Walter, I didn't read it that she said he would cave, but that he's tried to be a "consensus" president.
I agree with you that does not extend to the War on Terror. Mr. President has more pressure on him than ever; but, thus far, he has not wavered (per his speech and presser last week).
However, the reality that we must go to war with Iran cannot be denied much longer. The Axis of Evil has not changed and neither should we.
Saudis lead Israel peace bid
The Sunday Times ^ | December 03, 2006 | Uzi Mahnaimi
THE Saudi Arabian government is emerging as a key player in talks to broker a comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace agreement.
According to senior Israeli sources, Ehud Olmert, Israel’s prime minister, will soon meet high-ranking Saudi officials to explore the formation of a group of moderate Arab countries to negotiate with Tel Aviv over the future of the Middle East.
A preliminary meeting between Olmert and a leading Saudi representative took place in Amman, the Jordanian capital, at the end of September. According to Israeli sources, the Saudi was Prince Bandar bin Sultan, the former ambassador to Washington and one of the closest advisers to King Abdullah, the Saudi ruler.
Olmert is believed to be considering a Saudi initiative, endorsed by the Arab League four years ago, as the basis for a peace settlement.
This would include the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and could lead to a formal peace deal between Israel and seven Arab countries: Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, the Emirates, Morocco and Tunisia.
Olmert promised the Palestinians their own state last week in a conciliatory speech that he was said to have written himself.
Condoleezza Rice, the American secretary of state, praised the speech and her officials welcomed it as a promising sign that “a regional peace dialogue may be resumed”.
However, an Israeli insider said: “The truth is that it was not Olmert’s own initiative but a dictate given to him last month when he met George W Bush and Condoleezza Rice in Washington.”
An Arab source said: “The Saudis wanted to see Olmert commit publicly to what he promised Prince Bandar at the secret meeting in Amman.”
According to Israeli officials, Saudi Arabia is gradually taking over the role of principal peace broker previously played by Egypt.
Saudi influence is seen as invaluable, particularly as the country has funded many Arab causes. Hamas, the militant group that won Palestinian elections last January, was established with Saudi money; and the Palestinian Authority would have collapsed long ago without Saudi funding.
Olmert, his reputation damaged by this summer’s war in Lebanon, is looking for a dramatic initiative to restore his image at home.
FR link: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1748339/posts
Hey There Dita, Thanks for the flip this morning, great job!!!!
"However, the reality that we must go to war with Iran cannot be denied much longer. The Axis of Evil has not changed and neither should we "
The point I was trying to make this morning is that it might be better to wait until Lebanon implodes (with Syrian and Iranian involvement) and then we can rally a coalition to support us against both Syria and Iran.
I think the one thing "W" has learned is that he must have a major coalition backing him, not just a UN resolution, and I think Rice, Cheney and Bush are currently working on putting such a coalition together.
I totally agree that Iran will have to be dealt with, just on our timetable, not theirs.