Israeli PM Flies to US for Talks on Mideast Peace, TiesIsraeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon left for the United States on Sunday for a three-day visit, the first after he took office on March 7.Sharon said before departure that his visit was aimed at strengthening the ties with the US. During his trip, he would also brief US leaders and senior officials on his government's policy towards the Middle East peace process, Sharon added. He is to hold talks with Director of the US Central Intelligence Agency George Tenet, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice and Secretary of State Colin Powell in Washington on Monday. He is also expected to meet on Monday with Jewish congressmen and congressional leaders from both the Republican and Democratic parties. Sharon is to hold talks with US President George W. Bush on Tuesday, the first since both of them assumed office. He will fly to New York on Wednesday to meet with United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan and address the annual conference of the American Israel Policy Action Committee. |
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