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June 19, 2007

Bush, Olmert Express Support for Palestinian President
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=17DF51E:A6F02AD83191E160F5231C1538E18EBE9574F7DCC14957C0 US president and
Israeli PM made remarks as they held talks at White House on
restarting Mideast peace process





President Bush (r) shakes hands with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud
Olmert in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, 19 Jun
2007U.S. President George W. Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud
Olmert have expressed support for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas
in his struggle with the militant group Hamas.

Mr. Bush and Mr. Olmert made the remarks as they held talks at the
White House Tuesday on restarting the Mideast peace process.

Mr. Bush called Mr. Abbas a "voice of moderation" and the president
"of all the Palestinians." Mr. Olmert said he is going to make every
effort to cooperate with Mr. Abbas.

Mr. Abbas of the Fatah group dismissed the Hamas-led Palestinian
government last week and swore in a new Cabinet on Sunday. Hamas
seized control of the Gaza Strip last week in fierce fighting with
Fatah, which remains in control of the West Bank.

On Monday, the United States and European Union said they plan to
resume direct aid to the new Palestinian government now that Hamas is
not included.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the United States will
have normal relations with the new government.

The United States, the European Union and Israel classify Hamas as a
terrorist group.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.




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