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Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, French President Nicolas Sarkozy
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| By Israel Insider staff October 23, 2007 |
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Prime Minister Ehud Olmert left his meeting with French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Monday satisfied that he and Sarkozy shared "identical" views on critical issues like imposing tougher sanctions on Iran.
Olmert told Israeli reporters after their meeting "on the Iranian issue, I could not have heard statements that better satisfied my expectations," Haaretz reported.
Sarkozy voiced his support for expanded sanctions, and the two leaders discussed how to gain the backing of Germany, Italy and Spain.
The two leaders did not discuss "an extreme solution like a military strike," the Jerusalem Post quoted Olmert as saying. Rather, he said, "we focused mainly on how to succeed in our diplomatic moves and not what to do if we fail. There is a large array of possibilities that are not necessarily extreme."
France's president stressed his admiration for Israel and his respect and partnership with the Jewish state.
"They say that I support Israel because my grandfather was Jewish, but this isn't a personal matter. Israel introduces diversity and democracy to the Middle East. It's a miracle that out of the remnants of the scattered Jewish people, such a state has arisen." He described Israel's foundation as "the most significant event of the 20th century."
"Israel's security is a clear red line, which is not up for negotiation," he added. "That is an inviolable condition, which we will never concede," he added, underscoring his concern for Israel's security as a top priority in the peace process with the PA, remarks that distinguish him from many other EU leaders.
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Sarkozy described Israel as "the most significant event of the 20th century."
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While lauding Olmert's goodwill gestures to PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, Sarkozy said that he does not support the right of return for Palestinians to Israel.
"Each side should have its own nation-state," he said, according to Israeli officials who were present at the two leaders' meeting. "It is not reasonable for the Palestinians to demand both an independent state and also the refugees' return to the state of Israel, which even today has a minority of one million Arabs."
Sarkozy emphasized the need for Israel to make concessions to the PA, but only when the Palestinians can keep their commitment to combat terrorism.
"The minute Israel's security is assured, it will be possible to display creativity toward the Palestinians," France's president said.
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