WASHINGTON, Dec 20 (AFP) - US President George W. Bush said Monday that he was optimistic about ending the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians and declared "now's the time to move the process forward."
He added, however, that the establishment of a Palestinian state would be key to any lasting Mideast peace.
"I'm realistic about how to achieve peace," the president told a press conference. "It starts with my understanding that there will never be peace until a true democratic state emerges in the Palestinian territory."
12/20/2004 16:35 GMT - AFP