Netanyahu seeking Obama meeting in May U.S. trip

Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu is to make his first working visit to Washington May 3, pending an official invitation from President Barack Obama, sources close to the Likud leader told Haaretz Wednesday.

While in the United States capital he will attend AIPAC's annual policy conference. Aides said the possibility of a meeting with Obama had been raised informally with administration officials.

"We are awaiting a formal American invitation," a source said.

The sources said AIPAC invited Netanyahu to the conference as soon as President Shimon Peres charged him with forming the next government. Netanyahu's office confirmed his plan to attend the event, and associates say they expect an invitation from the White House as soon as he takes office.

Netanyahu's planned visit to Washington was also brought up by the "100 days team" chaired by MK Yuval Steinitz. The team has met with U.S. Ambassador James Cunningham and deputy head of Netanyahu's office, Yossi Gal, over trip preparation.

Netanyahu associates say the team has created a list of issues urgent enough to be dealt with before the U.S. visit. Foreign policy for the new government, especially on the Iranian and Palestinian fronts, tops the list.

The sources said the idea is for Netanyahu to arrive in Washigton with a clear agenda for dealing with the Palestinian Authority and Hamas, as well as with talking points on the U.S. dialogue with Iran and on forestalling that country's nuclear program.

Another issue the team will be pressing to resolve is the budget. The state budget for 2009 has not yet been approved.

If the visit to Washington takes place, it will be the first meeting between an Israeli prime minister and Obama. Netanyahu would also meet with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as well as with senior senators and Jewish leaders.

Israeli prime ministers often use state visits to the U.S. to speak before both houses of Congress, but it is too soon to tell whether Netanyahu would do so.