Washington, July 30: Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon today met US President George W Bush at the White House on Tuesday and said he agreed to the existence of a Palestinian state, but emphasised that there could be no progress towards that end unless terrorism ends first. Addressing a joint press conference after their meet the two leaders said that both of them and Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas are agreed on an independent and peaceful Palestinian state living side by side with Israel. However, they stressed that there can be no progress towards that goal unless terrorism ends first. "All parties," said Bush, "agree that the fundamental obstacle to peace is terrorism, which can never be justified by any cause."

Last month, in Aqaba, Bush recalled, Abbas committed the Palestinian authority to a complete end to violence and terrorism. "The Palestinian authority," said Bush, "must undertake sustained, targeted and effective operations to confront those engaged in terror and to dismantle terrorist capabilities and infrastructure. We are determined to help Prime Minister Abbas as he works to end terror and establish the rule of law that will protect Israelis and Palestinians alike.

"I urge Arab states to follow through on the pledges made in Sharm-el-Sheikh to actively contribute to those efforts and to reject the culture of extremism and violence from whatever source or place." Bureau Report