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Last update - 06:50 18/05/2009 ANALYSIS / Netanyahu to make only modest requests on Iran By Amos Harel Tags: benjamin netanyahu  The agenda of Monday's Netanyahu-Obama meeting is much more political than military. Visits to the White House by Benjamin Netanyahu's predecessors were often characterized by the defense establishment's "shopping lists." In this meeting, however, these subjects will play a less dominant role in the discussions. Netanyahu and Barack Obama will focus on two issues: Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, the danger of a nuclear Iran, and the connection between the two. The U.S. will try to emphasize this factor, while Israel will try to downplay it as much as possible. Netanyahu prepared for the meeting with intensive preparatory sessions that included Defense Minister Ehud Barak, the chief of staff, and the heads of the Mossad, Shin Bet and Military Intelligence. Advertisement The dialogue between Obama's and Netanyahu's predecessors, George W. Bush and Ehud Olmert, was entirely different regarding Iran. The Bush Administration took a much harsher position toward Tehran. Nonetheless, during his last visit to Israel in the spring of 2008, Bush informed his hosts that the U.S. was not giving Israel a green light (or even a yellow light) to strike Iran's nuclear installations. The Americans also rejected several Israeli requests that would enable a future strike, such as an "aerial corridor" over U.S. forces in Iraq, modern air tankers and bunker-busting bombs. This time, Israel's ambitions are more realistic and modest. The U.S. already has decided to embark on diplomatic talks with Iran. Israel is busy containing the damage: trying to have the negotiations limited to a reasonable time frame, and having Iran cease its uranium enrichment at the start of talks. On the Palestinian track, the defense establishment will support the prime minister on expanding the "Jenin Project," broadening Palestinian Authority control to other parts of the West Bank. Netanyahu and Barak will finalize the decision on whether to evacuate outposts, but the army will try to play as small a role as possible: The Israel Defense Forces took a PR hit during the disengagement, and would prefer the police do the next round of evacuating. Still, it is impossible not to have a military shopping list. The F-35s that Israel wants are pending an agreement with Washington. Obama and Netanyahu will not discuss the disagreement over the procurement cost for the advanced fighter, but it is very important for Israel that the U.S. agree to lift restrictions on access to its technology, and if it fails at this, that it be among the countries participating in the development costs - a precondition for a purchase discount. The Israeli Air Force wants access to the technology so that it can fix computer problems for operational aircraft in Israel, as opposed to at a foreign technical center, most likely in Italy. To resolve this issue, Netanyahu needs a positive and supportive atmosphere, in both the Pentagon and Congress, but this too depends on the two leaders' differences over Iran and the Palestinians. Related articles: Netanyahu to tell Obama: Time 'running out' on Iran Netanyahu unlikely to back Palestinian state in Obama meet Obama: I can't tell Israel not to fear Iran Jordan to Obama: Press for final Mideast deal Bookmark to del.icio.us   A new Mideast solution Obama looking to persuade Arab states to begin taking steps toward normalization. Iran missile test Tehran says it successfully test-launched a missile capable of reaching Israel.   1.   Is the USA committed to Israel?s survival? 08:30  |  Jean Van Daem 18/05/09   2.   Will Obama emphasize agreement or differences 09:29  |  Reid 18/05/09   3.   Jan van daem--Is Israel committed to it,s own survival 11:58  |  Labhras 18/05/09   4.   #1 And why should the USA care, Jean? 13:15  |  Johnboy 18/05/09   5.   Jean Van Daem #1 There is no valid reason why America should be! 14:49  |  American in NY 18/05/09   6.   Jean Van Daem 18:04  |  Persian Kitty 18/05/09   7.   American Muslim 00:44  |  AK 19/05/09   8.   Who Is This "American Muslim" You`re Addressing? 01:14  |  Persian Kitty 20/05/09   9.   Alliances come and go... 21:28  |  Lasmarch 21/05/09

Read & React Israel Harel: Obama wants to divide Jerusalem to woo the Arab world Responses: 132 Barak: We didn't bow to Obama on outpost evacuation Responses: 100 Four U.S. Muslims arrested in plot to bomb New York synagogue Responses: 82 Palestinians to agree to Islamic sovereignty over Temple Mount Responses: 65 More Headlines 20:09 Netanyahu: Jerusalem will never be divided again 20:40 Barak: We didn't bow to Obama on West Bank outpost evacuation 21:23 FBI: New York terror suspects were eager 'to bring death to Jews' 20:31 Senators urge Obama to 'mind' risk to Israel in two-state solution 16:16 Lieberman: Obama-Netanyahu meeting went better than you think 16:35 Lebanon complains to UN about alleged Israel espionage 20:43 WATCH: 'Everybody wants to live in Tel Aviv,' says city's mayor 00:06 WATCH: Daily news round-up from Israel 17:52 Ahmadinejad: I'm defending Iran's dignity by standing up to West 14:40 A friend of Israel 17:44 Israeli Arabs blast plan for PA to cede Temple Mount sovereignty 20:49 WATCH: Quentin Tarantino Nazi-hunting flick makes waves at Cannes 17:22 Egypt tycoon sentenced to death over Lebanon diva killing Previous Editions Select Day 20 may 19 may 18 may 17 may 15 may 14 may 13 may 12 may 11 may 10 may 08 may 07 may

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