The prime minister suffered an initial setback when he learned that his host, U.S. President George W. Bush, was not expected to throw enthusiastic support behind his Convergence (withdrawal) plan. Bush will rather push Israel to move ahead on the path of dialogue towards reaching an agreement with the PA.
Prime ministerial aides therefore said that while the unilateral withdrawal from most of Judea and Samaria will be on the agenda, the White House meeting will focus on the Iranian nuclear crisis and the problematic situation in the Palestinian Authority (PA).
Hundreds of buses will descend on Washington on Tuesday, bringing Jews and Christians for a protest rally against another Israeli self-expulsion. For information on buses from various locations, contact Rafael at (718) 514-4328 or rafvrab@att.net, or Jonathan at (718) 304- 3193 and jonsilverman2002@yahoo.com.
Speaking with CNN before departing for the U.S., Mr. Olmert seemed to want to downplay his unilateral intentions. "There is nothing I love more than negotiating with the Palestinians," Olmert said, bemoaning the fact that there is no one in the PA with whom he can speak. He explained that while PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) opposes terror, he is “powerless” to stop terrorism and therefore, cannot speak on behalf of the PA.
Vice Premier Shimon Peres appears not to agree with his boss. Peres said on Monday that Abbas is the only person is "the only address" for negotiations with Israel.
President Bush is not strongly supportive of Olmert's unilateral withdrawal plan. The plan calls for the unilateral removal of most Jewish communities throughout Judea and Samaria, and would establish settlement blocs in major communities such as Ariel and Maaleh Adumim. President Bush sees his Road Map Plan as the only path towards a solution between Israel and the PA, and unlikely to agree to fund unilateral moves.
Mr. Olmert is expected to meet with Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice on Monday night, and with Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. He will meet with Bush Tuesday afternoon.
Prime ministerial aides therefore said that while the unilateral withdrawal from most of Judea and Samaria will be on the agenda, the White House meeting will focus on the Iranian nuclear crisis and the problematic situation in the Palestinian Authority (PA).
Hundreds of buses will descend on Washington on Tuesday, bringing Jews and Christians for a protest rally against another Israeli self-expulsion. For information on buses from various locations, contact Rafael at (718) 514-4328 or rafvrab@att.net, or Jonathan at (718) 304- 3193 and jonsilverman2002@yahoo.com.
Speaking with CNN before departing for the U.S., Mr. Olmert seemed to want to downplay his unilateral intentions. "There is nothing I love more than negotiating with the Palestinians," Olmert said, bemoaning the fact that there is no one in the PA with whom he can speak. He explained that while PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) opposes terror, he is “powerless” to stop terrorism and therefore, cannot speak on behalf of the PA.
Vice Premier Shimon Peres appears not to agree with his boss. Peres said on Monday that Abbas is the only person is "the only address" for negotiations with Israel.
President Bush is not strongly supportive of Olmert's unilateral withdrawal plan. The plan calls for the unilateral removal of most Jewish communities throughout Judea and Samaria, and would establish settlement blocs in major communities such as Ariel and Maaleh Adumim. President Bush sees his Road Map Plan as the only path towards a solution between Israel and the PA, and unlikely to agree to fund unilateral moves.
Mr. Olmert is expected to meet with Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice on Monday night, and with Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. He will meet with Bush Tuesday afternoon.