부시 대통령, 이스라엘 총리와 회담 (주요 사진)

중동 지역을 순방중인 부시 대통령은 9일 이스라엘의 에후드 올메르트 총리와 회담을 가졌습니다.

올메르트 총리는 이스라엘과 팔레스타인 지도자들이 평화협정을 도출하기 위해 진지하게 노력하고 있다고 밝혔습니다.

올메르트 총리는 예루살렘에서 부시 미국 대통령과 회담을 마친 후에 협상의 어려움을 인정하고, 하마스가 통제하는 가자지구로부터 무장세력 위협이 계속되는 한,  양해에 도달하기는 어려울 것이라고 말했습니다.

부시 대통령은 양측이 어려운 선택을 해야 한다고 밝히고, 이것은 2국가의 상생을 실현할 수  있는 절호의 역사적인 기회라고 말했습니다.

부시 대통령은 이스라엘이 정착촌 초소들을 철거하고, 팔레스타인은 테러공격을 중단해야 한다고 말했습니다.

한편 이스라엘 우파들과 팔레스타인 강경파들이 부시 대통령의 방문에 항의하기 위해 산발적인 가두시위를 벌였습니다. 이스라엘 항의자들은 부시 대통령과 이스라엘 정부가 팔레스타인에 대해 지나치게 유화적이라고 주장합니다. 

부시 대통령은 마무드 압바스 팔레스타인 자치수반과 별도 회담을 갖기 위해 10일에 요르단 강 서안을 방문할 예정입니다.

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Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says both Israeli and Palestinian leaders are seriously trying to reach a peace agreement.

After meeting with U.S. President George Bush for nearly three hours in Jerusalem, Mr. Olmert acknowledged the difficulties facing negotiations, saying that as long as there are militant threats from Hamas-controlled Gaza, it will be very hard to reach an understanding.

President Bush said both sides must make hard choices, but he said this is an historic opportunity for reaching a two-state solution.

Mr. Bush said Israel must dismantle settlement outposts and Palestinians must halt terrorist attacks.

Mr. Bush's visit (today/Wednesday) was protested by at least five-thousand Hamas supporters in Gaza, who denounced U.S policies in the Middle East. Far right-wing Israeli groups also criticized Mr. Bush for being too conciliatory with Palestinians.

 

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/01/images/20080109-1_p10908cg-0151-515h.html

 

President George W. Bush and Israel’s Prime Minister Ehud Olmert smile as they join Israeli President Shimon Peres for arrival ceremonies Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008, after President Bush’s arrival in Tel Aviv. White House photo by Chris Greenberg

 

President George W. Bush and Israel’s Shimon Perez review the troops during an arrival ceremony Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008, at Ben Gurion International Airport. President Bush arrived in Tel Aviv on the first stop of his eight-day, Mideast visit. White House photo by Eric Draper

 

President George W. Bush elicits a smile from Israel’s Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, right, as they join Israeli President Shimon Peres for arrival ceremonies Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008, at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv. White House photo by Eric Draper

 

Air Force one arrives at the red carpet arrival ceremonies Wednesday at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, where President George W. Bush began the first of his eight-day, Mideast visit. White House photo by Chris Greenberg

 

Clergymen wait alongside the red carpet Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008, in anticipation for the arrival of Air Force one and President George W. Bush to Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv. The arrival of the President marked the first day of his eight-day Mideast trip. White House photo by Chris Greenberg

 

President Bush Arrives in Jerusalem

President George W. Bush is joined on the red carpet by Israel’s Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, right, President Shimon Peres, second from left, and Ambassador Yitzhak Eldan, Israel’s Chief of Protocol, after arriving Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008, in Tel Aviv for the first stop of his Mideast visit. White House photo by Eric Draper

 

President George W. Bush is greeted by Israel’s President Shimon Peres, center, and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert after arriving in Tel Aviv Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008, for a weeklong visit to the Mideast. White House photo by Eric Draper

 

President George W. Bush poses with singers Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008, at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, where he met with his Israeli counterpart Shimon Peres. White House photo by Chris Greenberg

 

President George W. Bush listens as a young performer sings “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008, during his meeting with the President of Israel, Shimon Peres, in Jerusalem. White House photo by Chris Greenberg

 

President George W. Bush and President Shimon Peres of Israel pose for the cameras before their meeting Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008, at President Peres’ Jerusalem residence. White House photo by Eric Draper

 

President George W. Bush and President Shimon Peres of Israel watch as a group of youthful entertainers performs Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008, at the President’s residence in Jerusalem. White House photo by Eric Draper

 

President George W. Bush and President Shimon Peres of Israel shake hands after meeting Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008, at the Israeli President’s residence in Jerusalem. White House photo by Eric Draper

 

The King David-Jerusalem is lit up Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008, after the arrival earlier in the day of President George W. Bush who is spending two days in Israel visiting President Shimon Peres and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. White House photo by Chris Greenberg

 

President George W. Bush listens as Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of Israel commends him Wednesday, Jan 9, 2008, during their joint press availability in Mr. Olmert’s Jerusalem office. White House photo by Chris Greenberg

 

 

President George W. Bush poses with President Shimon Peres of Israel and 10 children who performed during their meeting Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008, at the President Peres’ residence in Jerusalem. White House photo by Eric Draper