WASHINGTON, December 19, SPA -- President George W. Bush will visit Israel and the West Bank next month to push Israel and the Palestinians toward peace. On a nine-day trip beginning Jan. 8, Bush plans to stop inJerusalem, the West Bank, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United ArabEmirates, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. It will be Bush's firstpresidential visit to each of the countries, except Egypt. The trip is aimed at helping the two sides gain traction in talks that got under way earlier this month, the Associated Press reported. «Part of it is to continue to keep the discussions going,to show the commitment and to remind the world that this isa moment that has presented itself, and it's time foreveryone to seize the opportunity to make sure that thePalestinians and the Israelis are supported,» White Housepress secretary Dana Perino said Tuesday. «In addition tothat, the president wants to help try to increase Israeliand Arab reconciliation.» Bush will focus the leaders on finding a long-term,sustainable peace, although it remained unclear whether hewould engage in detailed negotiations. He is scheduled tomeet separately with Israeli and Palestinian leaders. Nothree-way meeting is planned. «The important thing is for the leaders to keep their eyeon the big picture and to work with their staffs _ andtrust their staffs _ who are going to work out thesedetails,» Perino said. «And the president can helpfacilitate those discussions. I do not anticipate, althoughwe can let you know as we get closer, whether there wouldbe detailed discussions about a concession on one side orthe other.»--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/510743