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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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Bush Sees Palestinian State Deal 'Within Year'

But also backs controversial Israeli settlements

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(Newser) – President Bush announced today after a historic meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas that he envisions an independent Palestinian state within a year—just hours after he also vowed to back a decision by Israel to create settlements in disputed parts of Jerusalem, over international objections. The president's juggling demonstrates the difficulty of satisfying both sides in the Mideast conflict.

"I believe there will be a signed peace treaty by the time I leave office," Bush said at a press conference with Abbas. The president, who also earlier told Prime Minister Ehud Olmert he'd give Israel a free hand to continue military action against Palestinian militants, wants to give both leaders a way to sell his peace initiative to their people. Bush said neither side should "lose sight of the potential for a historic agreement."

U.S. President George W. Bush, greets children waving U.S. and Israeli flags as he arrives at the Israeli President's residence in Jerusalem, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008, for a meeting with Israeli President Shimon Peres. (AP Photo/Jack Guez, Pool)
U.S. President George W. Bush, greets children waving U.S. and Israeli flags as he arrives at the Israeli President's residence in Jerusalem, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008, for a meeting with Israeli President...   (Associated Press)
United States President, George W. Bush, left, shakes hands with Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, right, following a joint news conference after their meeting in Abbas headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Thursday, Jan. 10, 2008. Bush on Thursday predicted that a Mideast peace treaty would be completed by...
United States President, George W. Bush, left, shakes hands with Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, right, following a joint news conference after their meeting in Abbas headquarters in the West Bank...   (Associated Press)
U.S. President George W. Bush, left, shakes hand with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas , following a media conference at Abbas's headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Thursday Jan. 10, 2008. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)
U.S. President George W. Bush, left, shakes hand with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas , following a media conference at Abbas's headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Thursday Jan. 10, 2008....   (Associated Press)
President George W. Bush, and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, right, following their meeting at Olmert's residence in Jerusalem. Bush opened his first presidential trip to Israel, Wednesday, seeking to build momentum for stalled Mideast peace talks. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis, pool)
President George W. Bush, and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, right, following their meeting at Olmert's residence in Jerusalem. Bush opened his first presidential trip to Israel, Wednesday, seeking...   (Associated Press)
President Bush, left, talks to Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, right, following their meeting at Olmert's residence in Jerusalem, Bush opened his first presidential trip to Israel Wednesday, seeking to build momentum for stalled Mideast peace talks. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis, Pool)
President Bush, left, talks to Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, right, following their meeting at Olmert's residence in Jerusalem, Bush opened his first presidential trip to Israel Wednesday, seeking...   (Associated Press)
Jewish and Arab demonstrators protest U.S. President George W. Bush's visit in front of the U.S. consulate in Jerusalem, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008. (AP Photo/Dan Balilty)
Jewish and Arab demonstrators protest U.S. President George W. Bush's visit in front of the U.S. consulate in Jerusalem, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008. (AP Photo/Dan Balilty)   (Associated Press)
Israeli right wing activists wearing traditional arab head dress demonstrate against the visit of President Bush after Bush arrived in Jerusalem, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)
Israeli right wing activists wearing traditional arab head dress demonstrate against the visit of President Bush after Bush arrived in Jerusalem, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)   (Associated Press)
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