President George Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert bid each other farewell on Monday, expressing confidence in an eventual Mideast peace deal that won’t materialize on either of their watches.

Bush and Olmert met for more than an hour at the White House as their time in office winds to a close. Bush’s two terms end Jan. 20. Olmert plans to resign amid corruption charges and will step down after a successor is chosen on Feb. 10.

Earlier Monday, the Israeli leader had breakfast with Rice and national security adviser Stephen Hadley and met with Vice President Dick Cheney. Bush, Olmert, first lady Laura Bush and the Israeli prime minister’s wife, Aliza, dined privately at the White House.

The following are their public remarks to the media:

PRESIDENT BUSH: I am pleased to welcome my friend, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, back to the Oval Office.  And I thank you for bringing your wife to have dinner tonight with Laura and me.  I’m looking forward to it.

We’ve been through a lot together during our time in office.  We strongly believe that Israel will benefit by having a Palestinian state, a democracy on her border that works for peace.  And, Prime Minister, that vision is alive because of you.  And I thank you for your steadfast support for peace.

And it’s not easy.  It’s not easy to try to change the paradigm, and I understand that.  But one thing is for certain — you’ve kept your word.  And in international politics, that’s important.  And I want to thank you for the friendship, and thank you for your vision.  And I just want you to know that I believe that vision is alive and needs to be worked on.

And again, I welcome you.  Appreciate you coming.

PRIME MINISTER OLMERT: Thank you very much, Mr. President.  I’m delighted to have this opportunity to express again the deep gratitude we all have to you, personally, as a human being, as a friend, as a courageous leader who has helped Israel so much over the period since you were President of the United States of America.

I will never forget that you have removed one of the most threatening strategic dangers from Israel on the east side, in Iraq.  And this is a great achievement that makes life much better for many people in our part of the world, particularly for us and for our neighbors, as well.

You have set forth in motion the Annapolis process, which I was very proud to take part in.

PRESIDENT BUSH: Yes, sir.

PRIME MINISTER OLMERT: It continues with your guidance and support and inspiration.  And this is very important, because as you say, a two-state solution is the only possible way to resolve the conflict in the Middle East.

So, Mr. President, on behalf of the people of Israel, I want to thank you.  The importance of your leadership is greatly appreciated in our country.  And I’m sure that when the history books will be written, the contributions that you made to the safety and security of many people will be greatly appreciated.

Personally, I want to thank you for your friendship on behalf of my wife, Aliza, and myself.  And I’m so happy and proud that I had an opportunity to speak of it to you before you leave this great place and before I leave my office.  And I’m sure that we will continue our friendship for many years to come.

Thank you very much.

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, sir.  Thank you.

(Yehuda Drudgestein – YWN)