Low expectations from PM-Abbas summit
PM Olmert's associates say no breakthrough expected in meeting with PA Chairman Abbas, set to take place within month
"No great expectations should be developed regarding my meeting with Abbas – the greater the expectation, the greater the disappointment could be," Olmert said.
Sources close to the prime minister said: "We are not expecting any breakthroughs. We'll try and see whether Abbas can ensure that the PA government meet the Quartet's demands (recognition of Israel, renouncing terror, and accepting previous agreements between PA and Israel)."
The date for the meeting with the PA chairman has yet to be set, but sources at the prime minister's office believe the two will meet within a month. The meeting with Abbas is expected to be part of the international trip Olmert is due to embark upon that will include visits in the Middle East and Europe.
Diplomatic journey
After his successful visit to the United States, Olmert is expected to continue his diplomatic journey in other countries, in which he will focus mainly on the Palestinian issue and the Iranian nuclear armament program. On Sunday, Olmert is set to meet with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, and try to enlist his support in the campaign to moderate the current Palestinian stance.
Olmert will also examine the possibility for opening a dialogue with the Palestinians, an initiative he told President George w. Bush he would explore in the near future.
A week and-a-half from now Olmert will set out for a tour of two European capitals – London and Paris, to meet with British Prime Minister Tony Blair and French President Jacque Chirac.
