(White House Report, May 19: Iran/al Qaeda) (770) Despite the May 18 and May 19 terrorist bombings that killed about 16 people and wounded many more in Jerusalem, northern Israel, Gaza and the West Bank, President Bush says he "has confidence" that the Middle East peace process can still move forward, but "as long as terrorists kill," the process is not going to be smooth. "[K]illers who can't stand the thought of peace" wanted to disrupt the planned May 20 visit to the White House of Israel's Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Bush told reporters May 19 in a joint press availability with Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who is on a state visit to the White House. Israel's prime minister has now postponed his visit to a later date not yet determined. The Middle East violence, Bush said, is "sad, and it's pathetic. And, therefore, we must all work together -- and I say we, those of us who care for peace, people in the Palestinian Authority who care for peace must work with us to fight off terror. People in Israel who care for peace will work with us to fight terror. "The countries in the region that long for a peace process must understand that what's more important than process is results, and that we've got to work together to cut off the funding and the support and activity of the terrorist killers who can't stand peace. Europe must work with us to do everything we can to discourage the terrorist activities that derail a process toward peace." The Middle East "roadmap" for peace still stands, Bush said. "The vision of two states existing side by side in peace is a real vision, and one that I will work toward. But we've got a lot of work to do to convince all of us who care about peace to step up and fight off terror -- to cut off the money and to find these people and bring them to justice. "No, we're still on the road to peace. It's just going to be a bumpy road. And I'm not going to get off the road until we achieve the vision." White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer told reporters at his midday briefing May 19 that "it's important to recognize that Israel has been repeatedly hit now by suicide homicide bombings," and understanding this is the first step in understanding the reason for the postponement of Prime Minister Sharon's visit. "The president respects this decision, understands it. He looks forward to greeting Prime Minister Sharon at the first opportunity," Fleischer said. "[W]hat's important now is that all the parties still have to focus on the fact that the roadmap is the vision that can establish peace in the region," Fleischer said. "And the message, as the president unequivocally carried it today, is that the peace process begins best with the actions by Palestinian authorities to crack down on those who would derail the peace. The president is determined not to let the peace get derailed. He will continue his quest to implement the roadmap, and sometimes it takes a little bit of time. Sometimes it also takes the resolve of the Palestinian Authority to crack down on terror." At his early morning meeting with reporters, Fleischer said Bush remains confident that the new Palestinian prime minister, Mahmoud Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen, is a reformer who can help guide the Palestinians toward peace with Israel and the creation of a Palestinian state. "There is a recognition that there are those who oppose the peace process, there are terrorists who want to derail peace, and they are Abu Mazen's enemies," Fleischer said. "The president continues to believe that Abu Mazen is a reformer." WHITE HOUSE CONCERNED AL QAEDA LEADERS HIDING IN IRAN Asked about reports that there may be some al Qaeda leaders hiding in Iran, Fleischer said "we have had longstanding concerns about the presence of al Qaeda in Iran. This is a topic that has been discussed and has been communicated to the Iranian government. It is a serious matter and one the president takes seriously." "[W]e will continue to make sure that the Iranians receive the message about how seriously the president takes this," Fleischer said. Asked if the persons thought to be responsible for the recent bombings in Saudi Arabia are in Iran, Fleischer said, "We are still looking into all the facts and circumstances as the investigation continues in Saudi Arabia. And I don't rule anything out."