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Prime Minister Ehud Olmert (Nir Keidar) Last update - 08:49 30/05/2008 Olmert's U.S. visit: Business as usual, or farewell tour? By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: olmert, U.S., Rice, Bush Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's departure for the U.S. on Monday night may well turn out to be a tour to bid farewell to his friends in Washington. But Olmert is doing his best to make the visit look like everything is under control: He even extended his stay in the U.S. by one day. Indeed, Olmert's entourage is comforting itself with the strong friendship struck up with U.S. President George W. Bush. Olmert is also slated to meet with presidential hopefuls Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and John McCain, as well as Vice President Dick Cheney and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. " Advertisement How many world leaders meet with the U.S. president once every two weeks?" a source close to Olmert said. "This isn't a jaunt. We're not going to Disneyland. There are many urgent issues that need to be dealt with. We can't just drop everything. We can't ignore urgent issues because somebody said elections are needed. That would be irresponsible." The official reason for Olmert's visit is the annual conference by the pro-Israel lobby, which in the past year has been very successful in assisting Israel. But despite the efforts, the negative sentiments surrounding Olmert cannot be hidden. They were tangible even during the ceremony welcoming the prime minister of Denmark, Anders Rasmussen, Thursday. All the usual decorations for high-ranking foreign officials were in place, but only three ministers bothered to show up. Olmert is trying to maintain his regular work schedule, but it's difficult to imagine that the current situation will allow him to deal with sensitive diplomatic or security issues like negotiations with the Palestinians and Syria, the cease-fire with Hamas in Gaza, or the prisoner swap - not to mention the Iranian nuclear threat. At the Sunday cabinet meeting, Olmert will be flanked by Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, who doubts his innocence and wants to replace him, and Defense Minister Ehud Barak, who has openly called on him to resign. The three cannot look each other in the eye, let alone work productively together. But Olmert has no intention of resigning or suspending himself. For now he is determined to continue to insist he is innocent. Related articles: Attorney General decides to expedite probe against Olmert Talansky: Olmert got $150,000 from me, introduced me to tycoons Law enforcement source: Olmert's indictment is just a matter of time ANALYSIS / Olmert's last police interview was tailor-made for him Bookmark to del.icio.us   His Majesty's envoy Report: Bahraini king taps Jewish woman lawmaker as envoy to U.S. Light unto the nations After five months of suspense, the hoopoe is crowned Israel's state bird.   1.   Olmert Should Not Be Allowed To Leave The Country 04:41  |  Dish it Out 30/05/08   2.   TO #1 06:55  |  Jim 30/05/08   3.   Olmert- the Oil slick 07:25  |  I.Kemp 30/05/08   4.   It is not a jaunt it is a spin 07:57  |  Ilan 30/05/08   5.   He might not come back 07:58  |  Tony 30/05/08   6.   Olmert please check 08:14  |  Joshua 30/05/08   7.   Olmert has Guts and Inpudence but lacks Integrity..... 08:25  |  Dagma 30/05/08   8.   Olmert is a `cheapy`. 08:37  |  charlie 30/05/08   9.   Farewell Tour 08:46  |  Dror 30/05/08   10.   The Palmgreaser Expects a Royal Welcome ? 09:02  |  Tod Zuckerman 30/05/08   11.   Barak,Livni,Olmert 09:11  |  Alan 30/05/08   12.   What possesses such a man? 10:09  |  Dror 30/05/08   13.   #7 Dagma; maybe he´ll meet Talansky on his "extra day" 10:58  |  AliciaYasmeen 30/05/08   14.   Who is going to shake hands with Olmert over there??? 11:12  |  S 30/05/08   15.   You are absolutely right Dror #12 !! 11:16  |  S 30/05/08   16.   Like Nixon, Olmert Probably Not Even In His Right Mind Anymore 11:45  |  Ovadiah ben Avraham 30/05/08   17.   #14 15:04  |  Keops 30/05/08   18.   Olmert will bid goodbye to the US forever 18:42  |  the truth 30/05/08   19.   I wonder 18:45  |  Tzippy L. 30/05/08

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