Olmert. Success
Photo: Reuters
Olmert and Prodi. Good meeting
Photo: AFP
Prodi: Preserve Israel's Jewish character
PM Olmert sums up visit with Italian PM Prodi as successful, interprets Prodi's words as supportive of denying Palestinians Right of Return; Prodi hopes for Olmert-Abbas meeting soon
ROME - Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert expressed great satisfaction with his meeting with Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi.
Vatican Meeting
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The United Nations' former Secretary General Kofi Anan expressed a similar attitude on Tuesday.
At the end of the meeting Prodi and Olmert held a joint press conference in which Prodi said that he hopes a meeting between Olmert and the Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas would take place soon.
"Direct talks between the parties are utterly important," said Prodi, who even asked Olmert to try and ease the Palestinian's situation in the Authority.
During the meeting between the two, Prodi also stated his contempt for the Holocaust Conference that was held in Tehran this week.
At the press conference Prodi continued to express that he was absolutely outraged and appalled by the Holocaust Conference.
Olmert and Prodi, a successful meeting. (Photo: AFP)
Olmert thanked Prodi for his words regarding the Jewish state, and complimented the Italian prime minister on his country's participation in the international forces in Lebanon.
Olmert said that the difference between Hizbullah's current abilities and their abilities a year ago is dramatic, and is due to the international force in Lebanon, which Italy is a part of.
He also gave credit to the Lebanese and Israeli militaries for preventing Hizbullah from strengthening. Olmert also stressed the importance of continuing to reinforce the Lebanese government and preventing Hizbullah's taking over the country.
Prodi and olmert were both very satisfied with the meeting and the good relationship between the two countries.
