US president joins meeting between vice premier and national security advisor at White House

WASHINGTON – Vice Prime Minister Shaul Mofaz, who is wrapping up his Washington visit, spoke to US President Barack Obama at the White House on Thursday.

Mofaz was meeting with National Security Advisor Tom Donilon when Obama entered the room, just three minutes into the session. The meeting lasted 35 minutes.

Mofaz told Obama that there is an 18-month window of opportunity to resume talks with the Palestinians and stated that agreements on borders and security can be made.

During the meeting, Mofaz explained Kadima´s motivations to join the coalition and noted that the step opens a window for the resumption of peace talks with the Palestinians. He called on Obama to toughen sanctions on Iran and continue with preparations for a military strike.

Earlier this week, Mofaz met with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and other White House and Congress officials.

Israeli officials said that Obama was interested in what Mofaz had to say about progress vis-à-vis the Palestinians and the Iranian issue. During his visit to Washington, Mofaz said that the Palestinian issue poses more risks than the Iranian issue and requires direct negotiations.

During a Kadima conference earlier this week, Mofaz addressed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and urged him to resume talks with Israel.

"Drop the letters, enough with the statements and preconditions - let´s talk peace,´ he said. "There is no greater danger to the future of the Jewish people than a bi-national state between the Jordan River and the sea."

He also noted that if talks on Iran´s nuclear program fail, there would be no choice but to stage global involvement. (Copyright 2012 © Yedioth Internet 06/21/12)