Ahead of his scheduled departure for Washington, D.C. on Monday, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has requested a meeting with PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen).

Olmert is responding to statements from the PA in Ramallah, expressing fears that the ongoing police investigation against the prime minister will have a negative impact on peace talks. In addition, Abu Mazen fears that any agreements signed at this time with Olmert may not be honored by a future Israeli government.

In the meantime, the prime minister is working to exhibit an air of business-as-usual despite the growing momentum calling upon him to step down from office.

During his visit to the American Capital, Olmert will meet with all three of the presidential hopefuls, John McCain, Hilary Clinton and Barak Obama.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)