Cheney: US Will Never Pressure Israel if Security is Threatened
By VOA News
22 March 2008
U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney says the United States will never pressure Israel to take steps that threaten its security.
Cheney spoke Saturday at a joint press conference in Jerusalem with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. The vice president also said America's commitment to Israel's security is "enduring and unshakable."
Cheney arrived today in Jerusalem for talks on pushing forward the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
His spokeswoman, Lee Anne McBride, said in meetings later with Palestinian officials in the West Bank, Cheney will reaffirm President Bush's commitment to a two-state solution and efforts to strengthen Palestinian institutions.
After visiting the West Bank, Cheney plans to go to Turkey for the last stop on his nine-day trip to the Middle East.
On Friday, Cheney visited Saudi Arabia and held talks with Saudi King Abdullah on how to deal with rising oil prices. A U.S. official said the two discussed what can be done in the short term to stabilize oil markets, but probably talked more about what needs to be done in the future.
The price of oil has risen in recent weeks to more than 100 dollars a barrel.
During a trip in January, President Bush urged Saudi Arabia and other members the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries to boost oil production.
Some information for this report provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
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