ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN EFFORTS
Bush tried to rally Arab support for peacemaking efforts, including reaching out to Israel, during his visit to Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.He started the trip last week by making his first presidential visit to Israel and the occupied West Bank and said he expected the two sides to sign a peace treaty before his term ends in January 2009. "And I know nations in the neighborhood are willing to help, particularly yourself, and I appreciate your strong constructive support for the process," Bush told Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak at this Red Sea resort."When I say I'm coming back to stay engaged, I mean it. When I say I'm optimistic we can get a deal done, I mean what I'm saying," Bush said.Mubarak said Egypt, a traditional mediator, was ready to work hand in hand with the United States and others for the sake of Israeli-Palestinian peace.After seven years in office, Bush's recent hands-on approach in peacemaking efforts has raised some questions about his commitment. He has accepted an invitation to return for Israel's 60th anniversary celebrations, which fall in May.
Bush also discussed with Mubarak and other Arab leaders the situation in Iraq. The U.S.-led war in Iraq has been deeply unpopular in the Arab world."The decision to send more troops is working. Violence is down," Bush said.He said Rice, in Baghdad on Tuesday, saw "life returning back to the streets. The moms are out with their children, normal life is coming back. And political life is moving."Bush arrived in Egypt from Saudi Arabia where he discussed high oil prices with King Abdullah, the leader of the world's biggest exporter, during an overnight stay at his desert ranch."The president said that there is a hope as a result of these conversations that OPEC would be encouraged to authorize an increase in production," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino told reporters traveling with Bush."He says that the King says that he understands the situation. He's worried about high oil prices and how they can negatively affect economies around the world," Perino said.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080116/pl_nm/bush_mideast_dc;_ylt=AmduUT5ks.xh8NxtndL8EKhZ.3QA
As in the days of Noah....