Bush Trip Aimed at Curbing Iran Influence

Source: Al-Manar TV, 4-1-2008
US President George W Bush said Thursday night that part of the reason for his trip to the Middle East next week is "absolutely" about efforts to contain what he called Iran's influence in the region.
"I will make clear to them that the US National Intelligence Estimate means that Iran is still a danger," he said in an interview at the White House. "I will remind them that a country that can suspend a program can easily start a program," Bush claimed.
In another interview, Bush expressed belief that a ""Israeli"-Palestinian peace deal" will be reached this year.
He said the two sides must clinch a deal in 2008 in order to see the creation of a Palestinian state, "Israel's" Yediot Aharonot newspaper quoted him as saying. Bush sought to ease "Israeli" fears that any future Palestinian state could threaten its security.
However, the White House said Bush has no plans "at this point" to hold a joint meeting with "Israeli" and Palestinian leaders during his visit. In a related development, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is to visit Saudi Arabia for talks on the situation in the Palestinian territories ahead of Bush's trip, the Palestinian ambassador in Riyadh said.