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Daddy don't you walk so fast: Olmert follows Bush down the red carpet on arrival at Ben Gurion Airport (Flash90)
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| By Israel Insider staff January 9, 2008 |
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| Bush is ramrod erect upon arrival, but Peres and Olmert don't look so chipper (Flash90) |
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George W. Bush arrived in Israel for his first visit to the country as President , and the Israeli government rolled out the red carpet and jostled to shake his hand in a receiving line at the airport before the President headed off in his helicopter to Jerusalem.
Despite the festive welcome, difficult talks lay ahead, after Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice threw down the gauntlet by stating that building in Har Homa was unacceptable, and rejecting the distinction between Israeli communities over the "green line" in Jerusalem versus those in Judea and Samaria (the "West Bank"). Israeli PM Olmert and President Peres made sure to remind Bush of Israel's extreme concern with Iranian nuclear plans.
After an additional welcoming ceremony at the president's official residence, Bush said he had come to Israel both optimistic and realistic, and said that is vital for the world to fight terrorism. "I am realistic in my understanding that it's vital for the world to fight terrorists to confront those who would murder the innocent to achieve political objectives," said Bush before talks with Peres.
"Time is so precious," the octogenarian Peres said, preciously.
Bush said both the United States and Israel are targeted by terrorists, and compared the battle against "extremists" to World War II when the US and its allies fought communism.
"I come with high hopes, and the role of the United States will be to foster a vision of peace. The role of the Israeli leadership and the Palestinian leadership is going to do the hard work necessary to define a vision," he said.
Upon arriving at Ben Gurion earlier Wednesday, Bush said that the alliance between the US an Israel "helps guarantee Israel's security as a Jewish state."
The reference lent support to Israel's demand that the Palestinians recognize Israel as a Jewish state, although they have made it clear that this was not going to happen.
"We see a new opportunity for peace here in the Holy Land and for freedom across the region," said the US president, as the generalities continued to roll off his tongue and those of his Israeli hosts.
Pledging to stand with Israel against terrorists, Bush said, "We will do more than defend ourselves. We seek lasting peace."
Speaking at the ceremony, Olmert gushingly welcomed "Israel's strongest and most trusted ally in the battle against terrorism and fundamentalism," calling Bush "a staunch supporter of our quest for peace and stability."
The prime minister called the bond between Israel and the US "unshakable," based as it was on common ideals of freedom and democracy and deep and long-standing friendship.
"From the very beginning, your policies have reflected a basic understanding of the challenges facing Israel in this troubled region and a solid commitment to our national security," the prime minister said.
Peres, the first to address Bush, said in halting English that Bush was "a great friend," adding that his vision of a two state solution which in 2002, which then seemed remote, was now the basis for negotiations.
"The next twelve months will be a moment of truth. [They] must not yield just words. The days ahead are fateful: If time is not utilized for peace-making, destructive armament, belligerence, and terror will capture center stage," Peres puffed. "We have no right to miss this opportunity," he added.
Peres also mentioned the Iranian nuclear threat. "We take your advice to not underestimate the Iranian threat. Iran should not underestimate our resolve for self-defense," he said.
Turning to opposition leader Binyamin Netanyahu at the airport reception, Bush said: "Are we on for tomorrow morning? We'll get some coffee." The meeting with Netanyahu was initially not scheduled, allegedly because of pressure from Olmert. Eventually, however, the President found time in his schedule for a cafe hafuch tomorrow with the opposition leader and frontrunner, according to opinion polls, to be the next Israeli prime minister.
Some thoughts from Olmert's hatchet man
Vice Premier and convicted sex offender Haim Ramon said Wednesday that the presidential visit would "certainly" help accelerate peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
Ramon told Army Radio that Israel and the Palestinians were belatedly beginning to discuss the most contentious subjects. "I am happy that we are beginning to talk on the subjects that perhaps we should have begun to talk about earlier," Ramon said. "Both sides relate to his [Bush's] requests and his wishes and his visit will certainly accelerate the talks."
The U.S. entourage includes hundreds of advisers, security agents and even cooks, who will supervise the food served to Bush at Jerusalem's King David Hotel to make sure he doesn't suffer indigestion or poisoning.
About 1,000 rooms in three hotels have been booked to lodge the massive delegation. To honor Bush, Jerusalem's municipal council shut off the lights illuminating the Old City's walls to allow the President to see it under the natural moonlight, and to show Israel's commitment to reduce global warming.
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