Rice, Olmert Meet in Tokyo to Spur Middle East Talks
Category: IsraelBy Jonathan Ferziger and Viola Gienger
Source: Bloomberg.com
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met for breakfast in Tokyo to coordinate future steps in Middle East peacemaking and efforts to stop Iran’s development of nuclear weapons.
Rice, wrapping up a three-nation tour of Asia, visited the Israeli leader at the New Otani Hotel in downtown Tokyo today before her return to Washington, Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev said.
The appointment was also the last diplomatic stop during Olmert’s four-day trip to Japan, which was aimed at boosting business and security ties.
“Naturally, we’re going to exploit the fact that she’s here and I’m here and we can take the opportunity to deal with all the issues that we always deal with,” Olmert late yesterday told reporters traveling with him from Israel.
Rice will follow up today’s talks with a visit to Israel and the West Bank next week in an effort to help accelerate progress in Middle East peace negotiations. Olmert and Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad have expressed doubt they can meet the goal set by President George W. Bush of reaching a peace agreement by the end of this year.
“I suspect that there’s plenty to talk about — about the peace process and Gaza and a number of issues,” Rice told reporters traveling with her.
Asked whether she plans to raise the issue of nuclear weapons proliferation, technology or know-how, Rice said: “I’ll discuss whatever is on the prime minister’s mind.”
Both Olmert and Rice met yesterday with Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, who said at a news conference that Japan will “do its utmost to realize Middle East peace.” Olmert said he and Fukuda also agreed to cooperate in efforts to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
In meetings with Fukuda and Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura, Rice expressed regret over the alleged rape of a 14-year-old girl two weeks ago by an American soldier on the island of Okinawa.
By Jonathan Ferziger and Viola Gienger
Source: Bloomberg.com
