A 'Swiss cheese' Palestinian state won't work, says Bush

Ramallah: US President George W. Bush on Thursday predicted that a Middle East peace treaty would be signed by the time he leaves office in a year and bring Palestinians their longed-for state.

Bush is hoping to clinch a major foreign policy victory before he leaves office in January 2009 after the failure of previous administrations to broker peace.

But on his first visit to the occupied West Bank, Bush said both Israel and the Palestinians had to make "tough choices" for peace to become a reality.

At a press conference alongside Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank political capital Ramallah, Bush said a Palestinan state had to be contiguous.

"Swiss cheese isn't going to work when it comes to the territory of a state," he said, reflecting deep divisions still dogging recently revived negotiations.

"In order for there to be lasting peace... Abbas and Prime Minister [Ehud] Olmert have to come together and make tough choices and I'm convinced they will," he said.

"I believe it's going to happen, that there's going to be a signed peace treaty by the time I leave office."

Abbas told Bush that there is an opportunity to reach a deal this year, but that Israel must stop building colonies on land claimed by the Palestinians.

"What we heard from the president was encouraging and reassuring," Abbas said. "We, from our side, are ready to reach an agreement this year. But the question is whether Israel is serious or not."

Bush's first trip to the West Bank generated little excitement among Palestinians, who are largely sceptical of his promises to move along Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.

The Palestinians believe the US is firmly on Israel's side, but Bush's visit "gives our people great hope," Abbas said.

Bush's talks in Ramallah followed meetings with Israeli leaders on Wednesday at the start of a Middle East trip aimed at advancing the negotiations relaunched six weeks ago.

Bush said he understood the frustrations of Palestinians who have to live with Israeli checkpoints and barricades and said Israel should "help not hinder" the Palestinian security forces.

Bush said he is confident that "with proper help, the state of Palestine will emerge."

"I am confident that the status quo is unacceptable, Mr President, and we want to help you," Bush said.