Iran's nuclear aims on Olmert's US agenda

Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert has begun a five-day visit to the United States.

His trip is expected to measure Washington’s thinking on the tense nuclear standoff with Iran, Israeli-Palestinian relations and the state of US-Israeli ties following the recent US elections.

Olmert has said Iran’s nuclear ambitions would be the main item on his agenda when he meets with US officials in Washington.

He had dinner with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice yesterday, but neither US nor Israeli officials would say what was discussed.

Olmert is scheduled to meet US President George Bush today.

However, he also arrived with expectations that he could make small-scale moves on the Palestinian front, including the possibility of offering humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people.

Yesterday, the Palestinian foreign minister, Mahmoud Zahar, of the ruling Hamas group, accepted an Arab proposal for a peace conference with Israel, diplomats said.

The endorsement marks the first time the militant Hamas, which has refused to recognise Israel and renounce violence against the Jewish state, has indicated it would consider making amends with Israel.