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In Israel, Bush Speaks Of Hope
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An Israeli official familiar with the talks described them as "serious and intense." The sides have been meeting almost daily for months, preparing draft agreements and charting out the new borders on dueling maps.
The official, who would speak only on the condition of anonymity, said that any public airing of the details could undermine the effort. "Secrecy is critical at this stage if we want the talks to succeed," he said.
After touching down in Tel Aviv, Bush flew to Jerusalem for meetings with President Shimon Peres and Olmert. The visit comes as Olmert faces a deepening corruption scandal that many Israeli commentators believe could lead to his indictment and resignation.
Bush, though, was upbeat throughout the day, focusing fresh criticism on Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran while vowing to stand by Israel. Bush has broad backing in Israel, and there were no significant protests in either Israel or the Palestinian territories.
"I suspect if you looked back 60 years ago and tried to guess where Israel would be at that time, it would be hard to be able to project such a prosperous, hopeful land," Bush said after meeting with Peres. "I doubt people would have been able to see the modern Israel, which is one reason I bring so much optimism to the Middle East, because what happened here is possible everywhere."
Bush elicited a raucous standing ovation from a crowd that included other world leaders and prominent Jewish figures at a ceremony Wednesday night marking the U.S.-Israel alliance.
"Happy Birthday," Bush said after an elaborately produced program of song, dance and videos. He spoke of the "marvelous story" of the founding of Israel, praised the "visionary" Israeli leaders of history, and he paid homage to President Harry S. Truman's decision to recognize the state 11 minutes after independence was declared.
Special correspondents Islam Abdulkarim in Gaza City and Samuel Sockol in Jerusalem contributed to this report.
