Kerry's statement on Olmert

[Mass]

I like Olmert (even if I disagree with him on some points) and agree largely with Kerry on what he said. I guess that what I dont see here (worry about Palestinian people suffering from blocking aid money, reiteration of wanting a peaceful solution in Iran) are implicit.

http://kerry.senate.gov/v3/cfm/record.cfm?id=256076

Senator John Kerry on Prime Minister Olmert’s U.S. Visit

Senator John Kerry attended today’s Joint Session of Congress with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Kerry most recently met Olmert when he was in Israel this January. Below is a statement Senator Kerry issued today after the Joint Session:

“Prime Minister Olmert’s visit has made clear that the Israeli people have chosen a strong and capable leader. He should be completely assured that the United States will continue its steadfast support for our close friend and ally as he guides Israel through these challenging times. Just as he said Israel will not let us down, we will not let Israel down.

“We share the Prime Minister’s grave concern over both Iran’s nuclear ambitions and its support of terrorism. We take the reprehensible rhetoric of the Iranian regime very seriously, and share the Prime Minister’s belief that the international community must stand united in preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons capability.

“We share Prime Minister Olmert’s hopes for a future in which the Jewish state of Israel can live side by side in peace and security with its neighbors, his desire to replace the culture of hate with an outlook of hope, and his determination to secure borders and eradicate the scourge of terrorism.

“We look forward to working closely together with Prime Minister Olmert and Israel as we continue to work to achieve our common goals.”

Did anybody watch Olmert's interview with Blitzer Sunday. Blitzer tried several times to have Olmert say he would attack Iran unilaterally. At each time, Olmert rebuffed him and told him that he understood that Blitzer needed a scoop for his show, but that he was not going to give him a scoop on this issue.

[wisteria]

1. I like Kerry's statement.

I checked on all other FRC members press releases on PM Olmert's meeting with Congress and only Biden and Coleman released statements. Biden wasn't there- he was attending a soldiers funeral. Biden's statement was confusing and hard to follow and Coleman's suggested that he and Olmert shared a friendship. I can not believe other members didn't think it was important enough to comment on this visit.
I also checked on Senators' Clinton and Bayh because they are interested in running for President and again, there was nothing posted. Now, I realize they all are busy and have many commitments, however, you would of thought they would have a least found a little time to be briefed on the visit and make a comment. Biden wasn't there, but he did comment.

[karynnj]

2. I see what you mean on Biden's statement

He needs at least a sentence to explain what convergence plan means. That said, I hate Biden's support and simultaneous dismissing of negotiations. This reminds me of what he did on Alito, announcing he would vote once and only once against cloture. (Did that mean if he was number 41, he would switch if Frist then immediately called for a re-vote?)

Here's 2 pargraphs of his statement:
While the challenges facing Israel, with the election of Hamas, are significant, I have faith in Mr. Olmert’s leadership. He has not taken negotiations with the Palestinians off the table, but neither is he waiting for Hamas to miraculously change its ways. Instead, he has proposed a bold ‘convergence’ path to redefine the contours of the situation. I believe the separation that Mr. Olmert envisions will be good for both Israelis and Palestinians. Pulling this off will not be easy, but I know that he recognizes the challenges.


“He has a strong mandate from the Israeli people and, should negotiations prove either unfeasible or unsuccessful, his plan deserves the full support of the United States. I guarantee that he will have mine.

[whometense]

3. Biden frankly drives me nuts.

Talk about a straddler!

His ego is colossal, and I'm not at all sure of his grasp on reality.

[Mass]

4. And Kerry is long-winded? Can I get a translation for Biden's statement?

(just laughing).

[karynnj]

5. That's only part of it - it is poorly written

(I also am not sure what he's talking about. ) Here's the whole statement:

WASHINGTON, DC – Earlier today, newly-elected Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert addressed a joint session of the United States Congress for the first time since taking office eight weeks ago. Senator Biden, who’d met with the Prime Minister in Jerusalem earlier this year, missed the address to attend the funeral services for a Delaware soldier killed in Iraq on May 13, 2006.


“I’ve had the opportunity to meet with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on several occasions during the past couple of years, most recently in Israel on January 15th, the day of the Palestinian legislative elections.


“While the challenges facing Israel, with the election of Hamas, are significant, I have faith in Mr. Olmert’s leadership. He has not taken negotiations with the Palestinians off the table, but neither is he waiting for Hamas to miraculously change its ways. Instead, he has proposed a bold ‘convergence’ path to redefine the contours of the situation. I believe the separation that Mr. Olmert envisions will be good for both Israelis and Palestinians. Pulling this off will not be easy, but I know that he recognizes the challenges.


“He has a strong mandate from the Israeli people and, should negotiations prove either unfeasible or unsuccessful, his plan deserves the full support of the United States. I guarantee that he will have mine.


“To this end, I have partnered with my colleague, Senator McConnell, in sponsoring the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act which isolates Hamas, while ensuring that the Palestinian people do not suffer for it. I look forward to this bill’s quick passage and to working closely with the Prime Minister in the coming months and years.


“I also share Israel’s concern about the prospect of Iran developing a nuclear weapon. We must build and sustain a strong international consensus to convince Iran not to pursue that effort.”

[wisteria]

7. This is my second reading and I am still lost trying to figure out

what points he is trying to make. Talking in circles as far as I am concerned.

[karynnj]

8. The antidote is to re-read Kerry's

It is so easy to read, so logically organized and says what you want to say to a new leader in Israel.

[wisteria]

6. Your right! n/t