[News] Olmert-Bush talks cover Gaza plans Fonts Size:
Olmert-Bush talks cover Gaza plans Fonts Size:
Associated Press
2006-05-24 Page 4
Published: 2006-05-24 12:00:40
With formal peacemaking a dim prospect at this volatile time,
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was to discuss his ambitious
plan to impose a West Bank settlement on the Palestinians by
relinquishing most of the Israeli-held territory to them with U.S.
President George W. Bush on Tuesday.
Two years ago, Bush gave then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon approval
to absorb eventually a handful of Jewish settlements near
Jerusalem in the event of a peace accord. But Bush's recognition
of "facts on the ground" - the settlements are solidly Jewish and
virtually cities in size - promptly was tempered with U.S.
insistence that any territorial accord would require the approval
of the Palestinian side.
Olmert's bid for presidential approval of a unilateral approach is
enhanced by the fact that both the Bush administration and Israel
have ruled out negotiations with the Hamas-dominated Palestinian
Authority.
On a fast-paced visit, Olmert also had talks planned Tuesday with
Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, on Wednesday with Vice
President Dick Cheney and House of Representatives Speaker Dennis
Hastert and the honor of speaking to a joint meeting of Congress.
Also, on Monday a diplomatic official in Washington said the Bush
administration is sending two of its top Middle East envoys,
Assistant Secretary of State David Welch and Elliott Abrams of the
National Security Council, to the region soon to gather
information about Olmert's plans.
Hamas is classified as a terror group by the State Department and
the European Union. It refuses to accept Israel's existence or
renounce attacks against the Jewish state.
Having no negotiating partner on the Palestinian side, Olmert
intends to impose his own terms during the next two years,
retaining part of the West Bank but assuring the Palestinians a
state on land of their own.
The pattern was set on a far-smaller scale by Sharon, who decided
to withdraw unilaterally all 9,000 Jewish inhabitants and all
Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip and give the area to the
Palestinians. Reluctant at first, the Bush administration went
along.
Tony Snow, the White House spokesman, said Monday he did not
expect "anything formal" to emerge from Tuesday's White House
meeting. The president and the prime minister "are going to be
talking about ways to keep moving forward" with peacemaking, Snow
said.
Similarly, Israeli ambassador Daniel Ayalon said "we must all
examine different options to break the stalemate, and all these
issues will be discussed between Prime Minister Olmert and
President Bush as a very good and trusted friend."
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