Bush arrives in Tel Aviv at start of Mideast tour

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Source: CCTV.com | 01-10-2008 08:36

US President George W. Bush, has arrived in Tel Aviv at the start of his tour of the Middle East.

Bush is on a three-day visit to Israel and the West Bank to help push forward Israeli-Palestinian talks.

United States President George W. Bush, and Israeli  Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, right, arrive for a  joint press conference  in Jerusalem, Wednesday  Jan. 9, 2008. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis, pool)

Israeli President Shimon Peres and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert welcomed President Bush at an official welcoming ceremony at Ben Gurion airport.

Shimon Peres, Isreaeli President, said, "The days ahead are fateful: if time is not utilized for peace-making, destructive armament, belligerence, and terror will capture centre stage. Wars are never too late. Peace is never too early. We have no right to miss this opportunity"."

Bush repeated his country's support for Israel.

George W. Bush, US President, said, "And the alliance between our two nations helps guarantee Israel security as a Jewish state. Each of our nation must guard against terror. We must firmly resist those who murder the innocent to achieve their political objectives."

Bush is scheduled to travel to the West Bank on Thursday for talks with the Palestinian leadership. The chances of completing a deal before Bush leaves office in January 2009 appear slim.

No breakthroughs are expected during the three days of talks he will have with Israeli and Palestinian leaders.

Olmert and Abbas on Tuesday agreed to begin peace talks on the thorniest issues despite major differences over Israeli settlement construction near Jerusalem. But neither side gave a starting date for the talks.

The first final-status talks in seven years were supposed to get under way soon after the Annapolis conference in November, but the Palestinians demanded Israel first commit to ceasing all settlement expansion.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei