U.S. President George Bush says he is still hopeful that an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement can be reached. Mr. Bush spoke during talks at the White House with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
美国总统布什说，他对以色列与巴勒斯坦能够达成和平协议充满希望。布什在白宫和巴勒斯坦民族权力机构主席阿巴斯会面时，表达了上述的说法。
For months, President Bush has been saying a peace deal is possible before he leaves office in January.
几个月以来，布什总统一直表示，在他明年一月卸任之前，以、巴和平协议是有可能达成的。
But now, his comments are more measured. With a transition of power underway in Israel and time running out for major concessions, Mr. Bush is saying only that he is hopeful.
但是现在，他的说法更谨慎。以色列正在进行权力交换，做出重大让步的时间快要没有了。布什总统现在只说，他还保持著希望。
He told President Abbas that he will do all he can to spur progress toward the creation of a Palestinian state.
他告诉阿巴斯说，他会尽他一切所能来促进巴勒斯坦国的建立。
"As you know, I have four months left in office. And I am hopeful the vision that you and I have worked on can come to pass," he said.
布什总统说：“正如你知道的，我在任还有四个月。我对你和我一起努力促成进展仍抱有希望。”
President Bush said it will be hard work. But he said there is plenty of desire and determination.
布什总统说，尽管需要艰苦的努力，但是他仍然抱有充分的希望和决心。
Mahmoud Abbas vowed to continue the search for a two-state solution with Israel. He said hope will remain, adding that the Palestinian people cannot live without it.
阿巴斯誓言要继续同以色列寻求两国并存的解决之道。他说：“希望会持续下去。巴勒斯坦人不能没有希望而活。”
Israel and the Palestinians revived peace talks after a summit last November in the United States. President Bush has made two trips this year to the Middle East to help move the process along.
以色列和巴勒斯坦去年十一月在美国举行峰会，恢复了和平会谈。布什总统今年先后两次访问中东，帮助和平会谈的进行。
But so far, the negotiations have yielded little. And there has been almost no progress on the most contentious issues, such as the status of Jerusalem and the borders of a Palestinian state.
但是目前为止，会谈并没有取得重大结果。在最具争议性的议题上，例如耶路撒冷的地位和巴勒斯坦建国后的边界，几乎没有进展。
Further complicating matters is the resignation of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert -- one of the key players in the peace process. His designated successor is Tzipi Livni, who has been serving as foreign minister. She has signaled her intent to keep the negotiations going. But analysts say her initial focus will likely be on building a governing coalition.
让事情更复杂的是，以色列总理奥尔默特的辞职。奥尔默特是和平进程的关键推手之一。他指定的继任者是利夫尼，利夫尼曾经担任以色列外长。她已经表明继续谈判的意愿。但分析家说，利夫尼初期的注意力会放在组建联合政府上。 |