Bush says Olmert’s ideas “important step” to peace

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President George W. Bush said on
Tuesday that Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s “bold ideas”
on the West Bank could be an important step to peace.

“While any final status agreement will be only achieved on
the basis of mutually agreed changes … the prime minister’s
ideas could be an important step toward the peace we both
support,” Bush said with Olmert standing at his side at a press
conference.

Bush also said Olmert agreed with him “that a negotiated
final status agreement bests serves both the Israelis and the
Palestinians and the cause of peace.”