President Bush gave Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas a pat on the back during their White House meeting yesterday, despite the latter’s coddling of Hamas, which is on the US State Department’s list of terrorist organizations. "We meet at a time when a great achievement of history is within reach, the creation of a peaceful, democratic Palestinian state," Bush told a news conference with Abbas at his side. "You have made a new start on a difficult journey, requiring courage and leadership each day. And we will take that journey together."