President Bush told reporters that, 'now is the time to move the process forward' in the Middle East, hinting at increased U.S. involvement in the stalled peace process between Israel and the Palestinians.

Mr. Bush also emphasized the need for democracy among the Palestinians, a people long divided into numerous factions.

'It starts with my understanding that there will never be peace until a true democratic state emerges in the Palestinian territory,' Bush said.
He also called the election 'the beginning of the process toward the development of a state' and 'not the sign that democracy has arrived.'

The President also announced he would send a senior diplomat to Prime Minister Tony Blair's scheduled peace conference in London this February. Previously, Bush indicated that it was 'premature' to hold such a summit. The Israelis have indicated that they will not attend although Prime Minister Sharon acknowledged the 'importance of the summit.'

Bush hoped that new, moderate leadership would emerge among the Palestinians after the coming elections. He said that dealing with the late Yasser Arafat, 'just didn't work. So I look forward to working with the world, the new secretary of state (Condoleezza Rice), to work with the Palestinians to develop the structures necessary for a democracy to emerge.'

Earlier this month, Bush approved an aid package to the Palestinian Authority in the amount of $20 million. He pledged continued progress in the area and reiterated his desire to stick to the 'Roadmap.'

'If the free world focuses on helping the Palestinians develop a state and there's leadership willing to accept the help, it's possible to achieve peace,' Bush said.