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Last update - 09:28 26/11/2008
Israel asks Bush to explain its 'special relationship' with U.S. to Obama
By Aluf Benn
Tags: Israel News, Barack Obama 

WASHINGTON - Israel is asking U.S. President George W. Bush to describe to his successor, Barack Obama, the American commitment to ensure that its strategic deterrence is not compromised. The subject was the focus of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's farewell meeting in the White House on Monday with Bush and top administration officials.

"I discussed with the president and his most senior staff issues connected to the core of the special relationship between Israel and the U.S., strategic matters of the utmost importance, and the ability to preserve those ties in the coming years," Olmert told reporters Tuesday.

Top administration officials told Olmert there was no point in a presidential letter from Bush, since it would not bind Obama. The sides decided instead on a list, compiled by the White House and delivered to Obama's transition team, that reviews all understandings and agreements.
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In addition to the nuclear issue, Israel is also hoping to receive promised military aid and advanced weapons systems, and to restrict the U.S. supply of advanced weapons to Arab states.

Leading Israeli officials are concerned that if the United States begins talks with Iran in an effort to halt its nuclear program and development of additional nuclear programs in the Middle East, Washington will call for restrictions on Israel's nuclear capability as well. Such concerns are heightened by the support expressed by Obama and Hillary Clinton, who is expected to be appointed secretary of state, for global nuclear disarmament, a plan raised by four top American foreign policy officials: former secretaries of state Henry Kissinger and George Shultz, former defense secretary William Perry and former senator Sam Nunn.

The Obama administration is expected to accelerate arms control efforts. One of the ideas being discusses it not new and caused tension between Israel and the Clinton administration.

Israel and the United States have a longtime understanding on the nuclear issue, which was reached between former prime minister Golda Meir and former president Richard Nixon in 1969. Israel promised at that time that it would hew to a policy of ambiguity. In 1977 Israel asked Kissinger, who helped formulate the nuclear understanding, to explain it to incoming president Jimmy Carter, who wanted to push arms control and nonproliferation. The nuclear understanding has been continued through successive Israeli and American leaders.

When Benjamin Netanyahu was prime minister, he requested - and received - a letter of guarantees from then-president Bill Clinton in which he promised the United States would work toward preserving Israel's strategic deterrence and make sure arms control initiatives in the Middle East would not harm Israel. Clinton sent a letter enumerating the same assurances to Netanyahu's successor, Ehud Barak.

Later, Olmert said the U.S. has not advised Israel to restrain itself from taking action it deemed necessary against Iran's nuclear program.

But the outgoing Israeli leader stopped short of making any threat to strike Iran.

"I can't recall that anyone in the [U.S.] administration, including in the last couple of days, advised me or any of my official representatives not to take any action that we will deem necessary for the fundamental security of the state of Israel, and that includes Iran," Olmert said.

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      1.   AND THE U.S TREASURY SHOULD TELL OBAMA 03:37  |  VIPER 26/11/08
      2.   Olmert should ask Bush to explain the 04:29  |  Che Vive 26/11/08
      3.   The Right Thing To Tell Obama 04:35  |  UsedToPostHere 26/11/08
      4.   Translation 05:09  |  Bryan 26/11/08
      5.   to #1 05:20  |  NYC Jew 26/11/08
      6.   Israeli Hypocrisy 06:23  |  Ziggy 26/11/08
      7.   Israel will be fine 06:43  |  Bob 26/11/08
      8.   I am hoping that Obama is "fair" to Israel 07:05  |  Natallie Durson 26/11/08
      9.   Insulting 07:12  |  Scott G 26/11/08
      10.   Nukes Part II 07:13  |  Scott G 26/11/08
      11.   Executive Order Time 07:23  |  Natallie Durson 26/11/08
      12.   Strategy??? 08:01  |  Yosemite 26/11/08
      13.   Is there any end to the twaddle? 08:04  |  Mark Lincoln 26/11/08
      14.   The "special` relationship 08:12  |  Mark Lincoln 26/11/08
      15.   To #5, NYC "Jew"... 08:13  |  Che Vive 26/11/08
      16.   Essential message 08:23  |  Gordon 26/11/08
      17.   Obama will Be Better For Israel than Bush and Olmert Combined 08:44  |  Baruch Gold 26/11/08
      18.   Change we can believe in! 08:47  |  John K 26/11/08
      19.   obama`s main challeges 08:53  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 26/11/08
      20.   One More Thing 09:01  |  Yosemite 26/11/08
      21.   Olmert to Bush: on nuclear issue 09:06  |  One rule for all 26/11/08
      22.   What a pity Roosevelt could not pass on his commitment. 09:06  |  JJ 26/11/08
      23.   The two useless Mikados 09:08  |  Clickfool 26/11/08
      24.   I agree, don`t pressure Israel on the nuclear front, BUT..... 09:18  |  Swiss (Dino) 26/11/08
      25.   HIS MANDATE IS TO CHANGE AMERICA, NOT TO SERVE ISRAEL 09:22  |  indrajaya 26/11/08
      26.   Israel will be of little immediate interest to Obama 09:29  |  Clickfool 26/11/08
      27.   for those who are completely clueless 09:37  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 26/11/08
      28.   Obama will do this... 10:06  |  Shyil Israel 26/11/08
      29.   Cipora #27 10:08  |  Scott G 26/11/08
      30.   Cipora #27 Part II 10:11  |  Scott G 26/11/08
      31.   Israel`s "special relationship" with the US. 10:26  |  Maureen Ann 26/11/08
      32.   I love the "Read and React" Summary 10:40  |  Clickfool 26/11/08
      33.   For Cipora # 29 10:43  |  Clickfool 26/11/08
      34.   Don Loeone asked Berlusconi to explain the special 11:01  |  Andreas 26/11/08
      35.   Maybe I can explain 11:15  |  MiddleStanian 26/11/08
      36.   Obama will naturaly be a friend to Israel 11:22  |  isratinian 26/11/08
      37.   First, Mr.PR Obama, stop the 3 bollion aid a year. 11:34  |  Dav 26/11/08
      38.   Obama 11:35  |  Paul Zucker 26/11/08
      39.   While he is at it, have him explain it to the American people 11:48  |  Natallie Durson 26/11/08
      40.   Clickfool and his causes 11:51  |  SDHD 26/11/08
      41.   Where do these people get the nerve??? 12:02  |  Danny 26/11/08
      42.   God,s own country 12:05  |  charles 26/11/08
      43.   If only Israeli leaders would have a special relationship with 12:09  |  what`s so special 26/11/08
      44.   # 31 and the muslims war chest is decreased 12:18  |  Petra 26/11/08
      45.   Bush has now officially become a "useful idiot" 12:22  |  Danny 26/11/08
      46.   # 19 CJK 12:28  |  Axel 26/11/08
      47.   What is Olmert doing in the United states 12:29  |  Chris Linthwaite 26/11/08
      48.   Very funny request 13:04  |  Coldstream 26/11/08
      49.   can Obama control Israel release US from Israel`s control 13:04  |  terry 26/11/08
      50.   Nice idea from Chris Linthwaite # 47 13:08  |  Clickfool 26/11/08
      51.   It`s called "chutzpah", Danny # 41 13:10  |  Clickfool 26/11/08
      52.   Stupid Move 13:29  |  Andita 26/11/08
      53.   To Che Viva re "New York City Jew" 13:43  |  Jacob 26/11/08
      54.   special relationship now? 13:57  |  Susan 26/11/08
      55.   Why not ask RAHM EMANUEL to explain it? 13:58  |  Galuteus Maximus 26/11/08
      56.   insulting 14:03  |  scott 26/11/08
      57.   Two lame ducks quacking 14:12  |  Marilyn 26/11/08
      58.   Rahm Emanuel HAS explained it! 14:30  |  Susan 26/11/08
      59.   #55 quo vadis galuteus? change or no change 14:31  |  victor hardman 26/11/08
      60.   Bush!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 14:47  |  John 26/11/08
      61.   He should give him the penguinbook on US foreign policy and lobby 14:55  |  mehmet 26/11/08
      62.   Natalie Durson, Clickfool, Marilyn, Maureen Ann 15:08  |  chasaboy 26/11/08
      63.   3 posts from Natallie, 6 from Clickfool...why? 15:16  |  Israeli citizen 26/11/08
      64.   3 posts from Natallie, 6 from Clickfool...why? 15:27  |  Israeli citizen 26/11/08
      65.   You petty little people who want Israel to fail. 15:32  |  The Equalizer 26/11/08
      66.   Chasaboy : Upside down in Australia # 62 15:50  |  Clickfool 26/11/08
      67.   Just wondering if..... 16:00  |  Johnboy 26/11/08
      68.   "Clickfool" - Who are you? 16:11  |  Hafiz 26/11/08
      69.   Daniel Pearle didn`t want Israel to fail 16:12  |  Susan 26/11/08
      70.   earth to `The Equalizer` izzy has always been a failure 16:31  |  which is why 26/11/08
      71.   Cut off US funding and US guns 17:08  |  Ben 26/11/08
      72.   A shift has already begun. 17:12  |  Mike 26/11/08
      73.   Indrayaja Iranian poster girl 17:19  |  Big Sur 26/11/08
      74.   So Are US Guarantees To Israel To Withdraw Worthless?! 18:00  |  Ben S 26/11/08
      75.   Swiss (Dino) 18:19  |  David Israel 26/11/08
      76.   Mehmet - Obama must know about Lobyists 18:22  |  David Israel 26/11/08
      77.   #54 Susan, still on the smear treadmill & can stop 18:33  |  janet 26/11/08
      78.   #56 Scot 18:38  |  janet 26/11/08
      79.   i know what obama will tell olmert 18:42  |  abraham 26/11/08
      80.   sometimes It works too Palis and Israelis together. 18:44  |  Big Sur 26/11/08
      81.   special relationship 18:50  |  arik 26/11/08
      82.   #70,71 Janet. I love your clear thinking. Best! 19:04  |  Lou Medel 26/11/08
      83.   An unsolicited and to a to be ignored advice on Iran for Obama 19:24  |  Darth Zaider (Ed) 26/11/08
      84.   To Clickie (#26): True or false? 19:34  |  Morris Valentine 26/11/08
      85.   #76, Janet, good post... 19:40  |  Silvienne 26/11/08
      86.   What special relationship?? 19:42  |  Silvienne 26/11/08
      87.   Dear Janet #77 and 78 Your heart is in the right place but 20:04  |  Big Sur 26/11/08
      88.   Olmert never stops talking, a mine of information. 20:20  |  Stephen. 26/11/08
      89.   How art the mighty fallen, Morris #84 20:26  |  Clickfool 26/11/08
      90.   it is too early to question the U.S. !!! 20:32  |  Atilla Karagözoğlu 26/11/08
      91.   Israel and her nukes. 20:32  |  Neutered Observer 26/11/08
      92.   Israel is weak and desperate. 20:40  |  Jack 26/11/08
      93.   #69 Susan re Judeo-Christian 20:49  |  janet 26/11/08
      94.   #84, Morris Valentine 20:56  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 26/11/08
      95.   Atilla Karagozoglu - Hacan nirideydun bre usagim 21:10  |  David Israel 26/11/08
      96.   # 75 David Israel 21:13  |  Swiss (Dino) 26/11/08
      97.   "Clickfool" - I would appreciate a response.... 21:47  |  Hafiz 26/11/08
      98.   #84, Morris Valentine 22:00  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 26/11/08
      99.   Easy enough to explain: "Tics on a dog" only.... 22:10  |  Gray 26/11/08
      100.   For Hafiz # 97 22:17  |  Clickfool 26/11/08
      101.   To Hafiz # 97 22:23  |  Clickfool 26/11/08
      102.   #98 Say Cipora, pessimistic, you? 22:29  |  ballistic 26/11/08
      103.   David Israel & ETC: Those omnipotent Turkish lobbiests... 22:30  |  Gray 26/11/08
      104.   Let`s See the List of Understandings and Agreements 22:38  |  Reader 26/11/08
      105.   #91 re dissarmamet 23:05  |  Big Sur 26/11/08
      106.   To Clickfool (#89): Carpets bombing 23:08  |  Morris Valentine 26/11/08
      107.   To CJK 23:16  |  Morris Valentine 26/11/08
      108.   #6 Israeli Hypocrisy 23:17  |  Knightarm 26/11/08
      109.   For Morris Valentine # 106 23:28  |  Clickfool 26/11/08
      110.   "Clickfool" - thank you, further 23:31  |  Hafiz 26/11/08
      111.   Gray - Turkish objectives are more than money 23:34  |  David Israel 26/11/08
      112.   of carpets and diplomacy 23:41  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 26/11/08
      113.   #18, Change we can... 23:49  |  Knightarm 26/11/08
      114.   Gray - Turkish objectives are more than money 00:17  |  David Israel 27/11/08
      115.   The more things "change" the more they 00:42  |  ghostoflutherblisset 27/11/08
      116.   Apparently this announcement is necessary for Big Sur, Cipora etc 00:49  |  Gray 27/11/08
      117.   David I. Thanks.... 01:09  |  Gray 27/11/08
      118.   #107, Morris Valentine 01:13  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 27/11/08
      119.   interesting to mention Turkey 02:20  |  flimflam 27/11/08
      120.   "Change is Coming" to US & Israel 02:49  |  Ed 27/11/08
      121.   #62 Chasaboy...I couldn`t have said it better! 03:25  |  Pastor Joseph 27/11/08
      122.   #68 Hafiz....clickFOOL is a simple minded 03:28  |  Pastor Joseph 27/11/08
      123.   Rahm Emanuel is as close to Obama`s ear as they come. 04:47  |  Sarah 27/11/08
      124.   Israel should help in Iraq if friends of U.S. 05:00  |  LA 27/11/08
      125.   EVER MORE PROOF THAN WALT & MEERSHEIMER ARE RIGHT?! 05:00  |  FightTheIsraelLobby! 27/11/08
      126.   80 Bug Sur - The West Bank Challenge 05:55  |  Mark of Lewiston 27/11/08
      127.   115 Ghost - Too Cynical 06:17  |  Mark of Lewiston 27/11/08
      128.   so Israel can continue to flout arms conventions with US approval 06:46  |  Josh 27/11/08
      129.   England has the "special relationship" with America... 07:24  |  Silvienne 27/11/08
      130.   #107, Morris Valentine 07:32  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 27/11/08
      131.   Israel needs to 07:35  |  hadenough 27/11/08
      132.   Obama vs a Jolly Roger AIPAC Greater Israel agenda 07:57  |  Ivar 27/11/08
      133.   Qatar is an ally 09:38  |  Capt Ahab 27/11/08
      134.   why should the united states jeopardize it`s security... 09:57  |  eric 27/11/08
      135.   #130, Capt Ahab 10:01  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 27/11/08
      136.   What nonsese. 10:13  |  Dan 27/11/08
      137.   Gray and Flim flam 17:21  |  David israel 27/11/08
      138.   3137 David Israel 21:19  |  janet 27/11/08
      139.   Janet 22:33  |  David Israel 27/11/08
      140.   David I; Now it`s those evil Turks.... 22:39  |  Gray 27/11/08
      141.   Gray - Who said they did not like me? 23:14  |  David Israel 27/11/08
      142.   #139 BTW David Israel 23:44  |  janet 27/11/08
      143.   BTW Janet 00:18  |  David Israel 28/11/08
      144.   david Israel # 111 Turkey is an ally or Israel? The facts speak 02:21  |  American in NY 28/11/08
      145.   Unamerican In NY 03:20  |  David Israel 28/11/08
      146.   Bush to explain special interests 04:51  |  Wendy 28/11/08
      147.   # 144 to the american in ny re: israelis 09:26  |  eric 28/11/08
      148.   #146, Wendy... 17:16  |  Silvienne 28/11/08
      149.   #139, David Israel, I agree with this.... 17:18  |  Silvienne 28/11/08
      150.   eric # 147 17:46  |  American in NY 28/11/08
      151.   David Israel. # 145 17:53  |  American in NY 28/11/08
      152.   #143 David Israel 18:43  |  janet 28/11/08
      153.   #11 Natallie 19:14  |  Observer 28/11/08
      154.   Clickfool to Cipora 19:20  |  Observer 28/11/08
      155.   #150, janet and David Israel.. 19:37  |  Silvienne 28/11/08
      156.   #122, Pastor Joseph re: Clickfool... 19:51  |  Silvienne 28/11/08
      157.   The best way for OBAMA to help Israel 03:32  |  Abbas Youssef 30/11/08
      158.   Israel will do what it takes! 22:25  |  GloomBoom 06/12/08
      159.   Special relations ?? 22:41  |  mama mia 09/12/08
      160.   Israel Says Jump, our government says "how high" 13:56  |  Tiredof Aipac 07/02/09
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