For Immediate Release
Office of the White House Press Secretary
November 25, 2007
Statement by the President
www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/11/20071125.html

I am pleased to welcome Prime Minister Olmert, President Abbas, and
representatives of more than forty countries to the United States for the
November 27 Annapolis Conference. The broad attendance at this conference by
regional states and other key international participants demonstrates the
international resolve to seize this important opportunity to advance freedom
and peace in the Middle East.

This conference will signal international support for the Israelis' and
Palestinians' intention to commence negotiations on the establishment of a
Palestinian state and the realization of peace between these two peoples.

It will also provide an opportunity for the Israelis, the Palestinians, and
their neighbors to recommit to implementing the Roadmap, with the U.S.
monitoring their progress by the parties' agreement. Finally, the conference
will review Palestinian plans to build the institutions of a democratic
state and their preparations for next month's donors' conference in Paris.

I remain personally committed to implementing my vision of two democratic
states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security.

The Israelis and Palestinians have waited a long time for this vision to be
realized, and I call upon all those gathering in Annapolis this week to
redouble their efforts to turn dreams of peace into reality. I look forward
to my discussions with Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas this week,
as well as to addressing the conference along with them on Tuesday.
# # #