In contrast to the Obama-Netanyahu meeting earlier this day, which was followed by statements from both leaders, there were no statements after the Obama-Abbas meeting this afternoon. There was, however, the notably news-free report from the White House pool reporter (as posted on Time/CNN's http://thepage.time.com/pool-report-and-spray-obama-with-abbas-september-1-2010/ (link has expired) The Page.)
"At approximately 2:58 p.m., President Obama and Palestinian President
Mahmoud Abbas left their bilateral talks at the Oval Office and made
their way down the walkway towards Abbas motorcade on the South Lawn.
"The two talked and gestured as if they were in friendly, substantive conversation but your pooler was unable to hear what they were saying. Running nearly 30 minutes behind schedule, Abbas walked on President Obama's right hand side, wearing a dark suit and purple tie with stripes. He turned left on occasion when speaking with the president, who was wearing a dark suit and lavender tie.
"As Abbas was getting into his car, your pooler asked how the conversations had gone.
"'We are making progress,' Obama replied (as confirmed by several other reporters on the scene).
"Asked how he planned on succeeding in brokering peace between the Israelis and Palestinians where others have failed, the President said he would address the question in a statement later that day.
"A final question was asked. Had the talks been productive? 'Yes,' Obama replied.
"By then Abbas was in his car and the president had waved goodbye. But the motorcade did not immediately move and Obama stood patiently, hands clasped together, on the walkway. He talked briefly with U.S. Chief of Protocol Ambassador Capricia Marshall, as confirmed by an aide. Then he turned back and waved goodbye once more to Abbas.
"The motorcade, four cars in total, was moving by then. At roughly 3:02 p.m., the pool was ushered back to the White House."
"The two talked and gestured as if they were in friendly, substantive conversation but your pooler was unable to hear what they were saying. Running nearly 30 minutes behind schedule, Abbas walked on President Obama's right hand side, wearing a dark suit and purple tie with stripes. He turned left on occasion when speaking with the president, who was wearing a dark suit and lavender tie.
"As Abbas was getting into his car, your pooler asked how the conversations had gone.
"'We are making progress,' Obama replied (as confirmed by several other reporters on the scene).
"Asked how he planned on succeeding in brokering peace between the Israelis and Palestinians where others have failed, the President said he would address the question in a statement later that day.
"A final question was asked. Had the talks been productive? 'Yes,' Obama replied.
"By then Abbas was in his car and the president had waved goodbye. But the motorcade did not immediately move and Obama stood patiently, hands clasped together, on the walkway. He talked briefly with U.S. Chief of Protocol Ambassador Capricia Marshall, as confirmed by an aide. Then he turned back and waved goodbye once more to Abbas.
"The motorcade, four cars in total, was moving by then. At roughly 3:02 p.m., the pool was ushered back to the White House."
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