WASHINGTON - US media outlets have for the most part ignored Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s visit to the country and are focusing instead on the wire-tapping affair and illegal immigration from Mexico.
Even the recent meeting between Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Vice Premier Shimon Peres with Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas in Sharm el-Sheikh received greater headlines than Olmert’s trip.
The Israeli delegation has expressed hope that the mood will shift on Tuesday, when Olmert will meet with Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and President George Bush at the White House.
Olmert is expected to meet Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Monday evening.
Delegation members said Olmert was warmly welcomed, adding that they don’t expect any far-reaching political statements from the prime minister during the visit. However, they said, strategic ties with the US are expected to strengthen as a result of the visit, especially in light of the developments in Iran and American support for Israel's stance on Tehran, Hamas, and Hizbullah.
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