, Olmert said international support was important.

Saeb Erekat, a senior Palestinian negotiator, told reporters Sunday the number of Arab states sending delegations to Washington was noteworthy, the Baltimore Sun reported.

"All the Arabs are coming -- the whole world is coming, the world is here to tell us, 'We are with you -- do it,'" Erekat said.  // Copyright 2007 by United Press International

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