In his meeting on Wednesday with US President George W. Bush in Jerusalem, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert
is expected to lay down Israel's red lines in regards to matters pertaining to security, economics,
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| Bush trip aims to push Mideast peace, contain Iran / Reuters |
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On eve of visit to region, US president tells reporters that 'in order for there to be a peaceful settlement of a long-standing dispute there have to be outlines of a state clearly defined'. Addressing Iran, he says Islamic republic 'will continue to be a threat if they are allowed to learn how to enrich uranium', calls Iranian boats' confrontation with US Navy ships in Gulf 'an act of provocation' |
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infrastructure and quality of life.
Olmert will clarify what Israel
considers non-negotiable in future talks with the Palestinian Authority.
The prime minister will also present Bush with recent Israeli intelligence in the hopes of convincing him that the latest US National Intelligence Estimate is inaccurate in its portrayal of Iran's nuclear program.
Bush will also be briefed by Defense Minister Ehud Barak
on the security situation in the West Bank and Gaza and by Foreign Affairs Minister Tzipi Livni on the status of the ongoing negotiations with the Palestinians.
Livni will stress Israel's commitment to the US Road Map and demand the Palestinians fulfill their obligations under the plan.
A significant portion of the high-profile meeting at Olmert's residence will be dedicated to the Iranian threat. The prime minister held an eleventh-hour meeting on Tuesday to discuss the matter, with Strategic Affairs Minister Avigdor Lieberman and other officials in attendance.
Olmert will likely ask Bush not only to maintain the current sanctions against Iran
but to also to tighten
them.
The prime minister also met with Israel's ambassador to Washington, Salai Meridor, who arrived in Israel ahead of Bush to brief the Jerusalem leadership on recent developments in the United States regarding Iran and the Palestinians.
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