HA’ARETZ
1. OLMERT AND ABBAS TO MEET TODAY IN JERUSALEM IN ORDER TO FINALIZE NEGOTIATIONS FRAMEWORK.
At meeting, the two will agree that special committee will discuss core issues; Livni in Samaria: „There can be no winking” vis-à-vis outposts.
2. THUS WAS BLOWN OPPORTUNITY TO TRANSFER ABDUCTEES TO LEBANESE GOVERNMENT.
3. WORK PERMITS FOR ERITREAN REFUGEES.
Israel took the exceptional step due to danger awaiting them in their own country.
MA’ARIV
1. Israel awaiting Bush, worried about Obama.
CONCERN IN JERUSALEM: OBAMA CLOSING ON WHITE HOUSE.
Eve of American President’s visit: Diplomatic sources in Jerusalem worried about rejection of candidate Clinton, considered more comfortable for Israel.
YEDIOT AHRONOT
1. HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS: UNTIL REPORT [IS ISSUED], WE’LL ALL BE DEAD.
State Commission of Inquiry to examine Israeli Government’s handling of assistance to Holocaust survivors. Survivors satisfied with historic decision but fear: We won’t see the conclusions.
2. WHO WILL EAT WITH BUSH AND WHO EAT THEIR HEARTS OUT?
Only small select few invited to diner with Bush at PM’s home.
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Yediot Ahronot refers to two recent interviews which US President Bush granted to the Israeli press. The editors acknowledge his affinity for Prime Minister Ehud Olmert but add that, „It is a little more difficult to understand the basis upon which the American President formed his opinion that Olmert is ‘a strong man’…This is slightly exaggerated.” The paper avers that, „Only twice has Olmert gathered the courage to be ‘a strong man’: The first time (Lebanon) ended in a bloody and shameful fiasco. The second time (in Syria) is so wrapped in blinding clouds of intelligence gobbledygook that one must be very naïve to swallow, without doubts, the dramatic noodles that they are attempting to feed us.” The editors speculate that US President Bush, „fancies himself a strong man. Thus, the mistake is self-evident.”
Ma’ariv believes that, „A more substantial examination of Bush’s time in office actually reveals a successful American president: The Iranians are frightened by him and the residents of Venezuela preferred him over Chavez.”
BreuerPress
