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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Israel 'holds secret Saudi talks' | Israel 'holds secret Saudi talks' |
| (2 days later) | |
| Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has held an unprecedented meeting with a senior member of the Saudi royal family, Israeli officials say. | Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has held an unprecedented meeting with a senior member of the Saudi royal family, Israeli officials say. |
| The meeting 12 days ago has not been confirmed by Saudi Arabia, which has no official contacts with Israel. | The meeting 12 days ago has not been confirmed by Saudi Arabia, which has no official contacts with Israel. |
| Israeli media say they discussed Iran's nuclear programme and a Saudi peace plan adopted by Arab states in 2002. | Israeli media say they discussed Iran's nuclear programme and a Saudi peace plan adopted by Arab states in 2002. |
| Last week Mr Olmert voiced approval of recent Saudi moves, "both those made publicly and others as well". | Last week Mr Olmert voiced approval of recent Saudi moves, "both those made publicly and others as well". |
| In the same interview, with Yediot Aharonot newspaper, Mr Olmert declined to answer whether he had met senior Saudis, saying: "I don't have to answer every question." | In the same interview, with Yediot Aharonot newspaper, Mr Olmert declined to answer whether he had met senior Saudis, saying: "I don't have to answer every question." |
| But he did praise Saudi ruler King Abdullah's "wisdom and sense of responsibility". | But he did praise Saudi ruler King Abdullah's "wisdom and sense of responsibility". |
| I did not meet with any element that should have caused a media sensation Ehud Olmert The secret meeting is widely reported in Monday's Israeli newspapers and radio bulletins, quoting Israeli officials. | I did not meet with any element that should have caused a media sensation Ehud Olmert The secret meeting is widely reported in Monday's Israeli newspapers and radio bulletins, quoting Israeli officials. |
| Although no public statement have been issued, a senior government official was quoted by the Associated Press news agency saying Mr Olmert had not met King Abdullah. | Although no public statement have been issued, a senior government official was quoted by the Associated Press news agency saying Mr Olmert had not met King Abdullah. |
| Shortly afterwards, Yediot's website published a carefully worded denial by Mr Olmert himself, saying: "I did not meet the Saudi king and I did not meet with any element that should have caused a media sensation." | Shortly afterwards, Yediot's website published a carefully worded denial by Mr Olmert himself, saying: "I did not meet the Saudi king and I did not meet with any element that should have caused a media sensation." |
| Election pledge | Election pledge |
| Yediot said the reported meeting had the backing of Israel's main ally, the US, which is also a strong supporter of oil-rich Saudi Arabia royal family. | Yediot said the reported meeting had the backing of Israel's main ally, the US, which is also a strong supporter of oil-rich Saudi Arabia royal family. |
| Saudi Arabia is the author of a plan which offers Israel diplomatic recognition from all Arab states in return for a complete withdrawal from the territory occupied by Israel in 1967, and a negotiated solution to the 58-year Palestinian refugee issue. | |
| Mr Olmert's Kadima party won Israeli elections in March with a pledge to withdraw unilaterally from parts of the occupied West Bank, while holding onto the settlement blocs where most Israeli settlers live. | Mr Olmert's Kadima party won Israeli elections in March with a pledge to withdraw unilaterally from parts of the occupied West Bank, while holding onto the settlement blocs where most Israeli settlers live. |
| The plan was shelved during the conflict this summer between Israel and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. | The plan was shelved during the conflict this summer between Israel and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. |
| Saudi Arabia was one of the countries calling for an immediate ceasefire in that conflict, but condemned Hezbollah's "reckless adventurism" for capturing two Israeli soldiers in a cross-border raid at the start of the conflict. | Saudi Arabia was one of the countries calling for an immediate ceasefire in that conflict, but condemned Hezbollah's "reckless adventurism" for capturing two Israeli soldiers in a cross-border raid at the start of the conflict. |