Will Olmert meet Turkish FM while in Washington?
(Video) Olmert's second day in Washington includes meeting with Secretary Rice, attending AIPCA gala event. Turkish FM's parallel visit to US sparks unconfirmed rumors two may meet to further budding Israeli-Syrian peace process
WASHINGTON – Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was not the only statesman to arrive in Washington on Monday. Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan arrived in DC as well, but according to a source in Olmert's entourage, the two have not scheduled any meetings during their overlapping stays.
Olmert's Tuesday itinerary includes meetings with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) officials.
Wednesday will see the prime minister meet with US President George W. Bush and dine with Vice President Richard Cheney. He also has meetings with the Democratic presidential hopefuls - the senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.
Video courtesy of infolive.tv
Babacan, whose country acts as mediator in the recently revealed peace talks between Israel and Syria, is said to have arrived in Washington on matters of his own state. Babacan is also scheduled to meet with Rice, but the majority of his scheduled has been kept under wraps; and he has no official meetings scheduled with Olmert or any of his people.
Turkey was cautiously optimistic about the progress made in the Israeli-Syrian channel last week, as Babacan said Istanbul believed "the talks may become direct very soon… Both sides have found a common denominator, but we are still in the first stages of a long process."
