Transcript of the Reuters interview with President Bush

WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - The following is a transcript of an interview with President George W. Bush conducted at the Oval Office on January 3, 2008 at 10:51 A.M. EST:

THE PRESIDENT: First of all, let me talk about the Middle East trip. You know, kind of one of the interesting myths is I haven't been to the Middle East -- I have been to a lot of the Middle East. I've been to Iraq a couple of times, I've been to Qatar and Aqaba, Jordan and Sharm el-Sheikh. So I'm looking forward to going back.

The purpose is threefold. One is to advance the progress made in Annapolis, to help the parties stay focused on the big opportunity, which is the definition of a Palestinian state, the implementation of which will be subject to the road map. Secondly is to remind our Arab friends and allies, one, they can count on U.S. -- the United States to provide security in the region; but also remind them that they have a great opportunity to help advance the process and to recognize the important role that Israel will play in helping to establish a Palestinian state, that they can be constructive in the process.

And so I'm really looking forward to it. It's going to be a pretty extensive trip, but one that is going to I think be good for the country.

Okay? You didn't even listen to what I said. It was, like, a brilliant introduction. (Laughter.)

Q We were listening. We're just plotting.

THE PRESIDENT: I see, you've got your -- you mean I answered one of your questions already? Let me see if I can answer some more -- (laughter.)

Q No. (Laughter.)

Q Just before we turn to the Middle East, I'd just like to ask you about Kenya and what you think the United States can do to help stem the violence, which seems to bear all the hallmarks of another round of genocide?

THE PRESIDENT: First thing is Secretary Rice has been on the phone with the leaders, urging them to come to a political accommodation that will help deal with the tensions that now exist in the country. It's very important for the people of Kenya to not resort to violence. It is essential for them to understand that the international community and the United States will help their country, but it's going to be hard to help a country if it gets wracked by violence.

But the truth of the matter is, it's going to be up to these two leaders to help deal with the nearly evenly divided electorate and convince the country that they are capable of working together to advance reconciliation. So Condi has been on the phone quite frequently with not only the two leaders, themselves, but also other African leaders that could have some influence in the region. We're hopeful that the leaders will show up and do what leaders do, which is to make hard decisions.

Q Do you think they should share power?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, I believe that they have an opportunity to come together in some kind of arrangement that will help heal the wounds of a closely divided election.

Q Mr. President, turning back to the Middle East, what would you consider a successful Mideast trip, with regards to the Israel and Palestinian peace process? And are there any breakthroughs likely to come from your efforts?

THE PRESIDENT: An important part of the trip is to remind the Palestinians and the Israelis that in order for there to be peace that there has to be a vision of what a state will look like. So part of the purpose of the trip is to explain the rationale behind the Annapolis meeting. And the rationale behind the necessity for the leaders to come together and lay out what a state will look like, and assure people of a couple of things:

One, that the state will not become a terrorist safe haven, but in fact a state based upon the institutions of democracy; that there is a road map process that will -- the state will be implemented, I say, subject to the road map. So the vision is set out, something around which people can rally -- in other words people in the Palestinian Territories can say, I'm for this, this is what I want to have happen, and therefore we reject those who espouse terror.